The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0629

Elva held tightly onto her teddy bear. She looked down at it with sad eyes.

"I don't understand, Mommy," Elva said. "Why do we hate bears now...?"

I lowered myself down to her level. Holding her shoulders, I explained, "We don't hate bears, honey. But... they could be dangerous right now. They're all pretty grumpy about some things that happened a few years ago. Until that gets sorted out, we need to be extra careful."

Elva nodded, soaking in my words. Then she held out her bear toward me. "Do we report Mr. Fuzz Bear?"

My heart cracked down the middle. How could I possibly, properly explain this situation to Elva, a child? She couldn't see the difference between wolves and bears. To her, they were all her tea-party guests.

"No, Elva," I said, gently pushing Mr. Fuzz Bear back toward Elva. "Mr. Fuzz Bear is a bear we can trust. It's every other bear that we see that we must stay away from and report, okay?"

She didn't seem to understand, her face still scrunched up in confusion. But, she eventually nodded and pulled Mr. Fuzz Bear back into her arms. "Okay..." she said in a tiny voice.

Slowly, we walked back to our room. I hadn't told Elva yet that I would be leaving without her today. I knew she was going to be upset about it.

As I dressed in less flashy clothes for the adventure, Elva stood in the closet doorway and asked me, "Where you going, Mommy?"

"I just have to go out for a little while."

"What about the bears?"

"I'll be okay," I told her. "Nicholas will be there to protect me."

"Can I come?" Elva asked.

Absolutely not. I would endanger my own life, but I'd never put Elva at risk. "No, honey," I said. "Not today." "But Mommy-"

"I'll be fine," I said, "But it's too dangerous for little girls."

was apparently the wrong thing to say. She scrunched up her nose

you can go, I can

"No, Elva."

"Why?" she asked.

admit that my reasoning wasn't very sound, at least from her perspective. If

"Why, Mommy?" she demanded.

knock sounded at the door, abruptly ending the argument. Nicholas opened

a suggestion made by Julian. They didn't want to stand out as princes and candidates while

It was odd to see him dressed so

come at a bad time?"

said, stomping out into the main room. "Tell Mommy

immediately fell. "I can't, princess, I'm

want to

answer is

heart broke, having to deny her. He even placed a hand to his chest, as if that would help ease some

before you know it," Nicholas added,

shook her head. She was still

a hug goodbye?" Nicholas asked, holding open

wrapped her in the safety of his embrace.

I told her. "I love you," I said and kissed her cheek. In case the worst should happen, I didn't want to leave any room for doubt about how

care of her nanny and

to come," I told

"It hurt, to turn her down. Even though I knew that was

nodded. "I didn't want to frighten her. I don't want her to know fear at her age, but I also want Elva to

"I can see that."

why I am willing to risk my life, but she is not permitted to do the

He shook his head a little. "I will do my best to bring you