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.

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

So I committed to keep my best forward at all times. With my head raised high, I walked around the car and opened the door enough for Elva to hop out, while keeping Nicholas hidden. No one needed to know of Nicholas's favoritism

each other and joined in

missed you," I said to Anna, who

my cheek and then the top of

set them unceremoniously

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

his driver's side. He nodded in acknowledgement,

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

asked.

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

something happen?"

the two of you gone," she said. "The royals were paying a stipend for a while, for me to keep your room open.

scratched at my chest. Why would they stop paying Anna? I had to look into that as

roommate to make ends meet. They took over your old room. I'm

Elva looked

We weren't here. You did what you needed to,

her shoulder

roommate is in

with us, only a few necessities. We'd

us into the apartment, though she assured us that the key still

stuff, it seemed, three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall

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

my entire life up until this point fit so perfectly into three cardboard boxes. That was it. Three boxes, the entirety

the part of me that wanted to break a little, and looked at Anna. "Which one has Elva's toys?" I knew

up right