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.

she shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone better be dead, to get

and pulled open the

shit," she said

door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging

I was self-conscious in my pajamas, but Nicholas had

said as I came closer. "I think

prince

me. "They'll surely think,

up and invited Nicholas inside. I flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and we both went in

Elva..." Anna said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual prince on her doorstep. "So

nodded. "It's a pleasure

I told him, when Anna just looked

he finished with a

like it was an impulse, or

wider, pleased

uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said

Nicholas turned to me. "Piper," he

a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been missed. I

only been apart a short time, but he had been so

him near. It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that felt strung out

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

like that for a very long moment. Out in the living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning no doubt. She'd worry

it too. What must Nicholas think, being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too.

myself for his judgement as

been the judgmental type. He

around this place that I used

you give me

kitchen." It was small, but it had all of

and Anna talking in Anna's room.