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.

coming! I'm coming!" she shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone better be dead,

and pulled open the door.

she said

The apartment was still dark,

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

said as I came

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

me. "They'll surely think, there goes

flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and we

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

nodded. "It's a pleasure

him, when Anna just looked at him

he finished

giggle, like it was an impulse, or

wider, pleased with

"No one is ever going to believe me," she said when she was outside the

to me.

my own reflex. I couldn't help myself. It had been less than a day, but

short time,

It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that

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

heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning no doubt.

of worried about it too. 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, having lived in the palace

questions. I braced myself for his judgement as we

never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of

that I used to

me the tour?"

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

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