The Good Crown

Chapter 33

The next day, I sat in the back of the library with Elara, Thomas, and Leo, our heads bowed low over a large, weathered map of the royal castle. It had taken me days to piece it all together—casual conversations with Noah, exploring the academy's museum display, and even small observations during Family Day. Every bit of information was valuable, but the stakes made me feel more anxious than ever.

Leo traced his finger along the parchment, pointing to an area near the back of the castle. "This here," he muttered, keeping his voice low, "is where we can slip through. There's a blind spot just beyond the eastern walls, right behind the servants' quarters. It's out of sight from the guard towers."

Thomas leaned in closer, studying the section Leo had indicated. His brow furrowed as he asked, "How are you sure? That area is usually heavily patrolled."

Leo smirked slightly, clearly proud of himself. "When the families were here for Family Day, I used the crowd to my advantage and sent a message back to the rebellion leader. They sent someone to scout the area last night. The guard rotations change around midnight, and for about ten minutes, there's no one watching that side. It's the only window we've got."

I nodded, feeling a surge of relief. That was the kind of opening we needed. "So, we slip in during that gap. But then what? The castle's massive. Even if we get inside, we'll still have to navigate our way to the king's chambers or the war room undetected."

Elara spoke up next, her voice steady but sharp. "That's why we've been studying this layout so carefully. We'll use the servant's corridors—they're narrow and tucked away, so there's less of a chance of being spotted. Daniella, you said Noah mentioned something about the guards' schedules changing, too, right?"

I nodded, my thoughts drifting back to Noah's casual comments about life in the castle. He'd talked a lot during our time together, sometimes without realizing how much information he was giving away. "Yeah, he said the guards in the royal wing change shifts every two hours. If we time it right, we can avoid them by moving between shifts."

Thomas leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "This could work. It's risky, but we don't have many other options."

"We'll have to move fast, though," I added. "Once we're inside, there's no turning back. One mistake and it's over."

Leo's eyes flicked up to meet mine, his usual cocky grin replaced with a serious expression. "You're sure Noah didn't suspect anything? About the questions you were asking?"

I hesitated for a moment, thinking back to the day before. Noah had been curious, of course, but I'd managed to steer the conversation away from anything too suspicious. At least, I hoped I had. "He didn't seem suspicious," I said, my voice firmer than I felt. "I was careful."

Elara gave me a sideways glance, her expression softening. "You're doing more than enough, Daniella. We couldn't have gotten this far without you."

I offered a small smile, but inside, the weight of it all was pressing down on me. Every day spent with Noah felt like walking a tightrope, and I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep my balance. But I had to. For them. For our cause.

Thomas shuffled through the papers spread out on the table, picking up a small, folded note. "I also heard from one of our contacts inside the castle. There's supposed to be a coronation ceremony soon—Noah's, actually."

"Elara's face darkened. "So the king's planning to pass power to him? So soon?"

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. Noah had mentioned the coronation, though he hadn't seemed excited about it. "Yeah, Noah said it's happening within the next few months. He doesn't want the throne, but his father's pushing it. If we can disrupt things before then..."

Thomas nodded, his eyes gleaming with purpose. "We have to. Once Noah's crowned, it'll be harder to challenge the regime."

The conversation settled into a determined quiet as we each studied the map, trying to memorize every corner, every hidden passage. The rebellion had been planning this for years, but it all hinged on us now. One wrong move could unravel everything we'd worked for.

The tension in the air thickened as we all stared at the map, each of us lost in our own thoughts about what needed to be done. Leo traced the route one more time with his finger, before sitting back, arms crossed over his chest. "We all agree on what we need to do, right? This isn't just about sneaking in—it's about dismantling their control, breaking the king's hold on this kingdom once and for all."

Elara nodded firmly. "We disrupt the coronation, show the kingdom that the rebellion is alive and strong. If we can shake the throne before Noah takes it, the people will start questioning everything the king stands for."

I could feel my heart rate quicken as the enormity of what they were saying settled in. Disrupting the coronation? It wasn't just a simple rebellion—this was something that would go down in history, something that could change everything. And yet, the thought of being so close to Noah's world, to the throne itself, felt terrifying.

Thomas leaned forward, glancing at me. "Daniella, you're the key to this. You've been getting close to Noah, and with everything you've learned, you'll have access to places we can't even get near. That's why we need you to be his escort to the coronation."

I blinked in surprise, not expecting to be thrown directly into the heart of their plan. "His escort?" My voice wavered as I tried to wrap my mind around it.

I took a deep breath, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. "Okay," I finally said, my voice steadier than I felt. "I'll do it. I'll be Noah's escort." It was the fastest way to get close to the king, and the closer I got, the sooner I could return home to the life I knew. The thought sparked a flicker of determination in my chest. If this rebellion succeeded, maybe the townsfolk would finally have a chance. Maybe I could help bring about that change.

Elara's face brightened, and she squeezed my hand in encouragement. "This is a pivotal moment for all of us."

As the conversation shifted back to the rebellion, I glanced at the map again, feeling a mix of excitement and dread. Leo leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. "We need to create chaos, draw the guards' attention, and distract them."

Thomas added, "Just remember to stay calm Daniella. You'll be surrounded by nobles and dignitaries. You're part of that world now, at least for this. Just act like you belong."

The weight of it all settled heavily on my shoulders, but I nodded again, more resolute this time. "Right. Act like I belong."

"Good," Leo said, a hint of pride in his voice. "With the timing of the guards' shifts, you'll be able to create the perfect distraction."

With the meeting drawing to a close, I felt the urgency of our mission pressing down on me.