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.

knocking continued. "Someone better be dead, to get me

and pulled open the door.

she said

From the living room, I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over

was self-conscious in my pajamas, but Nicholas had seen me at my worst. I tried not to worry

Anna said as I came closer. "I

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

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

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

on Elva..." Anna 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 you two can talk.

a pleasure to

I told him, when Anna

he finished with a

like it was an

wider, pleased with

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

Nicholas turned 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

only been apart a short time, but he had

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

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

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

worried 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 been before, having

had questions. I braced myself for

see 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

gazed around this place that I used

give me the tour?" he

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

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