The Luna Choosing Game

Instead, the Queen pulled me into a hug. It was uncomfortable and brief, but a hug none the less. From the Queen, this was a tremendous breach of decorum, and I froze, unsure how to react. Even Nathan, standing dutifully as his King's side seemed shocked.

"I have misjudged you dearly," the Queen said. She pulled away to look at me. "I will not make that error again."

The King offered a small smile. "Your engagement to our son has our full approval."

We were going to marry either way, but having their blessing certainly made it all easier.

*Thank you," I said.

Nicholas shook his father's hand. "Thanks, Dad."

In the quiet moment that followed, I glanced over the remaining crowd. Charlotte was there, waving at me, along with many other servants and staff that I recognized.

Then I saw her, there at the edge of the crowd. The only frowning face in a sea of smiles.

Bridget.

As Nicholas and I stepped back from the King and Queen, Bridget saw her opportunity and stormed toward us. Even with Elva in Nicholas's arms, she still had the audacity to reach out and grab at Nicholas's sleeve with both hands.

said. "I know this is all an act. I want you. You are the perfect man for me. How could anyone turn

glare so icy even

I love. The woman I will marry. The mother of my soon-to-be adopted daughter and

him,

nodded to me and together we walked away

My heart soared.

gates, the crowd began to chant, "Piper!

over. Peace

my prince and a secure future for my daughter. I couldn't imagine anything else I

at my rounded belly. Within it, a new prince or princess was

wonderful," Susie said from one side of me. We sat around a table filled with cakes and sweets. In the ballroom,

had

that of his father's, who stood just behind Susie's chair. Mark and Susie had married shortly before Nicholas and I.

my life now," Anna said from the chair on the opposite side of me. "But I always knew you were great. Didn't

much hurt and pain we'd experienced over the years. Never again. I certainly wasn't about

her craziest moves. Her uncle Julian, ever indulgent, was

to come easier to

absent, though I imagined they would