"But Mom, I don't want to leave," Luna said. "Harrington Valley has been my home for years. All my friends are here."
Countess Rachel set her spoon down. She didn't look at Luna. "Manners. We do not discuss at the table."
"I'm not eating."
"Dear Mother," Meribel said, all honey, "nothing ever sticks to that thick skull of hers."
"What thick skull?" Luna snapped. "May I remind you I'm top of my advanced class while you're not even in one?"
"Enough." Rachel's voice cut glass. "Both of you."
Luna shoved her chair back and took the stairs two at a time. She hit her bedroom, threw a pillow at the wall, and buried herself in the duvet.
_Why doesn't she ever listen to me?_
A knock.
"Who is it?"
"Your favorite person in the world."
"Dad?"
"Nope. It's me, little goose. Just open the door."
Luna rolled her eyes and opened it. Benjamin stood there with a tray, college sweatshirt rumpled, smiling like he hadn't just driven three hours.
"When did you get home?" Luna asked, lifting the lid. Toast. Eggs. Actual food.
"A moment ago. The maids filled me in." He dropped into the chair by her desk. "Rough dinner?"
"Why doesn't Mom ever listen?"
"Maybe because you don't listen to her." Benny shrugged. "You're more alike than you think. Both strong-headed."
"I don't want to move. I've lived in Harrington Valley my whole life. This house, these people —" She gestured at the walls. "I'm attached."
"Father got the dukedom. It's what Grandfather wanted. And Father's earned it. He's done good for the Valley." Benny leaned forward. "Mom's keeping the staff. She'll probably sell the house, but the people stay."
"Maybe you're right. I'm being selfish. I should be happy for Dad."
"For someone smart, you can be dumb sometimes." Benjamin stood. "I'm off, little goose."
"Bye, Benny."
"Don't call me that, little goose."
"Then don't call me little goose."
"Fair enough." He left, grinning.
Luna grabbed her phone from the nightstand. 20 texts. 50 missed calls.
*Eva:*
Girl, congrats to ur dad 🥳🥳🥳🥳
Wait does that mean y'all moving 🤔
Hold up hope u ain't changing schools 🤨
I'll ask Harper 🧐
Can you believe Harper — she said y'all gonna move 😤
Wait I think she's right 😱
Girl what are we gonna do 🥺
Who's gonna help me with my maths 😥
Can u believe Lily she said I should get a tutor 😡
But I'm gonna really miss you Luna 😭😭😭😭
*Harper:*
Congratulations to your father.
So are you moving, Luna?
I guess you will. Your father isn't a count anymore. He's a duke. You're Lady Luna now. More responsibility.
Can you believe Eva? She thinks you're not moving. Excuse her. Your mother wouldn't allow it.
I'll miss you, bff.
*Lily:*
Congrats
Harper said you are moving
😭😭
I'll miss you sooo sooo much Luna
Pls don't go 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Luna hit video call. Three faces popped up.
"Hi, guys," she waved.
"Girl, are you really moving?" Eva asked.
"Of course she is," Harper said.
"Really?" Lily's eyes were already wet.
"Oh shut up, Harper," Eva snapped.
"Why? I'm stating facts. Remember Elena? Her father became a duke and she left Valorshire High for Avaloria Academy. Where the royals go." Harper rolled her eyes. "Same thing will happen."
"You think you're smart, Harper," Eva said. "Don't forget, Luna's smarter than you. Maybe that's why you're happy — so you can be president of the Mathletes."
They started bickering.
"Enough!" Luna yelled. "Is this how you'll act when I'm gone?"
"Sorry, Luna," they said together.
"To clear it up: yes, I'm moving. We're leaving Harrington Valley. I'll probably change schools."
"I don't want you to leave," Lily cried.
"Me too," Eva and Harper said.
"I don't want to leave either. But it's out of my hands. I'm gonna miss you girls."
"Why don't we do a sleepover at your house?" Eva suggested.
"That's… actually a good idea, Eva," Harper said.
"Of course it is." Eva flipped her hair.
"I'll ask my mom tomorrow," Luna grinned.
They talked for hours. After she hung up, Luna changed into her duck pyjamas and crashed.
Sunlight knifed through the curtains. Luna groaned awake to maids dragging suitcases out of her room.
"Emerald, what's going on?"
"The Countess said to move your things to the car, my lady."
"Why? I thought we weren't moving until next month."
"The Countess said you're stopping in the capital for the day. Then you go straight to the Delaware Duchy."
Luna sprinted to Rachel's study and threw the door open.
"Mom!"
Rachel looked up from her tea, a woman in pearls sitting across from her. "Mrs. Silverspoon, please excuse my daughter's behavior."
Mrs. Silverspoon laughed thinly. "They say the most intelligent ones have manners laymen don't understand."
A maid escorted Mrs. Silverspoon out. Rachel turned, ice in her smile. "And what madness is this, Luna? It's seven in the morning."
"It _is_ seven. What's _she_ doing here? And _I'm_ uncouth?" Luna pointed at the clock.
"Is that why you ran here in duck pyjamas? Meribel has been up an hour practicing violin." Rachel rubbed her temple. "Why are you in my study?"
"I just woke up. Because Emerald said we're leaving Harrington Valley for the capital and you didn't tell me."
"I told Meribel to tell you. It must have slipped her mind." Rachel sipped her tea. "We're calling on my best friend in the capital. We'll be there for the day. Then we take up residence in Delaware. Get ready. We leave at eight."
"What? It's seven thirty."
"Then chop chop. Be fast about it."
Luna ran. Showered. Brushed her teeth. Threw on a red hoodie, ripped jeans, white sneakers. She hit the dining room at 7:52. Meribel, Benjamin, and Rachel were already eating.
Luna slid in next to Benjamin and drowned pancakes in maple syrup.
After breakfast, Rachel left for her study.
"Benny, are you coming to the capital with us?" Luna asked.
"No. Term's not over. I'm not on holiday like you girls."
"How are you top of your advanced class with no common sense?" Meribel said, smirking.
"Wow. Even someone with no common sense is smarter than you." Luna gasped, fake-shocked. "How dumb _are_ you?"
"You're mad," Meribel hissed.
"Enough," Benjamin said. "Both of you. Is this how you'll act when you girls are paying respect to the Queen?"
"Queen?" Luna and Meribel said together.
Benjamin blinked. "Yes. Didn't Mother tell you? Her best friend is the Queen. You're paying respects at the royal palace in the capital. Just for the day, then straight to Delaware."
Rachel didn't tell them. Meribel's eyes lit up. Luna's stomach dropped.
"Nope," Luna said.
"Then I can finally meet the princes!" Meribel clapped. "Yay!"
"Who cares," Luna muttered. "One day of rules before Delaware. I wanted one last month here in the Valley with my friends. Benny, can you talk to Mom? Let me stay?"
"Alone? You're sixteen."
"There's staff."
"They're busy with the move."
"I could stay with a friend—"
"Mother would never agree," Meribel cut in.
"She's right," Benjamin said. He patted Luna's head. "Listen to Mother. Take care." He left.
Meribel stuck her tongue out at Luna. "Brother!" she called, chasing him.
"This is so unfair," Luna moped, alone at the table.