The Luna Choosing Game



I looked in the mirror, barely recognizing myself. It was the night of the First Ball, and I was dressed in my beautiful, shimmering yellow gown. It was sleeveless, with a tasteful V-neck bodice.

One of my maids had tied my brown hair into a tight up-do, with a few loose tendrils tucked behind my ears.

Beside me, Elva was a near-mirror figure of me, though her dress came up to her neck. It shimmered the same, and she couldn't stop giggling as she spun in circles.

Bright and laughing, she looked like the physical embodiment of sunshine.

I pulled her into a quick hug. "You are a princess, Elva."

As we went to the door, the strange maid stopped me. "Don't forget your gloves." She handed them to me.

"Thank you." I was relieved. I knew there were traditions about gloves and their length. It would have been a faux pas to show up without any.

I turned to thank the quiet maid as well, but she was further back in the room and not looking at us. I resolved to thank her later instead.

Smiling at Elva, I took her hand. "Let's go to the ball, Elva."

Elva gave a toothy grin. "The princess ball!"

We congregated with the other girls in the parlor room, where we waited for the results for the dress contest. The princes' preferences for our dresses would soon determine the order of our introductions.

Every single dress was beautiful in its own way. They were a rainbow of colors and materials, but each more spectacular than the last.

Linda's skirt was so puffy, I wondered how she intended to dance. Though she moved with such ease, she must have been used to it. Others were similar, carefully sidestepping their trains or lifting their long dresses to avoid tripping over themselves.

Every girl seemed confident in their own gown, and I genuinely wasn't sure who would win.

When Nathan arrived, all the girls hushed themselves. We waited with bated breath as Nathan read the order of introductions.

First, he said, "Olivia."

Her smile was stunning. Her velvet gown was dark green and elegant with a long crinkled bow in the back that reached down to the floor.

"Of course, she would pick the same color the queen always wears," whispered one girl near me. "Who else would have the gall?"

"It worked, didn't it?" replied another girl, who seemed torn between indignant and impressed.

*Second is..." Nathan checked his notes. *Piper, and Elva."

"That's us!" Elva cheered.

Second place was a good showing. I knew my dress was beautiful, but to have a prince think so too was a special kind of flattering.

I took Elva's hand and we weaved through the crowd to stand behind Olivia.

She offered me a tight smile. "It's so nice to see the princes be charitable."

The snide comment startled me, but I somehow kept a straight face. Before I could think of a reply however, Nathan called the third girl. Then the fourth. And the fifth.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Elva and I cheered when Susie's name was called, though she was much further down the line. I thought she looked adorable in her pink ruffled gown.

When all of the girls were aligned, Nathan led us down the corridor toward the main ballroom. Beyond the ballroom doors was a grand staircase that led down onto a large dancefloor.

The royal family was seated in massive thrones on the opposite end of the room. Around the room were other dignitaries and nobles who seemed eager to meet the girls chosen for the selection.

As we stood at the top of the stair, every eye in the room turned to look at us.

Olivia preened under the attention.

Elva and I were much more subdued. I was very nervous but trying to put on a brave face for Elva, who was crushing my hand in her tiny grip.

"Watch how it's done," Olivia said to me with a smirk, as Nathan took point behind a standing microphone.

Nathan introduced Olivia, and she descended the staircase with a practiced grace, to the sound of polite applause.