The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0355

The next morning at breakfast, the candidates were gossiping as per usual. Topics were spa rse, especially since we weren’t allowed to watch any television. But the girls amused themselves with who was feeling under the weather, and who was wearing what to the ball.

I tried to participate more than I had before. My heart still ached some, but talking with Veronica and Julian had helped more than I realized. Though Susie had previously known, it was difficult to speak freely with her, as we were always around others when together.

It was nice to have so many friends around me, ready to support me.

Beside me, Elva was digging into her waffles. She had two cheeks full when Nicholas walked through the door.

She tried shouting his name, but I quickly reminded her, “Finish chewing. Then you can go say hello.”

She eagerly nodded and chewed at a faster pace.

“Slowly, now,” I reminded her, worried she might choke.

Nicholas continued walking as if he hadn’t noticed. Maybe he hadn’t. He seemed laser-

focused today as he marched straight to Olivia.

Olivia slowly lowered her fork. She tapped at the corners of her mouth with her napkin.

A camera crew followed Nicholas in and quickly found different positions as Nicholas stopped

at Olivia’s side.

“Olivia,” he said.

She batted her eyelashes up at him. I didn’t hate her for it. I knew this was part of the game, and Olivia very well could have been the best contender in the place. She came from a well- connected pack. She was well-trained and strong, both in physicality and me ntality.

So I didn’t hate her. But I did hate what was taking place right in front of me.

I would have run away if I could have. But that would only draw the camera lenses to me. For Nichola s’s sake, for the sake of his sacrifice of our near-relationship, I had to keep my

backside in my chair and endure.

“Yes, Prince Nicholas?” Olivia said sweetly.

“Will you accompany me on a date tomorrow?” he asked.

“Why, I would be honored,” Olivia replied.

“Good.”

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my chest. But I tried to keep my

eyes widened in excitement. It had been some time since

glanced at me. Veronica held no reaction; she merely continued eating

however, heard every word, and did not have the experience to know how to hide

“No!” she shouted.

I said

scurried under the table, only to reappear on the other side, closer

rushed toward them, desperate to stop the scene, but I

“How could you, Nick-lass?”

eyes held

Mommy on date?” Elva

panned up from Elva to my face. Nicholas looked too. I

which was worse.

cleared his throat and dropped down to one knee, joining

said softly. He wasn’t his usual unguarded self with Elva, not with the cameras watching, but he at least

lady.”

only frowned deeper.

her. I placed my hands on

of being a prince,” he

hands with her much smaller ones. “Why are you talking so

Nicholas blinked, startled.

are being

say, but I could see how Elva must have felt.

him must have seemed

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to handle who he was in private. Or, perhaps more accurately, Nicholas wasn’t ready to share that

You know Prince

has

and responsibilities and plays

Elva didn’t seem

the cameras. “I think we’ve all read too many stories about

of the other girls laughed in solidarity. Every little girl enjoyed the fairy tales of

horses. Even, it seemed, the girls who had known

annoyed to confused, and the cameramen seemed to grow bored

turned the cameras onto Nicholas

His relief lasted