The Good Crown

Chapter 64

Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair as he finally relented. We didn't say much after that, just standing there in the quiet tension of the room, both of us trying to process what was happening. I could feel the weight of my decision on his shoulders, and though it pained me to see it, I knew I had to stand firm. The knock on the door came sooner than expected, signaling that it was time to head to the coronation.

I followed Noah out to the carriage, the air thick between us. The maids had finished their work, and everything was ready for the grand event. I climbed into the carriage, my dress brushing the floor as I settled into the seat opposite him. Noah slid in beside me, his expression still tense. The horses outside began to move, pulling us forward, and the streets of the kingdom came alive with noise. Cheers and waving hands filled the air as the people gathered to witness their future king.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. I watched the streets, trying to keep my focus away from Noah and the conversation we'd just had. But after a while, he finally broke the silence.

"Daniella," he said, his voice softer now, as if trying to find some common ground. "I know you've made up your mind, but... I just want you to reconsider. Not for me, but for us. For today."

I turned to look at him, biting my lip. His eyes held a sincerity that was hard to ignore, and I could tell how much this meant to him. "Noah, I—"

"Just for today," he interrupted, his voice almost pleading. "Please. It's my coronation, and I want you to be by my side without thinking about... all of that. Just for today, can we pretend? After this, you can decide whatever you want. But for today, please..."

I didn't know what to say. His request hung in the air between us, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on my heart. This wasn't just a coronation—it was Noah's day, the day he would be crowned king, and he wanted me there, truly by his side. I hesitated, looking out the window again as the crowds continued to cheer.

"Okay," I whispered after a long pause.

I saw the relief flood his face, though he tried to keep it subtle. We didn't say much more after that, the sound of the carriage wheels and the distant cheers filling the air as we approached the grand church where the coronation would take place.

As we neared the entrance, I caught a glimpse of something—or rather, someone—in the crowd. A few familiar faces, dressed differently, hidden under hoods and cloaks. The townfolk. My heart skipped a beat, knowing they'd managed to make it inside the city. They had done it, despite all the guards and the added security. They were here, watching, waiting. The rebellion was slowly unfolding, and it made the air around me feel even heavier.

The carriage slowed, coming to a stop at the base of the grand steps leading up to the church. The crowd roared as the doors opened, and Noah stepped out first, turning back to offer me his hand. I took it, stepping down in my blush-pink dress as the cheers grew louder. My heart pounded as I glanced at the familiar faces hidden among the crowd, but I kept my focus forward.

As we walked up the grand steps of the church, Noah's hand still held mine tightly, and I could feel the eyes of the entire kingdom on us. The crowd outside was roaring with excitement, their cheers echoing off the stone walls, but all I could hear was the rapid pounding of my heart. My chest felt tight, and my thoughts kept swirling as I glanced around, trying to keep calm.

When we reached the massive wooden doors of the church, two guards opened them with a resounding creak, revealing the grandeur inside. The vaulted ceilings soared above us, decorated with intricate carvings of royal insignias and symbols of power. Every pew was filled with nobility, students from the academy, and notable figures from across the kingdom, all dressed in their finest. The golden light from the stained glass windows bathed the room in a warm glow, but it did little to ease my growing anxiety.

Noah and I stepped inside, hand in hand, the weight of the moment sinking in deeper with every step we took down the long aisle. His grip on my hand was firm, reassuring, but even that couldn't stop the butterflies that were stirring in my stomach. As we moved forward, I spotted my friends—Elara, Leo, and Thomas—standing in the student section, watching us closely. Elara gave me a small nod, her face a mix of support and caution, as if reminding me that everything was still in play. Leo and Thomas stood just behind her, their faces unreadable, but I could feel their presence like a shield.

My eyes flickered to the front of the church where the king and queen stood. King Elias, tall and stern, with a regal presence that commanded respect, watched with a calm yet focused gaze. Queen Adrienne stood beside him, her face soft yet proud, her smile gentle as her eyes rested on her son. They looked every bit the part—royal, untouchable, and completely distant from the world I came from.

I swallowed hard. This was their world. Noah's world. And no matter how much I tried to ignore it, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider. The sheer difference in our lives was becoming all too real now. I wasn't just walking into a coronation—I was walking into a life I never imagined for myself, a life that would end the moment this school year was over.

Noah glanced at me, giving my hand a small squeeze. "You okay?" he whispered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the murmuring crowd.

I nodded quickly, but I wasn't sure if I believed my own response. My palms were starting to sweat, and my pulse quickened as we neared the front of the church. The pressure was getting to me. Every set of eyes felt like they were burning into me, judging me, wondering how a girl from the town could possibly stand beside the soon-to-be king. I wasn't meant to be here, not in this dress, not in this life.

As we reached the front, Noah let go of my hand and stepped toward the altar where the royal priest stood waiting. I lingered a few steps back, my legs feeling like they could give out any moment, but I forced myself to stand tall. My heart hammered in my chest as I caught sight of more familiar faces in the crowd, hidden in the back, cloaked and disguised. The townfolk. They were here, waiting, watching for their moment. My mission was clear, but I could barely focus on it, not with the weight of everything else crashing down on me.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself as Noah took his place. The ceremony was about to begin, and I knew there was no turning back now. Not for him, not for me, and certainly not for the kingdom.