𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝟮𝟬

IT WAS JUST ANOTHER NIGHT, or so they thought. when felix had asked her to meet him at a quiet restaurant on the edge of london, diana's heart had skipped a beat with excitement. they both knew the risks, the delicate line they tread every time they saw each other outside the walls of her private flat. but tonight felt different—an irresistible desire to live freely, even if only for a few hours. for once, she wanted to feel normal, to be seen with the person she loved, without hiding.

the restaurant felix had chosen was small and dimly lit, perfect for slipping under the radar. the soft glow of candlelight flickered across the rustic wooden tables, the scent of herbs and freshly baked bread filling the air. they had arrived separately, with diana dressed in an understated navy coat and simple flats, her hair tucked beneath a hat. felix had slipped in a few minutes after, blending in seamlessly with the quiet crowd.

they sat across from each other, both feeling a thrill that was a mix of excitement and nerves. diana was struck by how handsome he looked tonight—his gentle smile, the warmth in his eyes, the way his fingers traced circles on the edge of his wine glass as they shared stories and laughter.

"this feels surreal," she murmured, almost afraid to speak the words out loud. "sitting here with you, in public, like a normal couple. it feels... real."

felix's hand found hers on the table, his thumb brushing softly across her knuckles. "it is real, diana. even if the world can't see it, it's real to me. every moment we're together is all i need."

they leaned in, their voices soft as they spoke of future dreams and whispered promises. diana's heart swelled with hope, feeling as if the world around them had faded, leaving only the two of them. for a brief, beautiful moment, she allowed herself to imagine a life where they didn't have to hide—a life where they could love each other openly, without fear.

but that blissful illusion shattered in an instant. a loud click echoed from the far side of the restaurant, a sound that sent a chill down diana's spine. she saw felix's expression change, his eyes widening with the same realization that gripped her heart.

they turned, spotting a shadow slipping out of the restaurant's back door, the faint gleam of a camera lens still lingering in the dim light. the air around them seemed to freeze, the weight of what had just happened settling like a stone in her chest.

"felix," she whispered, her voice trembling. "they got a photo of us."

he reached for her hand, his grip tight and reassuring. "we'll get out of here, we'll be okay," he murmured, guiding her toward the exit. "we just need to get somewhere safe."

the drive back to her flat was silent, their hands intertwined as they sat close in the backseat of the car. she could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, her mind racing with the possibilities, the consequences that could come from a single image.

once inside her flat, diana finally let herself collapse onto the couch, covering her face with her hands. the enormity of their situation hit her all at once—if the media got hold of that photo, her family would find out, her life would unravel, and the delicate web of secrecy they had built would come crashing down.

"we were so careful," she whispered, her voice breaking. "how could this happen?"

felix sat beside her, pulling her into his arms. "sometimes things just happen, no matter how hard we try to prevent them. but we're in this together, diana. i'm not going anywhere."

she rested her head against his shoulder, finding comfort in his presence. "what are we going to do? what if that photo ends up everywhere?"

"then we face it together," he replied, his voice calm and steady. "no matter what happens, i'll stand by you."

for a long while, they simply sat there, holding each other in the quiet of the night. it was a silence filled with unspoken fears and the weight of their uncertain future, yet felix's warmth grounded her, reminded her that she wasn't alone.

days passed, each one filled with tension as they waited for news, for any hint that the photo might surface. diana went about her public duties, keeping up appearances as the poised and composed princess, while inside, she was a mess of nerves and worry. she spent countless hours scrolling through headlines, checking news sites, bracing herself for the inevitable.

and yet, nothing happened. the photo didn't appear, the story didn't break, and gradually, they began to breathe easier. perhaps they had gotten lucky, perhaps the photographer had decided not to sell the image, or maybe he had been an amateur who hadn't realized the significance of the shot.

"it's like waiting for a storm that never comes," diana murmured one night as she lay in bed beside felix, her fingers tracing patterns on his arm. "i feel like i'm living on borrowed time."

he tightened his hold around her, his voice soft and reassuring. "no matter what happens, i'll be here. even if the world finds out, even if we have to fight for this, i'm not giving up on you."

their bond grew stronger in the days that followed, as they navigated the challenges of their hidden relationship with renewed determination. they found solace in quiet moments at her flat, in whispered conversations and stolen kisses, their love deepening with each passing day.

one evening, as they lay tangled together on the couch, felix turned to her, a question in his eyes.

"diana, have you ever thought about... leaving it all behind?"

she blinked, caught off guard. "what do you mean?"

"just... leaving the royal life. starting fresh, somewhere no one knows us. somewhere we could be together without all of this." he gestured around the room, a place filled with reminders of the life she was bound to—the portraits of her family, the symbols of her heritage.

the thought lingered in her mind, a tantalizing possibility that felt both thrilling and terrifying. but she knew the truth—her duty, her responsibilities, the family she couldn't abandon. it wasn't as simple as just walking away.

"sometimes i think about it," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "but i don't think i could do it. i love my family, my country... and yet, loving you feels just as right. it's like my heart is torn between two worlds."

felix brushed a strand of hair from her face, his gaze filled with understanding. "i would never ask you to choose. all i want is to be with you, however we can make that happen."

they stayed like that for hours, wrapped in each other's arms, sharing their fears and dreams, finding strength in their love even as the world outside continued to threaten their happiness. and in those moments, diana knew that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would fight for this—for him, for them, for the life they were building together in the shadows.

the next morning, as dawn crept through the curtains, they shared a lingering kiss, a silent promise of their unwavering commitment to each other. diana knew their journey was far from over, but with felix by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.

because, in the end, love was worth every risk, every sacrifice. and as they stood together, united against the world, she realized that she would do whatever it took to keep their love alive, no matter how many shadows they had to walk through.