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

pulled open the door.

she

dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the hallway light was on. So I could clearly see Nicholas standing

pajamas, but Nicholas had seen me at my worst. I tried

I came closer. "I

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

smiled when he saw me. "They'll surely

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

wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected

"It's a pleasure

him, when Anna

finished with a

to giggle, like it was an impulse, or

grinned wider,

uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper,"

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 him

apart a short time, but he

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

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 doubt. She'd

think, being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used

myself for his judgement as we pulled

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

I used to live, he

you give me

was small, but it had all of the major amenities. Stove, fridge,

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