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.

I'm coming!" she shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone better be dead, to get me up

pulled open the door.

she said

The apartment was still dark, with

had seen me at my worst. I tried not to worry as I

Anna said as I came closer.

him in, Anna," I teased. "Can't have a prince standing in the hallway. What will

when he saw me. "They'll surely

flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and we

I can't imagine she

"It's a pleasure to

I told him, when Anna

he finished

immediately began to giggle, like it was an

wider, pleased with

is ever going to believe me," she said when she was outside

to

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

time, but

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

within them. He closed his arms around me and I felt like

Anna waking Elva

must Nicholas think, being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he

he had questions. I braced myself for his judgement as

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 his

that I used to live, he seemed more

you give me the tour?" he

looked around. "This... is the kitchen." It was small, but it had all of the major amenities.

led him out into the living room, we could hear Elva and Anna talking in Anna's room. Elva was asking Anna if she