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."

pulled open the door. The grumbling immediately

she said

was still dark, with black out curtains hanging over the window, but the hallway

Nicholas had seen me at

I came closer.

"Can't have a prince standing in the hallway.

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

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

eyes. I can't imagine she ever expected to have an

"It's a pleasure to meet

told him, when Anna just looked

he finished with a

to giggle, like it was an impulse, or a

grinned wider,

same!" She fled. "No one is ever going to believe me," she said when she

Nicholas turned to me. "Piper," he

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

short time, but he

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

within them. He closed his

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 than it

he had questions. I braced myself for his judgement

been the judgmental type. He was the kind of guy who worried about everyone, and helped out

that I used to live, he seemed more curious

give me the

had all of the major amenities.

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

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