The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0624

The next morning, I headed down to breakfast with Elva per usual. Today, all of the girls were even more animated than usual, their voices quick and cheerful with the latest gossip, their expressions bright.

*Susie and Mark are engaged!" Tiffany said, repeating what the others have said but louder and with bigger hand

movements.

*They must have met here during the competition," Olivia reasoned. "She broke the rules by paying attention to anyone other than the princes. She could go to jail for this."

"No one is going to send her to jail," Bridget said. "Nicholas wouldn't let that happen." For once, I agreed with Bridget.

*A Beta, though?" Lilliana scoffed. "She is a lady of good upbringing. She had the opportunity to marry a prince. Why on earth would she settle for someone of lesser stock?"

*She loves him," I said. I helped Elva into her chair and then sat in mine. Susie's was empty on the other side of me, and would now stay empty for the rest of the competition.

While I would certainly miss her - I did already - I was happy that she had found someone that she loved who loved her. She would find her happiness.

I wished now that I could find mine.

At least most of the other girls seemed happy for Susie too. Tiffany, Veronica, Jessica and even Bridget thought the match acceptable.

"What does it matter if she lowers herself slightly? A love match is a beautiful thing," Jessica said.

"You would think that," Lilliana said, "Since now you have no competition for Joyce's affections."

Jessica's face went a bit red. "I wasn't saying it just because of that. Susie is a nice person. Let her have what she wants."

"I bet she's pregnant," Lilliana said flatly.

Olivia gasped, even as a smile crossed her face. "How scandalous. That would explain why her parents would be so acceptable to the match."

marrying for love," I said flatly. I left no room for argument. If someone wanted to disagree with me on this, I would fight them. Susie's pregnancy did not negate from

romance forward somewhat, but that

Susie were for

who I suspected would argue with me the most. Instead,

I should be congratulating you or pitying you," Lilliana said. "You may

should back out as well." "Don't be jealous," Jessica snapped. She lifted her head up high.

Olivia snapped taller in their chairs.

hasn't been seen for weeks," Lilliana snapped. "What happened

Jessica to turn pale. Her cheeks stayed white for only an instant before her face

expression scrunched up in

about," Jessica huffed. "You could be charged for treason for

had to look down her

question," Olivia said. "Where is Prince Joyce?

continued to sputter, Veronica sunk down slightly in her chair. I tried to catch her eye and

it in front of all these people. For now, I

to the girls berating Jessica, however, I wasn't going to sit by

said, "But he is still a prince. And Jessica will make the best princess consort out of anyone

at me, but they

is marrying a Beta," Lilliana said, and they returned the subject to something more familiar, and far less

wolves for a walk out in the yard beyond the gardens. Elva was laughing,

I followed along

that voice again?" Nicholas asked. "The one you heard the last time

haven't tried shifting again

should try. See if

the voice again. It had been alarming and unnerving the last time I

situation. Just because I ignored it didn't mean it would simply go away. It would be like ignoring

had to face it. Something could be wrong with me. It was better to

I said. "But..." I side-eyed where Elva played with the wolves. "Stay near me. Just in case something

going anywhere. You know that. I'll always be at your side,

didn't want to get into