The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0568

The next morning, I awoke slowly. The sun was bright outside my window. It must have been early yet. It seemed as if the sun's rays were coming in strong and undeterred. Even the curtains could not dull their luminance.

I felt stubborn though, and groggy from being up much of the night thinking back on the things Nicholas had said. I would undoubtedly pay for it later today.

For now, however, I could rest. Elva was still dozing soundly beside me

I rolled to the side, enough to peer over, down at Nicholas on the ground. He had his arms crossed over his chest and his eyelids closed. He seemed to be sleeping as well.

Good. Then I truly did have a few minutes to wake slowly. I liked mornings like this, where nothing felt urgent. They had always been a rare gift to me.

Still on my side, I watched the way Nicholas's chest rose and fell with his deep breathing. His face was stern, as if he was having a dream about giving some kind of orders or reprimand.

I wondered what he dreamed about.

Could it be anything like my dreams? Although with that stern expression, I doubted he was dreaming of a blissful family life.

"Mommy...?"

I rolled over, away from Nicholas and toward my daughter instead. She was rubbing her eyes with one hand.

"Is it time to wake up?" Elva asked.

*Soon," I said. "We can sleep in a bit, though. There's no rush."

"Okay," she said. She blinked a few times, then met my gaze. "Is Nick-lass still here?"

I nodded. "He's sleeping, so we should keep our voices low. We don't want to wake him."

She lowered her voice. "He stayed all night?"

"He did," I said, keeping my voice low as well. "Protecting us. Keeping us safe."

she wiggled under the covers. She pulled them up higher, closer to her chin. "I like

with that. Her smile widened as she said, "So when will he be my new daddy? Soon, right?" Shock struck through me and for a moment, I simply

let her down gently, or at the very least, temper her expectations. But my own fantasies had been running so rampant lately, that what I should do

asked her, "Is that

"Then he'd stay

my own. What I wouldn't give to have

that way. I could be eliminated at the next ceremony. Or the King and Queen could simply deem me unsuitable. Or Nicholas could

Nicholas let out a loud yawn

out all of his limbs, almost as if to make

could only hope he had actually been asleep a moment ago and

then looked between Elva and me. I held my breath, expecting some kind

he asked, and I

am!" Elva said and hopped

us both, ushered Elva into the bathroom to change

and then, we all headed down to breakfast

tension

caused all of the staff to seem more stressed then too. Drinks were getting messed up or spilled. The person mopping the floors slipped on

walking toward the chaos. "Selma? What

see any of this, Prince Nicholas," she

the matter?" Nicholas

said and covered her face. "I don't know what to do or how to feed them. What do they even eat? I received a list of dietary restrictions from the Ambassador. My prince, I don't even know what some things on the list are!

shoulder gently, offering support. He looked hopelessly back at me. I nodded at

1.

the Ambassador," Nicholas said. "I'll see if I can sort

thank you so much, your royal Highness. You

be alright," Nicholas

watching the scene with a curious though somewhat frightened expression. Seeing a grown woman lose her composure likely frightened the

is going to take care of

ebbed from her expression. Yes, she

hungry?" I