𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 «« Matthew Gray Gubler.

1.0

Anagnorisis I.
The Great Princess Diana.

The atmosphere was warm, unlike the grounds of Kensington Palace.

Coraline didn't exactly know where this one room she'd visited so frequently was, but she loved it. The bright white walls that contrasted the brown bookshelves adorning several coloured books, along with the plush sofas and fuzzy carpet.

Diana Spencer sat, quite improperly, but who cares, on a sofa, legs hanging off the armrest as she skimmed through the pages of a romance novel she'd read too many times to count as Coraline paced, a blanket around her shoulders and lip caught between her teeth ready to draw blood. "Oh, darling, please sit down. You haven't been here in a long time, let's chat."

The younger did as told, practically throwing herself onto the soft furniture with a sigh. "Sorry, mummy. Just a tad bit distracted."

"What's got you like this?"

"Too many things." She grumbled, slamming a pillow onto her own face. "The charity, Will and Harry, and so much more."

Diana didn't hesitate to pull the girl into her arms, kissing the top of her head. "I think William's going to propose to Kate."

"And what's so bad about that?"

Coraline pulled away, small sniffles escaping as she explained. "He goes off, becomes the Duke of whatever with his shiny new wife. Then Harry will get married and I'll be all alone."

The princess pouted, tucking a piece of her daughter's hair behind her ear. "No, you won't be alone. What about that boy you visited in June? You visited him again in August and had a lot of fun, didn't you?"

"Yeah, that's the thing. As great as Matthew is, he's too good. I could never ask him to join an establishment like this. It didn't turn out well for you, I can't have the same thing with him."

Diana chuckled lightly, holding her face in her hands and stroking her cheek. "Sweetheart, you can't let things like this define your life, your future. You and Matthew have been together for 3 months and he still hasn't run away."

Coraline leaned into her mother's touch. "We haven't said we love each other yet, and I googled it and apparently people say it within the first 3 months."

"Have you said it?"

"No."

She tilted her head. "And why is that, Cori?"

"Because I'm waiting for him to say it first." 

A prolonged 'ah' left Diana's lips. "See? You're too afraid. You've got such a big heart Coraline, with so much love to give. You can't let fear get in the way of that, and I won't let you make the same mistake I did."

"Which is?"

"My wedding day was the worst day of my life. If this Matthew were to propose and you said no, and ten years later you find yourself marrying the wrong man, you're going to feel the same way and I can't, as a mother, let that happen."

Coraline released a dejected sigh. "It's too early to think about marriage, anyways. I miss you. Your death date was 3 days ago and I just can't cope."

"I know how you feel about your father," She let out a groan. "but he's still your parent, darling. He's trying his best and he loves you."

"It's not really him, it's more that hag. Camilla."

Diana had tried to contain her laugh, but failed as she spoke through giggles. "You can't call her that. But I do think after 5 years, you can be a bit civil. From what I see, she's also trying her best."

"Mummy."

"Come on. Why don't you give her a peace offering? You don't have to be all nice and lovey-dovey with her, but you could be like Will and Harry. Be completely neutral with her and when you're away, make fun of her all you want."

The young princess pondered, considering the pros and cons of the idea. "I'll just give her a tiara. The Delhi Durbar, it's too big and weighty for me. I hate it."

The older lady smiled proudly. "One day, when you're ready, we'll get out of this dreary room and go somewhere magical."

Coraline looked down, fingers fiddling with each other nervously. "I could join you. We wouldn't be stuck in this room anymore, I could be with you forever."

"Don't think like that, please. You've got a life to live, you'll join me when your time is right."

"I'm not afraid of death."

"Of course you're not, yet you're afraid of love."

"Granny might be skipping dad in the line of succession, William will be next. And it's just- it's not that I won't get any attention. I'm fine with no attention. But Will often casts me aside without even realizing, how will I work if I have my brother as a boss?"

Diana tilted her head with a sad smile on her face. "He won't be your boss, he'll remain your brother. You don't have to follow anyone's orders, Cori."

"He leads with the head, not the heart."

"And that's alright."

"I'm just tired."

"I know, my love."