The Luna Choosing Game

I wasn't sure what to expect when our car delivered us from the train station to the palace, but even in my wildest dreams, I wouldn't have guessed what actually awaited us.

Cheering crowds lined the outer walls of the palace. Balloons and streamers of various colors were abundant. A stage had been set up with a band.

Some people had signs. Long Live The Bear Princess, they said, with a picture of my face.

When they separated to make way for our car, they nearly rioted with their joy.

"Praise you!" shouted one woman.

"Our hero!" called a man.

In the backseat of the sedan, I clutched at Nicholas's hand, unsure what to make of all this. Not all that long ago, these same people had been half-ready to start a rebellion. Now, the only thing they seemed to want to fight for was some of my time and affection.

Nicholas clapped his free hand on mine, the one holding so hard onto his other hand.

You've earned

I did was exist," I told him. How could

he wore a look of fond sympathy. "Piper, you have done so much more than that. How can you not

me, I was ever that down on her luck woman working as a waitress trying to make ends meet. I didn't feel like a princess. I

almost

Nicholas saw me as someone more... shouldn't I trust in him? As I trusted in him in all

you every day for the rest of your life how special you are," Nicholas said. Shifting closer to

to need you to hold to that promise,"

said.

the palace gates, the world seemed a bit calmer, though, to my shock and surprise, everyone was waiting

car in front of ours carried Joyce, Julian, and Veronica. Joyce exited first. He only took one step before Jessica, having

Joyce held her to him, I noticed a softness in his expression that he hadn't otherwise shown. Perhaps with his brainwashing, he hadn't allowed himself to love. Or perhaps he had, and he'd buried it down until now. Either way, Joyce clutched Jessica tightly, and I knew the pair would soon be a

and Veronica exited next, their hands clasped together. It had not escaped my notice that much like Nicholas and I, Julian and Veronica had

joy in my heart for my two