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

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

prove them untrue by going on an actual date. Think of it as a cover for our

feel like the full truth. “There’s more, isn’t

for a moment, then gestured to my teacup. “Would you like more

Julian was always so secretive,

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

heavy on his lips.

worry about him. Was this the future he truly wanted for

every day who he couldn’t even speak to?

said, speaking softly near

interest and I swiveled back to Julian. “The King

Nicholas was trying to convince our parents to care about the plight of

Nicholas had tried to advocate

to me when I told him about

tugged at

he brushed his thumb

mouth.

that was a reasonable explanation for why he

familiarly, or for so long.

from the

Nicholas Lilliana gasped.

all turned to look.

cracked off the handle of

lowered his hand. I glared