NovelEnglish
Chapter 0145
Elva wiped her nose with her sleeve. Her eyes fixed on me, she asked, “But what about Mommy?”
“Oh, sweetie,” Piper said. “We’ve talked about this.”
“You like her more than Mommy?”
“I’m sorry,” Piper said to me.
I shook my head. “No. I don’t like her more than your mom.”
I looked at Piper and found her looking back at me with wide eyes. Had she thought something
different? Surely she knew how Lilliana was. And out of everyone here, she would know what I truly
desired in a partner.
“What’s your favorite color, Piper?”
She seemed surprised, but still answered, “Green.”
Lilliana could not hold a candle to Piper.
I
I refused to believe that I still held romantic feelings for Piper. If I felt anything more than friendship at
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtany moment, it was likely I was only remembering how I used to feel when we had been dating.
Nostalgia held a strong influence.
But even only as friends, Piper was miles ahead of the rest of the girls here, in terms of my favor. If it
had been proper for me to do so, I would have claimed her as a favorite before Julian could have a
chance.
Even though she had no desire to be Luna.
“But…” Elva said. “If you like Mommy, why can’t you be my daddy?”
Piper’s face went red. “I’m
n sorry →→
I waved off her concern. “I’m not mad.”
To a child like Elva, everything must have seemed so simply. If two people liked each other, then they
should be together. It made sense, if nothing else in the world mattered.
Unfortunately, there were outside factors at play here. A crown and a throne, not least among them.
That’s a tough question, Elva,” I said. “But there are reasons, I promise.”
She tucked her chin down to her chest, sulking.
+15 BONUS
I leaned forward, as if telling her a joke. “You are still my little princess though, no matter what
happens.”
That seemed to assuage her for now. She was still crying, but I watched as she tried to fight back a
smile.
Piper smiled as well. “Hear that, Elva? You are still his favorite.”
Elva looked at me again. “Yeah?”
I nodded, and suddenly had an armful of Elva, as she flung herself at me. Piper continued to rub her
back as Elva buried her face into my shoulder.
For one brief moment, I could almost imagine this as my family, with Piper as my wife, and Elva as my
child. My heart pumped heart and I felt light and relaxed.
It was impossible for so many reasons, but it was such a beautiful little dream, that for the full length of
that moment, it stole my breath away. 1
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Well, isn’t this a cheery little sight,” said a gruff male voice from behind us.
I glanced, and seeing who it was, urged Elva away from me and into Piper’s arms instead. Then I stood
and faced the intruder.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends, Nicholas? I’m dying to meet them.”
I swallow L.
I had hoped not to trouble Piper with too many royal affairs. She had made clear she was only here for
Elva’s sake. But this particular intruder could not be ignored.
“Uncle, this is Piper and her daughter, Elva. Piper, this is my mother’s brother, Terry.”
Piper rose to her feet. Elva quickly shuffled to hide behind her.
“Piper, indeed. I’ve heard so much about you,” Terry said.
“Nice to meet you,” Piper said.
Uncle Terry sized Piper up. His expression and demeanor stayed cordial, but his lingering gaze made
me wonder what he thought of her.
Feeling a bit protective, I sidestepped a bit, blocking his line of sight.
His gaze shifted to me, and he smiled.
“Curious,” he said, and I wondered if I had just given my true self away.
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