𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝟯𝟭

THE GALA IN PARIS WAS EVERYTHING DIANA HAD EXPECTED—OPULENT, dazzling, and suffocating. chandeliers cast golden light over the ballroom, illuminating the sea of finely dressed aristocrats and dignitaries. diana moved through the crowd with practiced poise, a gentle smile painted on her face as she exchanged pleasantries with the guests. her parents' watchful eyes were never far, and she knew every gesture she made, every word she uttered, was being scrutinized.

her dress—a gown of deep sapphire blue that sparkled under the lights—had been chosen for her, as had everything else that evening. she felt like an ornament on display, something beautiful but lifeless, crafted to please and perform. around her, the other guests mingled and laughed, seemingly at ease in this world she found so confining.

as she danced with suitor after suitor, young men introduced with polished smiles and pedigreed names, diana felt an ache building within her. she had learned early on how to shield her emotions behind a serene mask, but tonight, the weight of her choices—or lack thereof—felt unbearable. she was a princess, born into a life of privilege and duty, but for the first time, she realized that meant almost nothing. none of these people knew who she really was. none of them saw her heart.

well, almost none.

just as the orchestra began a new piece, diana glanced across the room and caught sight of a familiar figure standing at the edge of the ballroom. it was felix, watching her from the shadows, his dark eyes filled with something she hadn't seen from him before—a mix of defiance and longing. he hadn't been invited to the gala, of course; his presence here was a breach of every rule and expectation. yet, here he was, a silent rebellion against everything she had been told to accept.

diana's heart leapt at the sight of him, and in that moment, the rest of the room faded into the background. she knew this was reckless, dangerous even, but she couldn't turn away. without a second thought, she excused herself from her current dance partner and, under the guise of a graceful exit, made her way toward the doors.

as soon as she was out of sight of the crowd, she quickened her pace, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors. she found felix waiting just beyond the grand hall, leaning against the wall with a soft, mischievous smile.

"you're not supposed to be here," diana whispered, though her voice was laced with relief and excitement.

"i know," felix replied, his smile widening as he straightened up. "but i couldn't let you go through this alone. it didn't feel right."

her heart swelled with gratitude and something deeper—a fierce, uncontainable love that was becoming harder to hide. without thinking, she reached out and took his hand, pulling him into a quiet corner where they wouldn't be seen.

"felix," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, "being here... it could get you in so much trouble."

he squeezed her hand, his gaze unwavering. "i don't care about the rules, diana. not when it comes to you."

they stood in silence for a moment, their hands entwined, the world outside seeming to hold its breath. diana could feel her pulse quicken, the thrill of being so close to him overwhelming. in a world where every choice was made for her, felix was the one thing that felt like hers alone.

"i can't keep doing this, felix," she admitted, her voice cracking. "this... pretending. acting like i'm someone i'm not. every time i'm here, i feel like i'm suffocating."

felix's thumb gently traced circles on the back of her hand, grounding her. "then don't," he said softly, his voice a balm to her troubled heart. "you don't have to be what they want you to be. not if it doesn't make you happy."

diana looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "but how? how do i live a life that isn't mine?"

he paused, considering her words carefully. "maybe... maybe it starts by taking small steps. doing one thing, even if it's tiny, that's just for you. something that reminds you of who you are, not who they want you to be."

she took a shaky breath, letting his words sink in. it was such a simple idea, yet it felt like a lifeline. maybe she couldn't dismantle the life she was born into overnight, but perhaps she could find moments within it—glimpses of herself that no one else could control.

"you know," felix continued, his tone lightening as he leaned closer, "i happen to know a little café nearby. it's quiet, out of the way... and they serve the best pastries in all of paris."

a laugh escaped her, a genuine sound that felt like a rebellion in itself. "you're impossible," she whispered, smiling up at him. "but if you're suggesting sneaking out of my own gala, then you must be out of your mind."

he shrugged, his grin infectious. "maybe i am. or maybe i just know that life's too short to waste on things that don't make us feel alive."

she looked at him, at the way he seemed so at ease in his own skin, and felt a surge of courage. maybe, just for tonight, she could let go of the expectations, the rules, the suffocating weight of her title. maybe she could just... be.

"let's go," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

hand in hand, they slipped through the side doors of the palace, their laughter muffled as they made their way through the quiet, cobblestone streets of paris. the city lights cast a warm glow over them, and for the first time in a long time, diana felt like she was truly alive.

when they reached the little café, tucked away in a quiet corner, felix ordered two croissants and a pot of tea. they found a small table by the window, where they could watch the world pass by, hidden in plain sight. diana leaned back, her shoulders relaxing as she breathed in the rich, buttery scent of freshly baked pastries.

"you know," she said softly, breaking the comfortable silence, "i haven't done anything like this in... forever. just sitting, eating, being... normal."

felix's eyes softened as he watched her. "you deserve to have moments like this, diana. to just... be."

they sat together, savoring the quiet simplicity of the evening, sharing stories and dreams and stolen glances. with every passing moment, diana felt the invisible walls around her begin to crack, allowing slivers of light to seep through.

"what would you do," she asked, her voice hushed, "if you were in my position?"

felix considered her question, his gaze thoughtful. "i'd probably do something reckless," he admitted, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "but i think... i'd start by being honest with myself. about what i really wanted. and then i'd find a way to fight for it, no matter how hard it was."

diana looked down, her fingers tracing the delicate rim of her teacup. she didn't know if she had the courage to fight—to push against the walls of tradition and expectation that had held her captive for so long. but sitting here, with felix's hand warm and steady in hers, she felt something spark within her, something she hadn't felt in a long time.

hope.

as the evening grew late and the streets outside emptied, they finally rose from their seats, reluctant to leave the cocoon of warmth and freedom they had found in that little café. but diana knew they couldn't stay forever; the world she had momentarily left behind would come calling, and soon, she would have to answer.

they walked back to the palace in silence, their steps slow, as though trying to savor the final moments of their escape. when they reached the grand gates, felix turned to her, his expression serious.

"remember this feeling, diana," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "no matter what happens, remember that you have the power to choose. even if it's only in small ways, you can choose."

she nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude and something more—a fierce determination that, somehow, she would find a way to keep this part of herself alive.