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.

she shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone better be dead,

pulled open the door.

shit," she said

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

to stand up. I was self-conscious in my pajamas, but Nicholas had seen me at my worst. I

as I came closer. "I think it's for

a prince

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

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

imagine she

"It's a pleasure to meet

Anna

he finished

it was an impulse, or a

wider, pleased with

She fled. "No one is ever

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper," he

at 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 if I

short time, but he had been so far

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

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

Out in the living room, I heard Anna waking

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

he had questions. I braced myself for his judgement as

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

I used to live, he seemed more curious than

you give me the tour?"

around. "This... is the kitchen." It was small, but it had all of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee pot. Not

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