Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 731

Chapter 731 As If You Belong There!

Sitting to the side, Nikki felt a surge of resentment building inside her. She clenched her small fists. Finall unable to contain herself, her face flushed bright red, she looked up and shouted in protest, “That’s not true! The Duke and Duchess are wonderful people, and His Majesty definitely loves them! He’s going to miss them terribly while they’re away in Nordia! And we aren’t trying to keep our distance at all! We still live at Duskmoor Manor! Her Grace even said she was coming to talk with us tonight! Besides, the Silverloom Exchange is never going to close! Scarlet is the best, and if you keep talking like that, I’ll tell Draven, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, and have him come beat you up!”

The moment the words left her mouth, several men in the diner burst into laughter.

Doug felt his face grow hot. It was embarrassing to be publicly defied and lectured by a mere slip of a girl. He couldn’t afford to provoke someone like Draven, but he certainly wasn’t going to take this from a child

He let out a mocking sneer. “Talk with you? Her Grace is probably telling you to pack your bags and get out. They’re leaving the city; do you really think they’re going to let you stay there forever? Take a look at yourselves. You’re dirt poor, yet you have the nerve to shamelessly cling to Duskmoor Manor. As if you belong there!”

By the time Josh finished up his duties and walked out of the Royal Scholarium, twilight had deepened into night. Most of the shops along the street were already closed, with only a few eateries still showing signs of life. The small diner sat lonely on the corner, its warm, dim light spilling through the doorway and illuminating the front steps.

There, huddled together on the steps, sat his mother and sister.

Josh’s heart softened, and his stride naturally quickened.

As he drew closer, he caught the low, soothing murmur of his mother’s voice. “…Just don’t tell Josh. It’s no big deal, and there’s no need to worry him. His work keeps him exhausted enough every day. Since we can’t help him out, the least we can do is stay out of his hair.”

Nikki kept her head down, her little hands tightly clutching the hem of her dress, her lips pressed into firm line.

Josh paused for a fraction of a second before stepping forward as if nothing were amiss, “Tell me what, Mom?” he asked with a warm smile.

Marissa froze for a moment, but quickly forced a cheerful smile and stood up, keeping her tone light. “Oh, it’s nothing. We just got here a bit early and ended up waiting over an hour. But your work comes first, of course. Nikki complained about being exhausted and wanted to whine to you so you’d buy her some treats, but I told her not to bother you with it. It’s hardly worth mentioning.”

As she spoke, she gave Nikki’s fingers a subtle squeeze.

Josh looked over at his sister.

Nikki glanced up at their mother, her eyes rimmed with red. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but she swallowed her words, bowing her head and pouting in a silent, miserable pout.

Seeing his sister looking so pitiful, Josh knew immediately that there was more to the story. But since his

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mother was determined to keep it from him, he chose not to push.

Instead, he just smiled and said, “Come on, let’s go get you something good to eat.”

Nikki looked up, a faint spark appearing in her eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. She shook her head. “That’s okay, Josh. I’m not hungry.”

Josh didn’t press the matter. Taking her by the hand, he led his family away from the diner and into the night.

They hadn’t gone far before Josh stopped at a candy stall. The vendor, an elderly man, was skillfully drizzling liquid sugar onto a marble slab. With a deft flick of his wrist, a lifelike golden butterfly appeared on the stone, shimmering beautifully in the candlelight.

Josh handed over some coins for the sugar butterfly and passed it fo Nikki. She took it, staring at the golden wings for a moment before taking a gentle lick. It melted on her tongue, sweet and comforting, and a smile finally broke across her face.

“Is it good, Nikki?” Josh asked.

Nikki nodded vigorously. “It’s delicious!” she chirped. “Will you buy me more in the future, Josh?”

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