L.O.V.E - Claude and Diana (short story?)
Laipleas’ blooming season and lippe tea, he is reminded of a sweet laughter that still lingers in the air. There, in the Royal Garden under the night sky full of stars, the biggest one of them all approached him. Bold, brazen, almost rebellious, how to describe her without mentioning those words? It was impossible. She said he seemed like a lonely lost boy, as if those ruby eyes could see through his soul, how many nights he spent alone with the emptiness he carried within, how many nights he longed for what he once thought was out of his reach; Claude thought he was born alone in this cruel world and alone he would leave, but Diana proved him wrong.
Orchestra playing in the background, dresses of silk and satin. The boring sound of the chatting crowd in front of him, he was surrounded by hypocrites that ultimately made him feel completely alone while he was sitting on the throne, what were those riches for? What was so great about jewels, gold, silver, lands and power? Was he supposed to feel happy? What for? Riches were worthless, not even all the gold in the world would fill his hollow soul. When he was convinced he would have to live the rest of his days dealing with the void inside his chest, she arrived, beautiful, stunning, magical, she was so full of light and life, her pink eyes made him think about pink roses, he was left mesmerized, his frozen heart started to beat again. “Fool” he lectured himself once he realized he was struck by Cupid’s arrow.
Version of him he never knew, the happiest he has ever been. Her shimmering waves were as if the sun’s rays were turned into beautiful blond hair. He had found what filled his empty heart. Her smile was the most radiant thing his blue jeweled eyes had ever seen, her body the most perfect creation, her laughter the sweetest sound, her company was light, her presence was his once forgotten will to live, Claude realized he had a reason to live, he wanted to keep living just so he could feel the warm and loving gaze of those ruby eyes that seemed to be dreaming of him the whole time, he found himself smiling, laughing, enjoying his new life, he could have gotten used to his new brilliant days, but perfect doesn’t last.
Ephemeral happiness that fades away, the end of the beautiful dream. Drinking tea in the garden, feeling like he was finally complete, but her blood stained her porcelain cup and she fainted, Claude felt as if she was already fleeing away from his grasp; the magician announces a baby, lovers were supposed to be happy about such news, but he wasn’t, that child was consuming her life, that child would steal everything from him. Why? Why was he always left alone? He begged her to change her mind, his pleading eyes asking her to stay with him, he hoped she would choose him, but she didn’t and Claude didn’t understand Diana’s reasons, if not even her, who claimed to love him, would choose him over a life that was just starting, who would do it? The answer was clear: anyone; that’s why he would never allow anyone to hurt him again. He suppressed his feelings with dark magic, forcing himself to forget her, the aftermath was chaotic, but thanks to that life he once hated, he was given a second chance to learn.
Love meant memories of the past, Oaths to himself to never be fooled again that ended up being forgotten, the Vision of her that never leaves and in the Emerald palace was living her last gift. For him “love” meant Diana, but Diana meant love for him, that’s why she left him, but she knew she wouldn’t leave him alone, because the baby ending her life would become the strength in his.
Loneliness inside the Ruby palace, jealous concubines and life choices. Lady Lilian York’s letters and occasional visits became her escape and her source of happiness, Lily’s kindness and friendship kept her strong. She knew her life was ending, she knew she would eventually be obligated to leave this world, but she was still sure she had made the right choice. Every night she remembered the pain in those beloved blue eyes, the sight of a broken man, a lonely and lost boy begging her to stay, but she was convinced he would be able to move on once she left.
Oblivious to each other’s feelings, occasional night thoughts. While Claude was forcing himself to forget the one that both hurt him and loved him the most, Diana was trying to hold on to hope, praying each day and night, wishing to see him one last time and explain him everything, she felt her life fading away with each day passing by, wondering if he would ever be able to forgive her, she didn’t want to leave him, but she wanted to give him what he never had. Claude wanted her to stay, he didn’t try to understand her wishes because the abandonment feeling blinded him, the ghosts of his past were returning to remind him he didn’t have anything.
Voice singing lullabies, voice calling out the baby’s name. Eventually, Diana understood he might never come back, the rest of her days went by caressing her belly, singing Siodonnian lullabies, telling fairytales, talking to the baby growing in her womb, asking that new life to forgive her father’s absence, asking her to understand him and to love him unconditionally, talking about Claude and the stories written in Obelian history books, but also stories about those days they shared together, hoping the baby was listening to her words to let her know she was loved even before arriving to the world.
Eternal and undying love, her ultimate sacrifice. The fear was filling her body, the imminent day arrived, death and life would converge in the same place, at the same time; the dusk for her life meant the dawn for her daughter, but still, Diana was happy, perhaps her life had been too short, but she was satisfied, she had been loved and she had loved so deeply she was willing to give up on her life for the chance of giving the man she loved a new beginning. Diana’s last words were “Name her Athanasia, Athanasia the undying” and she left this world holding her baby in her arms. Athanasia had her mother’s shimmering blond hair that reminded Claude of the sun’s rays and her father’s jeweled eyes that Diana liked to compare to the bright blue sky.
Love meant sacrifices, taking risks, his Original feelings towards the baby that now is a teenager are already in the past and he has regrets, the Vestiges of Diana are forever living in their daughter. At the End, he understood it all; she saw a lonely lost boy a gave him not only what he once thought was out of his reach, but she also gave him what he never thought he needed: a family.
Love meant family.
