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.

The scary guards

closet. Elva followed, but I made sure to keep her behind

door while the other two closed

do anything!”

quiet one, who took hold of Elva’s hand, keeping her safely out of the way.

meaning of this? I

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

not true, Miss Piper,

didn’t do it,

sympathetic, despite his harsh words. “It’s not up to you, ma’am.

investigated.”

her. You don’t have to take her

the maid’s arms and tugged

the guard told me. “She’ll need to be interrogated

can’t take someone away without knowing for sure

fault.”

it is on palace grounds. These are palace affairs. I’m sorry, ma’am, but this

maid was pale, with wide frightened eyes. Still, she said, “Don’t

“But –”