| CROWN II | 👑👑

CHAPTER 78: BACK TO SCHOOL

Date : January 8, 2023

Place : Lambrook School, Berkshire

The sharp, clean air of early January clung to the Berkshire countryside as frost shimmered over the grounds of Lambrook School. The Christmas holidays had come to an end, and the first school day of the new year was upon Princess Matilda, the eldest of the Wales children. The morning sun sliced through the wintry haze, casting faint golden light on the driveway as the black Range Rover came to a smooth stop at the school gates. The hum of the car's engine faded as William, Prince of Wales, turned around from the driver's seat to look at his daughter.

"Well then," he said cheerfully, attempting to lighten the mood. "Ready to conquer the new term, Tilly?"

Matilda, still buckled in her seat, gave a faint smile. Her school uniform—a smart navy blazer and matching skirt—was immaculate, her hair neatly braided with a small ribbon tying it at the bottom. She glanced out the window at the school she knew so well, where familiar students clustered near the entrance, buzzing with chatter.

"I suppose," she replied softly, fiddling with the strap of her backpack. "It's just... different this time."

Catherine, seated in the passenger seat, turned toward her daughter with a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine, darling. It's a new year. New beginnings. Just remember to be yourself."

Matilda's hesitation wasn't unfounded. The past year had been monumental for the royal family—a mix of loss, change, and new responsibilities. After Queen Elizabeth II's passing and King Charles's ascension, the weight of being second in line to the throne now felt more real to her than ever. But this morning, more than anything, Matilda was nervous about the whispers and stares that inevitably came when she returned to school.

"Do you think anyone will ask about... all of it?" she asked quietly.

Her father's face softened, and he met her gaze in the rearview mirror. "They might, Tilly. But you don't have to answer anything you're not comfortable with."

"Just focus on your friends and your work," Catherine added. "That's all that matters today."

From the backseat beside her, Charlotte chimed in with her characteristic boldness. "If anyone's rude, just ignore them. Or tell them off—I would."

Matilda grinned despite herself. "I know you would, Charlotte."

The playful exchange lightened the mood as William opened the car door. "Right. Out you hop. You've got this."

Matilda stepped out, her shoes crunching on the frosty ground. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and looked back at her parents, who offered one final wave before the car pulled away. Turning toward the school, she drew a steadying breath and began walking toward the entrance, head held high.

Inside the corridors of Lambrook, the air buzzed with post-holiday excitement. Children reunited with friends, comparing Christmas presents and sharing stories of their family celebrations. Matilda wove her way through the crowd, her cheeks slightly pink from the cold, trying to blend in as much as she could.

"Matilda! Over here!"

Emma, her closest friend at school, waved her over from a group by the lockers. Matilda smiled in relief and hurried to join them.

"Hi, Emma," she said, dropping her bag by her locker.

"Did you go anywhere fun for Christmas?" Emma asked eagerly, her blonde ponytail swinging.

"We stayed at Sandringham this year," Matilda replied, keeping her tone casual. "Just family time, really."

Another boy, Ben, piped up from nearby. "I saw you on the telly during Christmas! Your grandad—uh, King Charles—did that big speech. What's it like having a king as your grandad?"