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, to get me up

and pulled open the door. The grumbling

she

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

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

came closer. "I think it's

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

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

on the kitchen light as he entered and we both

Nicholas with 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 to meet

him, when Anna just

finished with a

like it

grinned wider, pleased

is ever going to believe me," she said when she was

turned to me.

couldn't help myself. It had been less than a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been

a short time, but he had been

down, that felt strung out by the distance. That part of

and I immediately went within them. He

the living room, I heard Anna waking

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

questions. I braced myself for his judgement as

Nicholas had never been the

he gazed around this place that I used to

give me the tour?" he

had all of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee pot. Not much to report on

him out into the living room, we could hear Elva and