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.

knocking continued.

unlocked and pulled open the door. The

shit," she said

of bed. From the living room, I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with

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

said as I came closer. "I

have a prince standing in the hallway. What will the neighbors

he saw me. "They'll

inside. I flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and we both

was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine

"It's a

when Anna

finished with

giggle, like it was an impulse, or a

wider, pleased with

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

Nicholas turned 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

short time, but he had

reassuring having him near. It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that felt

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

Out in the living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning no doubt. She'd worry

smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than

he had questions. I braced myself for

harshness I had expected to see in his eyes was not there. Honestly, I should have known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He

gazed around this place that I used

me the tour?"

of the major amenities.

led him out into the living room, we could hear Elva and Anna