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

nose scrunched in open disgust. “This was no mistake. That girl

disrespect”

girl made the

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

if she is selected. Nothing would ever

again”

for change if attitudes like

a guest in this house, and will be treated the same as everyone else,” I said with

had the gall so try to stand against me. “If

you are not

a little, then lowered her head.

“But not something deserving of the

had done was much worse than Lena’s. Could she not understand why leniency

of her jaw left me doubting. As I walked

much of Piper and Elva’s distress

could I prove

sooner had I returned to the ballroom, than Julian found

smug smirk on his

are, brother! I’ve been looking

sent a shot of trepidation through me. Julian only wished to see

narrowed my eyes at him.

for your own brother. It’s shameful.”

want you to

my arms.

me. Without another word, he spun away and