The Good Crown

Chapter 56

I leaned back against the old oak tree, my eyes scanning the distant horizon where the castle sat, a gleaming symbol of everything complicated in my life. I had always thought of the castle as untouchable, part of a world so far removed from mine. Now, I had been inside its walls, had kissed the prince who lived there, and none of it felt real.

The weight of all these thoughts hung heavily on me when Magnolia appeared, her steps light but unmistakable. She dropped down beside me without a word, tucking her knees under her chin, the way we always sat when we were younger, sharing secrets.

"You've been out here for a while," she said, glancing over at me. "What's going on in that head of yours, Dani?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's nothing. Just... thinking."

Magnolia raised an eyebrow, giving me that look—one that said she wasn't buying it. She knew me too well to let it slide.

"Come on, Dani," she said, nudging me with her elbow. "I'm not stupid. Something's been off since you came back."

I bit my lip, knowing there was no use hiding it from her. Magnolia could see right through me. But even so, admitting what was really going on felt impossible.

"It's Noah," I said quietly, my voice barely audible.

Magnolia blinked, then her eyes widened in shock. "Noah? You mean Prince Noah?"

I nodded, biting my lip.

"I... I think I've made a mistake," I said, my words coming out in a rush. "I'm supposed to be focused on the rebellion, on gathering information, on doing what's right for our people. But instead, I've let myself get close to him. Too close."

Magnolia stayed quiet, letting me continue.

"I thought I could handle it," I said, my hands clenching into fists on my knees. "I thought I could just... pretend, you know? Do my part, flirt a little, get the information we need, and leave it at that. But he was different."

From the moment I'd met him, he didn't fit the mold of what I thought a prince would be. Sure, he had the charm, the confidence, and the effortless way of carrying himself that came with royalty, but beneath that, he was... real. I saw it in the way he listened, really listened, when I talked about the struggles of my life in the town. He never dismissed it or downplayed it, even when he could've easily done so. He was kind. Thoughtful.

I remembered how his brow would furrow when he talked about wanting to change things in the kingdom, about how he believed the town kids deserved more—deserved a chance. There was a fire in him, a genuine desire to see a better world. And not for show, not for appearances, but because he cared. He was fighting, in his own way, for something better, even if he didn't fully understand the world I came from.

"He has this smile that could light up an entire room, and every time he directed it at me, I felt like the only person who mattered. It wasn't just his looks—though I'd be lying if I said those weren't a factor—it was the way he made me feel like I belonged. Like I wasn't just some girl from the outskirts who got lucky enough to attend the academy." I began to explain to her not even noticing the smile creeping up on my face.

Noah made me feel seen.

"It was the little things, too. The way he noticed when I was having a rough day and would ask if I wanted to take a walk. Or the way he would sneak me an extra berries when he knew I was obsessed with them. He had this way of making everything feel lighter, even when the world around us was heavy with expectations and duties." I continued

"And he was patient. God, he was patient. With me, with everything I threw at him—my moods, my frustrations, my doubts. He never pushed, never demanded more than I was willing to give. He just... waited. Like he knew that whatever walls I had built up, I would eventually let him in. And I did."

"He wasn't cold or entitled. He didn't look down on the people who worked the land or ran the shops. He didn't act like his birthright gave him the right to rule over everyone without question. Noah questioned everything. He questioned the rules, the traditions, his own father's decisions. He cared, truly cared, about the kingdom in a way that scared me because it wasn't performative. It was real." I ended not noticing how long I rambled on until Magnolia spoke

She studied me, her expression soft but thoughtful. "You're in love with him."

It wasn't a question. And it shouldn't have been a surprise. But hearing her say it out loud made my heart skip a beat.

Magnolia let out a slow breath, shaking her head. "I can't believe it."

I laughed softly, though it wasn't really funny. "Yeah, well... I didn't plan on it."

She gave me a sideways glance, her expression softening. "Love doesn't usually follow plans, you know."

I sighed, leaning my head back against the tree. "I'm supposed to be focused on the rebellion, on everything we're fighting for. But instead, I've let myself get wrapped up in something that can't go anywhere."

Magnolia was silent for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought. Then, she spoke, her voice surprisingly gentle. "You know, love isn't the enemy, Dani. I get why you're scared. You've always been the one with a mission, the one who knows what needs to be done. But... maybe this is part of your journey too."

I frowned, turning to look at her. "What do you mean?"

She smiled a little, but it was a wistful kind of smile. "You've always had this idea that you could control everything—your feelings, your choices, your future. But sometimes, the heart has other plans. You might not have wanted to fall for Noah, but it happened. And maybe that's not such a bad thing."

I shook my head, frustration bubbling up. "But it is a bad thing, Magnolia. He's a prince. His family—his father—would never approve of someone like me. And there's the rebellion. We're on opposite sides of all of this."

Magnolia was quiet for a moment, then she turned to me, her expression more serious than I'd seen in a while. "I'm not saying that you should throw everything away for him. But don't shut your heart down just because it's complicated."

I stared at her, my chest tightening. "So what are you saying?"

She shrugged. "I'm saying that love is never going to fit into your neat little boxes."

I let her words sink in, unsure of how to respond. Magnolia wasn't wrong. But the thought of letting my feelings for Noah deepen, knowing how impossible it all was, scared me more than I wanted to admit.

"What if I can't have both?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "What if I have to choose between him and the rebellion?"

Magnolia gave me a long, thoughtful look. "Then you'll have to make that choice when the time comes. But don't let fear make it for you."

Her words hit me hard, and I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. She was right. Fear had been driving me ever since I realized I had feelings for Noah. Fear of losing control, fear of the future, fear of getting hurt.

Magnolia stood up, brushing off her dress. "You've always been strong, Dani. Don't forget that."

I nodded, though my mind was still spinning.