The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Nicholas held Elva safe and secure in his arms as he stood to his full height. Elva buried her face into the corner of his neck and shoulder. He gently patted her back.

He glanced down at Elva, his gaze so tender that it made my heart clench.

“There, there,” he whispered. “You are safe now.”

“Oh my God,” said one of the other girls in the room, fanning herself. “Of course he’s good with children.”

“Someone pinch me,” said another. “I think I’m dreaming.”

Nicholas’s soft expression hardened as he glared out at the rest of the room. “Whose child is this? Why is she here?”

I started forward, but the girl in the pink dress spoke before I could reach him.

“An outsider sneaked in, unless she’s a maid.”

Some of the other girls snickered at my expense.

“She can’t be a participant,” another girl fake-whispered, loud enough for half-the room to hear. “I thought we had to be virgins, and she’s got a kid.”

I wanted to disappear into a corner. Whether virgin or not, I was nothing compared to the rest of these girls.

My clothes weren’t as nice as theirs, and my figure wasn’t like what it had been at the Academy. I’d lost much of my musculature. I was skinny from too many nights of skipped dinners.

Elva’s wellbeing had always come before my own.

Her sake was the only reason I continued forward rather than hide in embarrassment. I stopped only when I reached Nicholas.

He looked at me, and I looked at him.

I’d forgotten how gorgeous his eyes were, golden brown with flakes of green. When we’d dated, I had spent hours looking at them, trying to memorize that color, but it had seemed different each time.

Before, when I’d stared long enough, I could earn a bashful smile from him. Now, his face was totally devoid of emotion. He looked at me like I was a stranger.

Did he… not recognize me?

become unrecognizable. Unless he truly had sealed me away in his

face. I could be a great embarrassment to him, showing up here,

Maybe he hated me.

outsider.” The girl in

voice was monotone. Another moment of staring

held Elva, so I followed him. He led me to an adjoining room, separated by

a suit hurried toward him. “Your Royal Highness, please remember that per the selection rules, you

the man, who nervously

is an

sir.” The man

the room. I went inside after them. A servant stepped forward and closed the door

be sick. I had never imagined I’d meet Nicholas again, and especially not like

idea what even to say. What would he think of me, to see me as I was? To see me here, as

seemed at ease against his chest. She must have cried herself to sleep,

toward Nicholas, and at once, his perfect façade cracked. He frowned. His golden eyes filled

his hands stayed gentle on Elva, his arm looped more

you hide my child from me?” he

thoughts skidded to a stop. I blinked once, twice, but, no, I couldn’t make sense of what

Eloquently, I said, “Huh?”

was three years old. That

the memory. We’d been so young then, too eager and excited and

he was when he’d climaxed. But, hadn’t he been wearing a

that fueled it seemed to slide into bewilderment. His gaze shifted, like he was trying

said, hoping to give him

a child from him

her name. But she’s

widened a moment, before the anger

say, he seemed to struggle to get it out.

between me and

tell that to Nicholas. Elva was mine in every way

question for him,

What could cause that

his arms, and he immediately cut off the deep rumbling

he lowered Elva down onto one of

at Mommy,” came Elva’s quiet