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.

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

him, I wished I could bottle it and listen to

dresses you want," he said. He

on me in a flash. As if I would deny

"Of course," I said.

"Yay!" Elva cheered.

few outfits. She smiled

need more than this?" she asked. Even

I could understand why. I imagined all the other candidates dressed fancy and formally at their own mansions and estates. But

Charlotte. She nodded without further pressing and carefully folded the chosen clothes.

you come with us,

with hope in

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

"Oh," Elva deflated.

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

"Great!" Elva said.

Nicholas said. He glanced up at me.

gesture. It would help, knowing that he

home. That very soon, very likely, I

to imagine a future now

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

going to be okay," he whispered. "I will be there

could believe him. I didn't know how to properly convey

so much. I didn't want to ruin the

failed attempts to offer to do it myself. Nicholas would likely offer himself, but he

understood the sentiment. I didn't

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