𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝟯𝟯

AS DAWN BROKE OVER THE PALACE, diana found herself awake, her thoughts drifting to the same place they had every morning for the past few weeks—to felix. even though they hadn't seen each other since the gala, his presence lingered in her mind, filling her days with a quiet warmth and her nights with bittersweet dreams. but beneath that warmth was the ache of knowing how impossible it all seemed.

this morning, however, she found a letter tucked under her door. her heart skipped as she quickly realised it was from him. opening it, she found his familiar handwriting, each word carrying a sense of care and thoughtfulness.

dear diana,
being away from you feels harder than i imagined. i've been thinking of you constantly, of the conversations we shared and the dreams we spoke of that night. i wish we had more time, but even across the distance, i want you to know that i'm here. let's keep writing to each other, if you're okay with that. i hope you're taking care, and that each day brings you a little closer to finding happiness, whatever form it takes.
sincerely yours, felix.

a small smile spread across her face. she traced the lines of his words with her fingers, feeling his warmth reach across the miles. it was the only contact they could have, but somehow, the letters felt even more meaningful.

over the following days, diana found solace in writing back to felix, each letter a chance to pour her thoughts onto the page. she told him about her days, about the small moments that brought her joy or frustration, and even about her siblings—george's boundless curiosity, charlotte's constant questions about what being a princess really meant, and louis's innocent laughter that softened even the hardest days. in turn, felix wrote back with stories of his own, weaving together tales of his life on tour, the thrill of performing, and the exhaustion that came with it, always offering her small glimpses of his world.

as the weeks passed, the weight of diana's royal duties seemed to grow heavier. it was as though her family sensed her distraction, her growing longing for something beyond palace walls. she could feel her parents' concern in their glances, in the subtle way they spoke of her future, always emphasizing the importance of tradition and duty.

one afternoon, as diana was reading one of felix's letters in the palace gardens, her mother approached. kate was graceful as ever, her presence calm and steady. yet there was a certain look in her eyes that told diana this was more than just a casual conversation.

"diana, i wanted to talk to you," kate began, her tone warm but laced with a hint of seriousness. "you've been spending a lot of time here lately. i noticed you've been... quieter."

diana tucked felix's letter out of sight, folding her hands in her lap. "i've just had a lot on my mind, mother."

kate's eyes softened, but there was a trace of concern as she spoke. "i understand that life here can feel... overwhelming, especially now that you're older and your responsibilities are increasing. but diana, we all have our roles to play, and it's important to remember what those roles mean."

diana looked away, feeling a pang of frustration rise within her. "i know my role, mother. but sometimes, i wonder if there's more to life than just following the path laid out for me."

kate took a seat beside her, reaching out to place a gentle hand on diana's. "i had those same thoughts when i was your age. there were times when i wanted nothing more than to step away from the spotlight, to live a life without all of this." she gestured around, her gaze momentarily distant. "but i came to understand that our family, our legacy—it's something we were born into. it's a privilege, yes, but it's also a responsibility."

diana's voice grew quieter. "but what if i don't want that responsibility?"

kate sighed, a hint of sadness in her expression. "it's not a choice we're always given, diana. sometimes, we have to find a way to balance our own dreams with what's expected of us. that balance is part of what makes us who we are."

diana felt her patience waver, her voice betraying her frustration. "so i'm supposed to just give up everything i want? to live a life that's already decided for me, even if it makes me miserable?"

kate's eyes grew sharper, a hint of firmness in her tone. "diana, that's not what i'm saying. i'm asking you to consider the bigger picture. the choices you make don't just affect you—they affect our entire family, our nation."

"but what about my happiness?" diana's voice was barely above a whisper, but her words held a fierce determination. "doesn't that matter?"

kate's expression softened, but her tone remained steady. "of course it matters, diana. but happiness isn't always about what we want. sometimes, it's about finding contentment in what we have, in the people who depend on us."

diana looked away, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "sometimes it feels like everyone expects me to be someone i'm not. that no one cares about what i want, only what i can offer them."

kate's voice grew gentle, and she reached out to touch diana's cheek. "you're right, diana. our lives aren't easy, and the world's expectations can be overwhelming. but you're stronger than you think. you have a light within you, something that sets you apart. if you choose to, you can make a difference, not just for yourself, but for everyone who looks up to you."

diana felt a mixture of gratitude and resentment toward her mother. kate's words were compassionate, but they also held an undertone of duty that diana couldn't ignore. she wanted to believe in her mother's vision, but a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that her own dreams would always be out of reach.

the conversation left diana feeling torn, a swirl of emotions settling uneasily within her. she retreated to her chambers, seeking comfort in felix's letters. reading his words, she felt a renewed sense of strength, a reminder that there was someone out there who understood her heart.

as days passed, diana continued exchanging letters with felix, their connection growing stronger with each note. she cherished every moment spent reading his words, feeling closer to him despite the miles that separated them. yet with each letter, she also felt the weight of her family's expectations pressing down on her, a constant reminder of the life she was bound to by birth.

then, one evening, a formal dinner was held in the palace. dignitaries and guests filled the grand hall, and diana sat beside her parents, her gaze distant as she endured yet another evening of polite conversations and practiced smiles. she was careful to hide her emotions, to present the image of a dutiful princess.

midway through the dinner, her father leaned over, his voice low. "diana, there's something i need you to understand. this life—it's not just about what we want. it's about what's best for our family, for our country."

diana's jaw tightened, but she nodded, knowing there was no point in arguing. "i understand, father."

but in her heart, she felt the growing urge to rebel, to break free from the constraints that bound her. she longed for a life where she could be true to herself, where she could be with felix without the weight of the crown overshadowing her every move.

that night, as she lay in bed, diana made a decision. she didn't know how she would do it, or what it would mean for her future, but she resolved to fight for her happiness, to find a way to keep felix in her life, even if it meant defying the expectations placed upon her.

and with that, a sense of quiet determination settled within her.