The Luna Choosing Game

“Right.” Nicholas tightened his jaw.

“Well, she certainly did in this case,” I said, inserting myself into their conversation. “I would never hurt

anyone.

Lilliana looked at me blankly.

1 believe that,” Nicholas said.

Then Lilliana added, “Yes, me too. Piper would never hurt anyone.”

I frowned. This conversation felt… odd. Like attempting to speak with a puppet, she only ever seemed to

emulate what Nicholas had said.

Secretly I wished Nicholas would say something outlandish, if only to see if Lilliana would agree. He was

too good of a man for that, however.

If only Lilliana had taken to Julian instead. He would have had a field day amusing himself with her

mindless compliance.

“The cooking challenge for Linda was very inspired, Prince Nicholas,” Lilliana said. “You are very

intelligent.”

Nicholas looked absolutely miserable standing there, frowning so deeply, eyes downcast and away.

Thank you.”

lucky to be your favorite,” she said,

both a claim over

in her. Pity, it only manifested in such

quite fortunate,” I agreed, just to get her to ease off that

a hole in

recall,” I continued, showing even more leniency, “I am

sound particularly impressed. “Where is your prince? I am surprised that he did not

you, as Nicholas did.”

as Nicholas. I wondered if Julian would have stepped in eventually-

head, maybe. Whenever the situation stopped being funny to him, most

likely.

415 BONUS

and more terrible for Nicholas. There had to

children, but… how could he wish

the sake of the crown?

I

that.

to give up his whole sense of self…?

wasn’t my boyfriend. He hadn’t been for a long time. But I

his life forever knowing how

a way to save

we’d eaten lunch in the gardens, we were alerted that the kitchens were ready for Linda’s