The picnic continued as usual, but Diego was not enjoying himself anymore. The kids were having a blast irregardless of whatever it was that was occurring, while Lucille continued to enjoy her solitude. "That's so cool!" Diane exclaimed, at whatever it was that Thaniel had said to her. They were standing a good distance away, at an open field. "What about you? Have you gotten a hang of you powers yet?" He asked. "Well, I can only do this." Diane said, as she closed her eyes, trying hard to focus. In no time at all, a small mist had appeared had appeared around her, while water particles floated around her. They dispersed as quickly as they appeared though. "Dang it." Diane cursed internally, as she opened her eyes. "Sorry, Thaniel, I got distracted." Diane said, as she smiled awkwardly. "It's fine. You did your best though." He said, as though trying to comfort her. "I still don't know how I have powers, though." She said, as she looked at her open palms. "That is going to remain an Enigma, for the now." Thaniel said. "Or do you want me to look into it for you? I can look into the past, present and future." He said smugly. "Yes, you are right." Diane said, with an 'oh really' look on her face. Her face eventually turned serious. "Can you really fo it?" She asked, her eyes sparkling. "My lady, I am not a god you know." Thaniel replied, wondering how gullible she was to have believed him from the get-go. "Aren't you two done yet?" Diego asked, as he walked up to where the two of them were. "Not quite." Thaniel replied. "I don't need you to answer.' Diego said to him. "But I haven't told my lady here about lots of things." He said, turning to Diane. "Or have I?" Je asked, not taking his eyes off her. "Give us five more minutes!" Diane exclaimed. "What for? What are you guys talking about anyway?" Diego asked. Thaniel shrugged his shoulder. "Random things." "That answers nothing." Diego said, his face grave. "Oh would you relax already? He Is just giving me useful tips on how to focus when controlling my powers, that's all." Diane said, thinking that he was over reacting. "You do realise you have a tutor back at home, right?" Diego asked her with an uplifted eyebrow. "I know, but it's not bad to learn from someone else as well, is it?" Diane asked him. Of course, Diego had no reason to refute that. "Let's get back to the picnic at least. We are probably missing out on a lot of fun." Thaniel told her.
The three went back to their picnic, but the 'New Friends.' Continued to jabber on to each other non-stop, to the point that Diego began to feel Slightly suffocated. Lucille used this opportunity to sit herself by his side. "Hey Diego." Lucille called out, but Diego seemed to have failed to notice her presence. He was still staring at where Diane and Thaniel were seated. Lucille nudged him hard. "That hurt." Diego said, as he rubbed his ribs. "I thought I was too old old for this, but I guess you still have your ways." He said as he looked at her. "I saw that Diane was having fun with Thaniel, so I came over to keep you company." She said. "Having fun, huh.." He said, as he briefly glanced at the duo, feeling somewhat bitter inside, but not knowing why. "Well, that is the whole purpose of this picnic, isn't it?" Diego asked, wearing a fake smile. "I guess." Lucille said, rubbing her tender arms awkwardly. "You know, I was surprised when you suddenly said that you were married." She said. "It is good that I can still surprise you from time to time." Diego said, glancing at Diane's direction once more. "I don't think the king Is aware of it though." She said, thinking hard of something to diverge his attention from Diane. "Your uncle the king?" He asked, giving her a bit of his attention. "I think he would have heard all about this whole affair by now, I will be surprised if he hasn't." He said. "If that is the case, he would have requested for an audience by now." Lucille said. "I don't get what you are insinuating." Diego said, getting a bit irritated. Why wouldn't this woman let him alone so he could continue to spy on his wife in peace? "If he isn't aware by now, Which is quite disgraceful for a king, if you ask me, then why don't you tell him on my behalf? You are his beloved niece, afterall." Diego said. "Diego!" Lucille exclaimed, hitting him on his shoulder. "What now?" Diego called out impatiently. "Did you just insult my uncle?" She asked "I don't see it as an insult, though." Diego replied, his eyes as indifferent and as cold as ever. "If a king fails to realise what occurs in His own kingdom, does he even deserve to be called a king?" He asked. Lucille noticed Thaniel glancing casually at their direction, and added hurriedly- "You do realise you could be trialed for treason if anyone else heard you right?" She asked. "I will like to see who will dare." He said with a devious smirk. At this point, Lucille proceeded to rest her head on his shoulder. This whole time, she had been inching closer and closer to him. "Lucille, please." Diego said, the moment he felt the weight on his shoulder. "You realise quite well that you are overstepping your boundaries." He said, as Lucille raised her head up. "And, don't think I never noticed you drawing closer to me." Diego added, as he looked into Lucille's somewhat angry face. "Overstepping... my boundaries? Don't be so ridiculous, Diego." She said, as she adjusted her necklace. "So? I can't lean against you anymore, just because you are married?" She asked, her voice tinged with disappointment. "It's not that." Diego tried to redeem himself. "It just doesn't seem right to me."
The picnic finally came to an end, and the gates of the Orchard closed once more, patienty waiting for when they will be unlocked again. It won't be that long, though.
As Everyone retired for the day, Diego did not fail to miss the sparkle in Diane's eyes as she enthusiastically waved Thaniel goodbye.
"I am glad that you made a new friend." Diego said, when they got into their bedroom, although he had killed this 'new friend' several times in his heart. "What did you guys talk about?" He asked, as he sat beside her on their sofa. "Lots of things." Diane said, as she took off her heels. Well, Diego wasn't (WAS) disappointed by the response, needless to say. "Hey, is it okay if I take a shower first?" She said, as she stood up, apparently struggling with her dress. "I don't have a problem with that, why are you even asking?" He said, looking up at her. "Because I have to." She replied curtly. "But it's our bedroom." Diego said, copying her intonation. "What's up with your dress?" He asked, when he noticed that she was still struggling. "Nothing important, it's just this hook, it is acting stubborn..." "Will you wait till your hand breaks before asking me?" He said as he stood up. When he touched her back lightly, Diane immediately acted like a mouse caught in the claws of a Cat. "Stay still." Came the voice, as a warm breeze tickled her ears. "I can't help you if you keep squirming." Diane stood still at once, her body on auto pilot. As he released the hook, his hand lightly grazed the exposed part of her back, and the lingering sensation gave her the impulse to bite her lower lip. Is it because she was married, and there was no 'action' yet? "Thank you." She said, her hands clinging onto the dress, hobbling to the bathroom as quickly as she could. It was only when Diego heard the bathroom door slam shut, that he stopped staring at his right palm.
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Lucille straightened her night dress as she stood before the mirror. "Only three more days till I leave." She talked to her reflection. "Yet, I couldn't achieve anything this past few days." Her face got filled with disappointment. She was still contemplating on what to do when she heard a knock on the door. "Who is it?" She called out, as she approached the bedroom door. A pair of Hazel eyes stared down her, as soon as the latch was unlocked. "You lost the bet." The man said, as he took a huge stride into the room. "Hey! Don't just walk into My room like that, have you no manners?" Lucille turned to the man, who was busy making himself comfortable the sofa. "No." He replied simply. Lucille closed the door. "What do you want?" She asked while standing, arms crossed across her chest, gazing at Thaniel. "Did you not hear me the first time? The bet. You. Lost. It." Thaniel repeated himself, stressing each and every syllable. "No I didn't.." Lucille began. "What did you mean you didn't?" Thaniel asked, scowling at her. "Don't even think of trying your petty tricks on me. You and I both saw it. Diego only has eyes for her." Thaniel said, elegantly crossing his legs. "Now, will you leave them alone?" Thaniel asked. Lucille tightly gripped her dress with both arms, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Thaniel. He laughed. Lucille subconsciously took a step back. "What?" He said noticing her behavior. "I won't deal with you now, if you stop being obstinate, at least." Thaniel said cooly from where he was seated, giving Lucille sometime to organize her thoughts. "But you also had fun talking To Diane, didn't you?" Lucille asked, her hands subconsciously shaking. "Fun? Sweetheart, we knew each other since childhood. You know quite well, that is not my kind of fun." He said, as he continued smiling. Lucille wished he could stop, she didn't know why, but those smiles sent shivers down her spine. "I would admit that she was quite interesting- but also quite naive and gullible." Thaniel observed. "She is lucky to bump into someone like Diego, if it was a wolf like me..," He said, as he licked his lips. Lucille's back hit something hard. She didn't know when she reached the door. All this time,she had been stepping back subconsciously. She couldn't deal with this man. Not in this state. "Three days." Thaniel said. "You will have to leave this house, and leave them alone for good In three days." He said getting up, and walking towards where she was. "Now, be a good girl and obey my instructions okay? If not, I will disregard our friendship completely." He said, as he leaned down and caressed her hair. "Move. You are obstructing the exit." He said, as he gently pulled her away form the door. "Remember what I said." His voice faded into the darkness.