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, to get me up

pulled open the door. The

she said

still dark, with black

had seen me at my

came closer.

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

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

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

said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual prince on her doorstep. "So

nodded. "It's a pleasure

Anna just looked

he finished with a

giggle, like it was an impulse,

grinned wider, pleased

"Yes... uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said

turned to me. "Piper,"

couldn't help myself. It had been less than a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been missed. I

only been apart a short time, but he had

reassuring having him near. It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that felt strung out by the distance. That part of

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

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

anything he was used

braced myself for his

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

around this place that I used to live, he seemed

you give me

but it had all of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee

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