The Luna Choosing Game

“That’s a bit presumptuous, isn’t it?” Jessica said to Bridget, and I instantly liked her even more. “Why should you get to room with a prince?” “Prince Nicholas, as the oldest of his siblings, has the largest room of any of those here,” Bridget said. She smiled brightly but narrowed her eyes at Jessica, which made her look a little threatening. “It makes sense that he would be the one to share.” Jessica, however, was not so easily intimidated. “Makes sense to whom?” Julian started forward. “Nicholas and I can room together then.” Selma paled. “We could not ask our

princes to inconvenience themselves.” I wondered, even if Nicholas and Julian decided to room together, if the staff would be allowed to assign a guest to Julian’s vacant room. I had a feeling there were empty rooms left in this house, but they were assigned to the King and Queen and Joyce, respectfully.

“See?” Bridget said, glancing at everyone in turn. “It makes the most sense, as I preciously suggested, for me to stay in Nicholas’s room.” “No,” Nicholas said, flat and firm.

Bridget startled as she turned to look at him. A wave of relief washed through me. Nicholas was tired of having his choices made for him. This choice seemed small, but maybe it was a step

in the right direction for him. A step he needed to be able to more firmly stand up for his own wants later. = I could only dream. Even I knew I was likely kidding myself.

But still, in this case, I could feel relief.

“No?” Bridget asked, though she kept her tone light. She was looking for an explanation, not making an accusation.

“It wouldn’t be proper for us to stay in the same room like that,” Nicholas said.

Bridget’s smile went a little thin. “But we're friends before we are anything else, Nicholas. Very old friends. It wouldn’t be the first time we platonically shared a bed.”

“We were children then,” Nicholas said. “We are adults now, and my decision is final.” Julian turned away from the scene to walk back to me and Veronica. He was smiling again, looking as relieved as I felt inside. I wondered if my own face mirrored that expression as well.

Veronica looked at us both, then spoke up. “Bridget can stay in my room.” Bridget’s eyes went wide. I’m sure my own did too.

“What? ...a generous offer...” Bridget exclaimed, then recovered.

I inched closer to Veronica to whisper, “Why in the world would you want to do this?” Veronica gave me a pointed look. “I don’t trust her. This way I can keep a

better eye on her.” I.didn’t like the idea of Veronica sacrificing her vacation to keep watch on Bridget, but Veronica was very steadfast. If she said it allowed, she’d already given it thought. She’d already come to her decision. She likely knew what she was going to do before Julian and I even showed up for this argument.

For once, she seemed uncomfortable

she would rather do

benefactor quite well. No wonder she had been awarded so many points in the theater event. She

didn’t

wave of servants appeared and disappeared in a blink-and-you-miss- it kind of rush.

and all of the staff I had seen had vanished like they’d never been

superstitious sort, I might have thought the entire staff were a bunch of

specifically designed to hide the staff from sight: However, even with our rooms being ready, no one was ready to go to sleep yet. It was just past sunset, after all, so most of the group wandered back out onto the back deck, where some of the staff were lighting

talking about a bonfire. From what I overheard, the staff were rushing to procure

for me at the door. But I stayed behind a moment longer yet. Elva was holding my hand with one hand while she rubbed her eyes with the other. She

go to sleep, Elva?”

see a bonfire...” she said

lifted her up into my

will be others,” I

You’ve had a long day and need some rest.” She

and approached us. “Someone tuckered out.” “up

arrangements for you and Elva. You'll recognize the guard at the door, and

on call whenever you need

thank goodness. People I knew I

Elva on the temple. “Good night, princess.”

I smiled in answer.

and