The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0399

I stayed in my room from then out as much as I was able. Staying near Elva helped me keep in mind my promise to her. I would not abandon her again. And so long as I was in my room, I was safe from running into Nicholas and Bridget and seeing whatever was going on between the two of them unfold.

Elva seemed happy to have me near, and we played a lot, including the game I had promised where we sat in the window and counted the different kinds of birds we could see down in the gardens.

While Elva was awake and active, we had a great time. Even when her tutors arrived and she learned, I sat quietly and listened, proud of how smart my little girl was.

But times where Elva was entertaining herself, or like now, was lying down to rest, my thoughts began to fester and my jealousy burned so brightly it was difficult to control.

Charlotte noticed my unhappiness. She was always around, and as one of the servants, there was no hiding any gossip from her.

She tried to stay tight–lipped around me for a time, and I appreciated her for it. But eventually, I cracked.

“What is everyone saying?” I asked.

She knew right away what I meant. “About Bridget and Nicholas?”

I nodded.

“The people think they would be a good match. They’ve totally enthralled the nation. There isn’t so much news about… that unpleasantness as before,” Charlotte said.

“The protests?”

“Still ongoing, but not quite as boisterous as before. If this was the royal family’s plan, it seems to be working.”

I could be grateful for that.

“What about the staff?” I asked. “What do they think about Bridget?”

“They’re star–struck,” said Charlotte. “Who can blame them? You think we’d all be used to seeing celebrities working here. But a movie star? That’s on an entirely different level somehow. And she has been so kind to all of us.”

15 BONUS

glad about that too. Someone who acted rude to the staff was unforgivable.

was the hardest to ask. “Do you know

then,” she

know, but… if

gossip,” Charlotte admitted, after a moment.

want to know,” I said. “I know it will hurt me, but… I have to hear it Charlotte. I’d rather hear it from you than learn it on television

“Very well.”

the sewing machines still arranged in the center of the room. I quickly glanced behind me, but Elva was still fast asleep.

that, I gave Charlotte my

pieces,” Charlotte said. “But apparently Bridget and Prince Nicholas were practically inseparable as they

cleared her throat. She was holding something

“Charlotte?”

hands. One day, when she caught Bridget alone, Bridget told the cook that she was going to marry Prince Nicholas someday. It charmed the

totally heartbroken. He wouldn’t leave his room. for large chunks of time. Many times, I heard he flew to see her, or she came to see him.

so often goes, time and distance continued to stretch things out between them. Visits grew farther apart. Phone calls were fewer. Eventually they grew apart. The cook says Nicholas turned into a different person

+16 BONUS

the wait staff told me that’s about when Nicholas left home

was when he met me.

quietly, letting Charlotte’s words sink down into my brain. I let myself process them, turning them over and over

from every which way, trying to find the ways that would hurt me the least, I could only focus on one

it seemed as if Bridget had been Nicholas’s true love. His one

me, then who was I but a rebound? All those months we were

hurt far too much. He had meant

was just that his love

anything, I was Bridget’s replacement.

for telling me,” I said to