The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0368

Then, to me, Nicholas spoke again, “Look at me, Piper.”

I hesitated at first, but he didn’t move from his spot in front of me, like he was patiently waiting me out.

So, eventually, I chanced a glance upwards.

Nicholas captured my gaze with his own and held me captive. He held so much emotion in his eyes – blatant affection – it stole my breath away.

“You know who I’d rather be with,” he said.

He meant me.

And the words stole my breath away.

I’d rather be with him too. “Nicholas…”

“Find me,” he said, “before you make a move on Jane…” He sighed. “Or find Julian. Just don’t do anything on your own.

This felt like a pivotal moment, like he was barring his heart; and it was time for me to do the same. I wouldn’t disappoint him. I wanted him to know his

affections were reciprocated, in case there was any question about it.

“I’ll find you,” I said. It was a difficult thing to promise. No one knew when or how Jane would appear. It was likely that Nicholas would be in an entirely different part of the room. But no, I would still make an effort to get to him.

I would try, anyway. Because he wanted me to.

Slowly, he nodded. “Thank you.” But I could see with the flash of uncertainty in his eyes that he didn’t quite believe me.

“I’ll have my necklace,” I said, gesturing to where the full moon pendant rested just above my bosom.

Nicholas frowned deeper at it. “Yes, but…”

Beside us, Julian cleared his throat, making us both jump. This added a few more inches between us.

“If you are done stealing my girlfriend, Nicholas?” Julian said. “I think your fangirls got enough pictures of you two to satisfy them.”

We all glanced back at the overeager group of women who had inched closer to where they now stood. Many looked embarrassed at having finally been noticed.

Julian made a show of offering his arm to Piper. Piper quickly accepted, afraid any hesitation would come off poorly on the video.

Nicholas glowered, but I couldn’t point it out to him without making it seem like I was speaking to him privately again. So I just accepted that he would glare. The girl with glasses moved her fingers over the screen like she was zooming in.

Julian all but rushed me away from Nicholas, and the group of girls.

“You two all huddled and broody in the corner,” Julian said. He spoke with an upbeat cantor, but I knew I was being lectured. “Did you forget the purpose of tonight’s event?”

“To catch Jane…”

swooped me onto the

on my hip and the other clutching mine as he pulled me into step with the rest of the

let all the good people at home know how

was a good

the talent, not that I would admit either to him. He was smug enough as it was.

the theme of the

light as a feather in his capable hands. “So maybe rather

Chapter 0369

with and among the candidates

were having all to

laughter sounded all around me, every contestant competing with each other for the royal family’s attention –

as Julian was swirling me around the dance floor, I noticed Susie standing near the edge of it.

motioned toward Susie. “I

released me. “I’ll

a new partner now. He switched so quickly, I didn’t

side instead. Relief

“Piper. Thank goodness.”

on?” I asked her.

her hands together. “I can’t do

do the steps countless times before.

“Pretend,” she said.

angle, the scrunched up too–much smiling faces seemed

I noticed. He wasn’t smiling at all, but a prince didn’t

was laughing so loudly, smile so big, that it

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now,” Susie said. “I know we need to try to lift the spirits

I was honored that she sought out my opinion. Only, I

people would be able to tell this was fake. Hell, even if it wasn’t, what kind of message was it truly sending? Sorry you are experiencing such strife,

inappropriate.

of the public unease was distrust in the stability of the royal family, showing

of us were political players or strategists. We were just two young

Julian’s words, before he pulled me onto the dance

told Susie now, “We could try to have

went wide, as if surprised. Did she think we could only pretend?” How?”

aren’t we?” I asked.

she said.

let’s start acting like

arm around mine and pulled her with me toward the dance floor.

doing?” she asked, though went along

I said. “Forget the stuffy moves and the practiced dances. Let me show you

said, and lifted my arm up, as if pulling an item off the shelf, then mimicked placing said item into the shopping cart. “And drop.”

even as her smile grew bigger, more honest. “That

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know,” I said. “It’s so

dance. It was a bit strange, doing such an informal dance while listening to an orchestra, but a beat