The Luna Choosing Game

Unfortunately, Lene also had the Queen’s favor, I had to be careful here, lest I risk offending my own

mother.

-I

“I have questions,” I said.

Lena dipped her head. “Of course. I live to serve, sir.”

Behind me, Mark quietly snorted in disbelief. He quickly covered it with a cough.

Lena glared at him.

I cleared my

own throat, drawing her attention back to me. “The traditional punishment has not been

implemented in many years. Why would you believe that it is appropriate in this case, with Piper?”

The palace has not allowed guests in a long time,” she said. “That is the only reason the punishment

has not been used.”

She was being misleading. The palace had accepted guests, even when the royal family had maintained

its anonymity. No cameras had been allowed. Everyone was searched.

“There have been balls over the years,” I said.

“Which were strictly for the nobility, sir. The guests I’m referring to are…” She seemed to think her words through now, and didn’t say whatever she had been about to.

finished for

no

disrespect”

made

here, Prince Nicholas. She’s grown too complacent, bending

wishes. This is what would happen if she is selected. Nothing would ever be

again”

time for change if attitudes like Lena’s were what the

will be treated the same as everyone else,” I said

try to stand against me. “If you could hear yourself

forward know you are not

mouth. She paled a little, then lowered her head. “Apologies, sir. My passion overran

I said. “But not something deserving of the

hoped she could see her own hypocrisy. The traditional punishment for what she had done was much worse than Lena’s. Could she

of her jaw left me doubting. As I walked away, returning to the ballroom,

Piper and Elva’s distress had

I prove

to think of the answer. No sooner had I returned to the ballroom, than Julian found

smirk on his

brother! I’ve been looking

of trepidation through me. Julian only wished to see me when he meant do to me harm–likely

narrowed my eyes at him. “What do

It’s shameful.” His

you to

my

Without another word, he spun away and crossed the