Chapter 24 — Wounded Heart

Rain didn't want to dance with Jasper in the first place. But being the bridesmaid, she had to be with the groom's best man. Moreover, Jasper was making her feel different, which was the first reason for Rain not wanting to be close to him anymore. She wanted to remain loyal to Ivan, come what may.

When Rain left Jasper's arms and later danced with Ivan, she felt different. There were no more sparkles between her and Ivan, she could feel it. I am wrong, she thought to herself. I am over-thinking.

Still, she couldn't help but feel jealous when she saw Diana dancing with Jasper. Even though the dance was over, her mind kept on going over the moment when Diana and Jasper were whispering something to each other during the dance. She hated that. Diana was already close to Ivan, and yet she was getting closer to Jasper as well. A gush of insecurity rushed through Rain Summers. So, she walked towards Diana, who was standing at a corner while glancing at the royal family—withdrawing upon herself with plenty of thoughts.

"Diana, are you okay?" Rain asked.

Diana dropped out of her fallacy and gave a smile, popping out her cute dimples. "Yes. Why did you ask that? Don't I look okay?"

Rain shook her head. "It's nothing like that. It seems like you are in deep thoughts. Is something wrong?"

Diana thought for a while, not knowing what to answer. She couldn't tell Rain that she was rethinking about the runaway plan. She was already attached to the royal family and accepted each member as her own. Diana was not ready to leave them—she didn't want to leave them. She wanted to find a way to stop time. However, when her gaze met Rain's, she shook her head. "Nothing. I am just trying not to make a fool out of myself at this party."

"Well, you were trained by Ruyeli. So, I think you are doing great so far." Rain tried to read Diana's mind. She couldn't decode her exact thoughts, but the look Diana had on her face hinted something, and Rain knew what it was. "Diana, there are less than three days left before the wedding. Have you planned everything? Like... your runaway plan?" She asked Diana further when she stayed quiet, "The plan is still on, right?"

Diana didn't want to answer the question Rain asked. She wished someone would interrupt their conversation. But much to her bad luck, everyone was busy with their own selves. So, she cleared her throat and let out, "Yes, everything is going according to the plan. Don't worry."

Hearing her reply, Rain heaved a sigh in relief. She was so afraid of Diana's answer. Her legs were practically shaking while waiting for Diana to respond. "That's wonderful! I am so happy to have you as a friend, Diana. If it was any other girl, she would've wrapped Ivan around her arms within this time."

Rain pulled Diana into a friendly hug, which made Diana feel guiltier than before. How could she make things go differently? In one way or another, she had to leave the royal family because it wasn't hers in the first place. It was Rain's, not hers.

"Yes, I am leaving soon," Diana mumbled, which was more for herself to hear. She was reminding her mind and heart.

However, Ivan, who was standing a few steps away from them, heard their conversation. His heart stung when he heard that Diana was really leaving him. She didn't even hesitate to answer Rain's question. He should've interfered the moment Rain asked her the question. Maybe then, he wouldn't hear Diana's answer and be hurt.

Doesn't she feel anything for me at all? Even if she likes me, she should tell me before it's too late, he thought. Well, she has Aiden so I cannot expect anything from her in return. She is Aiden's, not mine.

The idea pained him even more than before. He wasn't aware of Aiden and Diana's breakup, so he thought that Diana would run away with her boyfriend.

Diana was not his; she belonged to another man. Ivan was unable to accept the bitter truth. He wanted to go and kiss her at that instant. He wanted to tell the entire world that Diana was his, only his. No one could take her away from him.

"Son, are you listening?" Devin asked. "Ivan?"

Ivan got out of his trance and glanced back at his father. "Yes, Dad?"

The king looked at the woman Ivan's eyes fixated on before his attention turned back to his father. He smiled. "Diana is a wonderful woman. I am proud to have a daughter-in-law like her. She will be a perfect queen, like your mom. Also, I am proud of you for loving such a wonderful girl."

A smile stretched on Ivan's face as his eyes traveled back to the beautiful Diana. "She is really wonderful, Dad." However, his smile was short-lived when he realized that she was leaving him soon. He needed to tell Diana that he liked her before it was too late. He didn't want to regret not telling her the truth. "I am gonna go and talk to her," he said to the king and marched towards Diana, who was taking a drink from the waiter after Rain disappeared from her vision.

As soon as Diana turned around, she saw Ivan and gave him a cute smile, which always brightened his mood. "Were you looking for me?" she questioned, arching an eyebrow.

He cleared his throat and replied, "Yes."

"Did you need something?"

"I just wanted, I…Diana, I li—"

"Ivan, I need to talk to you," interrupted Jasper. Ivan glared at him, as he pulled Ivan's arms, dragging him to another place.

Diana furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Before she could question herself about the current situation, Suzanne appeared in front of her. "Meet my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Diana Stevens," she introduced Diana to some of her friends. Diana politely greeted them and started chatting, making the queen happier than before.

***

Ivan slapped Jasper's arm away and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Jasper let out a humorous chuckle. "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you, Ivan? If I didn't interrupt, do you even realize what problem you could've caused?"

"What problem would arise? I just wanted to tell Diana that I like her. I don't care how she answers. I just want to let her know before it's too late and before I regret my future for not telling her."

"Don't you realize the gravity of this situation?" Jasper burst out. "You love Rain, so you want to marry her. And now you are telling me you like Diana. How can that be possible? Suddenly, you're telling Diana that you love her. Ivan, are you even sure you know what love is?"

"What do you mean, Jasper? Of course, I know what love is. I used to love Rain, but I don't know what changed. I see Diana everywhere. She is always on my mind. I really like her now, not Rain."

"Then why don't you tell that to Rain? If you do, I'm sure she will understand. Then you can stay happily with Diana. There won't be any further complications."

"But I can't! I already promised Rain that I would marry her." Ivan let out a frustrated sigh. "Even Diana promised Rain that she would leave on the wedding day. It's all so fucked up!"

Jasper ran a hand through his hair. "This is all about promises? Some fucking vow! Promises shouldn't be made when you have doubts. How can you commit to something if you cannot trust yourself?"

The two brothers were getting angry, not at each other, but at the situation in hand.

"I want to stay with Diana forever. I don't want her to leave me. The thought of her leaving me... it scares me, Jasper. It really scares me. I don't want to lose her," Ivan mumbled.

"Then do something. There's still a chance for you to change everything. If you cannot do something now, you won't have the game in your hands. Destiny will throw the trump card at someone else." Jasper hated to see his elder brother in a desperate state. The matter was out of control. Ivan started falling for Diana.

Diana and Ivan were meant to be, and they love each other. Jasper was aware of it, but he knew that promises meant a lot in the royal family. Once an oath was made, there was no turning back. Unfortunately, Ivan and Diana promised Rain.

Still, Jasper wanted Ivan to confess his feelings to Diana. Maybe, it would change Diana's mind, and then, he would handle Rain while his brother and sister-in-law became a happy couple.

"What can I do?" Ivan grunted, "Even if I tell Diana that I like her, she will reject me because she's still with that stupid Aiden. He loves her, and she wants to go back to him. She told Rain that she would leave on the wedding day. Nothing can change her plan."

Jasper gaped at his response. Ivan didn't know the truth. He was dumbstruck. "First, I would advise you to think properly. Don't confess your feelings until you are sure about it. If you love Diana, then confess it to her." He further said, "And second, who said that Diana would go back to Aiden? They broke up a few days ago."

Ivan's head snapped in Jasper's direction. "What?"