**3rd Person POV**
“Their actions will not go unpunished. Once Lowell resumes court he would find that he has been excused from all his duties. They will keep their title but they will no longer have a say in my government,” replied Alison. Harlin was not satisfied but it was a start. He knew that the Lowell's would only end up buying the opinions and votes of the other ministers. Harlin thought about this for a minute and realised it was not so bad after all. He could actually investigate Lowell and he was certain that since money would exchange hands he could prove that the Lowell's were a corrupt family.
****
Regina had been surprised to receive the letter stating that Diane was getting married. She had considered the possibility that it was Dagen picking up where he'd left off, trying to convince her that he loved but she could not ignore her friend. It had been a long time of course and her stubbornness had made her stay away from Dagen and thus she had stayed away from his palace and pack. If she was being honest, she was surprised that Diane still remembered her at all.
The news of her former maid’s marriage made her think back in time. She had known that Diane was having an affair with Edvin but she had never thought that Edvin would make an honest woman out of her or that Diane would still be with the same man after so many years.
She tried not to think about anything else though as she entered Edvin's home where the ceremony was to take place. She had timed her coming so that she would arrive exactly when it would start so she would not have to deal with Dagen before then.
Edvin's Butler showed her the way in and she was escorted to Diane's room.
“Diane! How long has it been?” Regina squealed. She was super excited to see her former maid and friend. When she had come to the Shadowclaw pack, she'd had no one but Diane had been a true friend to her. She had not known her but she had helped her get through the worst of times. In fact, she was convinced that it was because of her that Edvin had felt the urgency to help her as much as he had done.
“Forever! I cannot believe you did not reach out to me since you returned to us,” cried Diane. Regina could not believe it too. She had no excuses for not trying to reconnect with Diane.
“I have nothing to say in my defence, dear friend but I am happy to see that you are doing very well. Who would have thought that you would end up with Edvin,” returned Regina with gusto. She was not however prepared for what she heard next, “I'm pregnant.”
“What?” the shock on Regina's face was unmistakable.
“I mean… That is great news!” Regina tried to replace her surprise with excitement. She was genuinely happy for her friend but she had not been expecting news of a pregnancy at all.
“You are very surprised,” said Diane.
“Is that why you're getting married now?” quipped Regina.
“Yes. It is the best I can do for my baby. I have no means in the world but I want to know what you really think. Am I making a mistake?” Diane asked Regina. She had wanted Regina at her wedding because she had wanted her friend's counsel and support.
“I’m not the best person to give you advice. When I was pregnant, my husband was planning to end my life once I had his children so I don't know what to say to you,” said Regina with a sigh. She was not a good judge in this matter.
“So? You have no advice for me?” quipped Diane, looking at her friend with expectant eyes. She hoped to get Regina's insight.
“Does he love you?” Regina asked Diane. She saw her friend’s eye light up at the question. It was clear that Diane was smitten by Edvin. For her friend’s sake, she hoped the same was true for her.
“He does,” came Diane's response.
“Then marry him. If he loves you then marrying him is the best you can do for yourself,” Regina said. Although she had given up on love, she was not going to stop a love match. The fact that she'd had her trust manipulated by one man did not mean that all men were inherently evil, it only meant that she had been unfortunate at love. She hoped that Diane had better luck than she did.
“I believe the wedding was meant to have started an hour ago?” quipped Regina, surprised that nothing was happening.
“The wedding is not until next week,” said Diane, looking at her friend in confusion.
Regina realised too late that she had been conned into coming here a lot earlier than she wanted to. She could not however disappoint her friend now by leaving so she would be stuck here for a week.
“I see.”
“I spoke to Edvin already. You're welcome to stay with us. I understand you do not want to go near the palace,” said Diane. She had known without being told that the reason Regina had failed to reach out had something to do with avoiding Dagen and the hurtful memories she'd acquired in his palace.
“Oh! I cannot impose, Diane. I will find an inn to spend the night,” what Regina wanted to avoid was Dagen. She knew that Dagen and Edvin were very close friends. He could use his friendship with Edvin to visit his friend more than usual if she stayed just so he could see her.
She has managed somehow to raise the twins without being in the same physical space as Dagen. A smile rested on her face when she thought about her children. In spite of all, they had turned out to be remarkable. She was a very proud mother who never got tired of showing off her children's achievements.