The Luna Choosing Game

I sat in a sitting room at a table for two, having tea and pastries with Julian, I wasn’t surprised when

Julian asked me on another date. We had plenty left to investigate, after all. But I was confused when he

led me here, to what seemed like a legitimate date.

I was startled that Nicholas and Lilliana were also here, having the same assortment of tea and snacks

at an identical table on the other side of the medium–sized room, In the corner, one of the servants

masterfully played the pianoforte.

Cameras covered almost every angle of the room, coming in closer to our faces every now and then.

I leaned closer to Julian so the cameras wouldn’t overhear.

“So what’s the plan?” I asked him.

He looked at me with a lifted brow. “Enjoy our tea and pastries?”

I frowned at him. “Are we not… Investigating?”

“Here?” He glanced around. “Heavens, no.”

“But… you asked me on a date.”

“Maybe I just wanted to enjoy the pleasure of your company.”

him a flat look.

dear uncle Terry clearly has some suspicions about us. It makes

date.

full truth. “There’s more,

smiled at me for a moment, then gestured to my teacup. “Would you

then. Julian was always so secretive,

my teacup, I glanced over to the other table, where Nicholas was sitting across from Lilliana. They hadn’t talked much, just quietly enjoyed their tea. Nicholas’s back

frown was heavy on his

the future he truly wanted for himself? To sit across

day who he couldn’t even speak

Jullan said, speaking softly near my ear. “He’s probably

and I swiveled back

the plight of the common people. Unsuccessfully, I might add,

out. Nicholas had tried to advocate

I told him about the common people’s hardships?

smile tugged at my

hand was cupping my face. Gently, he brushed his thumb

mouth.

“Crumbs,” he said, like that was a reasonable explanation for why he was touching me

familiarly, or for so

crack sounded from the other

Lilliana

turned

cracked off the handle of his teacup

hand. I glared