Chapter 107: Are you talking about me and Nicole?

Diana walked the long corridor with Barbra a step behind, her blue dress pressed tight against her frame, hair pinned back in a neat bun, white gloves smoothing over her fingers. She kept her pace even, though her eyes flicked once toward the tall windows lining the hall, searching for anything that might tell her where they were headed.

“You still haven’t told me what this is about.” She kept her voice low.

“I wasn’t given the details.” Barbra’s answer came smooth, practiced.

“Don’t lie to me. I know you know something.”

“I know very little, my lady. You’ll learn it soon enough anyway.”

Diana didn’t push further. She’d walked into enough of these gatherings over the years that the nerves barely registered anymore, not until a stray thought of Hakimi crossed her mind, and her hand curled slightly at her side before she caught it and let it fall loose again.

They reached a set of tall doors. Two servants bowed in unison and pulled them open as she approached.

The hall opened up wide, flowers arranged along the windowsills, two large sofas set facing each other with a round table between them. Mirabelle and Osbel sat on one side. Across from them sat Nicole, straightening the moment his eyes landed on her, along with two people she recognized quickly.

“Diana, darling.” Mirabelle rose and crossed the room, taking both of Diana’s hands in hers. “You look lovely.”

“Mother.” Diana let herself be guided forward, eyes flicking toward Nicole. “What’s—”

“Lady Geneviève Delacroix.” Mirabelle gestured toward the older woman with a warm sweep of her hand. “My sister. And Lord Alistair, her husband. You already know Nicole, of course.”

Geneviève’s smile widened. “Lady Diana. It’s been far too long.”

“It has.” Diana let the words sit there, nothing more behind them.

“Come, sit.” Mirabelle guided her toward the center chair, settling her directly between herself and Osbel, who sat with his hands folded, watching the room without a word.

Diana lowered herself into the seat, smoothing her skirt flat, and glanced sideways at Nicole. He gave her the same easy smile he always did.

“You look well,” he said.

“Thank you.” She smoothed her skirt a second time, though it hadn’t needed it the first.

Alistair cleared his throat. “Fine hall you keep, Osbel.”

“Kind of you to say.” Osbel’s eyes drifted once toward Diana before settling back on his guest.

Mirabelle set her teacup down gently. “It’s been quite the season for gossip, hasn’t it. All these rumors flying around lately.”

“Terrible business.” Geneviève shook her head. “Poor Hakimi’s name dragged through every corner of town.”

Diana said nothing, eyes fixed on the table.

“You’ve been keeping to your room so much lately.” Mirabelle’s voice stayed light. “We were starting to worry.”

“I’ve just needed some rest.” Diana’s fingers pressed flat against her skirt.

“Well, thank goodness Nicole’s been so patient with you.” Mirabelle glanced across the table, smiling. “Coming by so often, keeping you company.”

“We’ve talked quite a bit, haven’t we?” Nicole leaned forward slightly.

“We have.” Diana’s reply came small.

“He tells me you two get along wonderfully.” Geneviève’s smile widened. “Better than I expected, honestly.”

“That’s… good to hear.” Diana glanced between them.

“You’re both so well matched.” Mirabelle reached for the teapot. “Same temperament. Same sense of patience. Rare to see, really.”

“I’ve always thought so.” Alistair nodded along.

“We complement each other well.” Nicole’s voice stayed even, warm.

“You’ll want for nothing, being taken care of properly.” Geneviève’s eyes stayed fixed on Diana. “A steady hand beside you, someone who plans ahead. Nicole’s always been like that, even as a boy.”

“He used to plan out entire trips before anyone else in the family had even thought to pack a bag.” Alistair chuckled. “Very organized child.”

“I remember that.” Mirabelle smiled fondly. “He mapped out an entire picnic route for us when he was, what, nine?”

“Ten,” Nicole corrected, smiling. “I was very proud of that map.”

“It’s already settled in most people’s minds, from what I hear.” Mirabelle set her teacup down. “Everyone’s quite pleased with how things have turned out.”

Diana’s brow furrowed slowly, the pieces refusing to line up right in her head. “I’m sorry. Are you talking about—” She stopped, throat tight. “Are you talking about me and Nicole? Getting married?”

“Yes, dear.” Mirabelle blinked, genuinely surprised. “Didn’t your father already tell you?”

Diana turned toward Osbel. “No. No one told me anything about this.”

Osbel said nothing, gaze drifting past her shoulder, jaw tight.

“Well, that’s nothing you need to worry over.” Mirabelle reached across and took Diana’s hand in both of hers. “We’re telling you now. That’s exactly why we’re all sitting here together today.”

“But—” Diana’s voice cracked slightly.

“But we know, dear.” Mirabelle cut in fast, grip tightening just a little. “We know how much pain you’ve carried these past weeks. We didn’t want to add to that.”

Diana’s mouth opened, closed, opened again with nothing behind it.

“She’s right to look shaken.” Nicole shifted forward in his seat, glancing toward his aunt. “You really should have told her sooner, Aunt Mirabelle. Anyone would need time to sit with something like this.”

“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.” Mirabelle pressed a hand flat against her chest, sighing. “That’s entirely my fault. I should have said something before today, given her the chance to prepare.” She turned back to Diana, voice softening further. “But you two already get along so well, it hardly seemed like it would come as any real shock.”

“We do get along,” Nicole added, glancing at Diana. “I’ve enjoyed our talks this past months more than I expected to, honestly.”

“See?” Mirabelle beamed. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

“It’s true.” Geneviève leaned in, voice warm and certain. “And honestly, Diana, Nicole is a far better match for you than that knight of yours ever was.”

Diana’s eyes flicked up sharply. “Excuse me?”

“I only mean it kindly.” Geneviève’s smile didn’t waver. “A knight is a knight. Loyal, I’m sure, in his own way. But there’s no future in that, is there? No family name behind him, no land, no title to offer you. Nicole can give you all of that and more.”

“He’s steadier too,” Alistair added. “The kind of man who actually stays where he’s needed.”

“Father.” Diana turned to Osbel again, desperate now. “Say something.”

Osbel’s jaw worked once, but no words came.

“Your father agrees with all of this, dear.” Mirabelle patted her hand once more. “We wouldn’t be sitting here if he didn’t.”

Diana looked around the table, at Mirabelle’s steady smile, at Geneviève’s confident nod, at Nicole’s patient, waiting expression, and found nothing anywhere in the room to push back against.

“I don’t—” She swallowed hard. “I don’t even know what to say to any of this.”

“You don’t need to say anything yet.” Mirabelle’s voice turned gentle again, almost soothing. “Just let it settle. That’s all we’re asking of you today.”