The Luna Choosing Game

They both nodded, finally in agreement.

They removed the dress they had been working on and added it to the scrap pile.

“What are you doing with that?” I hurried to the discarded dress.

“It’s all wrong,” the talkative maid said. “The color’s too dark, and it’s not shapely enough. We can do

better.”

“Don’t throw it out.” I held the dress protectively to my chest.

They both looked at me. “Why not?”

“It’s beautiful, and you both worked so hard on it. Let me keep it. I don’t have to wear it to the First Ball, but I’d like to wear it at some point.”

They glanced at each other.

“It’s up to you, Miss Piper,” the talkative maid said. “Everything in here is a gift to you. If you would like to keep it, that’s your decision.”

I smiled, relieved. I really didn’t want such a beautiful gown to go to waste. I went to the closet and hung it inside.

As I admired it, hanging among the other beautiful gowns, Elva came running into the room.

scary guards are

rushed out of the closet. Elva followed, but

at the door

do anything!” the

to the quiet one, who took hold of Elva’s hand,

the meaning of this? I

door, stepped forward. “Apologies, ma’am, but your maid has been accused of stealing

not true, Miss

do it, and I believe her,” I

harsh words. “It’s

investigated.”

don’t have to

of the maid’s arms and tugged her toward the

the guard told me. “She’ll need

That’s outrageous. You can’t take someone away without knowing for

fault.”

guard shook his head. “We can if it is on palace grounds. These are palace affairs. I’m sorry, ma’am, but this is just how

eyes. Still, she said, “Don’t get involved, Miss Piper. I’ll be

“But –”