Chapter 0614

In the bedroom, Nicholas and Charlotte helped Elva and I pack our bags for our weekend homecoming trip. I pick out many subtle outfits for Elva and me. Back home, people would notice if we dressed too expensive. It might even have painted targets on our backs.

Elva, however, didn't understand. When she saw I was packing her plain shorts and tees, she crossed her arms, stuck out her bottom lip, and pouted, "I want to be princess."

"You are a princess, honey," I told her. "You don't need fancy clothes for that."

Elva frowned deeper. "It's not the same."

"It is." Nicholas lowered himself down onto one knee so that he could look Elva in the eye.

Elva glanced up at him through her eyelashes. She seemed sadder than anything and it broke my heart. I wanted Elva to have the things she wanted, but it was just too dangerous. We weren't from the best part of town. If we wore fancy clothes around, we would be robbed at worst.

At best, we just wouldn't fit in.

"Elva," Nicholas said. He placed his hand on her little shoulder. She always looked at him like he hung the sun in the sky, and now was no different. "What makes you a princess is not what you wear. It's what's on the inside that counts."

Elva glanced down at herself. "But I'm just a girl..."

"You are a girl with a very special ability," Nicholas said.

"What?" Elva asked.

Nicholas smiled at her so kindly my chest ached. "You have a big heart. Carry that with you, feed it and protect it, and you never need the fancy dresses to show you are a princess."

Elva's mood shifted somewhat, lightening. She smiled.

to wear dresses though... right?" Softer, she said, "I like

little. A rare sound from him, I wished I could bottle it and listen to

you return to the palace, you can wear all the dresses you want," he said. He glanced at me. "If it's okay with

doe eyes on me in a flash. As if I would deny

"Of course," I said.

"Yay!" Elva cheered.

a few outfits. She smiled as she brought them to the

more than this?" she asked. Even knowing my background, she seemed uncertain

and formally at their own mansions and estates. But those candidates weren't going to

further pressing and carefully folded the chosen clothes. As I went to help her,

come with us, Nick-lass?"

was genuine, with hope in her

patted her head. "I wish I could, princess. But

"Oh," Elva deflated.

trip with you and your mom, and then be there when time is up to

"Great!" Elva said.

Nicholas said. He glanced up at me. "How does that sound,

help, knowing that he

to think in better terms of my home. That very soon, very likely,

was difficult to imagine a

Elva to her toys, he walked closer to me. He gently traced his hand down the length of my arm

be okay," he whispered. "I will be

didn't know how to properly convey that it

kind to worry, so sweet to care so much. I didn't want to ruin the moment with my fears, so

would likely offer himself, but he currently held Elva in his arms. She was quite

the sentiment. I didn't want to leave

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