The Good Crown

Chapter 51

The dining room was as grand as I'd imagined, with towering ceilings and walls adorned with portraits of past kings and queens. Candles flickered in gold sconces, casting warm light across the long table set with more food than I'd ever seen in one place. Everything felt too lavish, too perfect, and far too different from what I was used to. I sat stiffly, trying not to let the awe show on my face, but every now and then, I caught myself staring.

Noah's mother, Queen Elizabeth, was as warm as she'd been from the start, always offering smiles and kind words. But Noah's father, King Alaric, was a different story. His presence dominated the room, and even without saying much, I could feel his disapproval of me, lingering like a shadow.

As the dinner progressed, Queen Elizabeth looked over at me, her smile encouraging. "Daniella, dear, how do you find the meal? I hope it's to your liking."

I swallowed the bite of food I'd been chewing, feeling suddenly self-conscious. Everything tasted exquisite, far beyond anything I'd eaten back home. "It's wonderful, Your Majesty," I said, offering a small smile. "I've never had anything this good before."

Her face softened, but there was a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Never?" she repeated, as if the idea of someone not experiencing this kind of luxury was foreign to her.

I nodded, keeping my smile polite. "No, ma'am. This is all very... different for me."

She seemed to contemplate that for a moment, her gaze a bit distant as if something clicked for her. "I see." Her tone was soft, almost sympathetic, and I felt a pang of discomfort. The last thing I wanted was pity.

Before I could respond, King Alaric cleared his throat, pulling the conversation in another direction. His eyes, cold and calculating, landed on me. "So, Daniella," he said, his deep voice commanding attention, "how are you finding the academy? Adjusting well, I hope?"

I felt the weight of his question immediately. It wasn't an innocent inquiry, not like the queen's. There was something testing in it, as if he was waiting for me to slip up. I kept my expression neutral, refusing to show the nerves that were knotting in my stomach.

"It's... challenging," I said carefully. "But I'm learning a lot. The environment is very different from what I'm used to, but I'm managing."

The king's eyes narrowed slightly. "Different," he repeated, tasting the word. "And are you finding it difficult to... fit in?" He said it like I was some stray that had wandered too close to his palace walls.

I paused, choosing my next words carefully. "It's an adjustment, but I'm finding my place."

Noah, who had been quiet throughout most of the dinner, shifted in his seat. I could feel him wanting to jump in, but he let me handle it for now. King Alaric, however, wasn't finished.

He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of him. "I've been told by my advisors that there's some... concern among the noble families about the program. The integration of town children." He said the words like they left a bad taste in his mouth. "Your friend, Leo, is one of those from the town, is he not?"

I stiffened at the mention of Leo. What was he getting at?

"Yes, Your Majesty," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The king's gaze sharpened. "Noah tells me that he requested I pardon this... Leo. Apparently, there was some incident involving him and other students. I trust you're aware of it?"

My heart sank. Noah had asked for Leo's pardon? I hadn't known. I glanced at Noah, who gave me a small nod, confirming it.

King Alaric's expression didn't soften. "I granted the pardon, of course. At Noah's request." His tone suggested he hadn't been particularly thrilled about it. "But I must say, I remain unconvinced about this... program. It's one thing to be generous, quite another to lower the standards of our institutions."