Chapter 13 — Sudden Realization

Diana was very excited. She had completed the training given by Ruyeli earlier than usual. Understanding her condition, Ruyeli didn't impose more pressure on her, though she continued pushing Diana's feelings for Ivan, which were getting stronger day by day.

"Ivan will come home today, finally!" Diana let out. She was cleaning their already cleaned bedroom. In the absence of Ivan, she didn't skip the opportunity to sleep on the bed. She missed him immensely and she could feel him next to her when she slept on the bed.

When the screen of her phone illuminated, she grinned widely.

Ivan_Cands: Today, I will hug someone and let that person know how much I have missed her.

Diana_Stevens: What if that person didn't miss you?

Ivan_Cands: Then I will remind her of the position we were in before someone interrupted the last time we were together. What do you think of that idea, Princess?

Diana could feel her cheeks blushing red in embarrassment. Even though Ivan was away, he always chatted or face-timed Diana, just like how they used to do when she was still in the United States.

Earlier, they flirted secretly, but along the lines, with the confession of their liking to their own selves, they started flirting openly. It was as if the lives started revolving around them. They forgot to notice bigger factors amid the small and cute gestures.

"Your Royal Highness, Prince Ivan is here," one of the maids informed Diana, knocking on the door. She became habituated with being called 'Your Royal Highness' now. Diana nodded and dashed out of the room.

She was wearing a white jumpsuit, which fitted her perfectly. After all, white was Ivan's favorite color. Her long brown hair was tied in a bun.

When she arrived in the garden, Diana saw others waiting for Ivan as well. The king returned five days ago but had to go to travel again so he wasn't with them as they waited for Ivan.

"Hey, Diana!" Jasper greeted, standing next to her. "Are you gonna jump on my brother after he comes out of the jet?"

Diana arched an eyebrow. "No. Why would I do that?"

"Really? Your face seems to be agreeing to the question I asked," he mocked. "It also appears like you guys are doing perfectly awesome. It feels good to know."

Diana remained quiet and saw Ivan approaching them. She felt blessed after she saw his handsome face again. It had been a long time since she last saw him, and she would be lying if she said that she didn't feel his presence everywhere.

Suzanne pulled Ivan into a hug, followed by Ruyeli and Jasper. When Diana was about to hug Ivan, Rain jumped in, wrapping her arms around Ivan.

"Welcome back, Ivan!"

Everyone stood dumbstruck by the sudden action of Rain. Suzanne glared at Jasper, who averted his gaze. His eyes fell on his brother's supposed-to-be bride.

Diana's excitement flushed down the depths of her gut as if a gush of realization hit her. It pained her when she saw Rain hugging Ivan, but it made her realize that she was feeling the wrong emotions after all this time. Rain had the only right on Ivan in the first place. She deserved the place Diana was in. Rain must be having a hard time sharing Ivan with a girl who was known as the fiancée of Prince Ivan.

Feeling guilty after thinking about Rain and Aiden, Diana knew that she and Ivan could never be together. Ivan loves Rain and nothing can change that. The moments he had with me were temporary. There's nothing else, Diana assured herself.

She saw the big grin plastered on Rain's face. "I cannot break any more hearts," Diana mumbled to herself. Without a second thought, Diana rushed to her room. She didn't want to see the looks of pity from Jasper and Ruyeli. Nor did she want to see the glare of the queen. The lovely expression of Ivan would've pained her more.

After a while, Diana stood on the balcony, overlooking the entire city. The scenery was indeed beautiful. Ever since she had that episode with Ivan in that place, she continued watching the scenery from there every day. It would give her peace.

"Whatever is happening, all I know is I'm doing it the wrong way. I am supposed to escape, not start falling for Ivan," she reminded herself. "Falling in love is a sin for me now."

She pushed a few fringes of her brown hair out of her face, trying to think of what she should do. After a while, she knew what she had to do. The idea that popped in her mind made sense.

Diana took her phone from the pocket of her jumpsuit and dialed a number.

"Hello?" Aiden spoke from the other side of the phone. "Diana? Are you okay? You've finally called me. I was buying my tickets to London and—"

"Aiden," she whispered, closing her eyes. She hadn't contacted Aiden for more than two weeks. Each time he called, she didn't answer and ignored his texts.

"Diana, is Ivan giving you a hard time? Did he do something because if he did, I swear I'll—"

"I cannot do this, Aiden," Diana's voice broke as she spoke.

Aiden sighed. "What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath. "I cannot do this anymore, Aiden. We're over."

"What about us?"

"There is no us anymore. This is it. Our journey ends here."

A tear slid from Aiden's eyes. He knew Diana didn't love him, but he was hoping that she would fall for him one day. He always feared that Diana would leave him. Now, the fear he had become true.

"It can't be. What is the problem, baby? Just share it with me. I am sure we can solve it out together. Just tell me the problem and I'll work it out."

She shook her head. "We cannot happen, Aiden. It's over."

"Is it because you fell for that silly prince?" When Diana stayed quiet, Aiden let out sternly, "Answer me, Diana."

"I am sorry," Diana mumbled before cutting off the call. She looked at the beautiful blue sky, feeling a little bit satisfied. "I finally did one right thing."

***

Ivan pushed Rain away and was about to run after Diana when he saw her walking away. Jasper stopped him and whispered, "Let Rain go and check on her. Come with me."

Jasper pulled Ivan with him, before nodding his head towards Rain. She understood and went to find Diana, still unaware of the real reason why Diana sauntered away.

The said girl was still on the balcony. She made another decision, which she should have done a way long back. It was as if life was being cruel to her.

Earlier, she wanted to run back to Aiden after she broke up with him. She thought it would be easy. But who knew things would take a different turn? At least, Diana didn't think like that.

She didn't want to hurt anyone anymore. Playing games with emotions wasn't something Diana was a fan of. In fact, she was afraid of this specific game human beings played.

It was better to hurt my own self than to harm other people, she thought.

"I'll run away from here with my mom. I cannot leave her alone after I escape. She will face humiliation," Diana muttered. "I'll simply vanish from everyone's life on the wedding day. It will feel like Diana Stevens never existed. I will disappear with Mom."

She knew it was the only wise decision left if she didn't want to destroy anyone's life. She already broke Aiden's heart. Breaking Rain and Ivan's hearts were not something she wanted. Knowing her ex-boyfriend, he would understand and move on, even though he would have a hard time.

How could destiny be so cruel? Why didn't things go differently? Why did she become royally chosen out of all the girls living in the country?

These questions were definitely unanswered, but Diana knew that being royally chosen, she had ruined everyone, and she would do anything to put everything in the right place. Even if she had to cross the limit.