The Luna Choosing Game

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.

Elva added, "I will still get to wear dresses though... right?" Softer, she said,

I could bottle it and listen to it again and again,

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

eyes on me in a flash.

"Of course," I said.

"Yay!" Elva cheered.

from the door to the closet. She was holding a few outfits. She smiled as she brought them to the two suitcases

asked. Even knowing

supposed I could understand why. I imagined all the other candidates dressed fancy and formally at their own mansions and estates. But those candidates weren't going to a two-bedroom apartment in

folded the chosen clothes. As I went to

you come with us, Nick-lass?" she

genuine, with hope

patted her head. "I wish I could, princess. But it's

"Oh," Elva deflated.

and your mom, and then be there when time is up to bring you back here

"Great!" Elva said.

glanced up at me. "How does that sound,

turn to smile, grateful for the gesture. It would help, knowing that he would be there in a few days to rescue us

better terms of my home. That very soon, very likely, I would be living

was difficult to imagine

couldn't help it. Nicholas noticed my shift of mood. Leaving Elva to her toys, he walked closer to me. He gently traced his hand down the length of my arm and then kissed me lightly on

to be okay," he whispered. "I will be there to bring you back.

properly convey that

I didn't want to ruin the moment with my fears, so I kept them to

myself. Nicholas would likely offer himself, but

I didn't