"Wake up (Y/n)!"

A voice tugged at you, taking you away from the suffocating feeling of being drowned. Your head was heavy as you tried to open your eyes. Eyes sluggishly opened to see Diana leaning over you with a giddy look.

"Ah, I don't mind being woke up by your lovely face but somehow your crazy smile is making me feel something bad is gonna happen..." You murmured groggily still reeling back from the nightmare.

Diana's giddy smile only widened at your dreadful tone.

You were quickly ushered to refresh and have your breakfast before you were brought back to Diana's room.

Ces, Hannah and Lily were present in the room too. You were getting real bad feeling about the small gathering.

"You're not planning my murder, are you?" You asked with a stiff smile.

Diana hurriedly shook her head and her twinkling eyes sparkled even more intensely.

"You said you wanted to make me happy, right?!" Diana asked, making you the target of her sparkling eyes.

You flinched and slowly confirmed. "Yes. But I hope you won't make me regret my words."

Diana ignored your words and happily showed you something sparking.

You gazed at it with blank look. "Diana why are you showing me your clothes...?"

"I can't fit in them anymore. I miss wearing them. So I thought what if you wore them for me." At her excited words you paled into white sheet. "I always wanted to see how you would look in them!"

You shook your head vehemently, taking several steps back from her flashy two piece.

"N-nope. I'm not going anywhere near that...that thing."

Diana gave you puppy eyes. "You won't do it for me?"

Ces looked at you with judgemental eyes. "Are you ignoring your friend's wish?"

"Lady (Y/n) is such a mean girl." Hannah sighed disappointed.

Lily added in. "Lady Diana was so excited for it too."

"Not you too, Lily!" You yelled, astonished.

Diana's puppy eye's shoot sparks at you making you wince back.

Nooo!! Not the puppy eyes!

You closed your eyes, her puppy eyes rendering you helpless. Seeing your weak face, her puppy eyes intensified, making you kneel before her power.

"Ah, this is not what I signed up for!!"

You reluctantly took her clothes. You briskly sized it up. The dress--if you could call skimpy strap of cloth dress was too big. Your short frame definitely wouldn't fit into them.

"This is too big for me." You said not hiding your relief. "Sorry Diana, better luck next time."

Meow.

You robotically turned to your sinisterly smiling cat. "E-Ether no.."

His white twin tail glowed and the clothes in your hand shrank in size. Much to horror, Diana shouted in victory while you gaped at Ether with petrified look.

"Just you wait Ether, I'll get back at you." You said tearfully, clenching your fist towards him.

You used the restroom to change and your cheeks flushed once you put it on. It was bit too revealing for your liking. Form fitting, showing the length of your legs and your bare collarbone in sharp contrast. You shrank back, cheeks flushing.

Fucking hell, want kind of pervert with filthy mind came up with this?!

"Dammit...! It's for Diana! Do it Diana!" You cried to yourself, calming your embrassment.

You step out form the changing room and made a pose, hiding your discomfort and nervousness. "Don't I look sexy?"

"Wow!" Diana exclaimed, checking you out from head to toe. "You look like my little sister with dark hair. So beautiful!"

You sweat-dropped. "I-I think you went a little overboard with your compliments.."

Hannah meanwhile held out a panel with score; 9.

"I think pink suits lady (Y/n) but bright colours would good on you!"

"Where the hell did you get that?!" You yelled, pointing at the panel she held within her arms. Of course Ether was behind this. Stupid cat..!

While you were silently raging at your cat's auducity, Lily gave you 10 score panel and said with a motherly smile.

"I think (Y/n) looks lovely."

Ces held out panel with 8 score and said with blank face. "I think the dress is little too modest. We need something more revealing. And with more accesories like lady Diana."

"Not at all!" You made a 'X' with your arms in clear refusal.

Diana's laughingly held out a panel that gave you 10 score.

"We should try some other clothes!" She happily exclaimed. "And I'll help with the accesories too!"

Thus the fashion show began with you being forced to try every embrassing Siodonna clothes and each one of them giving you scores.

"What has my life came to be...?" You whimpered.

"Why don't you show us a move or two?" Ces suggested as you came out in tight fitting dress with two long slit on each side.

Diana perked up at that. "Yes! (Y/n), you should show us your dance moves!"

You deadpanned at her. "I don't know a thing about dancing. Don't blame me if I ruined your eyes for life."

"It's not that hard. Just move your hips and hands in coordination and go with the wind!" Diana made vague gestures as she explained, sitting on her chair.

"..." Your stared at her and resisted to laugh at her. Just because she was goddess in dancing doesn't mean everyone could wing it like her.

Diana soon gave up when you didn't move a inch from your spot and pouted at you.

At last you held a two pieces red dress with golden veil. Diana looked extra excitedly as she handed you the clothes and urged you to try on.

By that time Lily and others had parted ways since they had duties of maid and couldn't slack off. Only you and Diana continued on with the one man show.

She wanted to doll you up when you came out wearing the two piece dress looking-- according her like a Angel. You rolled your eyes at that but didn't resisted her. You couldn't say no to her eager smile and gave in, letting her doll you to her heart's content.

The red dress did brought out the best in you. Showing off your curves and petite form in nice way. Your [c] hair went along with the red dress and just added to the attractive charm of a seductress.

You admitted that it was nice, refreshing look. Different from your usual messy, tomboyish style.

You sat before her on a small stool as she brushed you hair, letting it cascade down your back in wavy manner, putting a red teardrop ornament on your forehead to finish the look. As you gazed yourself in the mirror, Diana smiled and softly said.

"My majesty saw me in a dress similar to this when we first met."

Eyes trembled in shock as her deep meaningful eyes stared at you with emotions you didn't dare to understand.

"If he saw you now, he'd fall in love with you."

You froze, body going rigid as stone. Ears ringing as you blocked out her last words desparately.

"Diana, I'm not you and this isn't me." You forcefully said pointing to your reflection. But seeing her surprised face, you hastily added with forced laugh. "He fell love with you, not with the clothes! Do you think he has some skimpy clothes fetish!? Geez!"

"...."

"I should change. I think that's enough fun for me. I'd pass out if you made me try anymore of these damn things!"

You quickly went to the changing room and leaned against the door, calming your erratic heart. You sucked in a sharp breath. You felt sick.

You don't know Diana just how many times I wished I was you in past life as I watched Claude shower you with affection. But that was her, this is me.

You were past the point in changing yourself for someone else. You were happy with who you were. Yes, there were times you complaint about yourself but you wouldn't change anything about you that made you into real 'you'.

You noticed right away the tension in the air as you came out changed in your usual attire.

You plastered a cheerful smile as you said in bright tone.

"Shall we go for a walk? The weather is lovely, the wind is refreshing. It would a crime not to enjoy it! And I want make flower crowns!"

The tensed silence broke with your high spirited voice and Diana smiled, nodding.

The day quickly passed as you did everything to erase your previous interaction with Diana.

The next morning in haste you sprinted towards Diana who was relaxing in the garden, drinking tea.

Diana practically squeaked like a frightened mouse as she stared at you wide eyes.

"Hey Diana, I have something for you. My forgetful dumbass mind totally erased it until I was going through the books, now remembered I have something for your. How the hell could I forget it. I feel like smacking myself."

You mumbled to yourself the last part with a frown as you closed the distance between you and Diana.

With a excited grin you held the thing you brought out to her. "Go on. Tell me how you like it!"

"What is this?" Diana stared at the pink diary in her hand with intrigue and confusion.

"A diary. And not just a simple diary. A magical one."

She stared at the diary with a puzzled look.

You smiled at her and said softly. "You have lots of things you want to tell your daughter right? You can write down your every thoughts in that. And I will give it to her on her coming of age debut."

Diana's eyes looked at you surprised before they started to brim with tears.

You continued on with a soft grin. "And if you wrote her name in that circle on the first page, only she'd be able open the diary. No one else. Not even me. This is something I made with my magic. I thought it would come handy."

Diana shakily opened the diary and her eyes trembled as she traced her fingers over the blank pages.

"I know Diana-- I mean I think, you want to see your baby grow up and have tons of stuff you want to share with her. But since you can't. This is the only solace I can give you."

"(Y/n) I-I..."

"Shush! Don't thank me. Just don't bad mouth me, okay. Just write how awesome of a friend I am!"

Diana hugged you tightly and you reciprocated it, feeling happy that she liked your gift.

From then Diana began earnestly writing in the diary.

Sometimes there would be a smile, sometimes tears as she faithfully wrote down in the diary. You didn't disturb her, left her alone with precious moments with her daughter.

Months passed by quickly. Diana never stopped filling the blank pages for her daughter. When she wasn't writing down, you both would sit down and reminisce your memories. Laughing at the crazy stuff you done.

As weeks flew by, the most dreaded day continued closing on in. Diana had become really frail. Her cheeks shrunken and pale. Lips chapped and dry. Sharp bones showing her bony figure as her health shrank. Each time you looked at her, anew dread washed over. You couldn't keep up the cheerful facade. Sometimes you would slip and end up showing your true emotions as you gazed at the fading Diana. Today was one of the day. Seeing the rapidly fading made your stomach churn horribly and Diana was still writing in the diary unaware of your wavering spirit. When your eyes fell on her, your couldn't control the bile that rose in back of your throat.

Everyday you see her, each time you're reminded she was dying and there was nothing you could do.

You quickly confined yourself in the bathroom when you felt heat brimming in your eyes. Choking back the sobs that threatened to tear your being you mutely gazed at your reflection. You're normally bright [c] eyes were dull and exhausted, your lips that always curled up into a bright smile, were quivering in sorrow.

"If only I could exchange my life for Diana's....." You whispered to yourself brokenly.

You were a Healer. You were supposed to heal people. Save peoples' lives. But when it finally came time to put that power into good use, you fell short. Just what the hell was use in being a healer when you couldn't save the one person you desperately want to?!

You crumbled against the wall, sliding down as tears started to flow down your cheeks. You bit your knuckles to muffle the cries that escaped your throat. You wept for your incompetence. Your inadequacy to save the life of your best friend. Save that one life that could in turn so many more lives. Diana's life mattered more, more than you ever could hope to be..

"I'm truly useless..."

Tears lessened and finally after a while only numbness remained. You wiped your eyes, erasing any trace of your breakdown.

No time to wallow in self pity. Your dispirited aura would only end up worrying everyone. You lightly slapped your cheeks, trying to bring back your enthusiastic, optimistic self.

Though it was no use. Only hollow smile formed that did nothing to hide your inner pain.

"I suck at acting... dammit."

You bitterly said to yourself as you tried to bring back the happy girl that would keep everyone happy.

You came out only to let out a silent squeak when you see Lily.

She softly smiled holding out a white towel. "It's warm towel. It's good for swollen eyes."

"....Ether by mistake flicked his tail into my eyes. You don't have to worry about me.." You averted your eyes from her sympathetic baby blue eyes as you took the towel, mumbling a small thank you.

You ignored Ether's protest from where he sat on the sofa pillow and made your way towards Diana's room.

You stared at Diana who was still busy with the diary you given her. Your body crashed against the bed, a deep sigh left you as your body sank into the softness of the bed. You stared at Diana and your gaze lingered on her round stomach and the strong mana concentrated around it.

You were surprised to find it once you discovered the strong mana wave. No wonder none of your healing spells or magical herbs worked on her. You thought Diana's body was fragile but in truth it was the unborn baby that was too strong for her body to bear.

Your all attempts to save Diana was to improve her vitality and health but since the baby's mana was the problem, you had to change strategy. But you didn't want to tamper with the unborn baby's mana since you had no idea how to handle it. You specifically remembered Athanasia didn't have any magic, so why did the unborn baby showed such tremendous mana? If Athanasia did have magic in her....

Your eyeslids started to droop as exhaustion settled in from earlier emotional breakdown. And a question lingered in your fading conscious. Where did her magic go?

****

Diana closed the diary. She had finally finished writing everything she could. She felt lighter knowing that her child would read the things she wrote, her journey to her last breath. All the things she wanted to tell her baby in person.

Giddy and happy she carried the diary and carefully stood up with her heavy stomach and she made way to your sleeping form sprawled on the bed. She sat down on the edge and smiled softly at you.

She was surprised at your thoughtful consideration for her. She definitely had felt the loss when she expected the fact that she wouldn't be part of her baby's life. Her baby wouldn't know a thing about her mother. But as if you could sense her sorrow and despair, you already came up with a solution.

To connect her to her baby. Her memories she wrote diligently in the diary was only for her baby.

There was knock on the door interrupting her grateful thoughts and Lily entered with a tray.

"Lady Diana, your herbal tea."

Diana nodded and Lily placed the tea on the bedside table. You had made a strict routine for her. Even though Diana wanted to continue with Lippe tea you made it adamantly clear she must drink the herbal tea you made yourself specifically for her.

Diana gently brushed back your hair. Looking over you with soft expression.

"The palace has been more lively since she arrived. She certainly brings everyone joy." Lily commented as she looked at you peaceful, sleeping face.

".....While she's hurting quietly."

Lily fell silent at Diana's soft murmured words, her blue eyes lingered on the redness of your eyes.

Diana's mind flashed back to the incident months ago. The look in your eyes when she mentioned majesty, she vividly remembers it.

"Her eyes are same as my Majesty's... Haunting and deep longing..."

Diana always was curious when his majesty would pause in mid action as if being reminded of something and his eyes would dim. Your eyes at that moment looked exactly like his.

Diana felt like there was something between you and his majesty that both of you were reluctant to share. And she never probed deeper despite her curious nature because by instincts she knew it was painful, sensitive topic, for both of you.

A silent tear trickled down your cheek and Diana grimaced, gently wiping it away.

Diana knew you were struggling with the fact that she was dying. She could see it. She felt guilty burdening you with her death. Because she knew if roles had reversed she couldn't have stayed as cheerful and supporting as you.

Diana's eyes filled with grief and pain as she stared at you. "Lily once I'm gone, take care of her. This girl truly doesn't know how to be selfish. She smiles when she's hurting, laughs when she's in pain. She'd sacrifice her own happiness without batting an eye if it means the people she cares for would be happy. And yet she can't see that for herself."

She knew what kind of person you were. She knew you tend to call yourself selfish person when in reality you were anything but. If only you could see the what everyone else see in you. If only you could see the selfless person you were, you'd know why people gravitate towards you.

Why she got attached to you and cared for you like a little sister.

Diana sighed and requested. "So please take care of her for me, Lily."

Lily wordlessly nodded. Not out of obligation but time spent with you, she too had come to deeply care for you and wants best for you.

Diana suddenly felt a sharp pain and liquid pooled down her lower body.

"Lady Diana, the water broke!"

Diana smiled sadly and knew it was time to say goodbye when you jolted awake from Lily's shout and looked at her with horror and pained eyes.

It was end of childhood long friendship with bitter goodbye.....