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

“I’m not sure.

room but that

you recognize her?”

nodded. “She’s tending to Lilliana.” She helped me lace up my

promised. Why would Lilliana’s maid peak her head into my room? What had she hoped

goodbye to Charlotte and the maid, and

felt beautiful in my stunning silver gown with a low–cut bodice and a slit up the

maybe should have felt like an imitator wearing it. Instead, I felt

stairs, Julian stood at the bottom to

I escort you to the dining room

lifted a brow. “Why?”

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

my

if we walked in together. You

I

maybe, not the only one. For now, however, I supposed I

well.” I accepted Julian’s offered arm.

dress,” Julian

“It is.”

on

I side–eyed him.

“It looks better on you than it does

Her? Who?