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. The

she said

I could easily see the front door. The apartment was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the hallway

but Nicholas had seen me at my worst. I

Anna said as I came closer. "I think it's for

a prince

"They'll surely think, there goes

inside. I flipped on the kitchen

can't imagine she ever expected to have an actual prince on her doorstep. "So you two can talk. "Thanks,"

a

him, when Anna just looked at

he finished

giggle, like it was an impulse, or a

grinned wider,

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

to

my own reflex. I couldn't help myself. It had been less than a day, but his absence had been noted.

a short time, but he had been so

near. It calmed some part of myself, deep down, that

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

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

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

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

eyes was not there. Honestly, I should have known better. Nicholas had never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried about everyone,

he gazed around this place that I used to live,

give me the tour?" he

of the major amenities. Stove, fridge, oven,

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

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

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255