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."

pulled them up higher, closer to her chin. "I like

Soon, right?" Shock struck through me and for a moment, I simply

least, temper her expectations. But my own fantasies had been running

I asked her, "Is

said. "Then he'd stay with us

middle, hearing her words. Elva's dreams were so similar to my own. What I wouldn't give to have Nicholas belong to

eliminated at the next ceremony. Or the King and Queen could simply deem me

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

he began to sit up. He stretched out all of his limbs, almost as if

he had actually been asleep a moment ago

then looked between Elva and me.

asked, and I

Elva said and hopped out of

get dressed first," I said, and after selected the day's clothes for us

and then, we all headed down to breakfast

stepped off the stairs, the tension in the air on

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

started walking toward the chaos.

this, Prince Nicholas," she said and seemed genuinely ashamed. "I

matter?"

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! Oh, forgive me.

looked hopelessly back at me. I nodded at him, knowing and understanding

1.

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

thank you so much, your royal Highness. You

be alright," Nicholas

smiled down at Elva, who was watching the scene with a curious though somewhat frightened expression. Seeing a grown

I smiled down at her. "Nicholas is going

fear ebbed from her expression. Yes,

hungry?"