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

We’re about to

the candidates and we all smiled. The other cameras zoomed in on

three

They each wrote their selections and handed them in to waiting servants. The servants

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

other.

only 8

the first. “Think of the drama, man. This

they talking about?” Susie whispered

back. Only 8 names? Could that mean only 8 girls were going to

Didn’t it break the rules?

spoke with Nathan, he

started to say, but the

from commercial in 3… 2… 1…” They pointed at Nathan.

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

throat. I held my breath.

“Lilliana.”

”

breath came out a long, low exhale. I wasn’t surprised, but I still

without any outward reaction. She crossed the floor, walked up the stairs in

nodded, and she moved to stand behind him.

said. “Prince Julian, you are

was it. This was the moment. If Julian

mouth with a smile, but it wasn’t my name that came out of it. Some of

The cameras zoomed in close to my

it wasn’t genuine. Inside, my heart was breaking. How much time would they

like we’d never been

Julian and

was nearing the final round, Susie and I looked at each other. We said

our moments were numbered here, and soon we’d be

producers pulled Nathan aside quickly

round, we’d like to change things up and start with Joyce,” Nathan said, when he

on camera.

us remaining girls. Then his

“Susie.”

me. I smiled and nodded, urging her forward.

had saved her for another few weeks, and in those weeks, she could be with the man