The Good Crown

Chapter 12

Class ended and we were finally free for the day until homeroom. Leo dashed off to join the soccer try outs, I decided to take a stroll around the school grounds. Thomas followed closely behind, still shaking his head at Leo's bravado. "He's going to get himself in over his head, isn't he?" Thomas mused, chuckling softly.

"Definitely," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips.

Thomas nodded in agreement as we wandered through the hallways, decorated with tapestries and portraits of past kings and queens. The grandeur of the school still took my breath away, but the whispers of the royal kids echoed in my ears, reminding me of my place here.

I eventually found myself in the courtyard leaving Thomas, the sun shining brightly above me. The laughter and chatter of students filled the air, and for a moment, I felt a sense of belonging. I was about to take a seat on a nearby bench when I spotted Prince Noah across the way, chatting with a group of friends.

My heart skipped a beat, and instinctively, I turned to walk the opposite direction. I didn't want to deal with the prince or the inevitable awkwardness that came with our previous interactions. Just as I thought I'd successfully avoided him, I heard a familiar voice call out my name.

"Daniella! Wait!" Noah's voice carried over the courtyard, and I froze, my heart racing.

I glanced back hesitantly, and to my dismay, he was jogging toward me, his smile wide and genuine. I internally groaned, knowing I couldn't just ignore him. With a resigned sigh, I stood my ground, waiting for him to catch up.

"Hey!" he said, a hint of breathlessness in his tone. "I didn't think I'd run into you here."

"Yeah, well, I'm just exploring," I said, trying to sound dismissive. "Nothing special."

"Exploring the courtyard?" He chuckled, clearly amused. "Not many people take the time to appreciate it. It's one of my favorite spots."

"Must be nice to have favorites," I replied, my tone sharper than intended. "I'm still getting used to everything."

Noah tilted his head, his expression shifting slightly. "I get that. It can be overwhelming. But if you ever need a tour guide, I'd be happy to show you around."

I raised an eyebrow, trying to mask my annoyance with his friendliness. "Thanks, but I think I can manage on my own."

"Are you sure?" he pressed, a teasing lilt in his voice.

I fought back a smile, not wanting to give in to his charm. "I'm just trying to blend in here, Noah. The last thing I need is attention."

"Blending in might be hard," he said, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Especially with Leo trying to make a name for himself on the soccer team."

I rolled my eyes, the thought of Leo's antics causing a chuckle to escape my lips. "Yeah, I'm sure he'll do just fine. Or make a complete fool of himself."

Noah laughed, and the sound was infectious. I couldn't help but relax slightly, even as I reminded myself to keep my guard up. "I think he'll add a spark to our practices."

"You think?" I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

He nodded, the playful glint in his eyes dimming slightly. "I believe you all can truly make a difference here."

For a moment, my heart softened at his belief in us, but I quickly reminded myself of my reality. "Thanks, but I dont need any of your royal propaganda. I'm just a girl from a poor town; there isn't much I can offer."

His expression shifted, a flicker of something unreadable passing across his face. "I beg to differ."

"You don't know me," I replied, letting out a cold laugh that felt more defensive than dismissive.

He stepped back, the air between us thick with unspoken tension. I took a breath, feeling both comforted and frustrated by his sincerity. "Well, I should get back to my room," I said, turning away.

"See you around, Daniella," Noah called after me, his voice warm and inviting, lingering in the air long after I'd left.

As I walked away, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Noah, I couldn't shake the image of him standing there, exuding confidence and warmth. It was maddening how easily he made me forget my purpose. I needed to refocus.

I finally reached my room and closed the door behind me, grateful for the solitude. I pulled out my journal, the well-worn pages whispering of secrets and thoughts I had poured into them. Flipping to a fresh page, I took a deep breath and began to write.

Observations of the Kingdom:

—The layout is more intricate than I expected. The main entrances are heavily guarded, but I noticed a few areas that seem less monitored, particularly on the outskirts of the garden.

—The royal family often gathers in the courtyard. It's a prime location for movement, especially during events. If we need to breach, we might find our best opportunity when their attention is elsewhere.

—The guards' shifts are predictable. I've been watching them during meals, and it seems they take turns at regular intervals. We could exploit that for a distraction.

As I continued to scribble down my thoughts, my mind drifted back to the prince. I couldn't deny that beneath his royal facade lay a genuine interest in connecting with people, even those from the town. But how could I trust someone raised in this opulent bubble? Could he ever understand the struggles of our lives?

I paused, tapping my pen against my chin. Do I really want to know?

A sigh escaped my lips as I pushed thoughts of him aside. The mission was paramount. Every detail I uncovered could mean the difference between success and failure for my people. I needed to stay focused, to gather as much information as possible.

After filling several more pages with observations, I finally closed my journal, feeling a sense of clarity wash over me. I tucked it back under my pillow, reassuring myself that I was here to fight for the town, to give them a voice in this kingdom that had long forgotten their struggles.

With renewed determination, I stood up and glanced out of my window, taking in the sprawling gardens and the distant outline of the castle.