The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0435

That night, Nicholas and Julian joined the rest of the candidates and me in the dining room for dinner together. Elva was tired from the day’s events, so I returned her to our room where the nanny was waiting to keep an eye on her. Julian joined me at the door, to walk down to the dining room together.

When we entered, Bridget had taken her usual spot, with Nicholas on her one side. The other side was open, presumably for Julian. She spotted us as we came in, and tried to wave us or, well, Julian – over.

“She wants you to sit next to her,” I whispered to him.

“I need space from her tonight,” he replied.

Nodding, I led him away from Bridget and over to where my usual spot was beside Susie, and across from Tiffany and Veronica. Since Elva was absent, her seat was empty. Julian sat down in that seat now.

Bridget watched us from her spot at the table. Her ever–present smile seemed slightly dimmer than before.

“You should have been the lead, Prince Julian,” Tiffany said. “No offense to Prince Nicholas, but you are a true actor. It’s like you were born to be on stage.

The compliment seemed to puff Julian back up and he returned to life. His grin slid right back on his face very easily.

“Thank you, my dear,” he said.

“I like Bridget,” Tiffany continued, “But I’m not so convinced about her giving the perfect. roles to everyone. Piper, didn’t she try to make you a maid?”

I groaned, and everyone around me chuckled a little. Even Julian.

“God, I forgot about that,” he said.

Maybe he forgot. Or maybe he’d been so blindsided by love that he hadn’t noticed Bridget’s slights against me to start with.

Bottles of champagne came out then, and glasses were filled all around.

Nicholas, holding his glass, stood up. He held it up like he was going to make a toast.

Yet before he could speak, Bridget bounced to her feet and held up her own glass. “Nicholas

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haven’t

gave me a flat look that had me hide my laugh

her eyes at me for a fraction of

beauty of the theater is how every person is an imperative moving part. It is only through everyone’s great effort that this event will be

shoulder.

her a shrug.

notice this

for your accomplishments here. To us!” She drank. The rest of us followed suit, thought with varying degrees of enthusiasm, none as bright as

pretended to sip at hers, then slipped some of it into my glass under the table when I motioned her to.

at Nicholas. He gave

cleared his throat.

roles are smaller than others, there are no unimportant parts in this show. Your dedication to

the words absent when Bridget had toasted. Her smile tightened at little, but

good time. Though, not too long later, Julian kissed

had a long day,” he said.

smiled at

you tomorrow.”

on it.” He winked at me. Then he stood and left

to see him having some fun,” Tiffany said. “He hasn’t really been himself

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absent from the library

my head a little. “Does

day,” Veronica said. “At least for a little while.”

days,” Tiffany said. “I hope I didn’t offend him when I caught him counting. Though he seemed more humored at the time.”

his fascination with Bridget felt even sadder. Whether

much,”

day and would likely have an even longer one the next day. The real party could happen when the event was finished.

first, then Veronica. Tiffany stayed a