𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝟰𝟬

THE PALACE HUMMED WITH QUIET EFFICIENCY as the household prepared for yet another formal event. diana stood in her room, the heavy fabric of her gown pooling at her feet. a team of stylists fussed around her, pinning her hair into an elegant updo and carefully applying makeup that emphasized her natural beauty. but beneath the polished surface, diana's thoughts were a tangled mess.

it had been two weeks since the gala, and though she had written to felix, she hadn't yet received a response. the delay didn't surprise her—letters between continents, especially when sent discreetly, often took time. still, the silence gnawed at her. she missed him, his laughter, his warmth, the way he looked at her as though she were just diana, not the princess of wales.

"your royal highness," one of the stylists said gently, pulling her from her thoughts. "we're nearly finished. would you like to see yourself in the mirror?"

diana nodded, stepping forward to the tall mirror in the corner of her room. the reflection staring back at her was flawless—every detail meticulously crafted to perfection. but it felt like a mask, a version of herself that existed solely for public consumption.

"thank you," she murmured, dismissing the stylists with a polite smile. as the door closed behind them, she allowed herself a moment of solitude, her fingers brushing the pendant around her neck—a small, delicate charm that felix had given her during their first meeting. it was a secret she kept close, a token of their connection that no one else knew about.

there was a knock at the door, and her younger brother george peeked inside. "are you ready, diana? mummy says we need to leave soon."

diana turned, smiling at the sight of her brother. "almost, george. are you looking forward to tonight?"

he shrugged, stepping into the room. "not really. it's just another boring dinner with old people talking about things i don't understand."

diana chuckled, crouching down to his level. "i know it's not the most exciting thing, but it's important. one day, you'll understand why we do these things."

george wrinkled his nose. "i'd rather be playing football."

"me too," diana admitted, ruffling his hair. "but sometimes we have to do things we don't want to."

"like wearing these silly clothes?" he asked, gesturing to his formal suit.

"exactly," diana said with a laugh. "but you look very handsome."

george grinned, his mood lifting slightly. "thanks, diana. you look pretty too."

"thank you, georgie. now run along and tell mum i'll be down in a minute."

as he left, diana straightened, her smile fading as reality settled back in. tonight's event was a state dinner, attended by dignitaries and foreign royals. it was the kind of evening where every word, every gesture, was analysed and dissected by the press and public alike. and with queen elizabeth and prince philip in attendance, the stakes felt even higher.

the grand dining hall was a masterpiece of opulence, with chandeliers casting a warm glow over the polished wood and gleaming silverware. diana entered alongside her family, their presence commanding attention as the room fell silent. she felt the weight of a hundred pairs of eyes on her, each one scrutinising her every move.

as the evening progressed, diana found herself seated between a foreign dignitary and her uncle, prince harry. the dignitary was polite but distant, his conversation limited to formalities. harry, on the other hand, offered a welcome reprieve from the stiffness of the evening.

"you look like you'd rather be anywhere else," harry said, leaning slightly toward her.

"is it that obvious?" diana replied, her voice low enough to avoid being overheard.

"only to someone who knows you," he said with a wink. "what's on your mind?"

diana hesitated, glancing around the room. "it's hard to explain."

"try me," harry said, his tone encouraging. "i might surprise you."

she sighed, her gaze dropping to the glass of wine in front of her. "sometimes i feel like i don't belong here. like i'm just playing a role that doesn't fit me."

harry's expression softened, his playful demeanor giving way to genuine concern. "you're not alone in feeling that way, you know. i've felt it too."

"really?" diana asked, surprised by his honesty.

"of course," harry said. "this life... it's not easy. and it's okay to struggle with it. but you don't have to face it alone."

his words struck a chord with her, offering a glimmer of comfort in the midst of her turmoil. "thank you, uncle harry."

"anytime," he said with a reassuring smile. "and if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me."

later that night, diana retreated to her room, exhausted from the evening's demands. she changed into more comfortable clothing and sat by the window, gazing out at the moonlit gardens. her mind drifted to felix, wondering where he was, what he was doing. she longed to hear his voice, to feel the warmth of his presence.

a soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see charlotte standing there, clutching a stuffed animal.

"charlotte, what are you doing up?" diana asked, her tone gentle.

"i couldn't sleep," charlotte said, her voice small. "can i stay with you for a little while?"

"of course," diana said, holding out her arms. charlotte climbed onto her lap, resting her head against her sister's shoulder.

"diana," charlotte said after a moment, "do you ever feel sad?"

the question caught diana off guard, but she answered honestly. "sometimes, charlotte. everyone feels sad sometimes."

"even princesses?" charlotte asked, looking up at her with wide eyes.

"even princesses," diana said with a small smile. "but it's okay to feel sad. it's part of being human."

charlotte nodded, her expression thoughtful. "do you think mummy and daddy ever feel sad?"

"i think they do," diana said. "but they don't always show it."

charlotte was quiet for a moment, then said, "i think you're the best princess ever, diana."

diana's heart swelled at her sister's words, and she hugged her tightly. "thank you, charlotte. that means a lot to me."

as charlotte drifted off to sleep in her arms, diana felt a sense of peace settle over her. despite the challenges she faced, moments like these reminded her of the love and connection that grounded her.

but as the night stretched on, and diana remained by the window, her thoughts returned to felix. she knew their connection was complicated, that it defied the expectations placed upon her. but in her heart, she couldn't let go of the hope that they might find a way to be together.

somewhere in the distance, a clock chimed midnight, marking the end of another day. diana closed her eyes, her resolve strengthening. no matter what the future held, she would fight for the things that mattered most to her—her happiness, her freedom, and the love that gave her strength.