Chapter 0186 I glanced at James, who nodded slightly, always ready to help. The idea was starting to feel more real, more possible. If I could pull this off, it wouldnât just be a giftâit would be a memory. Something meaningful. Something perfect.
The three of us began making our way toward the tailor shop. As we walked, my mind started to wander again. It felt almost absurd to be focused on something as trivial as shopping for a giftânot just because my relationship with Alexander wasnât truly romantic, but because the looming presence of Amanda and David clung to my thoughts like a shadow.
Did I really have the luxury to focus on this while they were scheming, possibly plotting something far worse?
It might have been a mistake to delay responding to Amandaâs text message, but Alexander had assured me he had it handled, and Elizabeth had promised to investigate. So, what else could I do?
âAre you dwelling on unpleasant thoughts again?â Elizabeth asked, her voice breaking through my spiraling concerns.
âHow can you tell?â
âThe look on your face,â she replied, giving me a knowing glance. âYou look like youâve just bitten into something sour.â
I sighed. âItâs hard not to worry, even in the middle of such a great day.â
âThings are going to turn out fine,â she said with quiet confidence. âYouâve got friends on your sideâpeople who will make sure every precaution is taken. Itâs okay to let your guard down a little. Youâre not in this alone.â
My throat tightened at her words. She had no idea how much they meant to me, how deeply her words comforted me. I hadnât realized I needed to hear it.
Still, I hesitated. âI just donât want to let my guard down and risk something bad happening.â
Elizabeth nodded, her expression softening. âI understand,â she said. Then, with a bright smile, she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and gave me a reassuring squeeze. âBut now is not the time for that. Now is the time for celebration and for planning happy occasions. And donât forgetâyouâve got a date night to focus on, right? Everything else can wait for a little while.â
âHow are you always able to look on the bright side?â I asked, genuinely impressed by her unshakable positivity.
âItâs simple,â she said, her smile unwavering. âIâm always prepared for the worstâcase scenario. So, if it happens, itâs not as scary.â
âThatâs... a curious attitude,â I admitted. Truthfully, though, I could see the logic. If you already had a plan for the worst, there was no point in dwelling on what might go wrong.
âIt comes with the territory of being the kingâs daughter,â she explained. âYou always have to be ready for anything. If you donât learn how to deal with that without panicking, well... thereâs really no time left for living.â
Her words hung in the air, offering me both comfort and a lesson I wasnât sure Iâd mastered yet. But in that moment, I resolved to try.
Iâd managed to make things work in the original timeline. I wasnât happy as the Luna Queen, but I had done my job well. Maybe this time around, I could balance being a leader and being happy with my life.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed insistently, the familiar ringtone cutting through the air. A smile tugged at my lips before I could stop itâI recognized it immediately as Alexanderâs.
1/2 Chapter 0186 +25 BONUS My heart fluttered, a small thrill rushing through me at the thought of hearing his voice again. I quietly scolded myself for the reaction, mentally chastising the ridiculous crush that refused to loosen its grip. I had to get a handle on this. But despite my internal reprimand, the warmth in my heart was stubborn.
Taking a steadying breath, I slipped my phone from my pocket and answered, doing my best to sound composed.