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 pulled them up

be my new daddy? Soon, right?" Shock struck through me and for a moment, I simply stared at her, startled. But then

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 something

said. "Then he'd stay with

heart cracked down the middle, hearing her words. Elva's dreams were so similar to my own. What I

fantasies, I should still let Elva know that it might not work out that way. I could be eliminated at the next ceremony. Or the King and Queen could simply deem me unsuitable. Or Nicholas could choose someone else. Despite everything, Bridget was still a

begin to tell Elva anything. Nicholas let out a loud yawn and I snap my

He stretched out all of his limbs, almost

had actually been asleep a moment

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

asked, and I huffed out a deep

Elva said and hopped out

said, and after selected the day's clothes for us both, ushered Elva into the

waited for us, and then, we all

tension in

she barked orders. This in turn, caused all of the staff to seem more stressed then too.

started walking toward the chaos. "Selma?

had to see any of this, Prince Nicholas," she said and seemed genuinely ashamed. "I

the matter?" Nicholas asked

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

He looked hopelessly back at me. I nodded at him, knowing and understanding that he was needed here. He didn't

1.

see if I can sort this all

"Oh, thank you so much, your

will be alright," Nicholas

though somewhat frightened expression. Seeing a grown woman lose her composure likely frightened the poor

When Elva looked up at me, I smiled down at her. "Nicholas is going to take care of this,

from her expression. Yes, she knew she could

you hungry?"

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