The Luna Choosing Game

“I should have the girl forcibly removed for ruining Prince Nicholas’s date,” Lena said, voice sharp. “I’m

sure Prince Nicholas himself is furious.”

“Nick–lass is mad at me?” Elva sniffed.

“No,” I said at once.

“He should be, if he isn’t,” Lena snapped. “You are a very nasty little girl, who

That’s enough.”

“-shouldn’t even be here.”

“I said, that’s enough!” I stepped forward, approaching Lena. “You will not talk to my daughter like that.”

“Fine,” Lena said, shifting her rage–filled gaze onto me. “Then why don’t we talk about you instead, Piper. You know you and your daughter don’t belong her but you insist on wasting everyone’s time and efforts by continuing to stay.”

Elva until my dying breath. It was

either. I didn’t belong here. I was wasting everyone’s time. But, while I was here, Elva would get the

been the healthiest she had ever been, and that was only thanks to

left, Elva would go back to receiving base–level care, and only then if I could afford to

of humiliation or degradation or indignity. I

do everyone here a favor by leaving, especially Prince Nicholas,” Lena said. “He deserves better than to

rude and crass, in this, I could understand where she was coming from. Nicholas and the princes had much to lose or gain with this competition,

ourselves in the way of him finding the

be more careful in the future,” I conceded. “We’ll make sure not

least you can see some reason. If I can’t convince you to leave, I’m glad you can see how

round, but I felt

game dictate it, or the royal family asks

“I hope you enjoy your last few days in

and marched out the

returned to work. A subtle look of understanding passed between the quiet maid and I. At least I knew she was

however, remained suspicious. In Lena’s absence, she smiled and smiled, as

maid hadn’t just tore

cry in earnest. I rushed