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. "Someone better be dead,

open the door. The

she said

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

stand up. I 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.

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

he saw me. "They'll surely think,

I flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and we

can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual prince

nodded. "It's a pleasure to

Anna just looked at him

he finished with a

to giggle, like it was an impulse,

wider, pleased

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

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper,"

I couldn't 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 needed

a short time, but he had been

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

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

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

being in my former home? It was smaller than anything he was used too. It

braced myself for his judgement as we pulled

been the judgmental type. He

gazed around this place that I used to live, he

you give me the tour?"

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

could hear Elva and Anna talking in