Chapter 21 — Known Jealousy

Immediately, Ivan thought of a plan to cope up with the situation at hand. "Jasper, I didn't ask for white roses. I told you to bring red roses."

Rain and Diana turned their gaze at the innocent Jasper. "Eh? No? I clearly heard white roses," Jasper protested.

Sorry, brother, Ivan apologized to Jasper in his mind. "Red roses are Rain's favorite." Rain's face brightened up. Ivan wanted to give her a bouquet of red roses, and she couldn't be happier. But Diana was hurt. She wanted to tear up.

"Aw. Thank you, Ivan," Rain was saying, trying to take the bouquet from his hand, but Ivan shifted away.

"Since he already brought white roses, I might as well as give it to Diana. It's her favorite," he breathed out, making Diana's eyes grow wider. Jasper raised his eyebrows in suspicion.

"Diana is sick. You need to give flowers to the sick person," Rain mumbled, nodding her head as if she solved the greatest mystery of her life. "You can give it to her. I don't like white roses. They are boring." Diana resisted an urge to punch Rain for insulting her favorite flowers.

Jasper heard footsteps approaching, so he grabbed Rain's arm and dragged her away from the room, leaving Diana and Ivan alone—with the bouquet.

"Uh, Diana, this is for you." Ivan handed her the bouquet like the prince he was, but unfortunately, it wasn't received in a princess-ly manner. Diana threw the flower bouquet back at him.

"I don't need your sympathy. Jerk," Diana let out in annoyance, pulling her blanket over her head.

Ivan was dumbfounded. Where did I go wrong? Wondering, he put the bouquet on the bedside table.

Giving me something that he was supposed to give to Rain. How dare he? Who needs his flowers? He can eat them for all I care, Diana fumed in anger, deciding to give him the cold-shoulder treatment.

***

"I hired a professional choreographer for all of you. Everyone, meet Albert," Ruyeli introduced the blonde choreographer to everyone.

After the flower selection, it was time to learn the pre-wedding dance. Diana was still cranky, and since she decided to not utter a word in front of Ivan since yesterday, it made Ivan anxious.

Along with the bride and groom, Jasper and Rain were present as well. According to the rituals, the best man and bridesmaid were supposed to dance as a pair. Rain was unhappy about the whole situation.

While Ruyeli and Albert were showing the dance steps, Ivan was secretly glancing at Diana. She had a pissed off expression on her face; even Albert was afraid to approach the future queen.

"So, let's get started," Albert told the four of them and played the music.

Ivan held out his hand to Diana and offered, "Shall we?"

"I don't want to," Diana flat-out rejected, much to Ivan's disappointment.

"But Diana, you need—" Ruyeli tried to persuade her, but Diana sternly shook her head, making Ruyeli sigh in disappointment.

"I'll observe for a while," Diana said.

Ivan huffed and sat beside her. He was getting annoyed with her ignorance towards him, but he kept his patience. Not to mention that Diana in her period was the worst. She exhausted the poor maid who brought breakfast for her in the morning by making her bring different types of food.

Diana was very picky about food during her lady-cycle. Almost nothing satisfied her. That's why Ivan was staying cautious.

Meanwhile, Rain and Jasper were trying to dance. Jasper was perfect, but his partner wasn't leaving out any chances of stepping on his feet. Jasper didn't say a word, not until he felt like he couldn't handle it anymore. Rain was awful at dancing. She was practically digging her heels on his shoes.

"Ah! Be careful, for God's sake. I need to be able to walk on the wedding day!" Jasper exclaimed, crying out in agony.

"I'm trying, okay?" Rain retorted, before stepping on his shoe, again.

Ivan and Ruyeli were having a hard time trying not to laugh out loud. Diana was getting irritated at Rain.

"How can someone be so bad at everything? Like how?" The question had become a mystery to Diana. Ivan chuckled, making her groan in frustration. "You don't get to laugh," she rebuked, shooting him a glare.

What can cheer her up? Ivan wondered, putting his hand on his head. An idea popped in his brain. He dashed to their bedroom and brought back Diana's favorite dark chocolate.

He handed it to Diana, who stared at him with a blank look. Little did he know that he was digging his own grave by giving her the chocolate.

"What is this?" she questioned.

He answered shrugging his shoulders, "Chocolate, for you."

"Do you think I don't have eyes? I can clearly see that." She crossed her arm against her chest.

"That's not what I meant." He scratched the back of his neck.

"Why did you bring it?" Ivan was going to open his mouth, but Diana beat him to it, "Did I want chocolate?"

"You're in a bad mood. I thought chocolate could cheer you up," he reasoned out.

"Who said I was in a bad mood? Did I say I wanted to eat chocolate?" Ivan remained silent while she continued, "Did I?"

"No. I thought—"

"Who told you to think? Did I?"

"No. I—"

"Who said you can answer? Did I?" Ivan shook his head like an obedient kid. Diana further spoke, "Why aren't you saying anything? Have you lost your voice?"

His eyes widened at her contradictory words. "You told me not to—"

"If I tell you not to do something, will you listen to me every time? If I said, 'don't breathe,' would you stop breathing? No, right? Can't you use your own brain?"

Ivan wanted the earth to swallow him. He never faced such a tough debater. But one got to hand an award to him for having the patience to not yell at her. He was a living example of the word 'tolerance'.

"I'll keep it in mind next time." His shoulders slumped down in defeat.

"Whatever." Diana rolled her eyes and grabbed the chocolate bar from his hand and started eating it. Ivan's expression was worth watching. His jaw literally touched the floor.

"If you were going to eat it, why did you even—ugh!" Groaning, he sat beside her.

"You have a problem when I eat it, you have a problem when I don't eat it. You're irritating!" Throwing the chocolate wrapper at Ivan, Diana stomped to the center where everyone was practicing dance steps.

"When did I say I had a problem?" Ivan muttered to himself and gave up thinking. He relaxed, leaning his back against the sofa.

Diana blurted out suddenly, "Albert, practice with me."

Ivan's ears perked at the mention of another man's name out Diana's mouth.

"What about your partner, Your Royal Highness?" Albert asked.

"I don't like to dance with irritating people," Diana interjected and placed her hand on Albert's shoulder.

"As you wish, Your Royal Highness," Albert let out, placing his hand on her waist.

Ivan started seeing red everywhere. His fist clenched into a ball. Calm down, Ivan, he consoled himself and continued glaring daggers at them.

Diana ignored Ivan and continued dancing with Albert. Albert was getting uncomfortable with dancing with the future queen, not to mention she was in a horrible mood.

"Albert, you're too stiff. Relax. I'm not going to chew you alive," Diana joked, noticing his discomfort.

"I'm sorry, Your Royal Highness. It's just that... you're the future queen, and I'm just a choreographer."

"If you don't loosen up, I'm gonna step on your feet. That won't be too nice now, would it?" Diana smiled.

"You're not like how I imagined you to be," he complimented, slightly aware of the piercing glares behind his back.

"How did you imagine me to be?" Diana was curious. She wanted to know how people viewed her before meeting her in person.

"Like Ms. Summers, to be honest." Hearing his answer, Diana burst into laughter.

That was it for Ivan's patience. Diana's laughter came to an abrupt stop when Ivan grabbed her wrist and pulled her to himself. Her chest collided with his.

Albert scooted away immediately so that he didn't become the third wheel.

Diana's brown eyes locked with his green ones. Ivan pulled her closer by her waist as Diana placed her hand on his shoulder.

Ivan brought his face close to her ears and whispered, "Don't get too friendly with other guys."

"Why?" she asked, her breath swallowing due to their proximity.

"I don't like it." That was all he said, and Diana didn't dare say anything. She was the worst in her periods, but an angry Ivan was worse than the worst.

They continued practicing their dance in silence until Ivan calmed down. Eventually, they engaged in a friendly conversation, laughing, and having fun with each other.

Rain was already upset with the pairings, but seeing Diana and Ivan enjoying themselves was worse. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes. Jasper noticed it and made her rest her head on his chest so that she wouldn't be able to see the other couple.

From afar, Suzanne was watching with an amused smile on her lips. Ruyeli approached her when the dance practice was almost over.

Seeing the unusual triumphant smile, Ruyeli couldn't help but ask, "What are you so happy about, Suzanne?"

"Can't you see it for yourself?" Suzanne's eyes were fixed on her elder son and daughter-in-law.

"No?" Ruyeli was confused.

Suzanne chuckled. "Can't you see the love between them?"

It took a moment for Ruyeli to register what Suzanne told her. A gasp escaped her mouth when she understood what the queen meant. "Finally! It's about time," Ruyeli squealed.

Suzanne was proud of her achievement. She had accomplished her goal. The main purpose of them staying together in the same room was fulfilled. She breathed out, "Ivan and Diana are in love."