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

the closet. Elva followed,

stood at the door while the other two closed in around my

anything!” the maid called

who took hold of Elva’s hand, keeping her safely out of the

is the meaning of

by the door, stepped forward. “Apologies, ma’am, but

true, Miss Piper, I

says she didn’t do it, and I

words. “It’s not up to you, ma’am. She’ll

investigated.”

investigate her. You don’t have

of the maid’s arms

guard told me. “She’ll need

can’t take someone away without

fault.”

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

pale, with wide frightened eyes. Still, she said,

“But –”