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

in open disgust. “This was no mistake. That

disrespect”

girl made the

do not belong here, Prince Nicholas. She’s grown too

is what would happen if she is selected. Nothing

again”

if attitudes like Lena’s were what

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

gall so try to stand against me. “If you

know you are not attempting to argue with your prince.

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

not something deserving of the traditional

punishment for what she had done was much worse

left me doubting. As I walked away,

Piper and Elva’s distress

could I

No sooner had I returned to the ballroom, than

smirk on

are, brother! I’ve

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

narrowed my eyes at him. “What

It’s shameful.” His smile only grew

you

crossed my arms. “Watch

Without another word, he spun away and crossed the