Diana woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She stared at the window for a moment, a strange feeling settling in her chest. It wasn't quite sadness, nor was it anger. It was something in between, an unsettling sensation she couldn't quite name.
With a sigh, she pushed the covers back and slipped out of bed, heading to the bathroom for a shower. The warm water cascaded over her, offering a brief respite from her troubled thoughts. After dressing in a simple, elegant gown, she rang for a servant and requested breakfast to be brought to her room. She didn't feel like facing anyone just yet, least of all Nicholas.
Meanwhile, Nicholas was already awake, having dressed and prepared himself for the day ahead. He made his way downstairs, expecting to find Diana waiting for him in the dining room. But as he entered, he saw only his mother seated at the table, sipping her tea and nibbling on toast. He frowned slightly, confused by Diana's absence.
He took a seat across from his mother and motioned for a servant. "Where's my wife?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.
The servant bowed slightly before replying, "Lady Diana requested to have breakfast in her room, sir."
Nicholas sighed heavily, his disappointment palpable. He glanced at his mother, who was in the middle of drinking a glass of water. She set it down slowly and met his gaze, her expression thoughtful.
"Your father and I never fought," she said calmly, her tone almost wistful. "So I can't help you much in this situation."
Nicholas's jaw tightened as he looked away, staring at the untouched breakfast before him. His mother's words only deepened the sense of isolation he felt, the gap between him and Diana growing wider with every passing day. He picked up his fork, but the food suddenly seemed unappetizing, the weight of their unresolved conflict pressing down on him.
"I don't know how to fix this," he admitted quietly, more to himself than to his mother.
The Dowager Empress reached across the table and placed a gentle hand over his. "Marriage isn't always easy, Nicholas. Sometimes, the two of you will need to find your own way through the darkness."
Nicholas nodded absently, his thoughts drifting back to Diana, alone in her room. He wondered if she was thinking of him too, or if she was as lost as he was in the maze of their emotions.
As Nicholas and the Dowager Empress sat in the dining room, the quiet clinking of silverware against plates was the only sound that filled the air. Nicholas pushed his food around his plate, his thoughts still on Diana's absence and the tension between them. His mother observed him with a mix of concern and curiosity but said nothing more.
A servant entered the room, bowing slightly before announcing, "Sir, the doctor who examined Lady Diana last night has arrived."
Nicholas looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Let him in," he instructed.
Moments later, the doctor was shown into the room. He was an older man with kind eyes and a reassuring demeanor. Nicholas stood and extended his hand in greeting. "Thank you for coming, Doctor. I appreciate your care for Diana."
The doctor nodded, returning the handshake warmly. "It's my duty, sir. Lady Diana is in good health, but there is something you should know."
Nicholas and the Dowager Empress exchanged a brief, puzzled glance before Nicholas gestured for the doctor to continue. "Please, go on," he said, trying to keep his tone steady despite the undercurrent of worry.
The doctor hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. "Lady Diana shouldn't feel stressed or upset at all during this period. It's not healthy for both."
