The Luna Choosing Game

Whatever Jane had said to Nicholas must have been something horrific.

“I’m okay, and Elva’s okay,” I said, hoping to soothe him and his prowling wolf. “If the worst she’s done is tarnish my reputation, then we can recover from that.”

A storm raged in Nicholas’s eyes, the green flashing against the gold.

“She threatened you,” he said and it came out a growl. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“That’s nothing new.”

“What she said… cannot be allowed…”

“Whatever she said is just words. I’m here and I’m safe. She can’t touch me while I’m beside you.” 1

That, at last, finally seemed to bring him some measure of comfort. He breathed in deeply, held it, then released. Some of the tension bled away from his shoulders. He closed his eyes, and when he

opened them again, they were clearer.

Slowly, I lowered my hand away from his chest.

“I need to speak with the benefactors Jane insulted. If I apologize, then maybe…”

and

“I don’t think that will work,” Nicholas said. “Their pride won’t allow them to accept your apologize. At

least, not this soon.”

“But I can’t just sit around and do nothing. I have to repair what she’s done.” 1

“Even with me beside you, they will refuse to speak to you. The things she said to Mrs. Marble -”

“Mrs. Marble? The ultra–rich lady?”

Nicholas nodded, expression grim.

This past week, all the girls had been talking about the wealthiest of the benefactors, Mrs. Marble.

Everyone had her in their sights, déciding that whoever won her support, won the whole thing. I had never

heard of her before, never cared to, but now I understood her influence.

To insult her was to insult the whole of the nobility. The only thing worse would have been to insult the

Queen herself. 1

Blood drained from my face. “She didn’t talk to the royal family…?”

“No,” Nicholas said, and as bad as things were, that was at least somewhat of a relief.

I spoke with Nicholas a minute more, trying to come up with some kind of plan to improve my situation. As it was, we were coming up short. Everyone – the benefactors, the candidates, and the guests – glared

at me as they past.

The camera crews, however, were all too interested in capturing my every expression. The producers

meanwhile shouted out questions.

“Prince Nicholas! Did you and Piper make up?”

I glanced at Nicholas. “We were fighting?”

He nodded. “I had a few terse words for Jane. Before Terry intervened. Then I had to let her go.”

Ten minutes later, Nathan claimed everyone’s attention. He stood beside the King and Queen on the lifted thrones at the middle edge of the room. He held a few papers in his hands.

“We will now announce the organizations that the benefactors have chosen to support tonight,” Nathan said. We appreciate everyone’s time and generosity. Many good causes will be receiving donations this

evening.”

Nathan lifted his list and began reading the names of the benefactors and the organization they have chosen to support. One by one, he ticked down his list.

Not once did I hear the name of the orphanage.

Not even from those that had promised me to my face to support me.

I supposed I couldn’t blame them. Whatever goodwill I had garnered, Jane had taken apart in ten

minutes of rudeness and insults.

Tears welled in my eyes, unbidden, as Nathan continued down the list. Many of the names I didn’t even

recognize. Had I truly missed talking to so many people?

I felt ashamed. I failed those kids at the orphanage. And I failed myself.