The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0369

The King and Queen watched from atop their thrones as the princes danced with and among the candidates and guests, while the cameras swooped in and out to capture all.

We kept our smiles bright, eager to show how much fun we were having – all to maintain our standing in the competition, of course.

My cheeks were starting to hurt from how big and fake I was smiling. Fake laughter sounded all around me, every contestant competing with each other for the royal family’s attention – as well as for the cameras.

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

I tapped Julian on the shoulder and motioned toward Susie. “I need to talk to

her.”

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

disappeared back among the dancers, with a new partner now. He switched so quickly, I didn’t even see who it was.

It didn’t really matter, though, so I hurried to Susie’s side instead. Relief covered her face the moment she noticed me.

“Piper. Thank goodness.’

“What’s going on?” I asked her.

She worried her hands together. “I can’t do this.”

“Do what? Dance?” I knew she could dance. I’d seen her do the steps countless times before. She’d even taught me a few moves.

“Pretend,” she said.

I stepped beside her and we both looked out over the dance floor. From this angle, the scrunched up too-much smiling faces seemed extra unnerving. It looked like everyone had a clown mask on. Only Julian looked truly genuine, though he was the best actor.

Nicholas was dancing with Olivia, I noticed. He wasn’t smiling at all, but a prince didn’t really need to. Olivia seemed pleased. She wasn’t overselling it.

was laughing so loudly, smile so big, that

+15 BONOS

right now,” Susie said, “I know we need to try to lift the spirits of the kingdom, but… Won’t they be

sought out my opinion. Only, I

message was it truly sending? Sorry you are experiencing such strife, at least all the rich elites are still

inappropriate.

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

political players or strategists. We were just two young women caught in a game created by people with

words, before he

pretending,” I told Susie now, “We could try to have

surprised. Did she

aren’t we?”

“Of course,” she said.

let’s start acting

her arm around mine and pulled

doing?” she asked, though went

practiced dances. Let me show you

cart. “Then you reach,” I said, and lifted my arm up, as

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

+15 BONOS

“It’s so

a bit strange, doing such an informal dance

laughed. “Wait, what

the entire beat, but it was so funny, watching

so hard

drew the

never seen it

shopping cart

along. Susie came out

people, young and old, men and women, attempting the