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 so the footage could be sliced to make me look like

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

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

I said to Anna, who said the same

missed you both so much," Anna said. She kissed my cheek and then the top of

set them unceremoniously on

our own devices. This, especially, I did not mind. I was no

the driver as he returned to his driver's side.

Now that our initial excited greeting had worn off, she was

asked. "What

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

happen?" I

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

scratched at my chest. Why would they stop paying Anna? I

Anna said. "But I had to get another roommate to make ends meet. They

room?" Elva

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

squeezed her shoulder to show her it

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

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

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

three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall in the

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

entire life up until this point fit so perfectly into three cardboard boxes. That was it.

to break a little, and looked at Anna. "Which one

perked up right