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.

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

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.

rushed toward each other and joined in

missed you," I said to Anna, who said

She kissed my cheek and then the

them unceremoniously on the curb. If we

left to our own devices. This, especially, I did not mind. I was no closer to being accustomed to having

his driver's side. He

to Anna, I noticed something off. Now that our initial excited greeting had worn off, she was

asked. "What

lip with her teeth. I recognized that as

something 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 or

they stop paying Anna? I had to look into that as soon

to make ends meet. They

our room?" Elva looked up at me for

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

I squeezed her shoulder to show her it would be

had was, "If the new roommate is in our room,

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

us into the apartment, though she assured

the wall in the

reaction. Knowing they wanted me

entire life up until this point fit so perfectly into

to break a little, and looked at Anna. "Which one has Elva's toys?" I knew she would want to

perked up