The Luna Choosing Game

Around us, the girls were speaking with each other and the royal family. Only Nicholas, Susie, and myself

were silent.

The King gave Nicholas a hard look, and Nicholas’s lips twitched like he wanted to frown but didn’t.

I thought he might talk to me, but instead, he leaned forward to see Susie around me.

“It is a pleasant evening, wouldn’t you agree, Susie?”

Susie paled. “You… know my name?”

“Of course. I know the name of every candidate.”

“… oh…” She audibly swallowed a spoonful of soup. “Of course. Sorry to offend.”

“I’m not offended,” Nicholas said. “But, to my question. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Susie’s face shifted from white to red so fast, I worried she might be lightheaded. I placed an arm beside her, ready to catch her if she tilted.

“A–Agree?” Susie stuttered

“Yes.” Nicholas’s brow furrowed slightly. “That the weather is pleasant?”

“Ohl Yes, Yes, very pleasant.” Susie pushed her chair back. “If you’ll excuse me, I… I, uh… I have to use the bathroom!”

She jumped to her feet and started walking away. Halfway to the door she turned around, seemingly having realized she was still clutching her cloth napkin. She dropped it onto her chair, and then scuttled away, pressing her hands to her face.

couple of times. He hadn’t moved at all otherwise, like he couldn’t quite believe what had just

very shy,” I

He sat back in his chair and focused on

he was furious with me, but if he continued to be so unwelcoming, he would eam

the girls, and with

be zooming in on

to myself. 1, personally, find the weather very

again, his frown clear this

I tilted my head toward the

schooled his frown into

he asked me. He didn’t wait for me to answer. “I’ve taken to raising some.

“Which is?” I asked.

sliced into me. “They lay

tactic, but shameless.”

was talking about me. I had a child, yet here I

in the Luna choosing game. Did he think this was some

To aim higher than

with my napkin, giving myself a moment

Then I spoke.

I

love birds,”

feigned interest. He lifted his

bird is the swan. They are so pure, loyal. Monogamous. Among swans,