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."

and pulled open the door.

shit," she

bed. From the living room, 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 could clearly see Nicholas standing in the

Nicholas had seen

I came closer.

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

"They'll

backed up and invited Nicholas inside. I flipped on the kitchen light as he entered and we both went

looking at 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," I

nodded. "It's a pleasure to

him, when Anna

finished with

began to giggle, like it

grinned wider, pleased with

backed out of the room. "Yes... uh.. same!" She fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said when she was outside

now, Nicholas turned to me. "Piper,"

It had been less than a day, but his absence had

apart a short time, but he had been so far

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

his arms for me and I immediately went within them. He closed his arms around me and I felt

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

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

had questions. I braced myself for his

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 in his

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

give me the tour?" he

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

could hear Elva and Anna talking in Anna's

glanced around the living room with interest. His gaze snagged