The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0366

When I looked back up at Nicholas, he was still staring at me. Maybe he would have stared forever, I didn’t know.

But then Olivia appeared near his arm. She touched his forearm and he had to look down at her.

She wore a dress the color of the ocean, fluid, with white trim. Nicholas wore a matching tie.

Like Julian and I, they were a matching pair. It was a bitter reminder of our roles tonight, something I seemed to so easily forget every time I looked Nicholas in the eye.

Olivia tugged on Nicholas’s arm, and he acquiesced to her command, not looking back.

Disappointment surged through me. I hadn’t expected that we would have all walked into together like some kind of royal parade, but it would have been nice to receive some acknowledgement.

“Looks like Nicholas is going to have his hands full tonight,” Julian said.

“Yes,” I agreed, annoyed how quickly and easily he followed Olivia’s summons.

“We shouldn’t assume that we can depend on him,” Julian said. “He’s going to be very busy upholding all of our appearances tonight.”

I looked at Julian sideways. “And us?”

“We should stay together,” Julian said. “To do our part, of course, but also for protection.”

“I don’t need your protection,” I said on instinct. I was so used to doing everything alone. Sometimes it still felt hardwired in me. I regretted it immediately. If things went south, I really might need him. I opened my mouth to take it back, but Julian beat me to it, complete with a cheeky grin.

“I meant, protection for me. I don’t want to be outside of three feet of that cuff.‘ He purposefully dropped his gaze to my bosom.

I went to smack him, but, laughing, he dodged out of the way.

I smiled in return, but it didn’t feel as honest as it had before. Seeing Nicholas and being reminded just how far out of reach he was really felt like it hurt something deep within me. My soul, maybe? Was that possible?

1/4

“Come on, my Queen.” julian held out his hand. “At the very least, we should walk in together.”

your eyes only in appropriate places,” I said, eying his hand with suspicion.

of his fingers were crossed,

I had no other choice, I placed my hand

Piper.” Some of the guests present became very excited. Several clapped, a few

but Julian ate it all up,

adoring public,” Julian whispered to me. “Let’s not keep them

No sooner did we reach the bottom stair,

said one young woman, her eyes bright and sparkling. She had an older man in tow, presumably her long–suffering father if their

Royal Highness, and to you,

a pleasure to meet you and your daughter here tonight, good sir.”

the smolder and it was incredibly affective. The girl’s face went red as a cherry tomato, and she was entirely speechless for a long moment.

and she placed a hand to her

God…” she breathed.

woman weaved

woman said, and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

it?” I

+15 BONOS

I’ve made my intentions toward Piper well

the woman said.

seemed immune, matching

your romance, of course,” she said. “Though… we are all also enjoying your other entanglements, Miss Piper.” She said the words while still looking at Julian. It almost felt like an

have other entanglements,” I

now, and her gaze was so probing, I wondered if she could see all my secrets just by looking at me. “No… love triangle? You can’t deny that Prince Nicholas also called your name at the last selection ceremony. And then

few other women in the group voiced their agreement.

She asked, “What’s it like to be wanted by two

Charlotte mentioned, who invested so much time and energy

a handle

and I are

they were necessary.

snickered. I