The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0351

I couldn’t think clearly when faced with such an obvious threat. My protective instincts kicked into high gear. I would do anything to protect those closest to me. But Piper was close

to me to.

I swallowed hard. “I care about Piper.”

The King’s demeanor had shifted. Maybe he could see the hesitation in me, where I had been so firm before, and softened in response.

“You are a prince. Someday, you may very well be a king. Those feelings won’t mean anything in the end. Everything is secondary to your duty.”

His words cracked through my heart until it blistered. I knew what he meant. Even if I cared for Piper, I would never be able to marry her. Unlike the others, she hadn’t been trained since birth to become a queen. She’d probably hate the job, even if it meant we could be together.

Piper and I would have to part ways eventually. Shouldn’t it be now? When I could help protect my family and my kingdom with the choice?

I didn’t know what to do. I was worse than torn, I was agonized.

but I expect your agreement in the morning,” the King said.

riptide of my thoughts. I weighed every option, but the inner

later, as dawn broke, and sunlight crept up above the tree line, I watched from one of the hallway windows as the protesters began to assemble again. Many

I didn’t have to look to know

father send you?”

and watched out the window as I

–

happened,” she said in a soft, soothing voice more motherly than she’d sounded since before this competition began. “I’m worried

the most feeling of mothers, at least outwardly, but I had never doubted her love. It was only when the contest started that she delved too deeply into it, focusing on finding the perfect bride for her sons rather than remembering they needed support too.

had said to me in the past months it wasn’t that I thought she hated me. She was my mother, and that bond

+15 BONUS

much cared for how she was acting, either. Maybe it was a two–way street. Maybe I kept

“And that the right thing may seem unclear to you

girl, said with such distain. “Her name is Piper.”

regained its softness. Yet now that I’d seen the crack, I was suspicious of