| CROWN II | 👑👑

CHAPTER 41 : FEBRUARY IN LONDON

Date: February 18, 2021

Place: Thomas's Battersea School, London | Anmer Hall

The air in London had turned crisper in February, with the promise of spring still far off. The Cambridges, as always, lived in a world where duty and normalcy intertwined, even as the royal family continued to navigate the strange times brought about by the ongoing pandemic. But for Princess Matilda, February wasn't just about the chilly weather or the bustling royal schedule. It was a month of discovery, change, and even a tiny spark of something new.

It was February 18th, and Matilda was preparing for another busy school day. She dressed carefully in her Thomas's Battersea uniform—navy skirt, white blouse, and a warm jumper that her mother had helped her pick out. Her hair was neatly pulled back into a ponytail, and as she looked in the mirror, she adjusted the front of her uniform with a sigh.

"I think I'm getting taller, Mama," Matilda said, glancing at her mother, who was preparing a quick breakfast in the kitchen.

"Are you? I hadn't noticed," Catherine replied with a smile, glancing over her shoulder. "You do look more grown up every day."

Matilda smiled back, her mind elsewhere for a moment. "I think I'm getting too old for some things... like playing with my toys," she admitted, her voice soft and contemplative.

"You're growing up," Catherine said gently, "but that doesn't mean you have to stop having fun. There's always time for imagination, even in bigger ways."

Matilda nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure what her mother meant. For now, though, it was time to focus on school. She quickly made her way to the breakfast table, where George was already halfway through his cereal, Louis was making a mess with his toast, and Charlotte was quietly listening to her own thoughts as she nibbled at a croissant.

"Good morning, Tilly," George said through a mouthful of cereal. "Can I borrow your book on knights later?"

"I don't know," Matilda replied with a playful frown. "You're probably going to spill milk on it again."

"Not true!" George protested, looking guilty but also amused.

Catherine stepped in with a laugh. "Alright, no spilling on books. I'll make sure we don't have any accidents today."

After breakfast, they quickly gathered their bags and made their way out of Kensington Palace. Matilda, as always, clung to the moment of quiet before the school day began. She loved her school, Thomas's Battersea. It wasn't just the educational environment that appealed to her—it was the friendships, the playground, and yes, the occasional drama that came with being the oldest child at a school with so many personalities.

At School: Thomas's Battersea, London

The morning assembly was lively, with the entire school gathered in the hall to start their day. Matilda sat in the front row with George and Charlotte. While George seemed more interested in the stack of books he had brought for "reading time," Matilda's attention wandered to the other side of the room, where a few of her friends were sitting.

Her school was still operating under strict COVID-19 protocols, meaning many of the usual group activities had been replaced with smaller lessons and occasional socially distanced breaks outside. But despite the restrictions, there was always something exciting about the way Thomas's Battersea created a safe, stimulating environment for the children.

Today was no different. After the assembly, Matilda had a science lesson on plants, which she found particularly fascinating. She loved learning about how things grew, how the world worked, and what made everything in nature tick. But what really caught her attention during the class was a sudden, unexpected feeling—one that, at first, she wasn't quite sure how to place.