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…”

onto

his hand was on my hip and the other clutching mine as

look like we are having fun, remember? All sunshine and happiness, to let all the good people at home know how great everything is,” Julian said. His smile was bright and wide, and it didn’t

he was a good

a movie star. He had the looks and the talent, not that I would admit either to him. He was smug enough as it was.

in this too. I hadn’t forgotten the

me around. I felt light as a feather in his

Chapter 0369

and among the candidates and guests, while the cameras swooped in and out

show how much fun we were having all to maintain our standing in the

cheeks were starting to hurt from how big and fake I was smiling. Fake laughter sounded all around me,

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

and motioned toward Susie. “I need to talk

understood and released me. “I’ll

with a new partner now. He switched so quickly, I didn’t even see who

hurried to Susie’s side

“Piper. Thank goodness.”

on?” I

her hands together. “I can’t do

Dance?” I knew she could dance. I’d seen her do the steps countless times before. She’d even

“Pretend,” she said.

seemed extra unnerving. It looked like everyone had a clown

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

loudly, smile so big, that

1/4

“I know we need to try to lift the spirits of the kingdom, but… Won’t they be able to

was honored that she sought out my opinion. Only, I didn’t

tell 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

sighed, 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 with more power than we’d

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

“We could

eyes went wide, as if surprised. Did she think we could

friends, aren’t we?” I

course,” she

acting

mine and pulled her with

asked,

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

started a dance that mimics pushing a shopping cart. “Then you reach,” I said, and lifted my arm up, as if pulling an item off the shelf, then mimicked placing said item

even as her smile grew bigger, more

214

I said. “It’s so fun.

doing such an informal dance