The Good Crown

Chapter 11

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the kingdom, we made our way toward the soccer field. The air buzzed with excitement, but I felt a nagging mixture of anticipation and reluctance. Part of me wanted to enjoy the thrill of the game, but another part simmered with the frustration from earlier encounters, especially with Penelope.

As we approached the stands, I glanced at the crowd, taking in the sea of faces. Royal kids and their families filled the seats, their laughter and cheers echoing around us. But as we drew closer, I noticed a distinct shift in the atmosphere. A few royal kids exchanged wary glances, whispering among themselves, clearly avoiding eye contact with us. Their expressions ranged from shock to disdain, and it made me acutely aware of our outsider status.

"Look at them," Leo muttered under his breath, gesturing toward a group of kids huddled together, clearly uncomfortable with our presence. "You'd think they'd never seen anyone from the town before."

"Probably haven't," I replied, scanning the stands. "They're not used to seeing us here."

Elara frowned, her brows knitting together. "It's ridiculous. We're here for the game, just like them."

We found a spot near the edge of the stands, where we could see the field clearly. As the whistle blew to signal the start of the match, I tried to focus on the action, but I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being judged. The royal kids seemed surprised, almost incredulous, at how animated we were—laughing, cheering, and shouting encouragement. Their bewilderment only highlighted the stark divide between our worlds.

As the game began, the royal team in their gleaming blue jerseys took control, and I found my attention drifting to the players. When my gaze landed on Prince Noah, he was laughing with his teammates, his natural charisma shining through. I had to admit, he looked genuinely happy out there.

Elara leaned closer to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't believe Noah plays,"

"Seriously," I agreed, trying to hide my surprise. "He seems like he's everywhere."

As the first few minutes of the game unfolded, I caught glimpses of the royal kids around us. Some were actively cheering, while others looked on with expressions of disbelief, as if they were shocked to see anyone from the town display such enthusiasm. It was as if we were a novelty, something they hadn't encountered before.

The royal team took control, and the crowd erupted into cheers as Noah skillfully maneuvered the ball. I couldn't help but cheer along, caught up in the excitement despite my earlier reservations. With each goal scored, the energy around us surged, and I began to feel a sense of belonging—even if it was just for a moment.

"Did you see that?" Elara exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

As the royal team continued to dominate the game, I caught sight of Noah again, his focus unwavering as he darted across the field. The crowd's cheers only intensified, and I found myself smiling despite the underlying tension.

Just then, Noah glanced our way, and our eyes met for a brief moment. He flashed a wide smile, and my heart skipped a beat. I quickly looked away, trying to hide the flush creeping up my cheeks.

"He totally smiled at you!" Leo said, nudging me with his elbow.

"Shut up!" I shot back, half-laughing, half-embarrassed.

As the match reached its climax, Noah sprinted toward the goal, deftly sidestepping defenders. My breath caught in my throat as he took a shot, and in that instant, the entire crowd held its breath. The ball soared through the air and hit the back of the net with a satisfying thud. The stands erupted in cheers, and Noah threw his arms up in triumph, basking in the glory of the moment.

"Holy—he's really good!" Thomas exclaimed, caught up in the energy of the crowd.

"Yeah, he is!" Elara agreed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

As the game continued, I found myself cheering for Noah and his teammates, fully immersed in the moment. The energy was infectious, and for the first time since arriving in the kingdom, I felt a genuine connection to the crowd around me.

As the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the match, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. The royal team celebrated their victory, and I couldn't help but feel swept up in the excitement. Noah was practically glowing, surrounded by his teammates as they high-fived and exchanged playful banter.

Leo turned to us, a smug grin plastered on his face. "I've made my decision," he declared, puffing out his chest dramatically. "I'm definitely trying out for the soccer team."

I raised an eyebrow, unable to hold back a laugh. "Really? You think you can take on the royals?"

"Absolutely!" Leo said, confidence radiating from him like a beacon. "I mean, look at them! They need some real talent to keep up with me. I'd elevate that team from good to legendary."

Elara chuckled, shaking her head. "You sure do have a high opinion of yourself, Leo."

"Hey, someone's gotta keep them grounded," he shot back, winking. "And besides, I can't let Noah hog all the glory. I mean, what's a royal team without some actual skill?"

His cocky attitude sparked laughter from us and a few nearby spectators who overheard. I could see some of the royal kids exchanging incredulous looks, their eyes darting between Leo and the field. It was clear they were trying to process the sheer audacity of someone from the town challenging their beloved prince.

"Just don't get your hopes up too high," I teased, nudging him playfully. "You might be in for a rude awakening."

Leo waved a dismissive hand. "Please! I'm ready for whatever they throw at me."

"Your confidence is admirable," I said, laughing. "But don't come crying to us when you get benched."

He feigned a gasp. "Bench me? Never! I'll be starting, leading the team to victory. You'll see."

As we continued to banter, I felt a warmth spreading through me. It was moments like this—filled with laughter and camaraderie—that made me realize how much I missed the spirited energy of my friends back home. Leo's bravado and Elara's infectious laughter brought a sense of normalcy to this strange new world.

"Let's head back to the dorm," Elara suggested, her eyes still shining from the excitement of the game.

"Yeah, let's go," Leo said, throwing an arm around my shoulders as we began to walk away from the stands. "And when I score the winning goal in the next match, I'll make sure to dedicate it to you three. My biggest fans!"

I rolled my eyes playfully, feeling lighter than I had in days. As we strolled away from the field, I couldn't help but glance back at Noah, who was still celebrating with his teammates. His smile lingered in my mind.