The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0608Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

*For the sake of providing a united front," the King said, "I am making a request of you. It is not a command, because I believe you to be a good person. You must be for my sons to both think so fondly of you. I trust you will do the right thing."

Oh, I really didn't like where this was going. I had a sneaking, dreadful suspicion that I knew what he was going to ask before he did so. But I kept it to myself, hoping I was wrong.

*To stand a chance in this war, we need all of our people to rally behind a single, strong Luna contender," the King said. "I'm sorry to say this, Piper, but that is not you. Bridget is the pinnacle of strength and refinement. She is the only one who can unite our nation."

I opened my mouth, not necessarily to argue, but simply to point out all the terrible, self-serving things Bridget had done.

The King raised his hand, silencing me before I even began.

Nicholas, however, was not so easily cowed. "Bridget is the most disrespectful of all the candidates, if that is what you mean. Also the most conceited, and the most -"

"You were friends in the past," the Queen said, cutting him off.

*She has changed," Nicholas said. "She is no longer the girl I knew, if she truly ever was. I'm inclined to think now, she has been playing a game from the start."

"Nicholas."

"I'm serious, Mother," Nicholas said. "Her many attempts on Piper's live prove-*

*A woman's wounded heart lashes out," the Queen said, cutting him off a second time. "Once you have dedicated yourself to Bridget, she will calm down."

I didn't believe that for a second. Nicholas grunted, showing he didn't either.

The Queen ignored our skepticism, seeming pleased with herself for winning an argument. She hadn't won. We just didn't know how to keep arguing with someone so delusional.

But, wait, what did any of this have to do with me? Or what the King wanted from me. "Your majesty," I said, directed to the King. "What would you have me do? You mentioned a choice?"

"Yes," the King said and cleared his throat. "Piper, it would be best for the kingdom if you resigned from the competition and while doing so, made a statement giving your full support to Bridget."

My... support? He couldn't be serious. He wanted me to not only give up on the competition, but to also publically root for Bridget to win?

"If the public sees that you are supportive of Bridget, it will end any dispute and put the full public vote behind the strongest candidate," the King said. "You can understand, surely. For the good of the kingdom."

*Absolutely not," Nicholas said.

"Silence, Nicholas," the Queen snapped. "This is not a choice for you to make. Your selfish opinions have been recognized already. Let us see if the girl you hold so much affection for is equally as selfish."

*You wouldn't want us to lose the war, would you?" the King asked me. "You would do whatever necessary to keep the people safe?"

I would, but...

For me to go along with this, I would have to agree that Bridget would be the best Luna for the kingdom. At this point, I just couldn't say that.

Though I could see their reasoning as well. If Bridget and I were truly splitting the vote, it could make things more

difficult if a war were to break out and half the kingdom didn't support the royal family.

But to allow Bridget to be Queen?

To let Nicholas commit himself to a life of misery?

"I need to think about this," I said.

"Piper," Nicholas started.

"Take your time," the King said. "You have until the eve before the elimination ceremony to make up your mind."