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."

the

she

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 could

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

Anna said as I came

teased. "Can't have a prince standing in

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

I flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and

said. She was looking at Nicholas with wide eyes. I can't imagine she

a

Anna just looked at

finished with

it was an impulse,

wider, pleased with

fled. "No one is ever

now, Nicholas turned to

day, but his

only been apart a short time, but he had been so

was reassuring having him near. It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that felt strung out by the distance. That part of me hummed

within them. He closed

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

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

he had questions. I braced myself for his judgement as we pulled

have known better. Nicholas had never been the

that I used to live, he

me

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

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

glanced around the living room with interest. His gaze snagged

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