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 look.

dear uncle Terry clearly has some suspicions about us. It

an actual date. Think of it as a cover for

full truth.

me for a moment, then gestured to my teacup. “Would

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

was sitting across from Lilliana. They hadn’t talked much,

was heavy on

him. Was this the future he

every day who he couldn’t even speak

speaking softly near my ear. “He’s

and I swiveled back to Julian. “The King lectured him?”

shrugged. “Good little Nicholas was trying to convince our parents to care about the plight of the common people. Unsuccessfully, I might add, especially with Terry

Nicholas had tried to advocate

told him about the

tugged at my lips.

face. Gently, he brushed his thumb against

mouth.

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

or for so

crack sounded from

Lilliana gasped.

all turned to

off the

his hand. I glared