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.

disrespect”

made the

not belong here, Prince Nicholas. She’s grown

happen if she is selected. Nothing would

again”

time for change if attitudes like

and will be

gall so try to stand against me. “If you could hear

know you are not

mouth. She paled a little, then

correct,” I said. “But not

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

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

of Piper and Elva’s

I

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

smirk on his

I’ve been looking

see me when he meant do to me harm–likely a prank

eyes at him.

for your own brother. It’s shameful.” His smile only grew

you

my arms. “Watch

winked at me. Without another word, he spun away