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.”

gave him a flat

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

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

the full truth. “There’s more,

gestured to my teacup. “Would you

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

teacup, I glanced over to the other table, where Nicholas was sitting across from Lilliana. They hadn’t talked much,

A frown was heavy on

help but worry about him. Was this the future he

every day who he couldn’t even speak

said, speaking softly near my ear. “He’s probably still sulking from when

I swiveled back to Julian. “The King lectured

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

from the inside out. Nicholas had tried to advocate for the people? Could

I told him about the

smile tugged at my

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

mouth.

said, like that was a reasonable explanation

for

from the

Lilliana

all turned to look.

off the handle of his teacup

his hand. I