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.

will still get to

rare sound from him, I wished I could bottle it and listen to it again and again,

return to the palace, you can wear all the dresses you want," he said.

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

"Of course," I said.

"Yay!" Elva cheered.

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

asked. Even knowing my background, she seemed uncertain

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 a bad

nodded without further pressing and carefully folded the chosen clothes. As I went

come with us, Nick-lass?"

with

wish I could, princess. But it's against the rules for me to

"Oh," Elva deflated.

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

"Great!" Elva said.

at me. "How does

my turn to smile, grateful for the gesture. It would help,

of my home. That very soon, very likely,

was difficult to imagine a future now

I couldn't help it. Nicholas noticed my shift of mood. Leaving Elva to her toys, he walked

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

believe him. I didn't know how to properly convey that it wasn't this trip I was worried

so sweet to care so much. I didn't want to ruin the moment

despite my many failed attempts to offer to do it myself. Nicholas would likely offer himself, but he currently held Elva in his arms. She was quite clingy now that we were actually

understood the sentiment. I didn't want to leave