The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0351

I couldn’t think clearly when faced with such an obvious threat. My protective instincts kicked into high gear. I would do anything to protect those closest to me. But Piper was close to me to.

I swallowed hard. “I care about Piper.”

The King’s demeanor had shifted. Maybe he could see the hesitation in me, where I had been so firm before, and softened in response.

“You are a prince. Someday, you may very well be a king. Those feelings won’t mean anything in the end. Everything is secondary to your duty.”

His words cracked through my heart until it blistered. I knew what he meant. Even if I cared for Piper, I would never be able to marry her. Unlike the others, she hadn’t been trained since birth to become a queen. She’d probably hate the job, even if it meant we could be together.

Piper and I would have to part ways eventually. Shouldn’t it be now? When I could help protect my family and my kingdom with the choice?

I didn’t know what to do. I was worse than torn, I was agonized.

think it over, but I expect your agreement

weighed every option, but the inner debate mostly came down to my feelings for Piper

of the hallway windows as the protesters began to assemble again.

I didn’t have to look to know it was my

you?” I asked.

watched out the window as I did.

happened,” she said in a soft, soothing voice more motherly than she’d sounded since before this competition began. “I’m worried

but I had never doubted her love. It was only when the contest started that

she hated me. She was my mother, and that bond was strong.

how she was acting, either. Maybe it was a two–way street. Maybe I kept

to do the right thing,” my mother said. “And that the right