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.

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

the door. The grumbling

shit," she said

dark, with black out curtains hanging over the

had seen me at my worst. I tried not to

as I came

in, Anna," I teased. "Can't have a prince standing in

when he saw me. "They'll

up and invited Nicholas inside. I flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and we

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

a pleasure to meet

Anna just looked at him

finished

to giggle, like it was an impulse, or a

wider,

out of the room. "Yes... uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going

turned to me.

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

apart a short time, but

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

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 doubt. She'd worry

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

I braced myself for his judgement

better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried

gazed around this place that I used

me the tour?" he

is the kitchen." It was small, but it had all of

out into the living room, we could hear Elva and Anna talking in Anna's room. Elva