The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0615

As the car entered the neighborhoods that I recognized, I grew more and more tense. Nicholas squeezed me tighter, likely trying to offer what comfort that he could. But there was little comfort to be had.

I didn't mind the smaller place. I didn't even mind the harsher lifestyle.

But I didn't want to do any of it anymore, without Nicholas

I would, of course, if forced to. I would give my all to raise Elva to the best of my ability, no matter the environment. And now that the Oracle had cured her of her curse, we didn't necessarily need to be at the palace, since Elva didn't need such intense medical care.

I wanted Nicholas, Elva, and I to be a family. Full stop. It didn't matter where.

Finally, the car came to a stop in front of our old apartment building. A camera crew was already set up outside, waiting. There, standing among them, chatting them all up, stood Anna. She looked much the same as when I had last seen her.

God, I missed her so much. I didn't even realize how much until this moment.

Nicholas cupped my face and lightly kissed me on the lips. The windows were tinted, the cameras wouldn't be able to see.

"I will see you soon," he said. His eyes were creased with worry, his mouth heavy with sadness.

I kissed him again, offering comfort as he tried to do for me. "Soon," I promised.

Nicholas nodded and turned to Elva. He kissed the top of her head.

I sucked in a sturdy breath, then exited the car. The cameras were immediately on me. The crew pushed Anna back behind them, even though she was the one Elva and I were here to

see.

under the King's orders, they wanted to catch me at my worst so the footage could be sliced to make me

Nicholas's favoritism but Elva and me. After Elva was out of the car, I closed the door. Then, holding her hand, we gently ushered through the camera crew until we were neared to Anna. Elva tugged on my

once, we all rushed toward each other and joined in a three-person hug. It was so nice to

to Anna, who said the same

Anna said. She kissed my cheek and then the top of Elva's head. "It hasn't been the

and set them unceremoniously on the curb. If we

see to our bags. As it was, we were now left to our own devices. This, especially, I did

to the driver as he returned to his driver's side. He nodded in acknowledgement, started the

initial excited greeting had worn off, she was having trouble looking me in

I asked.

her bottom lip with her

happen?"

tough, with the two of you gone," she said. "The royals were paying a stipend for a while, for me to keep your room open. But I don't know if the checks got lost

chest. Why would they stop paying Anna? I had to look into that

Piper," Anna said. "But I had to get another roommate to make

have our room?" Elva looked up at

We weren't here. You

her shoulder to show her

"If the new roommate

a few necessities. We'd left the

the apartment, though she

stacked against the wall in the living room behind

cameras came close to catch my reaction. Knowing they wanted me to get angry, I kept my face carefully schooled in

because Anna had to move forward with her life, but because my entire life up until this point fit so perfectly into three cardboard boxes. That was it. Three boxes, the entirety of my

a little, and looked at Anna.

perked up right