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.

I finished for

“This was no mistake. That girl made a

disrespect”

made the same mistake…?”

and her offspring do not belong here, Prince Nicholas. She’s grown too complacent,

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

again”

if attitudes

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

to stand

you are not attempting to argue with your prince.

a little, then lowered her head. “Apologies,

to correct,” I said. “But not something deserving of the traditional

own hypocrisy. The traditional punishment for what she had done was much worse than Lena’s. Could she not understand why

stubborn clench of her jaw left me doubting. As I walked away, returning to

just how much of Piper and Elva’s distress

could I

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

smirk

brother! I’ve

only wished to see me when he

at him. “What do

brother. It’s shameful.” His smile only grew wider.

you to

my

at me. Without another word, he spun away and crossed the room to where most