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.

at my worst so the footage could be sliced to make me look

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

toward each other and joined in a three-person

to Anna,

She kissed my cheek and then the top of

set them unceremoniously on the

with servants, those servants would see to our bags. As it was, we were now left to our own devices. This,

his driver's

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

I asked. "What is

looked down as she worried her bottom lip with

happen?" I

said. "The royals were paying a stipend for a while, for me to keep your room open. But I don't know if

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

to get another roommate to make ends meet. They

room?" Elva

Anna. We weren't here. You

shoulder to show her

new roommate is in our room,

everything with us, only a few

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

seemed, three cardboard boxes stacked against the

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

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

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

perked up right