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.

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

open the door. The

shit," she

room, I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains

was self-conscious in my pajamas, but Nicholas had seen me

as I came

teased. "Can't have a prince standing

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

backed up and invited Nicholas inside. I flipped on the kitchen light

said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual

a

I told him, when Anna

he finished with

giggle, like it was

grinned wider, pleased with

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

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper,"

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

been apart a short time, but he had been so

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

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

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

What must Nicholas think, being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than it had been before,

myself for his judgement

had expected to see in his 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 out at the orphanage in

this place that I used to live, he seemed more curious

give me the

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

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