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

the room. One stood at the door while the other two closed

didn’t do anything!”

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

meaning

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

true, Miss Piper,

she didn’t do it, and I believe

harsh words. “It’s not up to

investigated.”

investigate her. You don’t have to

one of the maid’s arms and tugged her toward the

me.

away without knowing for sure they

fault.”

“We can if it is on palace grounds. These are palace affairs. I’m sorry,

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

“But –”