The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0550

Elva glanced up at Veronica and her laughter stifled. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Veronica startled a little, then tried to smile again. It wasn't as big as before. It barely twitched her lip, and certainly did not meet her eyes.

"Nothing's wrong," Veronica said. "I'm glad you liked the trick."

*How long does it last?" I asked, though as soon as the words left my mouth Elva's purple glow began to fade.

"Aww," Elva said, looking at her hands. "Do it again!"

"Elva, honey," I scolded lightly. "We don't demand things from people."

"I'm tired now," Veronica said. "Maybe another time."

Elva tucked her chin down, disappointed. But she said, "Okay."

*Thank Veronica for the magic trick," I reminded Elva.

Elva kicked her feet on the ground. "Thank you..." she mumbled.

"You're welcome," Veronica said.

Elva lifted her folded bird again. She glanced at me, as if for permission.

"Go on," I said. "Have fun."

Nearby I saw the nanny coming up onto the deck. Elva saw her too, and ran toward her, holding up the folded bird. With Elva thoroughly distracted, I turned to Veronica, looking for an explanation. "What just happened?"

in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk

great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the curse, then maybe we didn't need to

anything but happy about

because

and the magical power level needed

was the one to make the curse, on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that

Veronica said. Cóntent belong to

that good?" I was

was never one for false hope. Although in this case, it pulled my heart out a little. I

Veronica said. "It will require the highest

the only one I knew who could do

remove her curse?"

sighed. "What I do is mere child's play compared to what

I had built up for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from Veronica's expressions that the

I said quickly. "This isn't on you at

"If I were stronger-*

her. I dipped my head into her line of vision so she could see my face and know that I'm earnest. "We wouldn't even know any of this if

shook her head, clearly dissatisfied with herself. I couldn't talk. I knew exactly how it felt to

Veronica said. "She's the only

Elva, but I still didn't know if I could fully trust her. The oracle was a

keep reading." Veronica said. "I've only just started. Maybe there's more I

of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her.

I walked off a little ways, wanting to give her some space.

at my birdie!" She showed her folded bird to Nicholas, who had just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained in her roundabout child way that Veronica had made it and given it to her,

said

attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice to be able to help.

distracted, Nicholas made his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We both

needed to cool down," Nicholas said.