The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0315

Nicholas

After leaving Piper’s room, I knew what I had to do. What I should have done from the start, as soon as I learned of Piper and Julian’s fake relationship.

I went to my father’s rooms and requested an audience. Nathan didn’t seem thrilled about it, but announced me all the same. The King generally had an opened-door policy with his sons, assuming no other matter was pressing, so I was welcomed inside.

The King was at the head of his long table, shuffling through some documents I didn’t recognize. At a glance, they appeared to be reports from our border patrols. More unrest in the North?

My father lowered the documents as I approached. He did not address them. Instead, he kept his gaze on me.

“Something’s bothering you,” he said.

My father appreciated straight-forwardness, so I dove in without preamble. “Piper should not need to be in a relationship with Julian.”

The King sighed. “I knew you would disapprove. But you must understand that their relationship is of vital importance to our public relations.”

“Find a different way to improve it,” I said firmly. “Something that doesn’t involve Piper.”

“Using Piper is the easiest way.

“I don’t care about easy,” I said. “I don’t want her involved in this.”

“She’s already involved, Nicholas. Her entire presence here at the competition has only ever been to improve our image with the common people.” The King rubbed his temple. He seemed bored with this discussion, which irked me to no end.

He didn’t care about Piper. Maybe he didn’t care about any of the commoners. He only seemed invested in optics.

“Piper is a tool in our repertoire. One we need to properly utilize,” he said.

“She is not a tool. She is a person.”

The King sighed. He wasn’t listening, not really. If I didn’t turn this conversation around, he’d likely just dismiss me without a resolution.

could tell he wasn’t going to change his mind on this. Piper was in the thick of

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I could offer a compromise

her,” I said. “If she has to be with

I opened my mouth to argue, but he beat me to it. “We all expect that you will be the one to inherit the throne, Nicholas. We cannot have you tangled

won’t be a scandal

think for one minute that I have forgotten your antics at the last elimination

betrayal and hatred, likely stowed by Terry and simmering since. I knew he didn’t hate me. He didn’t

marry none of my sons, not even Julian. When the time is right, and it will no longer reflect badly on us, they will go their separate ways. And a public breakup with Julian would be far less dam ning

would

matter,” the King said. “If you stay,

I closed my mouth.

I thought.” The King sighed. “Do not let this trouble you overmuch, son. When the competition progresses, Piper will soon enough be gone and we can all

move forward. I didn’t want to move any direction

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Chapter 0316

my father was useless. Once he set his mind to something, he would

the only thing I could do. I nodded and saw myself

Julian stumbled away

him out right away, but I didn’t want father

slightly,” Julian said, waving one hand. “That’s not

the King

not, if you are

He exhaled

in the mood

even know how to have a conversation without them?”

his heart like I had hurt him. “Honestly, brother, it’s not you I’m worried about, anyway.

“What about her?”

made a storm erupt within me. I wanted to throttle him