Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0186

I glanced at James, who nodded slightly, always ready to help. The idea was starting to feel more real, more possible. If I could pull this off, it wouldn’t just be a gift—it would be a memory. Something meaningful. Something perfect.

The three of us began making our way toward the tailor shop. As we walked, my mind started to wander again. It felt almost absurd to be focused on something as trivial as shopping for a gift—not just because my relationship with Alexander wasn’t truly romantic, but because the looming presence of Amanda and David clung to my thoughts like a shadow.

Did I really have the luxury to focus on this while they were scheming, possibly plotting something far worse?

It might have been a mistake to delay responding to Amanda’s text message, but Alexander had assured me he had it handled, and Elizabeth had promised to investigate. So, what else could I do?

“Are you dwelling on unpleasant thoughts again?” Elizabeth asked, her voice breaking through my spiraling

concerns.

you

knowing glance. “You look like you’ve just bitten into something sour.”

even in the middle of such a great

fine,” she said with quiet confidence. “You’ve got friends on your side–people who will make sure every precaution is taken. It’s okay to let your guard down a little.

at her words. She had no idea how much they meant to me, how deeply her words comforted me. I hadn’t realized I

I hesitated. “I just don’t want to let my guard

reassuring squeeze. “But now is not the time for that. Now is the time for celebration and for planning happy occasions. And don’t forget–you’ve got a date night to

you always able to look on the bright side?” I asked,

always prepared for the worst–case scenario. So, if it happens, it’s not

If you already had a plan for the worst, there was no point in dwelling on what might go

“You always have to be ready for anything. If you don’t learn how to deal with that without panicking, well… there’s really no time

me both comfort and a lesson I wasn’t sure I’d mastered yet. But in that moment, I resolved to

timeline. I wasn’t happy as the Luna Queen, but I had done my job well. Maybe