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. "Someone better be

pulled open the door.

she

easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the hallway light was on.

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

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

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

saw me. "They'll surely

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

with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual prince on her doorstep. "So you two can talk.

a

when Anna

finished with

giggle, like it was an impulse, or

wider, pleased with

same!" She fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said when she was outside

turned to me. "Piper,"

day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been

apart a short time, but he had been so

It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that felt strung out

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

living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling around, cleaning no doubt. She'd

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 for so

I braced myself for his

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

that I used to

give me the

"This... is the kitchen." It was small, but it had all of the

hear Elva and Anna talking in Anna's