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.

but I expect

halls like a ghost, my lost in the riptide of my thoughts. I weighed every option, but the inner debate mostly came down

above the tree line, I watched from one of the

have to look to know it

send you?” I asked.

beside me, and watched out the window as I

more motherly than she’d sounded since before this competition began. “I’m

at least outwardly, but I had never doubted her love. It was only when the contest started that she delved too deeply into it, focusing on finding the perfect bride for her sons rather

she had said to me in the past months it wasn’t that I thought she hated me. She was my mother, and that bond was strong. I just thought she didn’t like

either. Maybe it was a two–way street. Maybe I kept

right thing,” my mother said. “And that the right thing may seem unclear to you now, especially because