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.

knew what was happening here. Likely under the King's orders, they wanted to catch me at my worst so the

one needed to know of Nicholas's

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

to Anna, who

much," Anna said. She kissed my cheek and then the

unceremoniously

we were now left to our own devices. This,

he returned to his driver's side. He nodded

I noticed something off. Now that our initial

I asked. "What

looked down as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth. I recognized that as

happen?" I

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

stop paying Anna? I

to make ends meet. They took

don't have our room?" Elva looked

"It's okay, Anna. We weren't here. You did what you needed to,

squeezed her shoulder to show her it

I had was, "If the new roommate is in our room, where did you put

everything with us, only a few necessities. We'd

though she assured us that

three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall in the

they wanted me to get angry, I kept my face carefully schooled in

Not because Anna had to move forward with her life, but because my entire life up until this point fit so perfectly

me that wanted to break a little, and looked

perked up