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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been. Granted, I haven’t been

flat look that had me hide my laugh

her eyes at me for a fraction of a second before continuing.

that this event will be a success. Yes, Nicholas and I will draw most of the attention, but we will shine because of your hard

looked at me now, back over her shoulder. “Is this

gave her a shrug.

notice

should all pat yourselves on the back for your accomplishments here. To us!” She drank. The rest of us followed suit, thought with varying degrees of enthusiasm, none as bright

of it into my glass under the table when I motioned her to. No one was the

He gave a

cleared his throat.

some roles are smaller than others, there are no unimportant parts

said, the words absent when Bridget had toasted. Her smile tightened at little, but by the time she had finished drinking, it was back to full wattage.

time. Though, not too long later, Julian

he said. “I want to turn in

smiled at him. “See

you tomorrow.”

winked at me. Then he stood and left the

see him having some fun,” Tiffany said. “He hasn’t

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has been absent from the library these past few days.”

head a little. “Does he usually

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

said. “I hope I didn’t offend him when

fascination with Bridget felt even sadder. Whether he hung out with the three of us for romantic pursuits or

much,”

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

herself first, then Veronica. Tiffany stayed a bit longer, chatting up