The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0531 Nicholas, Julian, and I walked to the base of the stairs. There, we stood calmly, while peering around, waiting for all the servants in sight to go elsewhere to attend to their duties.

Then, with Julian being the boldest and first of us, we sneaked through the servants’ door and into the servants’ quarters.

Unlike the main building, the servant’s quarters were not as brightly decorated. Though the walls were painted and clean, they had no paintings or decorations of any kind.

The quarters were simply a long, barren hallway of doors on either side, with a potted plant at the very end.

My nerves itched. If someone were to come into this hallway, they would see us at once. He had to be quick and careful.

“Which door is hers?” T asked. None of the doors were marked.

rr 2) Oo +15 BONUS Julian sighed. “Guess we have to do this the hard way.” Slowly, we tried each door one at a time, bracing ourselves each time for what might be inside. What we found, one after the next, were clean, sparse rooms, with made beds. Most had a desk or a chair and a few personal items. When we saw the room was empty, we didn’t linger long enough to see more.

We tried so many doors with no luck that I was beginning to feel nervous.

Perhaps Charlotte wasn’t here at all? But how could that be? Where else would they keep her? Nicholas wore a frowning, serious expression that did not change the longer this went on. Julian, however, seemed to grow more hopeful.

“We should have started in the back,” he grumbled to himself, though he was smiling. “Of course they’d give the new person the worst room.” The door on the left in the back of the

(_) +15 BONUS hallway led to an entirely bare room.

The bed was there, but it had no sheets. No personal items were I anywhere, and the desk had a thin layer of dust on top of it.

wasn’t there. That left one

must be it,” Julian said, his brightness unshakeable. He walked up to the door, grabbed the handle, and tried to turn. The doorknob rattled, but would not

my heart as much as dread pulled it down. Charlotte must be in there, but would they really lock her in? Why?

listen. Someone was moving around inside, but they hadn’t said anything yet. I tried again, speaking up, “ Charlotte?” “Piper?” came Charlotte’s voice, right

BONUS She didn’t sound sick. “What are you doing here?” “Looking for you. Are you okay? They said you had some kind of illness?” “What illness,” Charlotte said. “T feel fine. Other than being locked in this room.”

“Foul play,” Julian replied.

beside the doorknob. He took out his lockpicking tools

up yesterday, dressed and went to the door only to find it locked,” Charlotte said. “They bring me meals but don’t open the door more than a.crack. I’ve tried the window, but even that seems to be

breaking it, but... I don’t know what’s going on, Piper.” “It’s okay, Charlotte,” I said. I could hear a hint of fear in her voice. “We'll figure it out together.” Julian unlocked the door in a flash, and then the three of us sneaked inside. Julian

Charlotte and pulled her into a hug. She seemed okay, just a little shaken. Guilt speared through me. I should have looked for her sooner. But, no, I had to push those pointless thoughts to the side. I was here now, and we were going to

in here?” I asked, feeling like I might

confirmed that I

She’s barely said anything to me,

made a thoughtful hum. “

out of turn like this.” Charlotte was telling the truth, of that I was

she was taking

other again. I didn’t need to be part of it

want to lock up Charlotte?” I