Night came, and everything was calm once more.

The crimson moon enlighted the earth, shining its snowy fabulous light through Diana's room window.

She moaned, slowly forcing her eyes open. Her familiar room roof was the first thing her eyes noticed.

Recalled by the reminisce of that tragedy in the forest, She jumped off her back instantly, examing her surrounding. She was in her bed. Relaxed in her room. Her clothes were changed. She scrambled her fingers around her neck. The necklace was still there. Quiet as usual.

That's when she recalled what happened earlier. All the action. The blood on her hands. Louis. The wolf.

The necklace which exploded with illumination to the surroundings just seconds before the 4-legs beast jump from his ambushing place.

She quickly shoved off the cover and got up off the bed. She rushed outside her room. She needs to find out where and what happened to Louis.

With that thought in mind, She scurried towards the door. Only to find two of her dearest friends at the door, another two maids of the queen.

"Thanks, the lord!" One of them stood up and lunged at her with a hug.

The other girl smiled with relief.

"H-Hey, guys" Diana answered with a smile. Hugging back her friend.

It was a good thing to have best friends and girls in the palace. Even if they were 10 years old ahead of you.

The maid who hugged retracted. "What happened back there?! The palace was turned upside down, the queen was about to die of fear, and the poor prince...."

"WHERE IS HE, WHERE IS THE PRINCE?" She jumped with intense curiosity.

"Relax relax. He was taken to a nearby hospital. Whatever attacked both of you, made a horrible job of his arm but it didn't kill him. Or so I believe, He was still breathing last I heard"

On hearing that, she breathed with visible repose. She could now rest assured her mind that he was safe.

The other began. More serious than her earlier friend. "Besides that, Why didn't you leave him anyway, it was your chance to escape!"

"I-I couldn't. He is so..."

"Handsome?" One of them narrowed her eyes teasing her. Diana knew that their intentions were up to no good.

"Kind...he was so kind. I mean he would have given me a nice picnic if not for that wolf. One I dearly desired..." she murmured the last line with a shy smile.

"You aaaareee bluuusshhing" one of them dilated her voice, teasing the girl.

Am I ?!!

Diana exclaimed silently to her herself.

She touched her cheeks. And they had the temperature of the sun.

This is getting embarrassing. Why am I not capable of hiding my emotions anymore?

Ding Dong

The bells banged. The queen was calling a maid to her side.

"I will go, you should rest" The same maid who was teasing her, gave her another hug and left to answer her mistress.

Thanks for the save, my queen. Diana breathed relief.

"Diana"

"Yes?"

"Do you love that boy? Answer honestly, because you are terrible at lying" She confronted her with a direct question.

Diana's mouth opened slightly, taken back by the question.

"I...I...can't...help it" She scratched her arms in awkwardness. Blaming her emotions for it.

The maid's eyes widen in fear. "Well, I will be damned! So, you DO have a crush on Louis!"

"Please, don't tell anyone!"

"Are you nuts!?"

Diana chuckled. "Yeah, probably the most stupid request ever..."

"What!? I can't believe you are that naive! I am talking about the love thing!"

Diana felt a bit insulted and she knew that the coming words won't be swallowed well for her.

"Diana, he is a prince! He can have any girl he wants whenever he wishes. Most of all, he had the same hunger for lust just like his befriended king and I didn't spot the lights on the social miles between you two. Alas, this love is purposed to demise!"

"I...I know, it's just too warm to have those feelings even if it's from one side..."

"To be broken-hearted later?! No. I won't let you do this to yourself!" She insisted.

She put her hands on Diana's shoulders.

"Listen to me, Diana. I am older than you and I know what it feels like to be abandoned by boys like Louis. Take my advice. Dumb those false feelings. Unless he asked for you personally, you- just like me- a mere tool of enjoyment and bragging for those wretched aristocracies. There is no such thing as marriage here. You need to face that. Accept it"

Diana was silent. The tears readied at the verge of her eyes. The unfair life of the palace made her feel its load upon her once more. Even her emotions. One of the natural human beings' characteristics was so restricted that she was about to lose the meaning of her feminism.

Her friend noticed the tears crowding her eyeballs. "Diana, please. I just don't want you to-"

"Not be heartbroken?! Then what do you think I am feeling now?!"

She answered with tears falling over her former blushed cheeks. Engaging in silent weeping.

"Diana..."

Just before the maid could give her condolences for her rough speech, Diana turned around and slammed her room door behind her.

The queen didn't call for Diana for the rest of that day, and on the other side, Diana was never seen that night out of her room again.

....

The next day comes with a different mood.

A small slice of the sun breached the horizon with an upcoming day. The dawn was reaching its end.

Diana's sadness dissolved with time. But her emotions toward Louis pressed against her even more.

She began her day with an unenthusiastic yawn, sitting over her bed with crappy hair and swollen eyes. She was crying all night. She remembered her father, her friends, and her ex-life. She never felt such misery before.

For any viewer, this could be an overstating of pre-existing facts.

But one thing was certain, that boy was so precious to Diana that she didn't know how to think objectively anymore. Her emotions went berserk...

...Why can't she love like any other girl in her age? Because she was pretty?! That was the second time her beauty stood against her happiness. It was unethical and uncomfortable to live in such conditions. And she didn't have much of a space to choose from.

She dressed up as usual. She did her hair as best as she could. In the process, she examined the necklace. The ruby which gave different colors at multiple points of time was silent at this moment.

She stared at the mirror, frowning in despair. Empty of all those joyful moments that she felt that day before back in the woods. She headed towards the door to resume her uttered despicable life.

But just before she caught the door's handle by a second. Someone knocked on the door.

That knock belongs to Lady Anna!

The girl hurried to the door and it was indeed the queen.

Diana bowed with alertness "M'lady! G-Good morning"

The queen didn't answer, instead, she allowed herself in without a word, sitting on Diana's bed.

Her face speaks for her that there was something wrong.

Had my affection for Louis been unmasked!? Thoughts began to crawl over her, flushing anxiety to her heart.

"Did something happen to the prince?". She asked her, trying to seek any valuable info.

No response.

"It's the king, ha? He is furious with me, right?"

"Nah, he was grateful as much" Anna spitted some words.

Diana nodded. But she knew there was more to it. She kept staring at her queen to speak. She knew her majesty had something to say.

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Anna sighed before speaking "I never felt so much danger around my family since my husband's death and I had never been so grateful to a person just as I am now to you"

She continued with a wide smile "I owe you for saving that boy, Darling"

So that was all about it. She eased herself.

"I did what my heart told me to do, my lady"

"What about your mind?" Anna questioned.

"What about it?"

"You had a free horse and Louis had a pocket money that would have given you enough food for the journey to your home. The window was wide open for you to flee. What made you risk your liberation?"

"Because it wasn't right. For me to build my happiness on the sorrow of others". Diana spoke only half the truth. The sole truth that can only be accepted and spoken.

Anna narrowed her eyes and smiled. "Well said"

She came close and allowed her arm to wrap around Diana's back. Hugging her. Their mother-daughter relationship permitted such kindness, Diana knew her quite well. Anna was not the type to feel any source of flinching or fear when she was around her.

"Thank you. For defending my family once again"

Diana closed her eyes, enjoying every bit of this hug. She never knew what's meant to be cuddled between a loving mother's arms. so It was so beautiful to observe such rare courtesy.

She just wished she had been shown the same kindness the day before when her heart was broken beyond repair.

Anna pulled herself out. Putting her hands on the girl's cheeks. And right away, she noticed the girl's swollen red eyes and her hot tempered cheeks

"My, were you crying all night?!" The queen peered with sad sympathetic eyes.

Diana wanted to escape the question. But as her friend said before. She was unlucky when it came to lying.

"That's... correct, my lady"

"Why?! You saved the boy. I spent all yesterday with him and the doctors concluded that marks on his shoulder came from a wolf. A pretty feral one. You were a hero back there! You became the talk of the whole palace, even the king recognized you even more!

"With all due respect, my queen. I don't give a damn!"

Anna blinked with confusion. Pulled back by the manner of talking, she knew Diana very well. She knew she wouldn't cross her line unless she had enough of something or someone in the palace.

"I...I...I am sorry. Excuse my mouth, your majesty. I have just been pissed about what fate decided for me. I really hoped for that hunting trip to continue. I was really enjoying it. I was so happy with the prince's company -that for instance- I forgot what it meant to be a maid."

Anna wrapped her right arm around Diana's back and on her right arm. Pulling her closer to her.

"I know what you have been through, darling. You already faced a lot. But let me tell you something, my girl. I understand that fate may seem...unchanging, but I know... no... I am sure...that there is a great power behind those small eyes of yours. So never despair, I'm always here to support you through it all"

Diana peered through her friendly words. More than happy with the overflow of love that she was offering for a mere ordinary maid.

Diana was not really special, not in any way recognizable, Every single good day that passed in the palace, her lady was the cause of it, starting with the first encounter with the king.

She finally manage to hand a fair smile to Anna

"I was waiting for that smile ages ago! Good , Because I have a surprise for you!"

"What? I will face a crocodile this time?!"

Anna laughed a bit.

"No, this one you really gonna love it for certain" The queen paused a bit while Diana swallowed hard.

"After some moments, I will declare a royal order that you may be granted One free request. Ask anything, and I will grant it for you!"

Diana was nailed in her place. She blinked with excitement.

"A-Anything?!"

"Yep, just don't get yourself hung up and ask for half of the kingdom" Anna chuckled.

"I wouldn't dare. I will find myself beheaded on my pillow the next day"

Anna laughed. "Precisely" she answered.

"Oh, and one more thing. Take today off. To ease your nerves a bit. You can visit the library or the garden to feel peace once again.

"My lady, I...I...don't what to say..."

"You deserve more, my sweetheart. As a queen, I can give that much and more but as an Aunt I would never repay you for the fateful rescue you did yesterday"

The girl rejoiced again. Feeling a passion streaming through her veins once more. "Thank you so much, my queen!" She said with much contentment.

Diana rushed toward the door happily.

But then she stopped in her tracks. Remembering something.

She rotated her face to Anna again. "Um, if you don't mind, may I request another thing aside from the awarded free one?"

"Go on" Anna answered with a great heart.

"C-Can I visit the prince?". Her question is mixed with hesitation.

"No, you can't. However, We can" Anna answered.

Diana caught what Anna meant by that answer. There was an exception to the wrongful principle that Wain imposed. One Anna was sure loved to exploit.

As their direct mistress. Anna can bring any of her girls out of the palace, with the pretext that she may need them anytime.

The king wasn't always pleased with that revolutionary decision, but for sheer luck and his worshipping love, he occasionally overlooked his own arrogant rules for the sake of her persuasive scheming personality.

.

2 hours later...

The queen led the way from her Royal chariot towards the hospital and she noticed how happy Diana was all the way. Her smile hadn't died since the private chat with Anna. That woman indeed was a mother to her.

They reached a big luxurious building. Another one of the milestones of engineering and biology that the capital city held proudly

Everyone in the building bowed while the queen marched through the hall.

They climbed the staircase along with four guards toward his room on the second floor, which was guarded by two additional royal spearmen guards, personally chosen by the king himself.

Philip was one of them.

He peered with surprise as soon as they saw them coming. "MY LADY!" He gasped alerting the guard next to him and they both bowed.

"Did the doctor tell you any further news?" Anna asked.

"Same talking, your highness. His arm is in total disarray. There are fractures all over the upper part of his left shoulder. Alas, There is unbearable tissue damage. They said it would need at least 10 days to recover"

Diana was left with wide eyes and a more powerful desire to enter the room.

"I want to see him!" She pushed with her spontaneous reaction.

The two guards looked at her and then at the queen.

"Let her in. It's only fair. She is the one who saved him"

"Y-Yes. of course, my queen" Philip bowed and hastily opened the door of the room.

"I advise discretion, my lady. He is still sleeping since then" the other soldier said.

They entered the room as quietly as they could. The room itself was empty and huge in space. There wasn't but the bed of Louis and a big window on his right side, serving as ventilation and a good view above the street.

When Diana tried to enter the room, her queen stopped her with a warning hand.

"Can you handle what you are about to see?" Anna asked. Knowing how emotional Diana's character is when it comes to such scenarios.

"Yes," she nodded confidently.

She entered and saw his stable sleeping figure. She came closer to the injured boy...and it was a mess.

She saw Louis laying on the bed with a crazy amount of bandages all over his injured shoulder soaked in dried blood. All his clothes were full of stained blood. His shirt turned into a large piece of rag that barely kept its original colour.

Anna picked a couple of chairs to make the dazzled Diana sit.

"At least, He looks better than when you brought him out of the forest" Anna whispered.

Diana didn't respond. She was too consumed by the sleeping boy's face. Her heart bleeds at his pitchy sight.

"His parents! Did you..." Diana gasped.

"Yes, I sent news to his father. He should be here in a couple of days" Anna whispered back with a comforting smile.

Diana nodded.

The time passed. Louis's eyes were still shut and resting on his back. Nothing major happened. Till the moment the queen excused herself to the toilet.

It was him and her in common solitude. There were no eyes to condemn. No ears to listen to. Cornered between 4 walls, sheltered from the detestable reality outside.

She looked back at the closed door of the room, knowing quite well that she had a very little time to make her bold move.

She extended her hand toward his relaxed fingers, squeezing them gently as she cleared her throat.

"I know, you won't hear what am I about to say but that doesn't deny how true those words are, Prince Louis"

A small smile found her lips.

"I-I was enjoying this picnic or hunt or whatever you want to call it. That ride with you. I hoped for it to prolong than that in the future. Maybe get a bit pushy to actually be your friend..." she sighed. Even during his long sleep, his facial details were elegant.

Or I could have been your sweetheart lover, She dreamed.

With that line ended, she stood up from her chair, uncovering her true endeavour.

She drew near...

Was her following action stemming out of her emotion or gratitude...She wasn't quite sure and she couldn't care less about it.

Her eyes narrowed, while her tiny eyelashes flew when his quiet breaths slammed them. Her heart began to pip like a teapot on flame. It was overwhelmed with stainless passion.

Just before her lips touch. She brushed her golden hair above her ear while she drew her lips nearer to his relaxed face.

Smooch

A kiss on the cheek.

A mere physical gesture that she doubts he would recall when he wakes up.

A thief she was, stealing some happiness between the 4 walls. A happiness that is not for her to owe. But not that she cared anymore. She had a conflict inside herself, one that her emotions always dominate.

She had that delicious wish to become addicted to such feelings. Though, She knew that the heresy she sought would be punished by blind souls if it is revealed in the light.

Why these moral beautiful feelings should be banned from existence!? She may never know.

"Thank you...for your kindness, my prince". She sighed in a mixed air of sadness and love, she was about to pull her hand away...

When it happened.

Louis's hand contracted. caging her hand inside his own.

Diana's eye blinked, peering at her linked hand with him.

"You're most welcome"

He said with a wide smile

Tilting his head slowly towards her with his brown eyes slowly opening

She was about to scream with joy. Louis just snapped out of his coma.

"Oh god! You are awake!" She gasped with a spongy eye.

She was about to shout for the doctors, willingly ready to spread the refreshing news.

"Not a word please! I want to enjoy some peace here with you"

She touched her mouth with her hand, marking her mistake."Um...yea! Right! Sorry" she smiled faintly.

She returned to her seat, in silence. Smiling at his intended closed eyes. Enjoying her hand around his fingers.

"You are good at using weapons...for a girl". He smirked joking, looking at her again with high eyes.

"Says the one who was just saved by one of 'em". She raised an eyebrow.

He chuckled. "Yea, you were amazing back there, Thanks for saving me again...Maid". he smiled. Not giving any concern for what he just said...

This word...

It's meaning...

It came out of him...

Of all people...

In this very instant, something crashed inside her. It was her perfect image of him. All that work of her imagination. All those mad irrational emotions she invested...

The same 4 walls that were secretly holding her love together, became a source of suffocation.

She viciously pulled her hand out of her place away from him.

"Oh, sorry I forgot about your h-"

"What. did.you.Just.call me?!" She said with a dark cloud over her eyebrows.

"Um..." he blinked. He was baffled by the irrelevant question.

"You called me a maid!!"

"Yeah, So? It's just a title, Diana" He waved his other healthy hand indifferently.

"Just a title!? Some words are deadlier than poison, Prince! And I was foolish enough to think you were different than your friend on the throne"

"But I didn't mean it in that way!" He tried to defend himself.

"Then what did you mean about it then, hmm?"

"I...I..." he mumbled. He tied to examine for an exiting excuse but he didn't find any justification.

"That's what I thought. Hear me, Prince Louis, I am not a maid nor slave. I am a girl, a human being with heart and mind who was abducted a year ago against her free will. I didn't choose this life nor will I ever accept it. So, at least if you won't set me free from this cruel way of life...then, at least. Don't mock me with it"

Tears began to gather in her eyeballs. However, this time she had full control of the argument.

The prince noticed the tears despite her harsh straight words. He was stunned at first glance. Searching inside himself for a way to save the conversation.

He frowned. "Please, Y-You misunderstood me, I didn't know that a single word would hurt you that way...."

"Good, now you know"

She wiped up her tears in the most self-esteem state she had. Proud of herself. While she began throwing daggers from her eyes at him.

"Now if you excuse me, I will tell your aunt that you woke up. If you don't really mean what you said. Please, forget this discussion ever happened"

She turned to leave. Ignoring all the pleas to hold on while she was closing the door of the room behind her from outside.

"Diana, Why did you leave? Did something happen?" Anna asked when she met her in the hall.

Try to keep it together now. Your emotions are yours and yours alone to control!

"Yes yes! He woke up!" She stirred her mood with completely different masked gestures.

"R-Really!" The queen jumped with happiness and dashed inside the room.

Diana stood there as she saw Anna hugging the boy but also noticed how the boy sight still lingered upon her through his auntie's shoulder. She gave him one last gesture full of loathing as she walked through the hall...

...She felt an emptiness inside. Her soul was broken and weak. Her mind scratched her with the memory of her friend warning her of this moment.

She went to the bathroom. Trying to wash off her tears from the sink. Desperately trying to clean her muddy mentality. But no matter how much water she uses. Her eyes couldn't stop tearing.

She felt so foolish. So cheap. She wants a key. A way out of this prison. A light in that gloom. She needs...

"A free request". She recalled