WINTERS SECRET (RISE OF OYO EMPIRE)

WINTER II

Saturday 10th June.
(7:00 am)

"Princess Diana broken engagement, what would happen to the people of ofuland"
"Billionaire Winter in a relationship with princess Diana?"
"Fred, princess Diana and Winter's story deep dive"
"Princess Diana love triangle"
"Princess Diana dilemma, who is going to be the next king of ofuland?" The more I scrolled through my phone the more they kept popping up, lies all lies.

"Princess Diana this, princess Diana that, oh lord give me a break" there is nothing going on between me and Winter, oh how I wished there was though. Not to mention mom already sees me as a disappointment, I knew she always wanted a male child, maybe that's why she left me at gran gran's at birth.

"Hi princess, are you free for dinner 8pm?" A text from Winter popped up on my phone.

"Sure" I replied, I do need some time off everything going on in the palace, this could be it.

"Your highness you are awake?" Lina walked in with my dress for the day.

"I would be having my breakfast here Lina" I wasn't ready to have breakfast with the rest of the family, I need my peace I don't think I can handle any more drama.

"So no need for this I guess" she began to walk back into my closet.

"No, I would be going out later during the day" I said.

"Knock knock" there was someone at the door.

"Good morning your majesty" Idar opened the door as she was the one knocking.

"Good morning, how are you doing?" I asked.

"What's going on? Why is this place so gloomy?" Idar said as she walked to my bed to seat down.

"Have you seen the news?" Grace chipped in, when did she get into the room?

"Why aren't you at the dinning table?" Idar asked, these questions were beginning to over stimulate me, I need a break.

"Give me a minute" I got up from bed to go freshen up, I need to look good at least.

(7:00 pm)
"Change the crown, it looks a bit tacky" Idar advised as I was getting ready.

"I like this better" grace insisted.

"Be fast please, the car is already waiting for me" I was in total panic mode, or should I go as my regular self?

"All done princess" Lina was still making sure the crown was secured.

I don't want to be seen in public without my crown, it is one thing that is frowned upon in ofuland 'not looking like royalty when you are one'.

"Do you like it?" Idar asked to know if there is something she could adjust for me.

"Thank you" I was late again, I hurriedly walked out of my room to the car.

"Good evening princess" the royal escort greeted as he opened the car door for me.

"I'm late already, move it" I commanded this was our second date I don't want to be late.

'i wonder how mom would feel when she gets the news' I thought to myself, come to think of it, what hasn't she talked about, she clearly told me I would have been of use to her if I was a male child, if I would be king.

It was getting crowded in here, the air was getting heavy to breath "Diana don't cry" my eyes were already filled with tears, it was as if all the weight of the relationship is finally weighing on me.

I wish I did not have to live life like this, always scared, always trying to cut myself to make me acceptable.

"Princess, we have arrived" Jose alerted me as we drove into the restaurant, he was such a wonderful driver.

"Thanks" I began to walk towards the eatery.

"Hey princess" Winter held me up as he began to lead the way, "Some roses" he handed me a bouquet of them.

"They smell lovely" oh he wss so nice and gentle to me, unlike my ex who was only nice for show.

"I'm glad you like them" he said as we say down on the table.

"Sorry I am a bit late, I was caught up in something" I apologised for my lateness.

"Oh come on, it's no big deal" he said confronting me, I really wished some of the rumours were true like the one of us being together but I'm glad i was able to break things off while I still can.

"Are you okay?" Winter asked in a worried done "you seem to be out of it, is anything bothering you princess?"

"I am fine" I responded, I was worked up about everything that was going on but besides that I am cool.

"Are you sure? You don't seem like the cheerful person I met at the airport, you look down" he continued talking.

"Oh well I am fine, don't worry about it" I tried to avoid the entire conversation, I wasn't going to admit to him that I wasn't doing okay mentally not at all.

"You can tell me anything dear, I know we are not that close now but trust me, I am here for you" there was just something about his voice that made me comfortable, I felt like I could actually be myself here and no one would judge me for anything.

"By the way, I don't know if this is an appropriate time or place to ask you but if I don't my concince would kill me" Winter continued after a brief moment of silence.

"Then go ahead" I encouraged him.

"I want us to explore what we have, our connection a bit deeper, I want to you to be by my side" he looked like he was struggling, his nose was getting red and it made him look even cuter.

I've been thinking a lot about us, Diana. I feel a deep connection with you, and I want to explore it further. Will you be my girlfriend?"He said as he dropped a piece of jewellery on the table.

"Click" I heard a shutt sound of a camera.

"Dub dub" my heart was racing, I could feel blood rushing through my entire body.

"What's that?" Before I could gather myself there were already five men taking pictures of us in the restaurant, who let them in? What's going on? How did they know I was here?

"I'm sorry about that, do you want to leave? I would understand it if you do" I don't think leaving is going to solve anything.

"Don't you think it's a bit too early? For this?" I asked, I barely knew him, I would love to be in a relationship with him but what if? What if history repeats itself? I am not ready for that.

"Well princess I do, but I also think I should be honest with you" the tension in the room was getting much as the numbers of press kept on increasing.

I took a deep breath, her heart racing. "I've been feeling the same way, Winter. I'd love to be your girlfriend."
I smiled as I accepted the jewellery he dropped on the table.

"Thank you"

"Are you comfortable? Do you want to leave?" He asked concernly.

"Since they want a story, why don't we give them one?" I was done hiding, it only made them want to come for me more, I am going to face this head on.