The Luna Choosing Game

I continued to hold Susie’s hand as we were led into the staged area for the ceremony. The 14 of us that

were left were lined up into three rows.

Camera crews were setting up in front of us. On the other side, three small stages were arranged side by side, each with their own set of stairs. A throne was arranged at the far end of the room for the King and

Queen.

Sometime after we arrived, the royal family came in together. I tried to catch Julian’s eye, but he wouldn’t look at me. He didn’t look at any of the candidates. His typical bored façade was in place.

I worried about him for a moment. Just what had the King wanted to talk to him about?

But then I saw Nicholas and all other thoughts flew straight out of my head. I hadn’t seen him since our

kiss in the hallway outside Julian’s door, when I’d lost myself and wanted to be ravaged.

He wasn’t looking at me either, but this one, I understood. I only hoped he didn’t regret it. Our

relationship was… complicated. Impossible, probably. But the way he held me in that moment… I wouldn’t

trade it away.

The King and Queen moved to their thrones. The producers then directed the princes up onto the

stages. Each had their own.

Nathan stood in front of us and explained, “If your name is called, move up the stairs of the stage

belonging to the prince who selected you. You will be expected to thank them personally.”

The girls all nodded. I did too.

When the cameras were set up, the producers nodded to Nathan. We waited a few minutes until the

clock hit 7pm, then the camera lights turned red.

My heart was in my throat.

The elimination ceremony was about to begin.

Nathan turned on his 1000–watt smile and faced the cameras, his microphone in hand.

“Welcome to the main event, ladies and gentleman. Tonight, your three princes will each select three ladies of their choice to stay through the elimination. This will bring our count down from 14 to 9! Who

survive? We’re about to

over the candidates and we all smiled. The other cameras zoomed in on each of the princes. Joyce looked bored. Julian winked and waved. Nicholas was

three names and then one by one, the chosen candidates

their selections and handed them in to waiting servants. The servants then brought the names to the producers.

to commercial, and no sooner, one of the producers started

other.

8

the first. “Think of the drama, man.

about?” Susie

8 names? Could that mean only 8 girls

could that be? Didn’t

spoke with Nathan, he immediately

started to say, but the producers were

in 3… 2… 1…”

panic, but he pressed on regardless. “W–welcome back! We will now begin with the ceremony! Each prince will read the names of their selections, one at a time. Prince Nicholas, we will begin with you. If you could please say the name of one of your

throat. I held

“Lilliana.”

”

low exhale. I wasn’t surprised, but I still wanted

reaction. She crossed the floor, walked up the stairs

and she moved to stand behind

Nathan said. “Prince Julian, you are

was the moment. If Julian didn’t save

wasn’t my

and looked at me for reaction. The cameras zoomed in close to

on my face but it wasn’t genuine. Inside, my heart was breaking. How much time would they give me to pack my bags? Would Elva have time to say goodbye to

night like we’d never been here at

his second round, Nicholas picked Olivia. Julian and Joyce picked girls who clapped in excitement and hurried forward when they were called.

and I looked at

knew our moments were numbered here, and

Nathan aside quickly to whisper

and start

on camera.

us remaining girls. Then his

“Susie.”

at me. I smiled and

was so happy for her, even as my heart was breaking for myself. Joyce had saved her for another few weeks, and in those weeks, she could be with the man she