The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0352

When I returned to my room, I changed into my pajamas and slid into bed. Elva was already fast asleep. Yet no matter how long I laid there, or which way I tossed and turned, I could not find sleep.

My mind was still with Nicholas in that hallway. I could only imagine the terrible things the King was saying to him.

Would Nicholas be forced to break up with me? Would he volunteer to do so?

I knew Nicholas cared for me, but his duty to the kingdom would always be his first priority. I’d always known that. I still dreaded the day when it would start to affect us enough to make Nicholas choose between me and his kingdom. Maybe we’d reached that point at last.

It felt much too soon.

The next morning, I woke early and walked with Elva down to breakfast. I held my breath most of the way, half-expecting the King himself to jump out of the woodwork to demand I leave the premises. At the very least, I anticipated Joseph and his guard to give me a stern talking to.

Yet we made it down into the dining room without issue. I spotted Tiffany, Veronica, and Susie in their usual spots and went to join them. Food was already set at our spots. Elva dug in right away. I picked for a while.

I wasn’t feeling very well.

Susie, beside me, watched me mindlessly tear down a blueberry muf fin with a fork until it was a pile of crumbs. Then, leaning closely, she asked me, “Did something happen?”

“I was careless…” I whispered back, extra careful no one else could hear. “The King found Nicholas and I together.”

Susie gasped. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, Piper…”

“Just be careful, okay? Be more careful than I was.’

“}

Susie had just as much to lose as I did, if not more. My relationship with Nicholas was always doomed. But she and Mark had a chance at a lasting relationship, if it could be given room and sustenance to grow. If Susie was found out and disqualified…

They might see each other again, but who knew when?

“I understand,” she said, “But what’s going to happen to you?”

“I’m waiting for

King hasn’t…?” She didn’t finish, instead letting

1/4

“Not yet.”

+15 BONUS

She reached her hand across the table to squeeze my wrist. Her support gave some comfort to my frayed nerves, yet

tired.

you need…” Susie said. Another open

was even more foreboding. Susie could offer all the help in the world now, when we were so close together. But the minute I was excused from the palace, Susie wouldn’t be able to help me. Likely, she wouldn’t even

be on my own

walking toward the door, Mark stopped me just outside in the hallway. Elva looked up at

apologize,” Mark said, “But I was asked to deliver this to you.” He held out a folded piece of paper. There

Nicholas.

and accepted the note. My heart raced

you and Julian the best. I would never

I thought I

a

wanted to hope that Nicholas didn’t actually write this, but I knew his handwriting well from our Academy

then I wanted to believe that Nicholas had written this under duress, but I knew that wasn’t true. Nicholas could certainly be influenced by his family, but he’d never do anything he

wrote this because he genuinely wanted out of our arrangement. He didn’t

to talk to him,” I said

sorry, Piper. That’s really not

deserve to hear this straight from him, not

shook his head. “It’s for both of your sakes that it had to be this way. Please. Just stay away from him. You will

+15 BONUS

didn’t believe that.

I could just talk to Nicholas, maybe I could talk him out of this. I could help him see that we were worth staying together for just a little bit

I knew I would not be able to budge him. Nicholas had given

bend or betray that. Not for me.

too. That was part of