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

the door while the other two closed in

anything!” the maid called

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

the meaning of this? I

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

true, Miss Piper, I

didn’t do it,

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

investigated.”

investigate her. You don’t have

maid’s arms and tugged her

the guard told me.

someone away without knowing

fault.”

are palace affairs. I’m sorry, ma’am, but this is just how things are done. Please

wide frightened eyes. Still, she said,

“But –”