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

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

guards were in the room. One stood at the door while the other two closed in around my

anything!” the maid called

hold of Elva’s hand, keeping her

is the meaning of this? I

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

Miss Piper,

do it, and I believe her,” I

guard seemed sympathetic, despite his harsh words. “It’s not up

investigated.”

her. You don’t have to

guards each grabbed one of the maid’s

told me. “She’ll need

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

fault.”

head. “We can if it is on palace grounds. These are palace affairs.

wide frightened eyes. Still, she said, “Don’t get involved, Miss Piper.

“But –”