Third Person POV
Her sister couldn't possibly harbor evil thoughts against Adrian... or could she?
"We are done!" Aunt Simone's voice cut through Gianna's thoughts like a blade.
Gianna turned toward her aunt. "What's wrong with her?" she asked quickly.
Aunt Simone glanced around, then said, "Let's talk elsewhere." Her tone carried a quiet urgency that sent shivers down Gianna's spine.
They followed her through the marble halls until they reached the palace courtyard. Simone finally stopped and turned to them.
"Diane filtered her memory," Simone said plainly. "She doesn't remember everything. In fact, she doesn't remember the fight with you, Your Highness."
Gianna blinked, stunned. Her earlier suspicions flickered back to life. Diane had always been secretive—but now, with the sudden memory loss, Patty's reappearance, and the strange dreams, something felt far more deliberate.
"This is… suspicious," Simone added carefully. "Which is why I strongly advise neither of you confront her about this until the elders provide clarity. And most importantly…" Simone's voice dropped to a whisper, "…do not let you-know-who get close to her."
The seriousness in Simone's eyes made Adrian nod without a word.
Simone excused herself, leaving the siblings standing in heavy silence.
Gianna sighed. She looked at Adrian, the weight of her earlier accusations settling in. "Hmm…" she muttered. The words I'm sorry sat at the edge of her lips, but she couldn't quite bring herself to say them. Instead, she offered something else.
"Take care of my sister when she's here. And keep your wife away from her," she warned.
"I'll tell Isabelle to stay clear," Adrian assured.
"I'll go now. Diane needs fresh clothes." With that, Gianna left him standing in silence once again.
---
Adrian's POV
Hours later, Adrian sat alone in his study, the memory of Diane resting beside him still vivid in his mind. She had reached for him. Trusted him. Or was it all part of some elaborate game? A trap she'd set to punish him after all these years?
He didn't care.
Pretend or not, his Diane was coming back—and he would take whatever scraps she gave him.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock. He looked up. Isabelle stood in the doorway, arms folded, face unreadable.
"You sent for me?" she asked.
He nodded and got straight to the point, explaining everything Gianna had told him—and what he needed from her.
"So... you want me to hide whenever Diane visits?" Isabelle's voice was sharp.
"Call it whatever you want. I've made myself clear," he replied coolly.
Isabelle's expression tightened. "So that's how it's always been?"
"What?"
"You pushing me away the moment Diane shows up."
He sighed. "First of all, there's nothing between us to 'push away.' And second, you and I both know what this has always been. Now leave."
"You've always preserved everything for her," she snapped. "Her child. Her throne. Even her own damn room in this palace."
Adrian said nothing.
Fuming, Isabelle stormed out. She wandered until she saw a group of maids moving purposefully into a nearby room. Curious, she followed.
Before she could step inside, the head maid blocked her path.
"Miss Isabelle, what are you doing here?"
"I saw the maids and wanted to know what's going on."
The maid stiffened. "His Highness requested we prepare this room for Miss Diane. She'll be visiting often."
Of course. A whole room for Diane. Again.
"Let me help," Isabelle offered with a tight smile.
"That won't be necessary. You're not allowed in this room," the maid replied, tone final. "You can return to your chambers."
Isabelle's face darkened. She turned and walked away, rage bubbling under her skin. She'd always been second-best—never quite Diane.
Never enough.
---
Diane's POV
After returning from the palace, I felt… off. Like something important was missing, but I couldn't place it.
"Diane!" my sister's voice snapped me out of it. I looked up to see her studying my face.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing. I just feel like I'm forgetting something."
"Are you sure it's not Ashley's training?"
"No… I remember that clearly." I paused. "By the way, where is she?"
"She went to school."
I frowned. "Why'd you enroll her in a school for normal children?"
Gianna shrugged. "No reason."
I didn't buy it, but I let it go. Instead, I left the living room and went straight to my bedroom. I needed to rest… but sleep wouldn't come.
Suddenly, I felt something tug at me.
"Diane!!"
I opened my eyes and saw Patty sitting squarely on my lap.
"Where have you been?" she snapped.
I adjusted, groggy. "Why should I tell you?"
"I was lonely! Devan's such a bore."
"Touching," I muttered.
"Where did you go?"
"Still not telling you."
"Mommy!"
I rolled my eyes. "Still not telling you, Patty."
With a flick of her tail, she disappeared.
I got up and headed to Gianna's study. Of course she was there—always working.
"Workaholic," I teased, stepping in.
"Hey there."
I dropped into a chair. "Did Patty come here last night?"
"Yeah. I forgot to tell you. Sorry."
"It's fine. I just like to keep track of her. You know how mischievous she is."
Moments later, Ashley burst into the room, stopping short when she saw me.
"Aunt Diane! I was… looking for you," she said.
I smiled and followed her out.
"So… what were you actually looking for?" I asked once we were alone. Her hesitation was a dead giveaway.
She lowered her head. "Patty…"
"She's probably at the Scarlet old house. Or the costume shop."
Ashley's eyes lit up. "Aunt… where's the Scarlet old house?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I shifted focus—time for spells. It was hard for her, given she attended a human school, but she was trying.
I hadn't returned to the palace since that night. And I hadn't seen Patty either. Maybe I'd pushed her too far.
Then came a knock.
"Yes?" I called.
"Miss Diane," Butler Kim said, "your brother is here."
My brother?
I rushed downstairs.
"Calian!" He wrapped his arms around me tightly. "I missed you, Diane."
"I know," I smiled gently, pulling away. "I missed you too."
We sat together.
"Nothing's been the same since you left," he said quietly.
Calian, the youngest of us all. A leader too, but second to me—assistant leader of the Scarlet clan. Gianna, of course, ruled the Willow clan.
Different surnames, different responsibilities.
Same blood.