The Good Crown

Chapter 48

We gathered again in the hidden corner of the academy library, huddled over the old, faded map of the royal castle. Thomas was tracing paths with his finger, marking potential entry points and exits. Elara was double-checking the guard rotations we'd noted from the museum displays, while Leo scribbled notes in the margins. It was a typical planning session for us—focused, calculated—but today I was anything but.

I stared at the map, my mind racing. Noah's face kept flashing in my thoughts, the way he'd smiled at me yesterday, the sincerity in his eyes. The way he wasn't at all like his father. It made this entire mission feel heavier, more complicated than it already was. And that was dangerous. I couldn't afford to feel anything for him, but it was creeping up on me, suffocating me with each encounter.

"We need to move faster," I blurted out, interrupting Thomas mid-sentence.

Everyone froze, eyes snapping toward me. Elara raised an eyebrow, suspicion written across her face. "What are you talking about? Faster?"

I nodded, my pulse quickening as the words spilled from my mouth. "We can't wait for the coronation. It's too far away. We should strike now, while we have the chance."

Leo blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Daniella, that's not the plan. The coronation is our best shot at getting close to the king. It's the perfect time—when everyone's distracted."

"We've already mapped out everything," Thomas added, frowning. "Why would we change it now?"

Because if I wait any longer, I might not be able to go through with it.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I'm just saying... why wait? The longer we stall, the more risks we take. We don't know what could change between now and then. We've got enough information already."

Elara narrowed her eyes at me, her arms crossed. "You're acting strange, Daniella. What's really going on?"

I clenched my fists under the table, my nails digging into my palms. I couldn't tell them the real reason. How could I admit that I was starting to care for Noah? That every moment I spent with him made it harder to lie, harder to pretend I didn't see the good in him? That I didn't want to get any closer to him because it would only make things worse?

"I'm just thinking strategically," I forced out, my voice tight. "If we act now, we can avoid complications. The coronation is risky—too many people, too many variables. If something goes wrong..."

Leo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You're talking about abandoning the entire plan we've worked on for months. That's not something we can just decide on a whim. What's your rush?"

I bit the inside of my cheek, desperately trying to hold my composure. "I'm not rushing. I'm thinking about what's best for us."

Thomas glanced between me and Leo, his brow furrowed. "You've never wanted to change the plan before. Why now?"

Because I'm afraid of what will happen if I let this drag out. If I let myself get too close.

I shook my head, forcing a sigh. "Look, I know it's sudden, but I don't see why we have to wait. We're ready now. Let's act like it."

Elara stared at me for a long moment, then leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms again. "Or maybe you're just trying to avoid something."

Her words hit too close to home, but I didn't flinch. "I'm not avoiding anything."

Leo shook his head slowly, his voice calm but firm. "We can't act recklessly, Daniella. We only get one shot at this. The coronation is the safest time to strike—when security is at its weakest and the king is vulnerable. You know that."