| CROWN II | 👑👑

CHAPTER 40: JANUARY AND LUPO

January 8, 2021 – Kensington Palace, London

PS: I want a dedicated for Lupo Cambridge's loyalty dog. 

The morning sun peeked through the heavy gray clouds hanging over London as the Cambridge household stirred awake. It was January 14th, a chilly Thursday that seemed as ordinary as any other—except life at Kensington Palace was rarely, if ever, ordinary.

In the sprawling nursery suite, Princess Matilda sat cross-legged on the carpet, her little brother Louis by her side. Before them, Lupo, the family's beloved black cocker spaniel, wagged his tail energetically, a squeaky toy clenched in his jaws.

"Lupo! No, you have to give it back!" Matilda laughed, reaching out to grab the toy.

Louis giggled and clapped his hands. "Lupo win! Lupo win!"

"He's not winning, Louis," Matilda insisted, a playful glint in her eye. "He's just being cheeky."

From the doorway, Catherine watched the scene unfold with a warm smile. She'd always appreciated how Matilda, now ten, took it upon herself to include Louis in her activities.

"Alright, you three," Catherine called gently, stepping into the room. "Time to get ready for the day. You've got schoolwork, Matilda, and I believe you're helping George with his reading later, yes?"

"Yes, Mama," Matilda replied, standing up and brushing imaginary dust from her sweater. "But Lupo needs to learn some manners. He's been stealing my socks again."

"Maybe he just likes your style," Catherine teased, picking up Louis. "Come on, darling. Breakfast first, then lessons."

Downstairs, the family gathered in the cozy breakfast room. The smell of freshly baked croissants and porridge filled the air, mingling with the light chatter of the children. George sat engrossed in a book about knights, while Charlotte gleefully spread jam onto her toast.

"George, you're getting crumbs all over the pages," Matilda observed, leaning over to inspect her brother's mess.

"Am not," George muttered, brushing at the crumbs half-heartedly.

"Are too," Matilda countered with a grin, nudging him playfully.

"Matilda," William interjected from his seat at the head of the table, "remember, we're kind to our siblings. Even if they are messy eaters."

"I'm not messy!" George protested, but the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement.

From under the table, Lupo let out a soft bark, clearly aware that breakfast time often meant a stray piece of toast or two.

"No, Lupo," Catherine said firmly, though she slid a small crust to him when the children weren't looking. "Go sit by the fire until we're finished."

Later That Morning: The Study at Kensington Palace

The day's lessons began promptly at nine. With the pandemic still affecting schools across the UK, the Cambridge children had settled into a hybrid routine of in-person and at-home learning. Today was a home day, and the large study at Kensington Palace had been transformed into a classroom of sorts.

Matilda sat at her desk, her favorite fountain pen poised over a history assignment. She'd been tasked with writing about the Tudors, a topic she found endlessly fascinating.

"Papa, did you know Henry VIII had six wives?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder at William, who was reviewing papers at the adjoining desk.

"Six? I think I could barely manage one," William quipped, earning a laugh from Matilda.