𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝟮𝟴

DIANA BARELY SLEPT THAT NIGHT, her mind racing with thoughts of felix and the secret meeting they had shared. his words, his presence, haunted her like a dream she wasn't ready to wake up from. she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of her royal duties pressing down on her chest. but in the quiet of her room, she could still feel the warmth of his touch, the sincerity in his eyes. for a fleeting moment, it had felt like nothing else mattered.

but she knew that wasn't true. the palace, her family, her future—they all still loomed over her like an inescapable shadow.

the next morning, the usual bustle of palace life resumed. royal aides hurried about, preparing for the next round of engagements. diana walked through the hallways, her mind half-present, distracted by the memory of felix's visit. it had been such a small moment in the grand scheme of things, but it was one she would never forget. she glanced over her shoulder as she made her way to the gardens, half-expecting to see him again, though she knew it was impossible. the palace security would never allow him back in.

yet, her heart clung to the hope that somehow, someway, they would find a way to make this work.

as she entered the gardens, the cool morning air felt refreshing, and she welcomed the solitude. the roses were in full bloom, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. diana knelt down beside a particularly beautiful rose bush, gently running her fingers over the petals as if she could find some kind of peace in the simple beauty of nature.

"your highness," a voice suddenly called out, interrupting her thoughts.

diana quickly stood up, brushing off her dress and turning to face her mother, kate. she had been a constant presence in her life, guiding her through every royal event, every appearance, every duty. yet today, there was something in her mother's eyes that made diana uneasy. it was as if kate knew something was amiss, though she hadn't said a word.

"mother," diana said, her voice calm but guarded. "what brings you here?"

kate smiled, but there was an edge to it, something calculating. "i was hoping we could talk."

diana felt a knot tighten in her stomach. she had been dreading this conversation ever since felix had shown up at the palace. she knew her mother would sense something was off, even if diana didn't say a word.

"of course," diana replied, trying to keep her tone even. "about what?"

"about your future," kate said, her gaze sharp as she studied her daughter. "the royal engagements we've lined up for you. your upcoming charity events. there's a lot to consider, and i want to make sure you're ready."

diana's heart sank. she had been hoping for a reprieve, a moment to breathe before the pressure of royal life consumed her once again. but it seemed that hope had been misplaced.

"i'm ready," diana said, her voice quiet but firm. "i've always been ready."

kate nodded, though her expression remained unreadable. "i know you have, but it's more than just appearances, diana. you need to be more than just a princess. you need to be the future of this monarchy. the public is watching, and they expect you to step into your role. you understand that, don't you?"

diana nodded, though it felt like an empty gesture. she understood the weight of her role all too well. she had been groomed for it since birth, expected to be the perfect royal, the ideal daughter. but in her heart, she knew that wasn't who she was. she wasn't just a princess. she was a person with desires, with dreams, with a life that didn't fit into the rigid mold her family had created for her.

"i understand," she said softly, though it felt like a lie.

kate studied her for a long moment, her gaze searching, as if trying to read between the lines of her daughter's words. "good," she said at last. "because there's something else i need to address."

diana's pulse quickened. she could feel the tension building, the conversation shifting in a direction she wasn't ready for.

"what is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

kate's eyes narrowed slightly. "it's about your... behavior, diana. your actions over the past few weeks. i've heard rumors. whispers, really. about someone visiting you here at the palace."

diana's breath caught in her throat. she had been careful—so careful. but she knew how these things worked. the palace walls had ears, and secrets were difficult to keep. the rumors, no matter how baseless, would eventually surface.

"what rumors?" diana asked, her voice steady, though her insides churned with anxiety.

kate's gaze hardened. "i won't pretend i don't know what's going on. i know you've been spending time with someone. someone who isn't part of our world. and that concerns me, diana."

diana's chest tightened. "i don't know what you're talking about," she said, though she knew her mother didn't believe her. the tension between them was palpable, like a storm waiting to break.

kate's eyes flashed, her tone growing more controlled. "it's about felix, isn't it?. i know you two spent time together after the performance. and i've seen the way you've been... distracted."

diana's heart skipped a beat at the mention of felix's name. the royal family was aware of him. they had seen him perform at the palace, and diana had been caught up in the excitement of his visit, in the unexpected connection they shared. but she hadn't realized how closely her mother was watching.

"he's just a friend," diana said, her voice steady, though her mind raced. she knew it wasn't entirely true, but she wasn't ready to admit anything more.

"a friend?" kate repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. "a friend who happens to be a kpop idol? a friend who has no future in your world? a friend who could jeopardise everything we've worked for?"

diana's chest tightened at the sharpness in her mother's tone. "he's not a threat," diana said firmly. "he's kind, he listens to me. he sees me for who i am, not just the title i carry."

kate's expression hardened, her patience wearing thin. "that's exactly the problem, diana. he sees you as something you're not. and he's distracting you from your real responsibilities. this relationship—whatever it is—cannot continue."

"it's not just a relationship," diana shot back, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "it's real. and you're asking me to give it up for a life that isn't mine."

kate's gaze was icy, her voice colder than ever. "you have a duty, diana. to this family. to the monarchy. and i won't let you throw all of that away for a passing infatuation."

diana felt a lump form in her throat. "i don't care what you think. i won't let you decide my happiness for me."

the words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken pain. kate took a step back, her eyes narrowing with frustration. "you will regret this. i know what's best for you. and one day, you'll realise that."

diana shook her head, tears threatening to spill. "maybe i don't want to realise that," she whispered.

without another word, kate turned and walked away, leaving diana standing alone in the garden. the silence that followed felt deafening. for the first time, diana felt the full weight of her choices crashing down on her.

but she didn't care. for once, it wasn't about what was expected of her. it was about what she wanted. and she would fight for it, no matter the cost.