THE LUNA CHOOSING GAME - Season 5 Episode 78

“That’s a bit presumptuous, isn’t it?” Jessica said to Bridget, and I instantly liked her even more. “Why should you get to room with a prince?” “Prince Nicholas, as the oldest of his siblings, has the largest room of any of those here,” Bridget said. She smiled brightly but narrowed her eyes at Jessica, which made her look a little threatening. “It makes sense that he would be the one to share.” Jessica, however, was not so easily intimidated. “Makes sense to whom?” Julian started forward. “Nicholas and I can room together then.” Selma paled. “We could not ask our

princes to inconvenience themselves.” I wondered, even if Nicholas and Julian decided to room together, if the staff would be allowed to assign a guest to Julian’s vacant room. I had a feeling there were empty rooms left in this house, but they were assigned to the King and Queen and Joyce, respectfully.

“See?” Bridget said, glancing at everyone in turn. “It makes the most sense, as I preciously suggested, for me to stay in Nicholas’s room.” “No,” Nicholas said, flat and firm.

Bridget startled as she turned to look at him. A wave of relief washed through me. Nicholas was tired of having his choices made for him. This choice seemed small, but maybe it was a step

in the right direction for him. A step he needed to be able to more firmly stand up for his own wants later. = I could only dream. Even I knew I was likely kidding myself.

But still, in this case, I could feel relief.

“No?” Bridget asked, though she kept her tone light. She was looking for an explanation, not making an accusation.

“It wouldn’t be proper for us to stay in the same room like that,” Nicholas said.

Bridget’s smile went a little thin. “But we’re friends before we are anything else, Nicholas. Very old friends. It wouldn’t be the first time we platonically shared a bed.”

“We were children then,” Nicholas said. “We are adults now, and my decision is final.” Julian turned away from the scene to walk back to me and Veronica. He was smiling again, looking as relieved as I felt inside. I wondered if my own face mirrored that expression as well.

Veronica looked at us both, then spoke up. “Bridget can stay in my room.” Bridget’s eyes went wide. I’m sure my own did too.

“What? …a generous offer…” Bridget exclaimed, then recovered.

I inched closer to Veronica to whisper, “Why in the world would you want to do this?” Veronica gave me a pointed look. “I don’t trust her. This way I can keep a

better eye on her.” I.didn’t like the idea of Veronica sacrificing her vacation to keep watch on Bridget, but Veronica was very steadfast. If she said it allowed, she’d already given it thought. She’d already come to her decision. She likely knew what she was going to do before Julian and I even showed up for this argument.

All eyes turned to Bridget. For once, she seemed uncomfortable in the sudden limelight.

“Very well,” she said, though the words sounded forced. She sounded like she would rather do absolutely anything else. “Thank you, Veronica.” Veronica dipped her head in acknowledgement, playing the role of

humble benefactor quite well. No wonder she had been awarded so many points in the theater event. She really was very talented. Bridget should have given her a bigger role.

I’supposed that didn’t matter now.

With the matter settled, the staff began moving everyone’s luggage at once. A sudden wave of servants appeared and disappeared in a blink-and-you-miss- it kind of rush. It was amazing watching them work, truly talented people with a craft.

Not five minutes later, our rooms were ready and all of the staff I had seen had vanished like they’d never been there atall.

If I was a superstitious sort, I might have thought the entire staff were a bunch of ghosts. As it wasn’t, I instead

guessed there were a whole set of back hallways and rooms specifically designed to hide the staff from sight: However, even with our rooms being ready, no one was ready to go to sleep yet. It was just past sunset, after all, so most of the group wandered back out onto the back deck, where some of the staff were lighting tiki torches.

Some of the group were talking about a bonfire. From what I overheard, the staff were rushing to procure the appropriate kind of wood.

Nicholas lingered behind the rest, waiting for me at the door. But I stayed behind a moment longer yet. Elva was holding my hand with one hand while she rubbed her eyes with the other. She was clearly exhausted.

“Do you want to go to sleep, Elva?” I ask.

“I wanna see a bonfire…” she said with ayawn.

I smiled as I lifted her up into my arms.

“There will be others,” I told her.

“We’re going to be here a full week, after all. You’ve had a long day and need some rest.” She yawned again. I knew she was genuinely tired when she didn’t argue.

“Okay.” Nicholas left his vigil at the door and approached us. “Someone tuckered out.” “up H 3) H »n I’m going to tuck her in.

Nicholas nodded. “I’ve made special arrangements for you and Elva. You’ll recognize the guard at the door, and a

nanny is on call whenever you need her.” “Elva’s usual?” I asked.

“The very same.” Oh, thank goodness. People I knew I could trust.

Nicholas leaned down and kissed Elva on the temple. “Good night, princess.” When he straightened he smiled at me.

I smiled in answer.

Then I turned and headed upstairs carrying Elva.

It was a relief seeing two familiar faces waiting for us at the door: a guard and ananny.

In the room, our luggage were placed

near the dressers. The bed had been made with the covers drawn back.

I lowered Elva down to sit on the bed, then rushed to get her pajamas. By the time we had finished changing her, she was mostly asleep sitting up.

Such a big day for such a little girl.

I lowered her down into the bed and brought the covers up to her chin, making certain she was properly tucked in.

“I’m… cited, Mommy,” Elva said, voice mumble-like with sleep.

“I know. Me too. We’re going to have a great vacation.” “you and me… and Nick-lass.” She giggled. “We’re gonna be a family…

soon.”

I blinked. What? Where had she heard that? “Elva, I’m not sure if…” My voice trailed off when I heard her soft snoring. She wouldn’t hear anything I had to say like this.

1 would have to talk to her in the morning, though, if she still remembered this. I didn’t want her to have any false illusions about what might happen here.

Though… it was not that I couldn’t appreciate that little dream. It wasn’t that I hadn’t had that dream all on my own, before.

But what could have happened that had so convinced her the three of us would be a family now? tried to think back, but couldn’t

remember any specific instance of anything being different.

Yet Elva had seemed confident, as if fully convinced that she, Nicholas, and I would be leaving here as a family.