"What's wrong? Didn't enjoy dancing with the young prince?" her grandfather asked with a warm smile as he noticed Catherine returning with a pout.
"Of course... not," the little girl quickly shrugged, trying to hide her true feelings. Glancing back, she saw a footman approach William and whisper something in his ear. The prince, who had seemed eager to continue, reluctantly gave Catherine a look, signaling that he'd let her off this time, before moving away.
Catherine let out a silent sigh of relief. In front of so many people, she didn't dare act out like she had that summer. She glanced around and noticed several boys from other families eyeing her after William left. However, her feet were already beginning to hurt, and the night was far from over. After a brief pause, she looked up at her grandfather. "Dearest Grandpa, may I go freshen up?"
"Of course, my dear." Her grandfather understood what she was trying to do, but he didn't object.
Catherine flashed a smile and quickly found a footman to escort her to the restroom. As soon as she entered, she leaned against the door, letting out a deep breath.
"What's wrong, Cathy? You don't seem very happy," a soft voice came from nearby, startling her. She looked up to see that someone was already in the large restroom, standing by the sink, gently washing her hands. The golden short hair, blue eyes, and beautiful face, not to mention the noble yet approachable aura—there was no mistaking it. It was Princess Diana.
"I... I'm very sorry, Your Highness. I didn't realize..." Catherine stammered, trying to explain.
"Alright, my dear, do you really need to speak to me that way?" Diana sighed, a hint of sorrow flashing in her blue eyes.
Catherine, not noticing, lowered her voice, "But, Your Highness, this is the palace."
"You didn't seem so concerned about that when we were at St. James's Palace two summers ago," Diana said with a smile.
"But the circumstances are different..." Catherine tried to argue, but Diana raised a finger, signaling her to stop. "Alright, let's not discuss that. Why don't you tell me why you're here instead?"
Catherine's face immediately fell. She hadn't come to the restroom for any particular reason, and the princess clearly knew that. Yet she asked, clearly teasing.
"Alright, don't be like that, Cathy. I was just joking." Diana laughed. Whenever she saw this little girl, she couldn't resist teasing her. There was something about her that was so endearing.
"How about this? Shall we rest for a few minutes in the Blue Drawing Room?" Diana suggested.
"The Blue Drawing Room? Is that appropriate?" Catherine asked quickly. The Blue and White Drawing Rooms were two smaller rooms off the main ballroom, each with a distinct style, perfect for resting. But going there now...
Diana shrugged and pushed the door open, stepping out. The little girl hurried after her. After a few steps, Diana's equerry, Geoffrey, approached them. "Is there anything I can assist you with, Your Highness?"
"I'd like to take Cathy to rest in the Blue Drawing Room for a bit," Diana replied.
The equerry hesitated for a moment. "Your Highness, you know that's not within the rules..."
"Geoffrey!" Diana's tone grew firmer, with a hint of displeasure.
"Alright, Your Highness, but only for a few minutes," Geoffrey sighed, relenting.
The little girl, trailing behind the princess, stuck her tongue out at him playfully. The equerry could only respond with a resigned smile.
Once the door to the Blue Drawing Room closed, Catherine finally relaxed completely. With a cheer, she plopped down on a long bench, kicked off her white heels, sending them flying in opposite directions.
"My dear, that's not very ladylike," Diana couldn't help but chuckle.
"I don't need to be a lady!" the girl replied with a grin, curling up on the bench as she rubbed her now bare heels.
"You're still wearing..." the princess started to ask, sitting down on another chair.
"Of course," Catherine hopped off the bench and, with a quick motion, lifted her dress to reveal the jeans she wore underneath, which barely reached her calves.
Diana couldn't help but laugh. Even at eleven, this little one still disliked wearing dresses. She remembered how Catherine had once said that dresses made her feel insecure. The expression on her face back then was still amusing to recall.
"Aunt Diana, could you stop laughing?" Catherine folded her arms and looked at her, exasperated.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop. But, Cathy, I've always wondered—what would happen if you became a lady-in-waiting at Buckingham Palace? I bet it would be quite interesting," Diana said with a smile.
"I have no idea what would happen, but one thing's for sure: within a day—no, within half a day—Her Majesty would have me kicked out," Catherine shrugged. "I don't belong here."
"...Yes, you don't belong here," Diana murmured, her eyes darkening with a touch of sadness as she seemed lost in thought.
The little girl opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it again. She realized she had said the wrong thing. Although Princess Diana was deeply loved by the people, she was never truly accepted by the royal family. Childhood trauma made her crave love, but the endless protocols, rigid rules, and cold distance within the royal family only made her feel isolated and anxious after she became a princess. Her husband hadn't provided the support she needed. "I don't belong here" must have struck a chord with her.
If she knew that by the end of the year, she would separate from Charles, and in four years, they would divorce, and five years later, she would die in a car accident—never finding peace even in death—what would she feel? The thought crossed Catherine's mind, but she quickly pushed it away. She didn't want to think about it, nor did she dare to. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to face the princess in front of her. Diana was a good person who didn't deserve such a tragic fate. But this was royal family business, not something she could intervene in. Even if she could prevent one car accident, who's to say there wouldn't be a second or a third?
The atmosphere in the room grew strange as both females drifted into their own thoughts until a soft click from the door broke the silence.
"Mum, are you here?" William burst into the room, startling both of them.
"William, you should knock," the princess said, frowning slightly.
"I'm sorry, I saw you weren't there, so I came looking," William explained, then noticed Catherine standing barefoot on the carpet. He also saw the two shoes she had flung across the room and rolled his eyes at her. "Miss Catherine, this is Buckingham Palace. Could you please mind your manners?"
The little girl shrugged, but before she could say anything, Diana's tone sharpened. "William!"
"Mum, I'm just being honest. What kind of girl doesn't like wearing dresses or high heels? She acts like a well-mannered girl on the surface, but she's more like a boy in private," William said nonchalantly.
The princess felt a bit embarrassed. Catherine had confided these quirks to her in private, and William only knew because she had let it slip during one of their conversations. Though it was unintentional, it was still impolite for William to bring it up so bluntly.
However, there was no need for Diana to worry. The unperturbed little girl had already picked up her shoes and was sitting on a chair, putting them back on. "In fact, Your Highness, I really, really wish I were a boy."
She knew William wouldn't miss an opportunity to tease her, so she didn't mind. The princess could only shake her head with a wry smile. She didn't know what to say about these two children, so she cleared her throat. "Alright, William, Cathy, let's head back."
As Diana stood up, William sneaked another annoyed glance at Catherine, who responded with a soft snort, still not taking him seriously. Then, her eyes caught something in the corner of the room.
"What's wrong, Cathy?" The princess noticed that the little girl hadn't followed and turned to see her staring into the corner. Following her gaze, Diana saw a piano and several other musical instruments.
"Dear Miss Catherine, we're going back to the ballroom. Can you please join us?" William said, emphasizing each word with clear annoyance.
Catherine suddenly turned, ignoring William completely, and looked at Diana with a mischievous smile. "Care to dance, Your Highness?"
"Dance?" Diana was puzzled.
"A tango, how about it?" the little girl said as she grabbed William and dragged him towards the corner.
"Wait, wait, what are you doing, you brute?" William exclaimed. He tried to pull away but found he couldn't break free. Soon, he was pushed down onto the piano bench by Catherine, who then glared at him. "Do you remember that song we heard on TV last Christmas?"
William, who had been about to protest, was momentarily taken aback by Catherine's sudden assertiveness. "Wh-Which song?"
"You know which one, William. You even played it with Mr. Laurence, don't think I don't know!" Catherine said in a tone that left no room for argument.
"You mean... Oh, yes, I remember. But I haven't touched a piano since then, and I'm not very good at it," William stammered.
"Then try to remember," the girl said in a low voice, "for your mother."
While William was still in a daze, Catherine turned and picked up a violin from the instruments. She looked at Diana, "Are you ready, Your Highness? Although we only have a violin and piano, I believe it won't sound too bad."
"Wait, Cathy, this..." Diana was still unsure what to make of it.
"It's fine. See how well-insulated this room is? We can't hear any noise from the next room, so there's no need to worry about anyone hearing us. Besides, this tango only lasts about five minutes. What's the harm in spending five minutes doing something you want to do?" The girl smiled as she placed the violin on her shoulder and drew out the first note.
"No, no, Cathy, I only danced tango when I was very young. I don't remember it at all, and now there's no one else here. Do you expect me to dance a solo tango?" Diana was at a loss for words, but the girl didn't stop playing. The lazy and humorous melody from the violin gradually filled the room, and the fresh and beautiful music made the princess's stiff body start to move almost involuntarily.
Sitting at the piano, William hesitated, glancing between Catherine and his mother. Strictly speaking, this kind of behavior was not allowed, but watching his mother, who was moving shyly to the music as if searching for something lost, he found himself unable to say anything. It wasn't as if anyone had ever said royal family members couldn't dance a tango in private... William gritted his teeth. The lazy violin tune was nearing the end of the B section. He took a deep breath and tried to recall what little he remembered before finally pressing the keys as the music transitioned into a minor key.
The music suddenly shifted from lazy and humorous to passionate and intense. The princess, who had been slowly moving alone, suddenly spun around, her dress twirling, as her dance became fast-paced and rhythmic, making her appear more vibrant and captivating.
Catherine played the violin with all her heart. Carlos Gardel's "Por Una Cabeza," a piece of tango music both elegant and deeply moving, filled the room. Despite the absence of the cello and bandoneón's deep tones, the music was still passionate and stirring, impossible to listen to without feeling a connection.
There are some things I can't control, so I can only give you this small moment of happiness. May God bless you, and may you not leave this world too soon.