The Luna Choosing Game

With the Second Ball only a few short days away, the dressmaking was underway and took up most of my time. My room had become something of a command center, with Charlotte, Elva, the nanny, Mark, and I as regulars. Susie visited quite often, sometimes with a maid or two in tow.

Her gown, leopard–themed, she shared, was already completed.

“The design wasn’t overly complicated,” Susie said. “The leopard–print fabric is what makes it.”

“I’m sure it’s beautiful,” I told her.

“So am I,” Mark added. When Susle looked at him, he quickly glanced away.

She continued to watch him as she said, “Thank you, but I truly have little interest in this event.”

Mark, surprised, finally glanced back at her. “But if you don’t do well, you might not make it through the

elimination.”

If she did stay, it would have to be at the selection of one of the princes. If Nicholas knew Susie and

Mark liked each other, he might select her, just to help them be together. Although he tended to be a

stickler for the rules, of which Susie and Mark were definitely breaking, by crushing on each other.

I supposed there was no easy answer for them. Whatever time they had together was likely to be brief.

know,” Susie said, a

didn’t say anything else.

later, as I put the finishing touches

come over here.”

me, and I placed it

there a second,” I said.

up and kept the mask in place. I tied the

so the ribbon should be

than chance it at the Ball.

that fits for a while,

at once. Through the holes in her mask, her eyes

all crooked teeth and gums,

a wolf!” She gave a little howl and then

laughing, started to chase

to join in, when I

without anything.

stiffen, he followed the length of my

“Forgive us.

stop. She was in the back

closer.

me and noticed

more behind my skirts.