The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0632

The next morning, I awoke feeling groggy. I hadn't slept at all the night before, too stressed about what the day might bring, especially with Nicholas's disappearance after the meeting the day before.

He had said that he would talk to me at the elimination ceremony, but I didn't know that meant I wouldn't even clap eyes on him for the rest of the day. Not even Julian had seemed to know what was up when I had confronted him about it.

"I'm sure it's fine," Julian had said. "Nicholas isn't going to just ditch you now, after everything you've been through together."

That wasn't the comfort that he had thought it was. All night long, I tossed and turned. Maybe Nicholas felt bound to me because of what we shared. Maybe our affections toward each other wouldn't be enough when push came to shove. Maybe Nicholas agreed he needed someone else for the nation.

No. He stood up for me to his parents. At least against Bridget. But what if they were able to sway him to look closer at Olivia or Lilliana again?

By the time my alarm went off the next morning, I reasoned I had slept for maybe about ten minutes the night before.

returned to the room to find our suitcases out on the

"Nathan said everyone had to be packed just in

not your fault," I assured her as I came to her side. I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave her

name, I will be right here, putting all of your things

told her so. Though, in my heart, I knew the King would be the one with the final word. I doubted even Nicholas would be able to

bow out gracefully. Since I had refused to do so, now it

in her play area. She slowly picked them up one at a time and brought them toward

closer, I put my arm around her and pulled her against me in a sideways

going to be

a reserved kind of way

added, giving her

hold and put her stuffed animals in her suitcase. Then she returned to the play area