The Good Crown

Chapter 44

As I made my way through the winding halls toward Noah's dorm, my mind was racing. I couldn't believe I had agreed to this—to ask him to get involved in something so messy. The whole thing felt wrong, like I was using him. But what choice did I have? Leo, Thomas, Elara—they were counting on me. If I didn't try, things could get worse for all of us.

But as I walked, I could feel the doubt creeping in. Was it really fair to drag Noah into this? He had already gotten hurt in the fight, and now I was supposed to ask him to put himself in an even more awkward position, to vouch for us in front of his father—the king? What if it backfired? What if Noah got caught in the middle of something even bigger because of me?

I paused in front of his door, taking a deep breath. My hand hovered over the wood, hesitant. What if... what if I just turned around? Pretended like this never happened.

But no, that wasn't an option. Leo would never let it go, and I'd lose my chance to stop the fallout before it got worse.

I raised my fist to knock when voices inside made me freeze.

"...I just don't trust them, Noah," I heard a voice say sharply. Penelope. Of course, it was her. She was always around Noah, always keeping a watchful eye on anything he did. Her voice was dripping with disdain. "You saw how they acted at the game. Those town kids—especially Leo—they're trouble."

I pressed my ear against the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I shouldn't be listening, but I couldn't help it. I needed to know what they were saying about us.

"They're not all bad, Penelope," Noah's voice came through, calm but firm. "Leo lost his temper, yeah, but the rest of them weren't involved. Daniella and her friends didn't do anything wrong."

Penelope scoffed. "Daniella? She's just like the rest of them. They're all waiting for the chance to ruin everything we've built here."

My breath caught in my throat. Penelope's words stung, but what hit harder was the way Noah defended me.

"You're wrong," he said, his tone unyielding. "Daniella isn't like that. And for the record, I don't blame them for what happened today. The game was intense, and things got heated. That's it."

There was a pause, and I could almost picture Penelope narrowing her eyes at him, arms crossed in defiance. "You're too trusting, Noah. You always see the good in people, and it's going to get you hurt. You're the prince. You can't afford to be this naive."

Noah sighed, and I could hear the frustration in his voice. "I'm fine, Penelope. It was a fight. It happens. I'm not going to turn my back on people just because of where they're from."

My chest tightened at his words. He was standing up for us—standing up for me—even when he didn't have to. A mix of guilt and gratitude swirled inside me. How could I ask him for more, after everything he was already doing?

I pulled my hand away from the door, suddenly unsure. Maybe this was a mistake. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't ask him to take on more for us, for me.

But then Penelope's voice cut through again, sharp and cold. "Just be careful, Noah. You may trust them, but I don't. And I won't stand by and watch them drag you down with them."

That was it. I straightened my shoulders, steeling myself. I couldn't let Penelope's words hang over him like that. Noah believed in us, in me—and if he was willing to stand up for me, I had to do the same. I had to trust that he wouldn't turn his back on us.

With a deep breath, I knocked on the door, the sound of it echoing in the quiet hallway. The voices inside went silent. A moment later, footsteps approached, and the door swung open to reveal Noah, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw me standing there.

"Daniella," he said, blinking in confusion.

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest as Penelope's eyes narrowed from where she stood behind him. "Can we talk?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Alone?"

Noah blinked at my request, clearly taken aback, but after a moment, he nodded and turned to Penelope. "I'll see you tomorrow in class."

Penelope crossed her arms, her lips pursed in a tight line. She glanced between Noah and me, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Are you serious, Noah? After what I just said?"

"I am," he replied, his tone firm but calm. "Please, Penelope."

With a huff, she rolled her eyes, sucking her teeth in irritation as she reluctantly stepped past me, her shoulder brushing mine more aggressively than necessary. She leaned in close, her breath hot on my ear as she whispered, "You don't belong here. Don't forget that."

A shiver ran down my spine, her words cold and sharp, but I forced myself not to react. I wouldn't let her see me flinch. Instead, I kept my gaze forward as she sauntered down the hallway, her footsteps fading into the distance.

Once the door clicked shut behind her, I let out a small breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Noah stood there, watching me with a hint of concern in his eyes.

"I'm sorry about that," he said, his voice softer now.

I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on Penelope's words. "It's fine," I muttered, but as I looked at him, the bruises on his nose and the faint swelling drew my attention. The fight. It hadn't just been hard on us; Noah had taken the brunt of it trying to break up Leo and James.

Without thinking, I stepped closer, my eyes locked on his bruised nose. "You're still hurt," I murmured, feeling a pang of guilt in my chest. "Do you have anything for it?"

Noah smiled faintly, shaking his head. "I went to the nurse. The bleeding's down now."

"Yeah, but..." I trailed off, already scanning the room for something that could help. An ice pack, a cold towel, anything. I spotted a small basin on his desk, and before he could protest, I grabbed it, filling it with cold water from a nearby jug.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"My little sister Haven," I began, dipping a cloth into the cool water and wringing it out. "She's always getting into trouble—running into walls, tripping over things. I had to do this for her more times than I can count."

I walked back over to him, gently pressing the cloth against his bruised nose. Noah winced slightly but didn't pull away, his smile softening as he watched me.

I shrugged, focusing on his injury rather than the way my heart fluttered at the sound of my name in his voice. "It's not much, but it should help with the swelling."

"You didn't have to do this," he said quietly. "But... thank you."

I met his eyes, and for a moment, the weight of what I'd come here to ask felt heavier than ever. How could I ask him to help us after everything? After he'd already gotten hurt, after he'd defended us to Penelope? But I had no choice. I had to try.