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

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

going on an actual date. Think

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

then gestured to my teacup. “Would you like more

always so secretive, sometimes it was downright frustrating.

the other table, where Nicholas was sitting across from Lilliana. They hadn’t talked much,

A frown was heavy on his lips.

help but worry about him. Was this the future

he couldn’t even speak

said, speaking softly near my

swiveled back to Julian.

to care about the

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

I told him about

tugged at my lips.

hand was cupping my face. Gently, he brushed his

mouth.

like that was a reasonable explanation for why he was

familiarly, or for so

sharp crack sounded from the other

Nicholas Lilliana gasped.

all turned to look.

off the handle of his teacup

his hand.