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.

the knocking continued.

pulled open the

she

pulled myself out of bed. From the living room, I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark,

Nicholas had seen me at my worst. I tried not to worry as

I came closer. "I think it's for

a prince

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

the kitchen light as he entered and

said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she

nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet

when Anna just

finished with

giggle, like it was an impulse, or a

grinned wider, pleased with

out of the room. "Yes... uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said when she was outside

Nicholas turned to me.

less than a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been missed. I hated that I couldn't call for him

a short time, but he

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

for me and I immediately went within them. He

living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning no doubt. She'd worry about having a royal in

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

had questions. I braced myself for his

harshness I 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

I used to live,

give me the

but it had all of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee pot. Not much to report on

him out into the living room, we could hear Elva and Anna talking in Anna's room. Elva was asking Anna