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.

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

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 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

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

Anna, who said the

my cheek and

unceremoniously on the

As it was, we were now left to our own devices. This, especially, I did not mind. I was no closer

as he returned to his driver's side. He nodded in

off. Now that our initial excited greeting had

asked. "What

her bottom lip with her teeth. I recognized that

something happen?"

"The royals were paying a stipend for a while, for me to keep your room

paying Anna? I had to look into that as

to make ends meet. They took over your old room.

Elva looked up at

I told her. To Anna, I said, "It's okay, Anna. We weren't here. You did what you needed to, to

I squeezed her shoulder to show her

the new roommate is in our

with us, only a few necessities. We'd

she assured us that

seemed, three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall in

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

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

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

perked up right