The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0026

I read through it all. "This invitation includes Elva..? Could that be right? But there was her name, clear as day, directly beside mine. Perhaps this was some kind of apology for the doctors' behavior last night? Or was this something else - another publicity stunt?

I supposed I couldn't be picky enough to let it bother me. The royal family invited us both, so we both would attend. Full stop.

Right now, my bigger concern could be focused on the detailed dress code included at the bottom of the invitation.

*The tailors will be here in an hour," the talkative maid said. "They'll measure you both for the dresses."

"Princess dresses?" Elva asked, all doe eyes and sweetness.

The maid smiled at her. "Something very close to, yes."

Elva cheered.

The maid returned her attention to me. "The dance instructors will arrive tomorrow."

"Dance instructors?" I knew how to do a two-step as well as anyone.

*The candidates must know all of the latest dances. Some of the proper steps for the social dances are quite complicated, these days. And then, of course, there are the traditional formal dances that the King prefers."

Okay. So I guessed a simple two-step wasn't going to cut it this time. We hadn't done much dancing at the Academy - at least, not formally.

Two-step worked just fine for impromptu dances alone in the garden under the moonlight.

I shook away those memories. Nicholas had likely forgotten those special nights, so I should as well.

The tailors came and went, leaving behind the measurements for both Elva and me. The maids said they would make the dresses themselves. I offered to help, but they vehemently refused.

"It is our honor to assist you," the quiet one said.

I appreciated them, none the less. After some coaxing, I convinced them to at least let me sit with them while they worked.

*You never know if you'll need alterations," I said.

Together, we moved some sewing machines and a work table into my bedroom. As they worked, I peered through some of the scraps of fabric they'd left to the side.

Some of the fabrics were very sturdy. There was even a swatch of leather among the pile.

An idea came to me.

"I think that's enough for today," I said, as the maids yawned and rubbed their eyes.

They agreed and excused themselves for the night.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I tucked in Elva and kissed her goodnight. Then I went to one of the sewing machines.

I worked through the night, shaping and stitching. I had to guess some of the size work, trying to remember the shape of Nicholas's hand compared to mine.

When I finished, the morning dawn crept in through the windows. My eyes hurt and I was tired. But it wasn't the first time I'd pulled an all-nighter. It likely wouldn't be the last either.

I held the item I'd made in both of my hands, admiring the finished product.

A wrist guard, fit for a prince with an old injury.

It had seemed a good idea last night, a way to properly thank Nicholas for helping Elva. Words hadn't seemed like enough.

But now, in the light of day, I hesitated.

He was cold and distant to me now. He seemed to always assume the worst.

Would he suspect this gift to be more than a mere gesture of thanks? Would he think I was trying to ingrain myself into his heart once more?

I didn't want him to think that.

Yet I'd worked too hard to throw this gift away. Besides, he'd winced. He was in pain. The gift would help him.

Making up my mind, I collected Elva and went down to breakfast in the dining hall. The royal family, as usual, wasn't in the room. They only seemed to dine with us during formal occasions.

But now that our seats had been selected and reserved, everyone stuck to them. This meant, the next time Nicholas entered this room, whether the girls were here or not, he would sit in this same chair.

Subtly, when no one else was looking, I slipped the wrist guard onto his seat.

I placed my finger to my lips when Elva spotted me.

This would be our little secret.