The Luna Choosing Game

“Thank you,” I said. “Please thank them for me, as well. I wouldn’t want to get them in trouble by approaching them directly.”

Till pass on your gratitude,” Charlotte said.

We continued to work throughout the day. When we finally finished, it was time for me to attend a

banquet.

Elva, who had been patient all day, complained loudly that she wouldn’t get to attend.

“You’d hate it,” I told her, hoisting her up into my arms. “A bunch of stuffy people insulting each other

while pretending to be nice.”

“Why would they do that?” she asked.

“1 don’t know, honey.” But I did know. With only 9 candidates left, everyone was on the edge. We were coming down to the wire soon, and all the girls, except Susie and 1, wanted the crown. “People

sometimes have to cut each other down to make themselves feel more important.”

“That doesn’t sound very nice”

“It’s not,” I agreed.

As I prepared for the banquet, I was startled by an unfamiliar maid sticking her head through the door.

Charlotte immediately intercepted her and then sent her away

that? What did she want?” I asked when she had

seemed unsettled, her brow pulled together. “I’m not sure. She didn’t even ask anything.

the wrong room but that seems impossible.

you recognize

me lace up my silver dress

her head into my room? What had she hoped to see? None

Charlotte and the maid, and Mark

low–cut bodice and a slit up the side.

felt like an imitator wearing

descended the stairs, Julian stood at the bottom to greet

to the dining room

a brow. “Why?”

laughed. “So mistrustful. Maybe I just want to be the one on your

narrowed my eyes.

if we walked in together. You are supposed

I

feel like the right reason, or maybe, not the only one. For now, however, I supposed I could

accepted Julian’s offered arm.

dress,” Julian said.

“It is.”

on

I side–eyed him.

you than it does on her. That’s for

Her? Who?