The Luna Choosing Game

The next morning, I awoke to a knock on the door. Beside me Elva began to rub her eyes.

I hadn’t indulged in too much alcohol, unlike some of the other girls, but I still felt a pressure in my head, probably from having stayed up too late.

I wanted to turn over in bed and ignore the knocking, but if Elva was already waking up, I knew any attempts to return to sleep would be futile.

With a groan, I rolled out of bed and headed to the door. Any annoyance I felt that morning immediately vanished the moment I opened the door and saw Charlotte standing there.

“Surprise?” she said, smiling.

“Charlotte!” I excitedly pulled her into a hug. We hadn't been apart all that long, but seeing another familiar face here warmed my heart. Charlotte had become such a good friend, I was I always happy to see her. “What are you doing here?” I “Prince Nicholas asked me to come,” she said. She gently returned my hug.

“To escort your new wardrobe.” I pulled back from the hug, and noticed there were quite a few servants standing out in the hallway, each holding suitcases and bags.

I immediately stepped to the side, and like a parade, the servants brought in the suitcases and unpacked them until the drawers and closet were full of new dresses and shirts and pants. Even

underwear and swimsuits were included in the mix. €» Elva fully awoke in the excitement and rushed to give Charlotte a hug of her own.

When the servants had gone, and all the clothes were in their place, Charlotte and I sat down to talk while Elva played with her toys.

“How are things back at the palace?” I asked her. There was a small table at the corner of the room with two chairs.

We sat there now, sipping from cups of coffee.

“Mostly quiet,” Charlotte said.

the usual drama.” She sipped

been particularly vocal about your inclusion on this trip,

with the Queen.” &» - Of course she was. Olivia was ever the one to watch out for. She might have stood back while Bridget took the forefront of everyone’s attention, but that woman would never give up. If she couldn’t make headway with Nicholas himself, it made

with how much favor the King and Queen regularly bestowed upon Bridget. But

We continued talking.

late last night, about putting together a new wardrobe for you. I thought to pack up your things from the palace, but the message said all

a little. “The message was clear. Prince Nicholas wanted the best for you.” I knew Nicholas was behind all this, but

my head to

all the excitement, I haven't been to

little. I could see now the bags under her eyes. “Maybe for a little while.” We split ways then. Charlotte went to the servants quarters assigned to her to sleep. Elva went to make sandcastles with the nanny. I went searching for Nicholas, to thank

1 had to do was descend the staircase. He was standing in the hallway near the bottom, arguing with... Nathan? When had he gotten here? Standing behind Nathan was a camera crew. They weren't filming yet, but they were arranging their

well done. There weren't supposed to be any cameras here.” “The King has made the decision, Prince Nicholas,” Nathan said. He was respectful enough, but his tone had an air of dismissal, like his words were enough to end all argument. Maybe they were. Or

the competition to simply... take a week off while you are here? And you believe the ratings would return after that break?” Nathan shook his head. “Be realistic, Nicholas.” “1 am realistic,” Nicholas

opportunity.” “1 still don’t =” “What's the harm?” said a chipper female voice. Bridget walked out of the kitchen, a coffee

on the beach last night? Even I had a small hangover! How was Bridget immune? She seemed as cheery

of us have