𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝟮𝟵

THE WEIGHT OF THE ARGUMENT WITH KATE LINGERED IN THE AIR long after her mother left the garden. diana's chest ached with a mixture of frustration and fear. it wasn't just about her relationship with felix anymore—it was about her autonomy, her right to make choices about her own life. every step of the way, the palace had shaped her future, but now, standing there, she was beginning to question if that future was even hers to control.

the next few days passed in a blur of royal duties, endless charity events, and countless formal meetings. diana smiled for the cameras, shook hands with dignitaries, and posed for photographs, all while her mind was somewhere else—somewhere with felix. her time with him felt like a distant dream, something she wanted to hold onto even as her family and her responsibilities demanded so much of her.

but there were moments, small ones, when her heart felt lighter. moments when she stole away to the quiet corners of the palace, where no one could find her, and let herself imagine what it would be like to be with him. to feel free. she found herself gazing at her phone more often than she should, hoping for a message—just a message—that might bring her closer to him.

then, one afternoon, she got a message.

it wasn't from felix, though. it was a note from her bodyguard, informing her that she had an appointment to meet a visiting dignitary from france. diana groaned inwardly. another forced encounter. another suit-and-tie meeting where she would smile politely, exchange pleasantries, and get through it like she always did.

but then she noticed something in the message—something unusual. the name of the dignitary was crossed out, replaced by a simple note: "meet me at the garden, tonight at 9 pm. i have a gift for you." it was signed, in a familiar hand, "felix."

diana's heart skipped a beat. it was like the universe had conspired to give her exactly what she needed. a moment to breathe. a moment to escape.

she wasted no time. the meeting was still hours away, but she couldn't stop herself from preparing. she chose a simple dress, nothing too extravagant, but still elegant. she didn't want to draw too much attention to herself, but she wanted to feel like something else entirely when she met him—not a princess, not a dutiful daughter, but just diana.

as the evening descended and the castle grew quiet, diana slipped out of her chambers and made her way to the gardens. the cool night air sent a shiver down her spine, but it was the kind of chill she welcomed. it felt like freedom.

the garden was bathed in soft moonlight as she approached the spot felix had mentioned. there was no one else around, the usual palace security nowhere to be seen. it was as if the world had been suspended just for them. diana's breath caught in her throat as she scanned the area, her eyes searching the shadows.

and then, she saw him.

felix stood by a rosebush, leaning against the stone wall with his hands in his pockets. the soft glow of the moon highlighted his features, making him look almost ethereal. when he saw her, his face broke into that familiar, heartwarming smile, and it was all diana could do not to run to him.

"you came," he said, his voice a gentle whisper carried on the breeze. "i wasn't sure if you'd be able to make it."

diana smiled, walking toward him with purpose. "i couldn't resist. you promised me a gift," she teased, her voice light despite the tension that was still inside her.

felix chuckled, stepping forward to meet her. "i'm afraid my gift isn't something you can wrap up in paper. but it's something i think you'll appreciate."

he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. it wasn't much—just a simple, unadorned wooden box—but there was something undeniably personal about the way he held it out to her. diana's curiosity piqued, and she took the box from him, careful not to drop it.

"go ahead," felix encouraged. "open it."

with a soft click, diana opened the box to reveal a delicate silver necklace inside. it was simple, elegant, and beautiful in its understated design. a small pendant shaped like a crescent moon, the silver polished to a soft sheen. diana's breath caught in her throat as she traced the edge of the pendant with her finger.

"it's... beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. she looked up at felix, her eyes filled with emotion. "why did you get this for me?"

felix smiled softly, his eyes warm. "because i wanted to give you something that wasn't tied to your title. something that was just for you, not the princess, not the royal duty. just... diana."

diana's chest tightened as she felt a tear well up in her eye. for the first time in so long, she felt seen—truly seen—for who she was. not for the role she had been born into, but for the person she had the right to become.

"thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "this means more to me than you could ever know."

felix stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "i'm glad. i want you to have something to hold onto, something that reminds you that there's more to life than what's expected of you. you deserve to be happy, diana. you deserve to live your life the way you want to."

the sincerity in his words settled in her chest like a balm, soothing the ache that had been there for so long. for once, diana didn't feel like she was suffocating under the weight of expectations. she felt free—free to be herself, to embrace whatever this was between them.

"you're right," she said softly, taking the necklace in her hands. "and i don't want to give up on that."

felix's gaze softened, and he gently cupped her face in his hands. "don't," he said. "don't ever give up on yourself."

before she could say anything else, he leaned in and kissed her—gentle at first, testing the waters, before the kiss deepened. diana's heart raced, her hands finding their way to his chest as she kissed him back. the world seemed to disappear around them, leaving just the two of them in that quiet garden, under the light of the moon.

for a brief, perfect moment, it felt like nothing else mattered.