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

she said

The apartment was still dark, with black

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

came closer. "I think

I teased. "Can't have a prince standing

"They'll surely think,

on the kitchen light as he entered and

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

"It's a

Anna just looked

he finished with

giggle, like it was an

grinned wider,

fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said when she

to me. "Piper," he

missed you," 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 been missed. I hated that I couldn't call for

short time, but he had been so far

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

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

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

than anything he was used too. It even

he had questions. I braced myself for his judgement

been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried about

I used to

you give me the tour?" he

the kitchen." It was small, but it had all of the major amenities. Stove,

living room, we could hear Elva and Anna talking