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.

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

pulled open the door. The grumbling immediately

shit," she said

living room, I could easily see 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

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

I came

teased. "Can't have a prince standing

saw me. "They'll surely

backed up and invited Nicholas inside. I flipped on the kitchen

looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine

a

Anna just looked

finished

it was an impulse, or a

wider, pleased

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

turned to me. "Piper,"

It had been less than a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been missed. I hated that

only been apart a short time, but

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

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

stood like that for a very long moment. Out in the living room, I heard Anna waking Elva

must Nicholas think, being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than

I braced myself for his

was not there. Honestly, I should have known better. Nicholas had never been the

that I used to live, he seemed more

you give me the tour?" he

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

Elva and Anna talking in Anna's room. Elva was asking Anna if she was