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?"

toward the merfolk book on the top of the bar. "The book contains many sections on

I perked up. She said 'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the curse, then maybe we

looked anything but happy

I asked, because looking at Veronica,

the incantation is to show the nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove it. It's easier, of

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

said. Cóntent belong to

was beginning to suspect

in this case, it pulled

Veronica said. "It will

the only one I knew who could

remove her curse?"

by far." She sighed. "What I do is mere child's play compared to

me. It was my

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

"If I were stronger-*

of vision so she could see my face and know that I'm earnest. "We wouldn't even know any of this if it weren't

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

the merfolk oracle," Veronica said. "She's the

heart. I wanted to arrive, to help Elva, but I still didn't know if I could fully trust her. The oracle was a stranger. This magic was foreign, even to Veronica. How could I be

just started. Maybe

you," I told her, and meant it from the bottom of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated

her book, and I walked off a little ways, wanting to give her some space. I looked out

folded bird to Nicholas, who had just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained

Nicholas said to the

to a pile of napkins in an attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice to be able to help. The nanny did the best she could

me. Together we stood side by side. We

to cool down," Nicholas said. "I'm