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…”

Julian swooped me onto the dance floor.

clutching mine as he pulled

happiness, to let all the good people at home know how

he was a good

had the looks and the

hadn’t forgotten the theme

around. I felt light as a feather in his capable hands.

Chapter 0369

as the princes danced with and among the candidates and guests, while the cameras swooped in and

eager to show how much fun we were having all to maintain

Fake laughter sounded all around me, every contestant competing with each other

dance floor, I noticed Susie standing near the edge of it. Her smile was shaky. She seemed more nervous

the shoulder and motioned toward

and released me. “I’ll make the rounds.” He instantly

the dancers, with a new partner now. He switched so

Susie’s side instead. Relief covered her face the moment she

“Piper. Thank goodness.”

on?” I

hands together. “I can’t

her do the steps countless times

“Pretend,” she said.

angle, the scrunched up too–much smiling faces seemed extra unnerving. It looked like everyone had a clown mask on. Only Julian looked truly

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

was laughing so loudly, smile so big, that it hurt me

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phony right now,” Susie said. “I know we need to try to lift the spirits of the kingdom, but… Won’t they be able to tell it’s not real?”

sought

this was fake. Hell, even if it wasn’t, what kind of message was it

inappropriate.

unease was distrust in the stability of the royal family, showing that they could still maintain the events of the competition could be

then met Susie’s gaze. Neither of us were political players or strategists. We were just two young women caught in a game created by people

I remembered Julian’s words, before he pulled me onto the dance floor.

told Susie now, “We

Did she think we could only

aren’t we?” I

course,” she

let’s start acting like

around mine and pulled her with me toward

are we doing?” she asked,

and the practiced dances. Let me show you some of

and lifted my arm up, as if pulling an

her smile grew

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I said. “It’s so fun. You

dance while listening to an orchestra, but