June 14th 2025

Darien had been in his room for over 24 hours.

Why hadn't Diana come to see him?

Had she secretly wanted him to go?

Did she just not want to see him ever again?

...Would she ever forgive him?

Darien's heart sank with each hurtful question his mind arrived at.

He returned to his bed, though he'd only ventured as far as the door, and sank into depression.

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Ana locked the telepathy away, unable to bear the depression and heartbreak echoing from Darien's every thought.

She felt almost guilty...but she couldn't cope with it.

She could only hope he'd eventually get over it.

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Reginald worked peacefully in his study. Everything was going according to his plan.

Darien knew nothing of Diana's visit.

And that was the way it would stay...

Diana had wanted to go to the Vaight Manor almost immediately after she woke up. But after arguing with Nicolas, her cousin, they decided she should wait to go until a bit later, sometime when they were at least awake.

Ergo, here she was. She barely slept the previous night. She'd managed to make Nicolas and Helena come over to keep her company. She didn't think she'd survive being alone in the house for long, being long in the king-sized bed, not seeing Darien as she woke up in the morning.

Worst yet, was the news received when she got back from yesterday. Good news, it would have been, had it not been in this situation.

She needed to talk to Darien.

She knocked.

Reginald opened the door...again.

"...Diana."

"Can I see Darien now?" Her eyes were still red and puffy from all the crying she did the night before.

"He's not here." A downright lie.

Diana didn't believe him but she thought she'd at least asked.

"Where is he?"

Reginald shrugged. "How should I know? He hardly tells me anything. But he's not here."

An element of the truth to make a lie more believable.

Reginald saw lying as an art.

An art he excelled in.

"Please Mr. Vaight," Diana begged. "I know he is inside... please let me talk to him."

"You are mistaken. Darien left last night and has not returned. I'm sorry, but he's not here."

Several tears fell as Diana blinked in disbelief.

"Please sir... Please." Diana begged sadly.

"When well he be back?"

Reginald sighed. "I have no idea. No if you'll excuse me-"

He began to close the door.

Diana put her hand against the door to stop it from closing. "Wait."

"Please give this to him." Diana revealed a letter, addressed to Darien.

"Very well. I shall ensure he gets it." Without waiting any longer, Reginald closed and locked the door.

On the other side of the door, Diana sighed and not knowing what else to do, Apparated back to her house.

Reginald returned to his study, tore the letter into three and threw it casually onto the fire, watching as it crumpled and faded to nothing but ash...

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Still in his room, Darien dragged himself to the window, gazing out across the woods and fields behind his house.

He missed Diana...So much.