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.

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

the door. The grumbling

she

the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the hallway light was on. So I could clearly see Nicholas

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

said as I came closer. "I think

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

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

the kitchen light as he entered and we both

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

nodded. "It's a pleasure to

when Anna just looked

finished

began to giggle, like it was an

grinned wider, pleased with

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

to me. "Piper," he

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

been apart a short time, but he had been

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

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

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

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

questions. I braced myself for

been the judgmental type. He was the kind of

that I used to live, he seemed

me the tour?"

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

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