The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0617

Anna's words stayed with me all through the night. I was haunted by them, even as I eventually drifted off to sleep on the air mattress.

Was I truly considering the King's demand because I wanted what was best for the country? Or was I simply hiding, pushing off responsibility to retum to a life of normalcy?

Bridget would make a lousy queen. I knew that.

Anyone would be a better choice.

Even... me?

Could I be queen?

I had labeled the idea as outlandish straight from the start, so much so that I barely considered it even when I tried to think critically about it.

I was constantly making excuses: I knew so little of politics. I knew so little of royalty. Everyone looked down on me. No one would take me seriously.

But these were just excuses, I was realizing now. Anna was right. I was running away.

I needed to do better. I needed to think about how I could actually contribute as a queen, and showcase those abilities. No more hiding. No more putting myself down.

If I wanted a family with Nicholas, I had to earn it.

The thoughts and worries stayed with me even when I woke up again. I had a dreamless sleep, though I felt rested. My body must have decided enough was enough and shut off my brain.

I was resolved to lie on the air mattress until Elva or Anna woke first, but a knock sounded on the door. It was soft at first, but with a growing urgency the longer no one answered.

I wasn't sure who it could be. It seemed too early for the camera crew, and Anna hadn't said she'd been expecting guests.

Crumbling, Anna emerged from her room and slunk herself toward the front door.

coming! I'm coming!" she shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone better be

unlocked and pulled open the door. The grumbling immediately

she said

living room, I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over

I was self-conscious in my pajamas, but Nicholas had seen me at my worst. I tried not to worry as

Anna said as I came closer. "I think

in, Anna," I teased. "Can't have a prince

me. "They'll surely think, there goes

backed up and invited Nicholas inside. I flipped on the kitchen light

eye on Elva..." Anna said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have

nodded. "It's a pleasure

Anna

finished with

to giggle, like it was an

wider,

fled. "No one is ever going to believe

Nicholas turned to me.

I said at once, my own reflex. I couldn't help myself. It had been less than a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had

only been apart a short time, but

down, that felt strung out by

his arms for me and I immediately went within them. He closed his arms

living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning no doubt. She'd worry about having a royal

former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than it had been before,

he had questions. I braced myself for

known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried about everyone, and helped out at the orphanage in

I used to live, he seemed more curious than

give me the tour?" he

small, but it had all of the major amenities. Stove,

and Anna talking in