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.

with a sigh. “Fine. My dear uncle Terry

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

like the full truth.

then gestured to my teacup. “Would

was always so

more tea into 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

was heavy

him. Was this the future he

day who he

softly near my ear. “He’s probably

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

shrugged. “Good little Nicholas was trying to convince our parents to care about the plight of

the inside out. Nicholas had tried to advocate for the

I told him about the common

tugged at my lips.

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

mouth.

he said, like that was a reasonable explanation for why he was touching

for so

sharp crack sounded from

Nicholas Lilliana gasped.

all turned to look.

the handle of

lowered his hand. I