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 door. The grumbling immediately

shit," she said

myself out of 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

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

as I came

I teased. "Can't have a prince

"They'll surely think, there goes the

on the kitchen

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

nodded. "It's a pleasure to

I told him, when Anna

finished with a

immediately began to giggle, like it was an

wider,

fled. "No one is

to me. "Piper," he

a day, but his absence had been noted. His presence had been missed. I hated that I couldn't

time, but he had been so far

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

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

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

It was smaller than anything he was

he had questions. I braced myself for his judgement

had never been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried about everyone, and helped out

place that I used to live, he seemed more

you give me the

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

Elva and Anna

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

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