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.

said, a bit sadly.

frowned but didn’t say

minutes later, as I put the finishing touches

come over here.”

to me, and I

there a second,” I

her hand up and kept the mask in place. I tied the ribbons securely behind her head,

so the ribbon should be enough. I wanted

it

fits for

her mask, her eyes

all crooked teeth and gums,

I’m a wolf!” She gave a little

to

my chair, about to join in, when I noticed Terry enter the room unannounced.

room without anything.

me stiffen, he followed the length of my gaze to

us. You should have

in the back of the room

closer.

came to me and

more behind my