The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

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.

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" she shouted, when the knocking continued. "Someone better be dead, to get me up this early."

pulled open the door. The

she said

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

to stand up. I was self-conscious in my pajamas, but Nicholas had seen me at my

said as I came closer. "I

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

me. "They'll surely think, there

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

wide eyes. I can't imagine

"It's a pleasure to meet

when Anna just looked at

he finished

to giggle, like it was

grinned 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

turned to me. "Piper,"

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

time, but he

near. It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that felt strung out by

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

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

It was smaller than anything he was used too. It even seemed smaller to me than it had been before, having

questions. I braced myself for

there. Honestly, I should have known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He was

he gazed around this place that I used to

me

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

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

His gaze snagged on