The Luna Choosing Game

“I have no intention of backing away from the choosing game,” I said,

He stepped closer. “Do as you wish, but know this. I will uphold my duty to protect the royal family from any and all threats. No matter in what form those threats appear.”

His words sent a chill up my spine.

I had thought that the guards were sympathetic of me and Elva, but now I wasn’t as certain. If their leader was someone who wanted me gone, maybe the guards were only pretending to be nice.

“I’m not a threat.” I said. “Neither is my daughter.”

at

“We’ll see.” He glanced around. “You should go inside now. It’s dangerous out here.”

The only danger out here was him, but that was enough for me. I stepped around him and headed inside without another word.

During the banquet, I struggled to keep up conversation, too distracted by Joseph’s words. Julian gave me curious looks across the table, but I avoided returning them. Just as I avoided glancing down the table to Nicholas at all.

I kept my gaze fixed on my food, replying only when necessary, and couldn’t wait until the banquet was finished.

I rushed back to my room to relieve the nanny. Elva was getting ready for bed.

noticed a change in the guards stationed around me. Gone were those that were kind and understanding to Elva and me. Now, we were glared at

She would try to hide behind me when we got

day, when I was feeling bold, I tried

was met with

kind “I know it’s a bother. But I haven’t heard

two guards at my door just stared ahead, looking straight through me like

retumed into

someone almost like a friend, and I wasn’t about to let her wither

the guards

Or do you know where

her if I could.”

me entirely, but the other gave me a

glance

of you and your

Was that a

she is okay,” I said, but by then the guard had gone back to pretending I didn’t