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

did she want?” I asked when she had

together. “I’m not

room but

you recognize

tending to Lilliana.” She helped me lace up my silver dress in the back. “Be

room? What had she hoped to see? None

the maid, and Mark outside the door, I headed

in my stunning silver gown with a low–cut bodice and a slit up the side. The fabric

have felt like an imitator

stairs, Julian stood at the bottom to

the

lifted a

mistrustful. Maybe I just want

my

look best if we walked in together. You are supposed to

I

the right reason, or maybe, not the only

accepted

dress,” Julian

“It is.”

on you.”

I side–eyed him.

me. “It looks better on you than it

Her? Who?