"I wish to speak to my husband," Diana insisted.
She had tried to speak to Cassian while Vivette and him were in the Drawing room. But wasn't allowed in no matter how hard she tried. After Diana checked in on Katherine, she returned to find that they had moved into his bedroom.
Just yesterday, this was her room too. The room they shared. Now, all her belongings were thrown out and she wasn't allowed in.
"Miss, her Highness Vivette has given strict instructions. No one is allowed into her room."
"This-"
"What is all this ruckus?" Vivette asked, clearly annoyed as she came out of the room.
She was careful not to leave even a sliver of a gap for Diana to peek in and take a look.
"I wish to see my lord husband," Diana said firmly once more.
Vivette scoffed, "Have you not heard anything that I've said, Diana? Your marriage to Lord Cassian has been annulled. I am Lady Starshard now, not you."
"No, you're not. You've not been married yet," Diana protested.
Vivette's expression grew dark. Diana had been a thorn in her flesh ever since she arrived at the estate.
"You're pushing your luck here, Diana. Can't you read the room? Nobody wants you here. Leave now or I'll have the servants throw you out," Vivette warned.
Every word she said was like a dagger piercing Diana's heart. Still, she refused to budge.
"You think I'm joking?" Vivette scoffed, "Guard, go get me Arthur."
The head of the house servants never particularly liked Diana. With the way things were, he would carry out Vivette's orders without question. If Diana wanted to a chance to see Cassian, she had to find a way to stay in the estate.
"No, you don't have to get him," Diana said in defeat, "I'll leave."
Deep in thought, Diana wandered the hallway. She had to think of something. There must be something she could do.
"Milady, perhaps you should return to the palace, as your father had ordered," Irene suggested from behind in a meek voice.
"What?" Diana asked in confusion.
"He'd asked you to return after the funeral-"
"Cassian's not dead. He's alive!" She reminded her.
"Yes, but… pardon me for being blunt, milady. But your marriage with him is no longer valid. He's not your husband anymore."
Diana bit her lip. She looked down at her hands. Irene was right. There was no place for her in the Starshard estate. She was no longer the lady of the house. Was she even a guest?
The estate was where she had called home for the last three years. It was the most homely place she had ever been. Returning to the castle was not an option.
"There's no place for me in the castle," Diana muttered.
She might be a princess. But no one ever recognized her position.
"Your place is here, child," Katherine said as she walked up to her.
Diana didn't know what to say. The elderly woman brought her back to her room and sat her down.
"Lady Katherine, I'm… no longer Lord Cassian's wife. I-"
"Do you believe it?" Katherine interjected.
"What?"
"Do you believe anything that vile woman said? Do you truly believe Cassian would do such a thing?"
Diana hesitated. She bit her lip.
"Lady Katherine, you know your son better than I do. And time can change a person…"
Katherine smiled as she took Diana's hands into her own, "In the letters you've received from Cassian, has his tone changed?"
Diana shook her head.
"It's the same for me. Hence, I do not believe anything that woman says. Not until I hear it from Cassian's lips."
Katherine's words invigorated Diana, instilling a new form of strength in her. Now, the most important thing is for Diana to see Cassian for herself. She wasn't about to believe anything Vivette says until she'd seen her husband and spoken to him.
That night, Diana put her plan to work. Under the cover of darkness, and with Katherine's help, she avoided the patrolling guards and attempted to enter the bedroom through the balcony.
It was a chilly night. Diana looked up at the vines. She took in a breath of air for courage before beginning to scale the wall. Irene, her maid, served as her lookout, waiting for her below.
Step by step, Diana climbed. As soon as she got climbed high enough, she grabbe onto the balcony railing and leaped in. The night time breeze blew the curtains, allowing her to take a peek of the room within.
It was dark, save for a few lit candles. Diana scanned the room, ensuring no one was there before tiptoeing into the room. The wooden floors creaked under her feet. Her heart pounded in her chest.
She had never done anything like this before.
Diana held up a lit candle as she moved closer to the bed. There, she saw her husband's sleeping form.
"Cassian!" She whispered his name as she got closer.
She brought the lit candle closer. Her eyes widened in shock. Her heart ached as she examined the extent of his injuries.
What's more, it doesn't seem like his bandages have been cleaned since he arrived!
All of them were covered in bloodied blotches. There was a stench in the air.
Tears well up in Diana's eyes as she knelt by the bed. She watched her husband's chest rise and fall, his breathing was shallow too.
She held up a shaking hand, carefully placing it in his.
"Cassian, can you hear me? I'm here. It's me, Diana," She whispered.
No response.
Diana's heart ached. She recalled the day she sent him off. She'd polished his armor till it showed her own reflection. She dressed him herself, helped him put on every piece of armor, and helped secure his sword on his belt.
She noticed the chips and dents on his armor. War had worn it down but it protected him well. She noticed the ring she had seen earlier on his finger. Diana had never seen it before.
Just then, a sharp headache forced her to take a few steps back, releasing Cassian's hand in the process.
But she couldn't move back far. Someone grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her in.
Diana looked down in shock.
"Diana… Diana…"