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

sigh. “Fine. My dear uncle Terry clearly has some suspicions about

going on an actual date. Think of

didn’t feel like the full truth. “There’s

then gestured to my teacup. “Would you like

then. Julian was always so secretive, sometimes it was downright

where Nicholas was sitting across from Lilliana. They hadn’t talked much, just quietly enjoyed their

frown was heavy

help but worry about him. Was this the future he

every day who he couldn’t

about him,” Jullan said, speaking softly near my ear. “He’s probably still sulking from

caught my interest and I swiveled back to Julian. “The King lectured

to convince our parents to care about the plight of the common people. Unsuccessfully, I might add, especially with Terry there.”

from the inside out. Nicholas had tried

me when I told him about the

tugged at my

cupping my face. Gently, he brushed his thumb against the corner of my

mouth.

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

for so

sharp crack sounded from the other table.

Lilliana

all turned to

had cracked off the handle of his teacup

his hand. I