𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 - 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺

𝐈𝐈. 𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

❝We are all just pieces on a cheeseboard. Pawns to the Queen sent to do her biding❞

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

Diana sat in her office when there was a knock at the door. "Come in." 

Her secretary walked in, "Ma'am, Her Majesty as requested The Prince of Wales and your presence as soon as possible for a meeting."

"What on earth for?" The queen was a very busy person. If she needed to see them urgently it could not be a good sign. 

"She didn't say ma'am. But the car is ready when you are." 

"Thank you." She told him. He nodded and left. 
Charles was currently at Highgrove. She hadn't seen him since their last public engagement, a week ago, which was for the better. Just being around him dampened her light. They could hardly speak to one another anymore without arguing, it was exhausting. 

But duty called and the queen needed to see them. After she collected her things, she was driven to Buckingham palace. She never liked the palace. It was cold, dreary, outdated and filled one with a sense of foreboding. Much like the Royal Family itself, she thought. 

Charles met her so that they could enter the meeting together. One must put on a good show, especially for the top boss. Although it was most likely in vain. Diana was certain the rumors of their failing marriage had reached her ears. Most likely through Margret, or Aunt Margo as she was referred to by the family. 

"The Prince and Princess of Wales your Majesty."The footman announced them. 

"Your Majesty." Diana curtsied. 

"Your Majesty." Charles bowed. 

"Now, now. Please sit down." The queen and Philip sat on a sofa that had another across from it. They walked over and sat on the second sofa. 

"You're probably wondering what this is all about." Philip spoke. They both nodded, "it has come to our attention that..." He paused, choosing his next words carefully, "flaws have been noticed in your marriage. Not just by us, but the press." 

The queen set multiple tabloids and newspaper clippings in front of them. "This one claim," she held up a tabloid, "That Charles has a mistress." 

They all looked at him, he stayed silent and continued to keep his gaze on the floor. "Another claims Diana is anorexic." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. 

"Now this one," Philip now spoke, "is my personal favorite. It says there was a period of time where you didn't see one another for almost four weeks straight." 

The queen spoke next, "There are too many of these articles to discredit them as simple rumors. We are here to ask you to pull your act together. The future King of England's marriage cannot be in jeopardy or show any flaws. You just simply can't let the side down." 

A moment of awkward silence followed. The Queen and Philip's eyes traveled between the two of them. Their body language said it all. Both turned away from one another, refusing to make eye contact. 

"Do you have anything you wish to say?" Philip asked in a stern tone. 

It was Diana to pipe up this time, "I have tried to make this marriage work-" She was interrupted by Charles' scoff. 

"Charles please." The Queen glared at her son, "do continue." She looked at Diana. 

"There was a time when we got along. I would go as far as to say we loved each other. Am I wrong?" She looked to Charles. 

"Suppose you're right." He adjusted himself uneasily on the sofa.

"So, who's to say we can't go back there again? But I feel unsupported, unloved. I am willing to make amends if Charles is." 

They all looked to the prince, "Anytime I try to reach out to her... to help her, she becomes hysterical and throws a tantrum. She acts like a child." The age gap between the two parties could not have been any more prevalent. At only 19 Diana got engaged to the then 32-year-old prince. 21 when she gave birth to William. Hardly out of school and the future Queen of England. 

"And whenever things get difficult you run back to her!" Diana raised her voice. 

"Honestly, that is ridiculous." He rolled his eyes. 

"This is exactly what I'm talking about. Do you even hear yourselves? Or each other? You're both acting childish. For goodness' sake, you two are incredibly privileged adults and your behavior is embarrassing. Philip and I want you to fix your behavior or at least not let the tabloids catch wind of your rift. From here on you're going to start having more public engagements together, we must keep giving them a good show. It is your duty." 

Duty. The thing that dictated all their lives. It was the reason they were born. The reason they got married. The reason they had children. The reason they were standing in front of the Queen right now. The reason the House of Windsor even existed. 

"And what would you have us do?" Charles asked his mother in a rather sarcastic tone. 

"Well for starters, you should stop seeing that women. Second, spend more time with each other, don't live in sperate houses. With all your public engagements it makes more sense for you to live in Kensington." 

"I am willing to do whatever it takes to make this marriage work." Diana said with an air of determination. 

"It cannot hurt to make an attempt." Charles nodded. It is easier to agree with his mother than argue with her. She is a formidable opponent.

The Queen nodded, "thank you both for your time. I expect these rumors to dissipate."

"Yes ma." They both stood up, kissed her cheeks then bowed and exited. 

"Shall you move your things from Highgrove to Kensington tomorrow darling?" Diana asked her husband after they left the room. 

"Yes, I suppose so." He muttered. But he was thinking about the plans he had made with Camilla, the plans he intended to keep. Just one last time, one last time...

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

AN:
I'm gonna try and update every weekend from here on! Sorry AntManandTheWasp ik I said I would update The American Way but I got a sudden burst of inspiration for this fic last night and decided to update it instead!