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.

shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone better be dead, to get me up this

and pulled open the door.

she said

living room, I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the hallway light was on. So

my pajamas, but Nicholas had seen me at my worst. I tried not to

I came closer. "I think it's

have a prince standing in the hallway. What will the

"They'll surely think, there

on the kitchen light as he entered and we both went

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

nodded. "It's a

when Anna just looked at

he finished with

like it was an

grinned wider, pleased

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

turned to me. "Piper," he

help myself. It had been less than a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been missed. I hated that I couldn't call for him if I needed

been apart a short time,

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

me and I immediately went within them.

for a very long moment. Out in the living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning

being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed

had questions. I braced myself for

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

place that I used to live, he seemed more curious

me

of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee pot.

hear Elva and Anna talking in Anna's room. Elva was asking Anna if she was