The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0339

Chapter 0339

A few days later, all of the candidates were called into the foyer for another of Nathan’s meetings. By now, Elva was fully recovered, although very angry that I would not let her leave the room.

“There’s a bad guy on the loose,” I said. “It’s too dangerous for you until that person is caught.”

Elva crossed her arms and pouted. “But you go out.”

“Because I have to. Trust me, I’d rather stay in here with you.”

That, along with a hug, seemed to pacify her for now, and I was able to leave peacefully.

Down in the foyer, I found Susie, Veronica, and Tiffany standing together and went to join them.

“How is Elva?” Susie asked. I had talked to each of them since the incident, down at breakfast and dinner, but every time Susie asked me the same question. I was glad for it, honestly. It was nice to feel cared about.

“Better,” I said. “She was so mad I wouldn’t let her join us.”

“It’s safer where she is,” Veronica said, and she would know.

She had placed some talismans of her own around my room, designed to keep the curse at bay. She’d also given Elva a necklace to wear that carried a talisman as a pendant, but Veronica had said it was better if she was entirely surrounded by the protections.

“She’s a free spirit,” Susie said fondly.

“Glad she’s better,” Tiffany said. “Most of the girls were really worried.” Most. I wondered which were the ones who weren’t. I immediately suspected Olivia and Lilliana, though I’d hoped they weren’t so callous as to actively want Elva harmed.

Being uncaring was different than malice though, so I tried not to dwell on it.

Nathan cleared his throat, drawing all of our gazes.

“Attention, please,” Nathan said. When he had it, he continued, “It has been decided by the royal family that we are going to attempt to progress the competition.”

A few gasps sounded around the candidates. Most seemed excited. I didn’t know what to think yet so I stayed quiet. Beside me, Susie looked worried.

“Due to Terry’s betrayal,” Nathan continued, “the scores from his event will be removed from the standings.”


I motioned him closer and he sat on the bed beside me.

Julian yawned. “I’d like to stay too. Not on the bed of course, but that couch over there looks. comfortable.”

He hadn’t slept either. He’d been so worried about Elva. It seemed unfair to send him away now, when the matter was mostly resolved. Adrenaline was giving way, and everyone was exhausted.

“It’s okay,” I told him. “You can stay.’

In the end, only Mark saw himself out, but I imagined that was to go see Susie.

Charlotte stayed in the room as well, taking watch on the chair near the sewing machines.

Nicholas wrapped his arms around me, and I felt sleep calling me.

Soft snores already sounded from the other side of the room.

“Sleep,” Nicholas said.

“Only if you do, too.”

“I promise.”

My eyelids were too heavy to keep open much longer. Soon, sleep pulled me over.

I slept a full night without dreaming.

In the morning, I awoke with Nichola s’s strong chest pressed against my back. His arms were wrapped around me and Elva both. Across the room, Julian snored where he was on the couch. Charlotte’s head had dipped down onto her shoulder from where she sat on the chair.

Warmth filled my chest. This was my family.

A bittersweet feeling surged at the thought.

I had them now, but for how much longer?

Too soon, we’d be ripped away from each other.

I tried to live in the happy now, but dread lingered, just under the surface.


This time, I did exhale in relief. So did Susie. No thanks to Terry, we’d both managed a truly terrible standing. With Terry’s scores dismissed, we stood a much better chance.

“I can now announce that the next event will be another ball.”

Softer, as if speaking to himself, he said, “Since those receive the best ratings and reaction. from the public.”

Then he raised his voice once more, “The royal family asks that all candidates to wear bright colors in their outfits and do their best to appear cheerful and exuberant. We want the world to see how much you enjoy being here.”

The girls looked at each other. Those seemed like rather unusual requests.

“Therefore, the best scores for this event will go to the candidates that seem to be having the best time.”

A few mouths opened.

I frowned. This couldn’t bode well for what was happening beyond the palace gates. Things were so bad, our contest was now over who could smile the most.

“The Luna must always wear a bright face,” Nathan said.

I tried to remember but came up short with all the times I could remember the Luna smiling. Did she ever smile? Not at me, that was for sure.

I decided to keep that opinion to myself.

As Nathan concluded his meeting, Tiffany turned to the rest of us. “Things must be worse than they are letting on out there, if they are throwing an event as simple as this.”

For her to notice it too, did not bode well at all.

As the girls began to file out, Julian weaved his way in.

“Piper! I’ve been looking for you.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Ready for the limelight?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Veronica. Tiffany. Susie. Nice to see you all too.”

Tiffany curtsied. Veronica just stared.

“Nice to see you, too, Prince Julian.”

Julian held out his arm for me, and I accepted it.

“I’ll see you all later!” I called out behind me, as Julian led me from the room.

Outside the room, we immediately turned to the left, breaking off from the rest of the group.

“Where do you want to get caught tonight?” Julian asked.

“Julian, you know where. We’ve already planned this. The camera crew knows where to look.”

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