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?”

a movie star? That’s on an entirely

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

was the hardest to ask. “Do you know

wasn’t here then,” she

know, but… if you’ve heard

a

hurt me, but… I have to hear it Charlotte. I’d rather hear it from you than learn it on television or through one of the other girls.”

“Very well.”

in the center of the room. I quickly glanced behind me,

by that, I gave Charlotte my

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

She was holding something

“Charlotte?”

said they often held hands. One day, when she caught Bridget alone, Bridget told the cook that she was going to marry Prince Nicholas someday. It charmed the whole staff then. Everyone

with them. From what I hear, Prince Nicholas was 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

time and distance continued to stretch things out between them. Visits grew farther apart. Phone calls

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told me that’s about when Nicholas left home

when he

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

even after examining them from every which way, trying to find the ways that would hurt me the least, I could

been Nicholas’s true love. His one

then who was I but a rebound? All those months we were together. All those whispered

believe that. That hurt far too much. He

his love for Bridget was much stronger.