Chapter 218


    Chapter 0218


    I was exhausted but Iplied, changing into a simple dress and then heading downstairs. When I


    saw


    Susie standing in the back of the room, I immediately went to her side.


    Most of the girls assumed Nathan was soon to announce the next event for thepetition, and so


    there was much spection about what that event could be.


    “Maybe it will be a beauty contest,” Olivia said, flipping her gorgeous hair.


    “It could be trivia,” said Jessica. She looked excited by the prospect. “We could have teams, and -”


    “What about a horse race,” Tiffany said. “Some kind of show of our horse-riding capability.”


    Nathan headed to the stage in the room. He didn’t have a microphone this time. With only eight of us in


    the room now, he could be clearly heard just by his speaking up.


    “The next event will be…” he said.


    The room took a breath:


    “A fundraising g.”


    Tiffany and Jessica’s shoulders slumped. Olivia seemed indifferent.


    Nathan continued, “Each candidate will have her chance to pitch her own cause to a ballroom full of


    potential benefactors. The princes who chose you may offer you help as you work the room.”


    Olivia and Lilliana looked sharply at each other, before slicing their hard gazes to me.


    “As Luna, you would be required to know how to subtly win others to your side through careful words,


    and the perfect dance. We will expect to see your abilities in action on this night.”


    Some of the girls nodded. I did too/It made sense. The Luna was a ba stion of diplomacy – and raising


    money for her causes. The person set to take her ce should share in the same skills.


    “At the end of the evening,” Nathan said, “the benefactors themselves will decide who to support. The


    candidate who has earned the most support will be dered the winner of the event. All of the


    benefactors will be donating real funds, so you will be working both for yourself and for the benefit of


    your


    cause.”


    I knew at once who I would support: the orphanage. I had returned with Elva a few times since myst


    being there with Nichs. The caretakers did their best, but those kids could only stand to gain from


    more financial support.


    I looked to Susie. “What cause were you thinking?”


    She said at once, “There’s an animal shelter back home that I want to support.”


    I was not shocked in the slightest by her response. Susie seemed to prefer thepany of animals


    most times.


    “I think it’s a great cause,” I told her, smiling.


    When the announcements were over and I turned to leave the parlor, I noticed Lilliana near the door,


    speaking with the head of the guard, Joseph. They seemed to be in a deep conversation, Lilliana


    talking,


    while Joseph nodded severely.


    I wanted to avoid them, but they were standing along the hallway I needed to walk through. I wouldn’t


    be intimidated from simply walking back to my room.


    Keeping my head up, tall and proud, I walked down the hallway. I avoided looking at them for a while,


    but when I noticed their sudden silence, I couldn’t help but nce at them.


    I immediately wished I hadn’t.


    They were both ring at me.


    “Don’t worry,” Joseph said to Lilliana. “I’ll take care of this.” He cast me onest hate-filled look and


    then stormed away.


    Lilliana, meanwhile, walked closer to me.


    “Hello, Lilliana,” I said, hoping to bridge a truce before she could finish stirring whatever drama she had


    nned for this time.


    I was toote, it seemed.


    Lilliana’s demure fa?ade cracked. She openly frowned at me as she snapped, “I know what you are


    doing, and you won’t get away with it.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.