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,

open the door. The grumbling

she

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 hallway light was on. So I

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

I came

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

saw me. "They'll

flipped on the kitchen light as he entered

said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have

nodded. "It's a pleasure to

I told him, when Anna just looked at him

he finished with

immediately began to giggle, like it

grinned wider,

backed out of the room. "Yes... uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said when she was outside the

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper," he

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

been apart a short time, but he had

down, that felt strung out by the distance. That

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

in the living room, I heard Anna waking Elva

kind of worried about it too. What must Nicholas think, being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than

he had questions. I braced myself

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

he gazed around this place that I used to live, he

you give me

all of the major amenities. Stove,

and Anna talking in Anna's room. Elva was asking Anna