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."

thing to say. She scrunched up

you can go, I can go too!"

"No, Elva."

"Why?" she asked.

I could admit that my reasoning wasn't very sound, at least from her perspective. If I could choose to endanger myself,

"Why, Mommy?" she demanded.

door, abruptly ending the argument. Nicholas opened

dressed casually too, a suggestion made by Julian. They didn't want to stand out as princes and candidates while we were

odd to see him dressed so informally, although the jeans

a bad

stomping out into the main room. "Tell Mommy I

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

I want

answer is no,

He even placed a hand to

before you know it," Nicholas added,

head. She

have a hug goodbye?" Nicholas asked, holding open

ultimately gave in. She came forward and he wrapped her in the safety of his

asked, stretching open my arms. She quickly raced to me, and I earned a hug as well." Thank you," I told her. "I love you," I said and kissed her cheek. In case the worst should happen, I didn't want

daughter now and forever, no matter how long or short my life. She would always be mine. Nicholas and I left Elva in the care of her nanny and stepped out into the hall. After bidding good day to the guards at the door, the two of us walked away from

really wanted to come," I told

to turn her down. Even

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 be

"I can see that."

am willing to risk my life, but

of you risked your lives," Nicholas said. "But Elva's safety is paramount." He shook his head a little. "I will do my best to bring you safely back to her. I hate