The Luna Choosing Game

Whispers sounded around me, speculation on who was copying who. Lilliana had arrived to the banquet first, but not everyone was convinced that meant she had picked the outfit originally. Absolutely no one entertained the idea that it could have been a coincidence.

When I suggested such a thing to the girl beside me at the table, she rolled her eyes. “Nothing is a coincidence at the palace.”

“She’s not wrong.” Julian said. “It’s obvious to me that Lilliana is copying you.”

“Well, I didn’t copy her,” I said firmly.

Julian waved around his soup spoon. Think about it. By your own admission, you have now dated two of the three princes. Is it any big surprise that some of the girls are going to end up imitating you?”

That seemed like such a ridiculous notion. Lilliana especially wouldn’t have a need to copy me. She had already gone on dates with Nicholas, and she had been seated beside him for some time now.

Even if she wasn’t already favored by Nicholas, she was so regal all on her own. What use would copying me have for her, other than to bring her down?

“Lilliana has her own grace,” I said. “She doesn’t need anything from me.”

“Cute, but incorrect.” Finished with his soup, he pushed the bowl away. A servant immediately came to retrieve it. “Thanks.” Julian patted his napkin to his lip. “Lilliana is a fraud.”

opposite him gasped. He

mean?” I

about her has been pre–planned, from the way she parts her hair, to the way she sits

couldn’t remember saying more than a few quick words

be, to win the crown. She’s been pretending so long, I’m not sure she even knows who she really is underneath

much for power, that she was willing to erase

a shell? Did she truly not remember

been able to see the pity on

gave herself up willingly, Piper. Girls like her do it all the time. Anything to

others to hear. “It’s just so sad. What will happen to her if Nicholas

doesn’t choose her?”

shrugged. “She’ll probably have

I hoped that would come to pass. I understood she was desperate to be Luna, but to give up so much?

folly.

a girl who didn’t really belong here among these sharks. I had no desire for power or