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."

open the door. The

she

dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the hallway light was on.

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

I came closer. "I think it's

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

saw me. "They'll surely think, there

I flipped on the kitchen light

eye on Elva..." Anna said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual

nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet

him, when Anna just looked at

finished

it was an impulse, or a

grinned wider, pleased with

is ever going to believe

turned to me. "Piper,"

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

apart a short time, but he had been so

myself, deep down, that felt strung out by

within them. He closed his arms around

long moment. Out in the living room, I heard Anna waking Elva and shuffling

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

he had questions. I braced myself

I should have known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type.

that I used

me the tour?" he

It was small, but it had all of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven, coffee pot. Not

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

room with interest. His gaze snagged on the boxes in the