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.

continued. "Someone

pulled open the door. The

shit," she said

I pulled myself out of bed. From the living room, I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the

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

as I came closer.

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

he saw me. "They'll surely

on the kitchen light as he entered and we

I can't imagine she ever expected to have

nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet

I told him, when Anna just looked

he finished

like it was an impulse, or a

wider,

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

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper,"

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

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

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

within them. He

Out in the living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and

must Nicholas think, being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than it had been before,

questions. I braced myself

eyes was not there. Honestly, I should have known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of

place that I used to

give me the tour?"

around. "This... is the kitchen." It was small, but it had all of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee pot. Not much

could hear Elva and