The Luna Choosing Game

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–l*pped 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?”

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

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about that too. Someone who

hardest to ask. “Do

wasn’t here then,” she said.

but… if you’ve heard

gossip,” Charlotte admitted, after a moment. She worried her bottom l*p like she was afraid to talk.

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 or through one

“Very well.”

took seats facing each other near the sewing machines still arranged in the center of the room. I quickly glanced behind me, but Elva was

I gave Charlotte my

the full story, of course, just bits and pieces,” Charlotte said. “But apparently Bridget and Prince Nicholas were practically inseparable as they grew up. They were constantly with each other. Sometimes Prince Julian

throat. She was holding something

“Charlotte?”

Bridget told the cook that she was

leave his room. for large chunks of time. Many times, I heard he flew to

grew farther apart. Phone calls were fewer. Eventually they grew apart. The cook says Nicholas turned into

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one of the wait staff told me that’s about when Nicholas

was when he

into my brain. I let myself process them, turning them

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

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

a rebound? All those months we were together. All those whispered promises and words of love.

far too

that his love