Chapter 120. Painful Week

It’s the event tomorrow. This week has been painful, partly because I’m trying to reject Darius, and it is failing. Then there’s every day I’m with him, Sage and Lyra.

I’m unsure what is more painful, smiling and playing happy for the cameras, watching Lyra and Darius, or trying to reject him and failing. Maybe it’s everything combined?

No, it’s playing the part, showing how I can be an amazing queen when I know that Sage and I are not being chosen. We never were going to be.

“Elara?” I look up and see Darius. Everyone has left. Where is Kellan? I glance around, searching the room. Kellan has stayed by my side or made sure Sage was here if Darius was.

“Yes.” My word is quiet.

“We have this to work over. You avoided it.” Sighing, I nod and move next to him. I know I’ve avoided it. It means sitting with him and discussing it. I have to, though. It was my idea. It was me who made him open his eyes to the orphanage.

“So, there are currently one hundre