The Crowns Choice

❦ Chapter Twenty Eight: Charlotte ❦

I wake up to the sound of soft footsteps pacing back and forth. My eyes flutter open, and it takes me a moment to recognize where I am. The room is dim, the heavy curtains blocking out most of the morning light. Atlas is pacing near the doorway, his expression tense, his movements restless. I watch him for a moment, trying to gauge what's going on.

He doesn't notice I'm awake at first, too lost in his thoughts. I sit up slowly, my body still aching from the events of the previous night. The stitches on my neck pull slightly, a sharp reminder of everything that happened.

"Atlas?" I call softly.

He stops in his tracks, turning to look at me. The tension in his face eases a little, but there's still something in his eyes—worry, maybe, or fear.

"You're awake," he says, moving toward me. "How do you feel?"

I offer him a small smile, trying to brush off the concern. "I'm fine. A bit sore, but fine."

He nods, but his gaze remains troubled. "I didn't want to wake you, but I've been thinking about everything that happened last night."

Before he can continue, there's a knock at the door. A guard steps in, bowing slightly before addressing me.

"Your Highness, the King requests your presence immediately."

I force myself to remain calm, nodding at the guard. "Thank you. I'll be there shortly."

The guard leaves, and I turn back to Atlas. He's watching me closely, his worry deepening.

"Don't go alone," he says, his voice firm but laced with concern. "Let me come with you."

I smile, touched by his protectiveness. "It'll be fine, Atlas. It's probably just a damage report from last night."

His frown deepens, but I can see the reluctance in his eyes. He knows he can't insist, and I don't want to drag him into whatever this is.

I stand up, brushing off the creases in my dress. "Next time we talk, though," I add, trying to lighten the mood, "I'll be quizzing you. There's no way I'm letting you get away with quizzing me without a little payback."

A small chuckle escapes him, and he nods. "Fair enough. I'll be ready."

Just then, another guard arrives to escort Atlas to the rest of the Crown's Circle. He gives me one last concerned look before he's led away, and I watch him go, a strange mix of emotions swirling in my chest.

Taking a deep breath, I compose myself and make my way to my father's study. The walk there feels longer than usual, the corridors colder, more foreboding. When I finally reach the large wooden doors, I pause for a moment, steeling myself for whatever awaits on the other side.

I push the door open, stepping into the room. My father is standing by the window, his back to me, staring out at the gardens below. He doesn't turn around when I enter, but I can feel the tension in the air.

"Father," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "You wanted to see me?"

He finally turns, his expression unreadable. There's something off about him—something colder, more distant than usual. He studies me for a long moment before speaking.

"Jasper is dead."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I feel the blood drain from my face, my knees suddenly weak.

"What?" I manage to gasp, my mind struggling to process the information. "How...?"

"He was killed last night," my father continues, his tone emotionless. "The official report states it was a terrorist attack."

I stumble back a step, trying to wrap my mind around what he's saying. Jasper may have been a lot of things—arrogant, manipulative, cruel even—but he didn't deserve to die like this. Not by the hands of terrorists.

My father watches me closely, his gaze sharp, waiting for my reaction. I struggle to find the right words, but all I can manage is a whispered, "Why?"

"We're still investigating," he replies, turning his gaze back to the window. "But for now, we need to proceed with caution. The Crown's Circle will be more dangerous now. You need to be more careful."

My heart races as I process the gravity of his words. This changes everything. I feel a deep unease settle in my stomach, a growing sense of dread about what lies ahead.

"I understand," I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

My father nods, his expression unreadable. "Good. Make sure you keep your guard up. We can't afford any more surprises."

I nod slowly, still trying to wrap my mind around everything. I knew the Crown's Circle would be dangerous, but I never imagined it would cost someone their life.

As I turn to leave, my father speaks again, his voice low and firm. "And Charlotte... be careful who you trust."

I glance back at him, meeting his gaze. There's something in his eyes—something dark, something I can't quite place. It sends a shiver down my spine.

"I will," I promise, before leaving the room.

As I walk down the long corridors, my mind races with a thousand thoughts, each one more troubling than the last. Jasper's death, the threats looming over the Crown's Circle, the dangerous game we're all playing—it's all too much.

When I finally reach my room, I collapse onto my bed, the weight of it all crashing down on me. I'm not sure how long I lie there, lost in thought, before the tears finally come.

I cry for Jasper, for the man he could have been if he hadn't been so twisted by ambition and power. I cry for the fear that's gnawing at my insides, for the uncertainty of what's to come.

And I cry for myself, for the girl who just wanted to find her own path, who now feels more trapped than ever.