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.

to my room to relieve the nanny. Elva was

were those that were kind and understanding to Elva and me. Now,

try to hide behind me when

of the day, when I was feeling bold, I tried to approach one to ask for

met

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

guards at my door just stared ahead, looking straight

retumed into

a friend, and I wasn’t about to let her wither away wherever she was, if there was anything I could do

the next morning, after making certain the guards were

do you know where she

her if I could.”

me entirely, but the other gave me

glance

the sake of you and your

that mean? Was that a threat?

want to make sure she is okay,” I said, but by then the guard had gone back to