The Luna Choosing Game

Nicholas and I continued to stare at each other, neither of us saying a word. We both glanced down at the empty chair and back at each other again.

Every other spot a

at the table was filled. Unless Nicholas were to excuse himself, he would have to sit

here to eat. But to leave in the middle of his own competition would be unbearably rude.

Weren’t the royal family trying to win the hearts and minds of the common people?

Nicholas must have had the same train of thought, though his face revealed nothing.

He sat.

The King cleared his throat. After a pointed look to Nicholas, who avoided it by staring hard at the table, the King spoke loud enough for the entire table to hear.

“Once again, we welcome all the ladies here, chosen by our royal magic at the ceremony.

Though he was addressing the girls sitting at the table, his eyes were on the cameras on the corners of the room, which the cameramen had clicked on. The red lights indicated they were recording.

look forward to the coming days, where you will be asked to showcase your virtues and your talents. Both

girls at

addition, of course, you will be able to spend time with my sons, developing friendships that could progress

Nicholas crossed his arms.

the other end of the table, where the Luna – the Queen, sat with perfect posture. Her back was flat against the dining chair. She held her head tall, her chin

the King speak with quiet poise, her attention never wavering

manage it for long. All the other girls

trained their entire lives for events like these. Wearing gowits and attending

calloused fingers and the slump in my shoulders, I didn’t belong here,

me the past

+15 BONUS

I had been at the Academy, I had felt like a

borrowed time,

a noble. A commoner was a commoner. We could interact.

of future could we have? No one in his life would have ever approved