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.

when the knocking continued. "Someone better be dead,

the door.

she

I pulled myself 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

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

came closer. "I

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

"They'll surely think,

and invited Nicholas inside. I flipped on the kitchen light as

with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual prince on her doorstep. "So you two can talk. "Thanks," I

a pleasure to meet

Anna just looked

finished with a

giggle, like it was an impulse, or

grinned wider, pleased with

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

to me. "Piper," he

help myself. It had been less than a day, but his absence had been noted.

time,

of myself, deep down, that felt strung out by the

went within them. He closed his arms around me and I felt like home

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

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

questions. I braced myself

should have known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried about everyone, and helped

he gazed around this place that I used to live,

give me the tour?" he

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

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