The Luna Choosing Game

I read through it all. This invitation Includes Eiva…?” Could that be right? But there was her name, clear

as day, directly beside mine. Perhaps this was some kind of apology for the doctors‘ behavior last night?

Or was this something else another publicity stunt?

I supposed I couldn’t be picky enough to let it bother me. The royal family invited us both, so we both. would attend. Full stop.

Right now, my bigger concern could be focused on the detailed dress code included at the bottom of the invitation.

“The tailors will be here in an hour,” the talkative maid said. “They’ll measure you both for the dresses.”

“Princess dresses?” Elva asked, all doe eyes and sweetness.

The maid smiled at her. “Something very close to, yes.

Elva cheered.

The maid returried her attention to me. The dance instructors will arrive tomorrow.”

“Dance instructors?” I knew how to do a two–step as well as anyone.

The candidates must know all of the latest dances. Some of the proper steps for the social dances are quite complicated, these days. And then, of course, there are the traditional formal dances that the King prefers.”

it this time. We hadn’t done much dancing at the Academy at

dances alone in the

likely forgotten those special nights, so

me. The maids said they uld make the dresses

our honor to assist you, the quiet one

the less. After some coaxing I convinced them to at

one said.

As they worked, I peered through some of the scraps of fabric they’d

as

was

came

for today,” I said, as

and excused themselves for

Elva and kissed her goodnight. Then I went to one

stitching. I had to guess some of the size work, trying to remember the shape of Nicholas’s

the windows. My eyes hurt and I was tired. But it wasn’t

held the item I’d made in both of my hands, admiring the finished

guard, fit for a prince with an old

night, a way to

light of