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!" she shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone

the door.

she

see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out

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

as I came closer. "I think it's

"Can't have a prince standing

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

inside. I flipped on the kitchen

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

"It's a pleasure

him, when Anna just looked at him

he finished

to giggle, like it was an impulse,

grinned wider, pleased

uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going

Nicholas turned to me. "Piper,"

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

time, but he had

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

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

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

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

braced myself for his judgement as we

I had expected to 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 about everyone, and helped out at the orphanage

he gazed around this place that I used to live, he seemed more

you give me

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

and Anna talking in Anna's room. Elva