Page 45 of Reckless Royalty

I raise an eyebrow, writing:

That’s deep.

Chiara laughs, her voice light and musical. “Yeah, well, sometimes I get philosophical. Especially after dealing with people like Sofia.”

I smile, actually relaxing for once. Chiara has this way of making things feel lighter, less heavy. She’s direct, sure, but there’s a kindness in her that makes me feel safe around her.

“So,” she says, propping herself up on her elbows, “tell me more about you. What do you do for fun? What’s your thing?”

I hesitate for a moment before writing:

I used to sing.

Chiara’s eyes widen in surprise. “No way! You sing? Why didn’t I know this?”

I shrug, smiling a little as I scribble:

Not anymore.

Chiara frowns, clearly not happy with that answer. “Well, we’ll have to change that. You can’t just stop singing, Maddy. That’s a crime. You’ve got to sing for us sometime.”

I shake my head quickly, writing:

Not happening.

She laughs, but there’s a softness to her expression now, like she understands there’s more to my reluctance than just shyness.

“Alright, alright. I won’t push. But one day, you’re gonna have to show me what you’ve got.”

I smile at her, feeling a warmth settle in my chest. Chiara’s easy to be around; she makes me feel like I’m part of something—like I belong. The tension from earlier, the way Sofia had sucked all the air out of the place, fades away, replaced by this simple moment of connection.

Chiara nudges me gently, her voice quiet but sincere. “Hey, Maddy… don’t let people like Sofia mess with your head. And if she ever gives you shit, you come find me, okay?”

I nod, my throat tightening with emotion. I don’t write anything in response this time—Chiara doesn’t need the words. She just knows.

But curiosity has a hold on me as I think about the snippets of conversation that I’ve heard so far. So I scribble:

What’s a Crown?

She sees what I’ve written and chuckles. “Oh, I was wondering when you’d ask me that,” she says, her eyes lighting up excitement and mischief.

“Willow Bridge, if you haven’t noticed by now, isn’t like any other university. It’s where the heirs to the most powerful criminal families in the world come to ‘study.’” she air-quotes the word, rolling her eyes. “But mostly, it’s where they learn to play the game.”

What game?

“The game of power,” she says, her voice dropping slightly. “Here, it’s about alliances, control, and knowing exactly where you stand in the hierarchy. And at the very top? That’s where the Crowns are.”

My brow furrows as I write again.

So, the Crowns are like… kings and queens?

She grins, clearly enjoying this. “Exactly. The Crowns are the five most powerful heirs on campus. They’re the crème de la crème, the ones who will eventually lead their families and, by extension, influence the underworld itself. Right now they’re Giovanni, Mihai Nikolai, Connor, and Sofia.”

My eyes widen at this. I knew Mihai’s father was a crime boss who had the police in his pockets back home. But to actually rule and influence?

And you?

She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Oh, I’m no Crown. But I’m tied to them—Nikolai’s my stepbrother and I’m engaged to Giovanni, so I guess you could say I’m an honorary Crown.”

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