Page 26 of Lost Prince

I remember she’s talking to me. “Yeah, sure. Just mentally gearing up for Lana’s temper.”

Diana approaches me with a warm smile that makes my worries fade. There's something about her presence that calms me, grounds me in a way I can't explain. She’s like a balm for my troubled soul.

“Just remember that her anger comes from her love for you.”

I nod. “I’ll try.”

We head out to her car, and I chuckle as I slide into the passenger seat. This thing is barely holding together. As she starts the engine with a sputtering cough, I'm already envisioning how I could fix it up for her. Maybe replace that worn-out timing belt, adjust the carburetor… I keep these thoughts to myself, though, not wanting to offend her. She clearly loves this car.

As we drive, Diana chatters excitedly about her plans for the day's menu. She's thinking of trying a new sandwich recipe she wants me to taste. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I nod along, asking questions about ingredients.

It strikes me how normal this feels. Just two people, talking about everyday things like recipes and car troubles. For a moment, I'm not the amnesiac son of a powerful family, struggling to fit into a life I can't remember. I'm just a guy, listening to a woman he likes talk about her passion.

I want to carry this with me as I enter the house to face my overbearing siblings. But as Diana pulls the car up the drive to where off-site staff park during the day, the mood shifts. Diana's usual chatter fades into silence. What is going on in her mind? Is she having second thoughts? Regretting last night?

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my stomach clenched tight as I brace myself for her answer.

She gives me a forced smile. “Nothing. Just… well… I'm at work now. I'm…"

She trails off, and I hate that she's adjusting to being a servant. Desperate to reassure her, I lean in and press my lips to hers. The kiss is soft, tender. I think about how rough I was with her last night and hope I have a chance to touch her more gently.

When we part, I see a small smile on her face, but uncertainty still lingers in her eyes.

“I've got to get inside,” she says.

I nod and exit the car, starting toward the house. But she’s not beside me. She’s walking toward the back of the house.

I frown in confusion. "Where are you going?”

"To work," she replies simply, as if it should be obvious.

I feel a surge of discomfort. The idea of her sneaking in through the back entrance while I waltz through the front door doesn't sit right with me. It feels wrong, like I'm somehow diminishing her importance.

Without thinking, I reach out and take her hand, tugging her gently toward the front of the house. "You're coming in with me."

Surprise mixed with uncertainty shines in her eyes, but I don't let go of her hand as I lead her up the front steps. I know this might raise eyebrows, might lead to questions I'm not ready to answer. But at this moment, all I care about is showing Diana that she's not just some servant to me. She's so much more than that.

I step into the foyer with Diana, right into an ambush of Lana, Elio, and Matteo waiting for me, their expressions filled with anger and annoyance. Only Matteo doesn’t seem pissed, but he raises a brow at Diana.

Diana's hand slips from mine as she hurries toward the kitchen. I watch her go, feeling a pang of regret at her hasty retreat.

Lana's eyes follow Diana until she disappears, then snap back to me with an icy glare. The tension in the room is palpable, and I brace myself for the confrontation I know is coming.

"Where the hell have you been?" Lana demands, her voice tight as if she's trying not to unleash her fury on me.

I open my mouth to respond, but she cuts me off. "Do you have any idea how worried we were? You can't just disappear like that, Lazaro. Not after everything that's happened."

She’s beyond angry, but I can hear the worry and pain, and that’s the part that taps into my guilt. I grab onto Diana’s reminder that their anger comes from a place of love.

"I'm sorry," I say, running a hand through my hair. "I couldn't sleep, and I needed some air. I didn't mean to worry anyone."

Matteo smirks. “And you found that air with the cook?”

My jaw clenches. I don't want to drag Diana into this, but I also don't want to lie. "She gave me a ride this morning. That's all."

"And last night?" Matteo won't let this go.

Lana's eyes narrow. "Lazaro, we're trying to help you. But we can't do that if you keep running off with the help."