THE LUNA CHOOSING GAME - Season 7 Episode 19

On the ride back, my thoughts were buzzing. Everything I leamed this trip, combined with the things Susie told me before I left, mixed with my own wants and desires, filled my heart with hopes and worries both.

I needed time to sit with these thoughts, sort through them all, and determine what I should do with them. I was leaning toward action. Towards turning down the King’s request and standing up for myself, and for the kingdom that deserved a better queen than Bridget.

But to be so bold was a struggle. If I was wrong, it could cost many lives. If the King was wrong, lives would still be forfeit.

It remained a difficult choice. I wished I could speak to Nicholas about it, but I didn’t dare with Elva sitting on the other side of him in the car.

Besides, I wasn’t sure where I would begin. Nicholas was even more entangled in this decision than I was. While I was certain he didn’t want to be married to Bridget, I didn’t want to assume that he would rather be tied down to me.

Ug! I didn’t know! It was all so confusing.

Regardless of my choice, I didn’t want to tell him until I was sure of it. I absolutely did not want to make life more difficult for him.

Nicholas sneaked me a sideways glance as we journeyed in the car.

Catching my eye, he lifted a brow, as if asking me, You alright?

I nodded.

He didn’t seem to believe me. He reached his hand toward mine and laced our fingers together.

The action gave me comfort and I closed my eyes.

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I cared so deeply for Nicholas. I wanted to make the correct choice.

The person I needed to talk to most, to bounce my thoughts around with, was Susie. I needed my best friend.

Returning the palace, I couldn’t wait to talk to Susie. I went with Elva to our bedroom and helped her settle down for a nap. When Elva was resting soundly, I left her in the care of Charlotte and the nanny and left the room.

Once I was in the hallway, I rushed toward Susie’s room. The door was closed. That was not all that unusual. I knocked on the door as I pushed it open.

Mark stood inside, near the desk. I quickly glanced, but he was the only one in the room.

Some of Susie’s things were gone. It was almost as if she still hadn’t returned from her trip, but that couldn’t be. I had been told I was the last to arrive.

When Mark looked at me, I could see the worry in his eyes.

“Have you heard from her?” he asked me, which was just what I had been about to ask him. I shook my head. “I take it, you haven’t either?”

Mark dropped his gaze down to the desk again. Sitting atop it were the paper and pens Susie used to write her letters. She also kept a diary. That was missing too.

“I haven’t heard from her since before she left for home,” Mark said.

Oh, that didn’t bode well.

No, I couldn’t give into panic. It was too early in Susie’s pregnancy for her to show. Her family shouldn’t have any idea she was pregnant. They shouldn’t have any reason to keep her from returning

“I’m sure she’s fine,” I said, to lift both our spirits.

“Yes,” Mark agreed, though his heart didn’t seem to be in it. His gaze stayed lowered on the floor.

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Elva awoke from her nap around lunchtime, and together, we went down to the dining room for lunch. The room felt empty without Susie, but I kept our usual seating regardless. I sat across from Veronica and Tiffany, with Jessica nearby. Lilliana, Olivia, and Bridget sat at the far end of the table.

“You can’t blame them,” Bridget was saying loudly. “With a scandal like that, of course they want to keep the entire family at home. What sort of shame she would face coming back here, even if she isn’t the one who’s pregnant.”

I sat so quickly, I nearly toppled my chair.

“Who?” I asked.

Bridget looked at me, surprised. As did everyone else at the table. After everything that happened, I’d seemed to make it my personal job not to talk to Bridget. I ignored her as much as I good.

Even Bridget seemed to understand the need for distance. She didn’t push me into conversation. She’d been keeping just as much distance from me, lately.

Ever the talented actress, Bridget recovered from her surprise quicker than the rest. “Susie, of course. Didn’t you hear? it’s a huge scandal. It’s all anyone is talking about.”

She was purposefully being obtuse to build up suspense. I didn’t have time for that. I looked to Veronica for explanation. It was Tiffany who answered.

“Someone in Susie’s family is having a child out of wedlock,” Tiffany said.

“No one actually believes its Susie, Olivia said, side-eying Bridget. “She’s far too quiet.”

“It’s always the quiet ones,” Bridget said.

No one else seemed to believe her.

Lilliana shook her head. “It’s disgraceful to talk about such things so openly.”

Tiffany continued, “Her family won’t let her come back because of the scandal. They think Susie even being here would only bring attention to them. At least, that’s what the rumors say.”

“And they’re right,” Bridget said. “She would bring attention to her family by continuing to be here. Surely someone would ask questions, and the poor, quiet girl wouldn’t know how to answer them.”

At the same moment, I glanced toward the door and saw Mark storming past. Had he overheard? I’d never seen him as angry as I had in that flash of his face walking in front of the doorway.

“Elva, stay with Veronica,” I said. Veronica nodded, and Elva agreed.

I hopped to my feet and hurried out the door to speak to Mark. As one of the few in on the secret, I knew I was one of the few who could help calm him down.

Mark was moving quickly. I had to race to keep up.

I almost called for him to stop, but then I saw who he was rushing to speak with. Nicholas stood at the end of the hallway. He stopped as Mark approached. I continued to close the distance, so I was near enough to hear Mark’s words.

“I need to request time off,” Mark said.

Nicholas lifted a brow. “Of course. But slow down a little. What’s wrong? What happened?”

Nicholas hadn’t heard the gossip then.

“Mark,” I said, making my presence known. “She wouldn’t want you to do anything rash. We have to think about this clearly.”

“I am thinking clearly.” Mark said to me. “I am thinking more clearly now than I ever have in my entire life.”

Nicholas still didn’t understand. He looked to me for answers.

“Susie didn’t come back,” I said. “The gossip says that her family is keeping her from doing 50.”

“They know about the baby,” Mark said with such certainty.

“It’s a rumor, Mark,” I said, “Nothing more.”

Mark shook his head. “They know and they are keeping her there.”

Finally, understanding crossed Nicholas’s features. He lowered his brow. “So when you request time off…”

“I’m going to get her and bring her back,” Mark said.