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.”

a flat look.

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

going on an actual date. Think of it

didn’t feel like the full

then gestured to my teacup. “Would

then. Julian was always so

to the other table, where Nicholas was sitting across from Lilliana.

heavy on his lips.

help but worry about him. Was this the future he truly wanted for himself? To sit

day who he

softly near my ear. “He’s probably still sulking from

I swiveled back to Julian. “The

our parents to care about the plight of the common people. Unsuccessfully, I

had tried to advocate for the people?

told him about

tugged at my

face. Gently, he brushed his thumb against

mouth.

like that was a reasonable explanation for

for so long.

sounded from the

Lilliana

turned to

off the handle of

chuckling, lowered his hand. I glared at him.