The Good Crown

Chapter 22

The noble kids were all filtering off the field, heading toward the stands where their families waited for them with open arms and wide smiles. It was Family Day weekend, and even though the energy of the soccer game still buzzed in the air, there was an undercurrent of excitement for the day's upcoming events. Laughter and chatter filled the stadium as students reunited with their parents, while I, Thomas, Elara, and Leo hung back.

"We should head back to the dorms," Elara suggested, brushing off her clothes. "No point in sticking around here."

As we turned to leave, I heard footsteps approaching. "Daniella," a familiar voice called out from behind me.

I turned to see Prince Noah jogging over, his hair damp and tousled, sweat still dripping down his face from the excitement of the game. His usual neat appearance was replaced by something a bit more rugged, his hair falling over his forehead in messy strands, and I hated to admit it, but he looked... good. The way his shirt clung to his chest and the carefree look on his face made him seem less like a prince and more like just a boy.

I cleared my throat, trying not to let the flush creep up my cheeks. "Hey," I greeted awkwardly, as my friends exchanged knowing glances.

Noah smiled, still catching his breath. "How'd you feel about the game?"

"It was great," I said, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Leo was amazing. It was a good match."

Noah grinned. "Yeah, he did well out there. I'm glad you all came to watch."

There was a moment of silence between us, the energy from the game still lingering in the air. His hair was hanging over his eyes now, and I tried not to stare. I wondered if he was planning to go off and spend time with his family like the others. "So, are you going with your family now?" I asked, almost hoping he'd say no.

He nodded, though his smile softened. "Yeah, I am. But... it feels kind of unfair. You and your friends don't get to see your families, right?"

I shrugged, trying to act casual, though a pang of longing tugged at my heart. "Yeah, we don't really get that privilege."

He frowned, genuine sympathy in his eyes. "That sucks. I wish things were different."

Before I could respond, Thomas and Elara waved, signaling they were heading back. "We'll catch you later at the dorm, Dani," Elara called with a smirk, clearly amused by the situation.

I gave a small wave in return, watching as they walked off. When I turned back to Noah, he was still standing there, and something about his expression made me pause.

"Do you... want to walk with me back to my room?" he offered, surprising me.

I hesitated but then nodded. "Sure, why not."

As we walked, a comfortable silence settled between us. The palace grounds were mostly quiet now, the sounds of families reuniting drifting in the distance. I glanced at Noah and, without even realizing it, started talking.

"I miss my family," I admitted quietly. "My sisters, Magnolia and Haven. They're probably driving my dad crazy right now, always getting into some sort of trouble." I laughed softly. "And my two best friends, Willow and Joseph. It's hard being away from all of them. We're close, you know? Like, really close."

Noah listened intently, his gaze focused on me, not interrupting once. There was something about his attention, the way he seemed to actually care about what I was saying, that made me feel... seen. Like he genuinely wanted to know me beyond whatever this strange game we were playing was.

"I can't imagine being so far away from them," he said finally, his voice gentle.

"It is," I admitted. "But I guess I just have to suck it up."

We reached the entrance to his building, and I paused, not really sure what to say next. Part of me felt vulnerable, having shared so much, and the other part of me still didn't trust him. I wasn't sure I could.

"Hey, do you want to come inside for a minute?" Noah asked, his tone casual.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the suggestion. "Inside? Are you sure about that?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm not trying anything, I promise. It's just getting chilly out here, and I want to change before we walk back. Plus, I think I owe you a proper thank-you for, you know, saving me in the woods." His smile was disarming, the corners of his lips curling in that easy way that made my heart race for reasons I didn't fully understand.

"Uh, okay," I said slowly, my mind racing as I considered the implications of stepping inside his space. It felt both enticing and intimidating at the same time.

"Great! Just for a minute," he reassured me, gesturing for me to follow him inside. I stepped through the door, instantly feeling a change in temperature, the warmth of the hallway wrapping around me.

The interior was just as I'd imagined—elegant yet cozy, with framed pictures of his family lining the walls. I caught glimpses of a beautifully decorated living space that seemed personal, with various mementos scattered about that hinted at his life beyond the prince facade.

"Make yourself at home," Noah said as he headed toward his room, gesturing to a plush couch in the small sitting area. I perched on the edge, feeling slightly out of place but intrigued all the same.

He returned a moment later, pulling off his damp shirt and tossing it aside. "Just a second," he called over his shoulder, disappearing into his bedroom.

I tried to focus on the pictures on the wall—Noah with his family, laughing and carefree. It was strange to see this side of him, away from the structured environment of the school and the expectations that came with being a prince.

When he emerged, he was wearing a clean T-shirt, his hair slightly tousled but looking much more put-together. "Sorry about that. I always forget how chilly it gets in the evenings." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"It's fine," I said, my voice a bit breathy. I couldn't help but notice how relaxed he seemed now, as if he was shedding some of the weight of his title.

"Ready to head back?" he asked, walking toward me with an easy smile.

"Yeah, I guess so," I replied, standing up and brushing off the imaginary dust from my pants.

As we stepped back outside, I couldn't shake the feeling of how natural this felt, walking alongside him. The air was crisp, but it didn't feel uncomfortable. The evening sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, the kind of beauty that made you pause and appreciate the moment.

"So, what's your family like?" Noah asked, glancing at me sideways, the curiosity evident in his tone.

I hesitated, not wanting to dive back into that vulnerability again. "They're... chaotic, but in a good way. My sisters can be a handful, but I wouldn't trade them for anything."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Siblings can definitely keep you on your toes. I'm glad you have that support, especially being away from them right now."

"Yeah," I said quietly. "It's just hard sometimes, you know?"

Noah's gaze shifted back to the path ahead, a contemplative look on his face. "I get that. I mean, I'm in a similar boat. It's different, but I still miss my family when I'm here."

"Do you really?" I asked, surprised. "I thought being a prince would mean you always had family around."

"It does, but it can feel lonely sometimes. You have your duties and responsibilities, and it's not always fun and family time." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, hinting at the truth behind his words.

We walked in silence for a moment, both of us lost in thought. As we approached my dorm, I finally broke the silence. "Thanks for the chat, Prince Noah. It was nice to talk."

He smiled back at me, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw something deeper in his eyes, a flicker of understanding that resonated with my own. "Anytime, and remember, just call me Noah."

"Right," I said, almost shyly, the name feeling more intimate on my tongue.

"See you around," he said, taking a step back as I reached for the door.

"Yeah, see you," I replied, my heart racing as I whispered his name once more, just for myself.