Chapter 8 — Confusing Relation

Diana didn't know why, but she was getting a weird feeling at the thought of Rain walking in the palace anytime.

Ivan was standing next to her. And so were Jasper, Floresa, and Suzanne.

"She is late, not a very good first impression," Jasper muttered. "Wasn't she supposed to be here by 10 AM?" Jasper was more excited about the arrival of Rain than any other person present in that room.

Ivan was talking over the phone, handling some work. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" He shook his head. "No. Fine, do that."

Diana glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. He was wearing simple black trousers, with a white tee, looking hot as usual. On the other hand, Diana wore a simple black dress that flowed down to her knees. She knew she wasn't going to be anywhere but, in the palace, but her closet was filled with this type of clothes, and it seemed a waste not to wear them. When she asked Ivan about it, he said that the queen herself shopped for Diana, so she had no other choice but to wear them.

A servant carried a suitcase inside the palace, followed closely by a pretty blonde from behind who was ogling at the palace. Then without meaning to, her eyes fell on Ivan and Diana. She dropped her bags and ran to hug them.

"Diana! How are you?"

Diana hugged her back. "I am fine, Rain. What about you? Did you face any trouble while coming here?"

"No, of course not. I am so happy to meet you!"

They broke the hug in laughs and giggles. Rain looked at Ivan who was looking on with a pained look on his face, still on his phone. She wished to hug him tightly too, but it was not possible with everyone watching them.

Even though he saw her, he did not hang up on his call. But when Diana glared at him, he said his final words and ended his call sheepishly.

"Welcome, Ms. Summers."

Rain furrowed her eyebrows. Why wasn't Ivan calling her by her first name? What was with the formality?

"I guess it is mandatory for the royal family to be formal to everyone. Maybe that's why he's acting," Diana whispered to Rain, explaining Ivan's moves. Rain nodded in relief.

"Ms. Summers," Jasper called out, walking towards their direction. "You were supposed to be here by ten a.m. Why were you late?"

"Well, I am just visiting my friend. I didn't think it was some sort of occasion where arriving on time was mandatory."

Diana gasped at her response. How could she say such a thing to the prince in front of the Queen of England and the Duchess of Sussex?

Suzanne's hatred for Rain increased upon hearing her reply. "This is why I don't like her," she mumbled, but Ivan didn't fail to hear that. Even he was disappointed with Rain's reply.

"Punctuality is very important here. If you are going to stay here, you must abide by the rules of the palace. Understood?" asked Jasper.

Rain was about to respond, but Diana interrupted, "Of course she understands that. Let her rest first and then you can enlighten her about the rules after."

"I am going to attend a business meeting," Ivan was about to go, but Diana held him back. In the absence of the king, Ivan was handling everything.

Diana's eyes showed her confusion. She tried to scan his emotions. Why was he going without meeting Rain personally? Wasn't he happy?

"I am going to show Ms. Summers her room." Jasper sensed the tension between them and sauntered away with Rain. Suzanne and Floresa went in another direction together.

Ivan patiently waited for Diana to speak, and she asked, "Ivan, why are you going without properly greeting Rain in person?"

"Rain will stay here for two months, we have plenty of time for that. Besides, I'll have to talk to her at night when she comes into our bedroom. There's no doubt in that." He didn't understand why he was feeling annoyed with Rain's appearance. He knew he was supposed to be happy because he got to meet her after two years. However, his heartbeat didn't flutter as it used to when he saw her today. It did palpitate like crazy before, but that was during High School and College days.

Diana didn't fail to notice the emphasis he put on 'our bedroom.' If only the situation was different, her heart would've leaped for joy. But it was not the right time at all.

"Okay." She forced herself to smile. "I will give her company until you return. Have a nice day raging war with your eyelids! Oh! And don't fall asleep."

Ivan let out a chuckle. "I will try not to."

She let go of his hand and they both went different ways. Diana was about to go to Rain's room with the help of a maid, but Mark, the queen's personal assistant, sprouted out of nowhere, stopping her. "I am sorry to interrupt, Your Royal Highness, but Her Majesty wanted to talk to you. She called you in her chamber."

Diana didn't understand why she was addressed as Your Royal Highness; the title was only for the prince or the princess. As far as she knew, she wasn't a princess. Still, Diana nodded and followed Mark to the queen's room.

Inside the queen's chamber, a woman whom Diana assumed as Suzanne's personal beautician was doing the queen's hair. When Suzanne saw Diana, she waved at the woman, and she scurried away.

Suzanne smiled warmly at her, which Diana returned. "Did you call me, Yo—" Diana corrected herself just in time, "—Mom?"

"Yes, please have a seat." She gestured to a chair next to her. "You look wonderful today."

"Thank you," Diana mumbled.

"Tomorrow morning, your trainer will come. She was supposed to come today but something came up. She will be your personal assistant from here on, she will handle everything. I instructed her to not handle your styling though because your fashion sense perfectly matches mine. However, to be a queen, you are yet to learn a lot of things. Ruyeli will teach you everything."

She grinned. "You're calling her Ruyeli instead of Ms. Stainer. It seems you've known her personally for a long time now."

Suzanne let out a small laugh. Diana never failed to amuse her, be it a matter of entertainment or wits. "You are right. Ruyeli is a younger cousin of mine."

"I will give my best in the training."

Diana knew that the training would be futile because she was extremely sure Rain would become the next Queen of England, but she decided to join anyways because she would be bored in the palace without doing any kind of work. Moreover, she could teach Rain everything she was learning so that Rain could also be trained for becoming the next queen.

"We fixed the wedding date after two months because a month is needed for your royal training alone. Wedding preparations will start next month. I will shortlist the flowers, the decorations, and everything. And since we have the same taste, it would be easier for you to choose among the chosen shortlists."

Suzanne was genuinely nice. She wanted a perfect girl for Ivan, and she knew that Rain was anything but perfect for her beloved son. She'd make Ivan fall for Diana somehow, even if it meant portraying herself as a villain.

Diana glanced at the queen. She couldn't believe that despite being so sweet, Suzanne was doing injustice to them. Diana wanted to ask her why; after all, the queen definitely had a reason behind it. But she refrained herself from asking, two months would pass by quicker than any of them would notice.

"Thank you," Diana said, standing up as well when the queen stood. Surprisingly, Suzanne pulled her into a hug.

"You are a wonderful girl. I know you won't disappoint me."

Dumbfounded and unable to respond, Diana simply hugged her back. Hugging the queen reminded her of Merida. Suzanne was really like a mother to her. She was even told to call her Mom.

After the hug, they talked for a few more minutes. It was nice as Diana enjoyed her company, they even had lunch together. She almost forgot about everything that was happening in her life.

When Diana and Suzanne's talk had finished, Diana decided to check on Rain. She was about to enter Rain's room but stopped when she heard voices from inside. The door was slightly open, so she peeked in.

"I missed you so much, Ivan!" Rain gushed, placing her head on Ivan's chest.

Ivan's back? thought Diana. But he didn't drop me any messages! The mistake hurt her. I am not his girlfriend, but I am his best friend and roommate, not to mention fiancée!

Ivan hesitantly patted Rain's back. He wasn't feeling uneasy, no. He felt completely numb. Rain wasn't giving any 'affection effects' on him like how she used to before. Why is this happening? he thought. Is there something wrong with my feelings?

Diana decided to not linger outside any longer and entered the room. Rain and Ivan could hug or kiss, she shouldn't care. She had a boyfriend after all.

"Hello, lovebirds!" she chirped. In an instant, Ivan pulled himself away from Rain.

"Ivan, what's wrong? It's Diana, not anyone else." Rain tried to snuggle back into his chest, but he took a step back.

"I just got back. I need to freshen up."

"Aww! You came to meet me as soon as you returned. How romantic!" Rain gave him a smitten look, making Ivan shrug.

"Diana, I need your help with something. Come with me." He grabbed Diana's hand in front of Rain, who noticed and frowned.

Diana pulled her hand back at the very moment. "I didn't get to talk with Rain the entire day. I am here to spend some time with her."

"You can talk to her later. Come with me." He tried to entwine their hands again, but Diana moved away.

"Sure, after you, Your Royal Highness."

Ivan let out a frustrated sigh. Why isn't she letting me hold her hand? Why is it affecting me in the first place? he thought and walked out of the door.

"Maybe it's related to work. How about you come to his room after I drop you a message? We can talk then," Diana said to Rain. She shot her a bright smile.

"Okay! I will unpack since I didn't get to do so as Jasper was talking about the rules the entire day." Rain sat on the bed.

Diana snickered then she was on her way to Ivan's room. It was a long walk. Either he was walking slowly so that Diana met with his pace, or she was walking faster than usual to catch up with Ivan, but she met him on the way.

"Why is Rain's room so far away from us? It's been more than five minutes since we have been walking," Diana complained, trying to start a conversation. "You can tell me what you wanted to talk about. This walk seems never-ending."

"It's a fifteen-minute walk. Mom arranged this on purpose because she didn't want Rain to interrupt us. This is her plan," he responded. "I am glad that she at least placed her room next to Jasper's. He can give her company."

"Why does Jasper need to do that? You can give her company."

He glanced at her. She was speaking as if nothing was affecting her. Why would it affect her? She has her own boyfriend. The idea of Diana talking to Aiden made Ivan uncomfortable.

"I will be busy."

She sighed. "Ivan, she told me to bring her here so that she could spend time with you. Even if you are busy, you have to give her time."

Ivan hummed in response. Talking to Rain over the phone was different than meeting her personally. When he met Diana, it wasn't awkward for him at all. He felt like he knew her very well. Even though they were meeting for the first time, it felt like meeting was something they always did.

When they got into the room, Diana asked, "For what did you need my help with?"

Ivan twitched his lips whilst thinking. After some time, he replied, "I forgot. I will tell you once I remember." He took his clothes from the closet room. "I am going to take a bath."

Diana arched an eyebrow. "His behavior seems weird. What's bothering him?" she asked herself. While Ivan was taking a bath, she texted Rain to come to her room.

Rain_Summers: Okay! I will be there ASAP.

Diana kept waiting for her, lying on the couch, and started continuing to read the story on Wattpad. She didn't remember when her eyelids closed.

***

Ivan was trying to think about everything while soaking in the jacuzzi.

He didn't go to meet Rain once he returned to the palace, he wanted to talk to Diana. He had no important work, nor did he need help. He just wanted to see her. He thought that she was with Rain, that's why he directly went to her room. When he found only Rain, he wanted to leave, but she thought that he was there for her and pulled him into a hug.

It has been less than a week since he met Diana personally. Why was she already affecting him?

"No, this shouldn't happen. I am a calm and understanding person. I only love Rain. Diana is just my best friend. She has always been my best friend," he muttered. He only liked the way Diana always supported her. He always appreciated her. Ivan wanted to love Rain and get her love in return which he was getting, so what was the problem?

He loved Rain, which was why he had her picture on the wallpaper of his phone. Then why was his password Diana's birthday?

He chuckled remembering the time when Diana taught him how to remember her birthday through Instagram messages.

Diana_Stevens: Didn't u learn the multiplication table in school? It's very simple. 9×2= 18, this is the day while 9×1= 9 is the month. See?

Ivan_Cands: XD. That's a nice way to remember.

Since then, his password has become 1809. He found it as a nice way to never forget Diana's birthday. Plus, no one would ever be able to guess the password.

He always had questions about his relationship with Diana. It was complicated before she said that they were best friends, but now, it put him at ease, and he went with the flow. He still didn't understand if they were really best friends or there was more to it. He didn't want to think about it.

Now, he had to think about it as he was getting more confused about everything. He had to come to a conclusion because destiny was pushing them together. There had to be a motive behind that. After all, fate didn't play games without any reason.