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.

the door. The grumbling immediately

shit," she

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

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

said as I came closer. "I think

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

he saw me. "They'll surely think, there goes the

on the kitchen light as he entered and we both went

eyes. I can't imagine she ever

a pleasure

Anna just looked at him

he finished with a

it was an impulse,

wider,

is ever going to believe me," she said when she was outside

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper,"

you," I said at once, my own reflex. I couldn't help myself. It had been less than a day, but his

apart a short time, but he had been so far

part of myself, deep down, that felt strung out by the distance. That part of me hummed

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

Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning no doubt. She'd

smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than it had been before, having lived in the

questions. I braced myself

eyes was not there. Honestly, I should have known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried about everyone, and helped

this place that I used to live,

me the

of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee pot. Not much to report

hear Elva and Anna