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

disgust. “This was no mistake. That girl

disrespect”

if another girl made the same mistake…?”

belong here, Prince Nicholas.

would happen if she is selected.

again”

change if attitudes like Lena’s were

be treated the same

stand against me.

are not

mouth. She paled a little, then lowered her head.

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

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

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

just how much of Piper and Elva’s

could I

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

smirk on

you are, brother! I’ve been looking

see

my eyes at him. “What

own brother. It’s shameful.” His smile

you to

my arms.

he spun away and crossed the room to where