The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0402

Much later, after Nicholas and I had gone our separate ways for the day, I received notice from a servant that the candidates were required to go to the foyer for announcements from Nathan. I was already a bit late, having been so thoroughly lost all morning, so I hurried to join the others.

I was the last one to arrive in the foyer. Though from what I could tell as the stage was still empty, Nathan had yet to arrive. He came in only a handful of seconds after I joined Veronica, Tiffany, and Susie at the base of the stage. Beside us Lilliana and Olivia were speaking quietly. The others were scattered around.

All except Bridget were accounted for. I discovered why when

e walked in with Nathan. She had her arm laced through his like he was escorting her. He laughed at something she said, and she grinned, pleased.

So much for no favoritism. Although, I guessed that was never a hard rule.

Nathan leads Bridget to the base center of the stage, then dipped his head as he backed away. He rounded toward the stairs then stood in front of all of us. He picked up the microphone and clicked it on.

“Hi, everyone,” Bridget said, looking around. She was met with mostly frowns or mere grunts of acknowledgement.

“Hello,” Susie said, because she was nice.

“Hi,” I said, because I was trying to be kind like Susie. Inside, I was viciously wondering if she had run into Nicholas and found my scent on him instead of hers. I hoped she did.

“Welcome everyone. Thank you for joining us here.” He smiled down at Bridget. “And welcome once more to Bridget. It’s great to see you here. I’m sure we can all agree.”

No one agreed.

Still Bridget kept her bright smile. “Thank you, Nathan.” She placed a hand to her heart. “Truly.”

“It does seem strange,” Olivia said loudly, claiming everyone’s attention, even Nathan’s. “Bridget’s sudden appearance, I mean. Weren’t all the candidates supposed to be pulled from the choosing ceremony?”

Bridget continued to smile. “What a darling question, Olivia. I’m sure you have an answer that would satisfy her, don’t you, Nathan?”

+15 BÔNUS

“A private choosing ceremony was held with only the King, Queen, and myself present. After the… results of the last elimination, our numbers were left off–balance. The King and Queen thought it best to

doubted she believed such an

select Bridget, Nicholas’s previous entanglement, from a list of every single woman in the kingdom felt like a

against the word of the King’s Beta, and likely the King

do so hope we can all get along,” Bridget said.

Nathan asked, looking squarely at Olivia.

knew better than anyone when to back down. “No, sir.

put on a performance of a famous local stage play for the enjoyment of

delight. She clapped her hands together. Looking around, she said, “I promise to give

her

whispered back. “She may win

dimples, I wasn’t so sure. If anyone could sweep an entire event, it would be superstar Bridget in an event undoubtedly built just to showcase

With her social anxiety, she was likely to lock up or have a panic attack or both. A terrible thing that I

talented too. Or perhaps she could help design

nodded but it was nervous still.

+15 BONUS

to see how the others were reacting. Only Bridget seemed happy. Lilliana wore a small smile though. She’d be a player in this event, that

she always seemed to have a cool expression that would weather any drama. But

here, right in front of

glaring at Bridget, Bridget was smiling back at me. I swallowed

“Thank

slowly began to file out. Tiffany was grumbling to Veronica. Susie had her arms

about to follow them, Bridget approached me. Her smile and manner were friendly, but my