Chapter 170

Everyone worried over Diana, who had been asleep for a year now.

But Diana, unaware that so much time had passed at all, had forgotten the whole world and lay trapped inside a happy dream.

[Diana, wake up now.]

A tender call, soft lips pressing against her forehead, and warm sunlight.

"Mmm, Mother, just a little longer."

Diana whined and reached out a hand without opening her eyes. Her mother, the Duchess of Irenber, gathered her up gently in her arms.

[Diana, you little sleepyhead.]

The words scolded her, but they were full of nothing but love. Diana burrowed into the warm embrace of the Duchess of Irenber.

When was this, again?

Diana's mother had passed away the year she turned twelve, so this memory had to be from before then.

Even knowing it was a dream, Diana felt so good that she forced herself to deny it wasn't real.…