The Good Crown

Chapter 55

I gathered as many eggs as I could, my fingers fumbling a bit more than usual. How did I do this every morning? The Royal Academy had spoiled me, allowing me to sleep in more than I ever had back home. Here, the mornings were early, the work constant. The eggs felt heavy in my basket as I adjusted the strap over my arm and tried to remember what it was like to wake up to this routine every day.

A shrill scream cut through the quiet, followed by the sound of fast footsteps. I straightened, squinting at the edge of the farm, and before I knew it, two familiar figures came racing toward me.

"Daniella!" Willow's voice was full of excitement as she reached me first, her arms flinging around my shoulders.

Joseph wasn't far behind, laughing as he skidded to a stop next to us. "You're back! A break from the evil royals, huh?"

I laughed, but it felt a little uneasy. "Yeah, for now."

Willow pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "How is it up there, anyway? The academy sounds so fancy. I can't believe you've survived this long with all those spoiled royals."

Joseph smirked, nudging me. "Yeah, how's it feel to be one of them now?"

I rolled my eyes. "Trust me, I'm far from one of them. Besides, you have no idea how much I've missed this place. Even the eggs," I added with a grin, holding up the basket.

They laughed, and for a moment, everything felt right. But deep down, I couldn't shake the thought of how different things were now.

As we stood there in the familiar air of the farm, I couldn't help but soak up every detail—the laughter of my friends, the distant hum of animals, the way the sun bathed the fields. For a brief moment, it felt like I'd never left. But Willow's voice brought me crashing back to the reality I was trying to forget.

"The council's been waiting for your return," she said, her tone suddenly shifting from lighthearted to serious.

My heart skipped a beat. "The council?"

Joseph nodded, crossing his arms as he leaned against the fence. "Yeah, they're gearing up. They've been waiting for all of you to come back from the Academy. Everyone's ready to make their move and overthrow the king."

The weight of his words settled in my chest. I hadn't thought much about the rebellion since stepping foot back on the farm. Being here felt like a safe bubble, far away from the politics and danger of the Academy. But now, the reality of what was coming hit me hard.

I nodded slowly, feeling my stomach twist. "Right."

I'd known this was coming. It was the reason we had infiltrated the Academy in the first place, the reason we'd been gathering intel and preparing. But now, hearing it out loud from Willow and Joseph, it felt more real. This wasn't just a mission anymore. It was going to happen, and soon.

The Academy, Noah, the rebellion... they were all colliding in ways I wasn't prepared for.

Willow nudged me gently. "You okay?"

I forced a smile, but it felt hollow. "Yeah, just... it's a lot to think about. I've been so caught up in everything at the Academy, I almost forgot."

Joseph chuckled, but his eyes were serious. "Well, don't forget for too long. Things are about to get wild."

I swallowed hard, nodding again. "I know."

But as we stood there, catching up on old times and filling me in on what I'd missed, a part of me wanted to forget. I wanted to lose myself in the farm, in the simplicity of life here, where the biggest worry was gathering eggs or finishing chores on time.

Because I knew, deep down, that once I returned to the Academy, everything would change.

I forced a smile, clutching the basket of eggs tighter as Willow and Joseph kept talking, their voices buzzing in the background like an echo. I was barely listening now, the weight of what they'd just said settling in my chest.

"I should probably take these inside," I interrupted, my voice coming out quieter than I intended. "I'll catch up with you both tomorrow?"

They exchanged glances but didn't argue. Willow nodded, giving me a quick hug. "We'll be around. Don't be a stranger."

I managed another weak smile before turning on my heel and making my way back toward the house. As I entered, the warmth of the kitchen hit me instantly, but the chatter inside barely registered. My mom and Magnolia were talking about something—probably the wedding plans—and Dylan was chiming in with that easy laugh of his. But it all felt distant, like I was floating through a fog.

I set the basket of eggs down on the counter and drifted to my chair at the table. The usual excitement of being home, of being surrounded by my family, felt muted. My mind kept replaying Willow and Joseph's words. The rebellion. The king. The council waiting for us to return. It was all looming so close now, closer than I'd ever expected.

Breakfast went by in a blur. I think Magnolia asked me something about the Academy, and I mumbled a vague response about classes. My mom kept offering more food, and I nodded absentmindedly, not really tasting much of it. The conversation around me kept flowing, but I barely processed it. My brain was elsewhere, tangled in the mess of conflicting emotions I hadn't had time to unpack.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. Pushing my chair back, I stood up abruptly.

"I'm going to get some air," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. They all paused, eyes flicking to me in surprise, but no one questioned it. My mom just nodded, her eyes soft with understanding.

I slipped out the back door and headed into the fields. The wind was crisp, carrying the scent of earth and grass, and it helped clear my head just a little. My feet carried me toward the familiar tree at the edge of our property—the one that had always been my quiet spot growing up. From here, I could see the distant view of the castle, its tall towers piercing the sky.

I sat down beneath the tree, pulling my knees to my chest. The cool grass pressed against my legs, and for a moment, I just let myself sit there, breathing in the quiet. The view of the castle was both beautiful and haunting, a reminder of the life I'd been thrown into, the life I'd chosen to infiltrate.

I thought of Noah. His face flashed in my mind, along with the memory of his kiss, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered. For a moment, I let myself dream—dream of a world where there was no rebellion, no politics, no missions. Just Noah and me, figuring things out.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I stared up at the sky. The rebellion was coming. And after this break, there would be no turning back. I would have to make my choice—between loyalty to my friends, my town, or the impossible feelings I had for the prince of the very kingdom we wanted to overthrow.