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.”

to be your favorite,” she said,

claim over him and a

type of personality formulate in her. Pity,

does make you quite fortunate,” I agreed, just to get her to ease off that line of

a half minute away from digging a hole in the ground

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

impressed. “Where is your prince? I am surprised that

for you, as Nicholas

stout–hearted as Nicholas. I wondered if Julian would

before they chopped off my head, maybe. Whenever the situation stopped being

likely.

415 BONUS

agreeing and complements, I felt more and more terrible for Nicholas. There had to be some way I could save

he wanted children, but… how could he wish to tie himself so permanently to someone

sake of

Nicholas, in ways I didn’t and couldn’t comprehend. I tried to

that.

his whole sense of

been for a long time. But

of his life forever knowing how miserable he would be.

save him from this fate somehow.

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