𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝟬𝟰

FELIX RETURNED TO HIS SUITE, his mind still lingering on his evening with diana. closing the door behind him, he took a moment to lean against it, exhaling a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. he replayed every detail—their laughter, her hesitant yet genuine smiles, and the way her eyes sparkled when she shared her dreams with him. it had felt surreal, like a fleeting moment he wanted to capture forever, a memory too precious to let fade.

as he took out his phone and found her number saved in his contacts, he felt his heart race. they'd promised to stay in touch, but now, alone in the quiet of his room, doubts began to creep in. could she handle the pressures of their worlds colliding? could he?

across the city, diana sat alone in her bedroom, her gaze drifting out the window as the world beyond the palace walls carried on. the evening replayed in her mind, their kiss sparking a thrill within her that refused to fade. she had never experienced anything like this before—something so simple yet so exhilarating. it felt like a new kind of freedom, something she hadn't realised she'd been longing for.

but as she looked around her luxurious room, the reality of her life weighed down on her. the grandeur, the responsibilities, and the expectations seemed to press in on her, reminding her of the obstacles standing between her and felix. there would be no easy path forward with him, and she knew it. yet, despite the inevitable challenges, she couldn't let him go. not when he made her feel so alive.

the next day came, sweeping her into the routine of royal life. meetings, charity events, and public appearances filled her schedule, all while her family remained blissfully unaware of her encounter with felix. she moved through each task dutifully, yet her mind was elsewhere, drifting back to their evening together. more than once, she caught herself glancing at her phone, hoping for some sign that last night hadn't been just a dream.

in the late afternoon, as she sat in her study attempting to focus on correspondence, her phone vibrated, sending a thrill of anticipation through her. she glanced down, heart leaping when she saw felix's name flash across the screen.

"diana?" felix warm, familiar voice came through the line, and she could hear the eagerness in his tone, mixed with a hint of uncertainty.

"felix," she replied softly, her voice filled with a smile he couldn't see but could surely hear. she closed her eyes, savoring the sound of his voice, a lifeline in the midst of her overwhelming day. "i'm so glad you called."

"i wanted to let you know i made it back to the hotel," he said, his tone light, yet she could hear the genuine warmth beneath his words. "miss you already."

her cheeks warmed at his confession, and she found herself feeling shy and bold all at once. "i miss you too. today has felt... strange without you here."

there was a comfortable silence as they let the words linger, both aware of the improbability of their connection yet unwilling to let it slip away. felix's voice softened when he spoke again. "i'll be here a few more days. if you want... maybe we could meet again?"

the question filled her with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. the logistics alone would be nearly impossible, and she knew the risks. the palace staff was ever-watchful, bound to the routines and protocols designed to protect her. sneaking away once had been difficult enough; she doubted she could do it again without raising suspicions.

"i'd love that," she admitted, her voice tinged with both longing and hesitation. "but it might be difficult. my schedule is packed, and... well, you know how it is."

he let out a soft sigh, one of understanding. "i get it. just know that i'm here, okay? if there's any way, i'll be ready."

his reassurance steadied her, reminding her that she wasn't alone in this. She let out a quiet breath, feeling her resolve harden. "thank you, felix. i'll find a way."

the hours that followed were a blur of anticipation and nervous planning as diana tried to find a feasible plan. Her thoughts kept drifting to felix, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. after hours of crafting careful excuses and strategies to evade her watchful staff, she finally managed to arrange a secret meeting.

donning a hooded jacket and dark sunglasses, diana slipped out of the palace under the cover of dusk, her heart pounding with every step as she moved through the hidden passageways that led her to the outside world. with each glance over her shoulder, she half-expected to be caught, but luck was on her side, and she made it out undetected.

the café they had agreed upon was discreet, tucked away from the bustling streets. when she arrived, felix was already there, waiting anxiously by a secluded table. the moment he saw her, his face lit up, and he rose from his seat, his arms opening to pull her into a warm, protective embrace.

"you're here," he murmured, his voice filled with relief as he held her close, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

"barely," she laughed, breathless from both excitement and the adrenaline of sneaking out. she pulled back, meeting his gaze with a grin. "i didn't think i'd make it."

they settled into their secluded corner, speaking in low voices, their hands occasionally brushing across the table in small, electrifying touches. they talked about everything and nothing, finding solace in each other's company. she listened as he spoke about his music, his dreams, and the joy he found in sharing his passion with the world. she shared her own experiences, the weight of her responsibilities, and the quiet moments she longed for away from the public eye.

but eventually, the conversation turned to a question neither could ignore.

"diana," felix said quietly, his expression softening as he reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "are you sure about this? the last thing i want is to make things harder for you."

diana met his gaze, the weight of his words settling in her chest. she knew what was at stake, the expectations of her family and the demands of her position. but she also knew what she felt for felix—a connection that defied the barriers around her life. "i don't know what's going to happen, felix," she admitted, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "but i know i don't want to lose you."

his grip on her hand tightened, and he looked at her with a gentleness that made her heart ache. "then we'll find a way," he promised, his tone firm yet tender. "even if it means hiding, dealing with the distance, or finding moments like this. whatever it takes."

in that moment, diana realised just how much she wanted him, wanted this chance to carve out something for herself. she knew the path ahead would be treacherous, filled with obstacles and uncertainties, but for the first time in her life, she felt ready to take a risk, to follow her heart despite the consequences.

as the evening wore on, they lingered at the café, savoring each stolen moment as if it were a treasure. their laughter filled the small, hidden space, and they shared stolen glances that spoke of everything they couldn't yet say. when it was finally time to part, felix leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his touch lingering like a promise.

"stay safe," he whispered, his voice low and filled with an unspoken plea.

"you too," she replied, her voice a blend of longing and determination. she knew they couldn't stay here forever, but she held onto the memory of his touch, his warmth, and his unwavering presence by her side.

they walked in opposite directions, each carrying a piece of the other with them as they returned to their separate lives. yet as diana slipped back into the palace, her heart full and her mind resolute, she felt a newfound strength, a quiet hope she hadn't known before—a reminder that, no matter how difficult the path, she had finally found something worth fighting for.

AUTHORS NOTES.

i'm sorry for the short chapter y'all :/ next one is longer