In the morning, Rosalia had risen early. She prepared herself with care, choosing a delicate and elegant dress, with the firm intention of looking radiant for breakfast. She planned to meet the Prince by "chance" and thus advance her love story.
According to the novel, Diego was dazzled by Rosalia's beauty, as well as by her kindness and fragility. Mariana, in her past life, had never been able to fully develop her personality due to the illness that had consumed her since childhood, but one thing was clear: she would fall in love with Diego. Since she was little, she had loved the tales her sister read to her about how Diego and Damian frustrated Valeria's evil plans to protect Rosalia, and now she was determined to live that story.
While walking toward the dining hall, Rosalia noticed Valeria's entrance and felt a small shiver of fear. She did not know if the villainess would recognize her, as she had witnessed the push into the lake. However, Valeria passed by her without even looking at her, leaving Rosalia disconcerted and relieved at the same time.
She shook her head to focus. In that instant, Diego crossed the room. She believed that was a work of fate and decided to act without wasting time. With a resolute step, she made her way toward him, but before reaching him, she feigned a trip. According to what she had learned in novels and movies, this technique could capture the protagonist's attention immediately.
To her surprise, Diego stepped aside with elegance and Rosalia ended up on the floor before the gaze of everyone present. The shame was instantaneous: the laughter and mocking looks made her feel tiny. Amidst such embarrassment, she looked up at Diego, expecting a gesture of compassion, but he was not looking at her. Instead, his attention was on Valeria, surrounded by a group of girls. Turning toward Rosalia, Diego furrowed his brow and, coldly, pronounced:
"Be more careful next time."
Before Rosalia could reply, Diego left, leaving her even more humiliated. She could feel the mocking glances of the other young ladies, and not being able to stand the situation any longer, she practically ran out of the room, murmuring to herself:
"Why? Why, Prince? If it is supposed that you should fall in love with me just by seeing me…"
Mariana had believed that just by appearing before Diego, he would be enchanted, just as the novel said. What she was unaware of was that Diego was completely focused on conquering Valeria, though he did not yet know it. Little by little she would discover that with him she would have no chance.
(Valeria's POV)
After an intense chat with her friends, each headed to their classes. Upon entering the classroom, something similar to what happened in the dining hall was repeated: all eyes were on her. Valeria hated being the center of attention, and little by little the tension grew.
Soon, someone took the empty seat beside her. She looked to her right and, to her surprise, saw Diego, the little prince in person. Annoyed by his childish attitude, she asked:
"Were there no more empty places, Highness?"
"None with such good company," Diego responded with a smile that intended to be charming.
"Hmm… I think he only wants to annoy me," Valeria thought.
"Why do you say that, Miss Valeria? Does my company perhaps bother you?"
"Do you want me to be honest, or do you prefer a lie?" she responded with a lopsided smile. Before Diego could respond, the teacher arrived and called everyone's attention, starting the class.
"Hello everyone, welcome…" the teacher began, while everyone took their seats.
Omniscient Narrator:
Diego, seeing Valeria's defiant smile, began to be even more interested. He did not understand how he had never seen this facet of her, but the more she defied him and ignored him, the more attractive she became to him. He decided to focus on the lesson, although his mind did not stop returning to his nearby companion.
At the end of the school day, Valeria met her friends for a well-deserved break. After an intense day, they decided to go to the great hall to share tea and desserts. It was all laughter and gossip until Diego, gathering courage, approached Valeria. In a loud voice, so that all the women present could hear him, he said:
"Miss Valeria, would you like to take a walk in the garden?"
Valeria, noticing the Prince's clear intention, rolled her eyes in annoyance and, resigned, accepted the invitation.
Upon arriving at the garden, Valeria stopped dead and faced him:
"What do you want, Prince? I already told you that there is no need to pretend you like me so that everyone believes we are engaged. You did not like me before, and yet everyone knew I was your fiancée."
"I already told you that I am not pretending. I really want to take a walk with you. Why do you not believe me? Is it so difficult to accept that I am trying to approach you?" Diego asked, moving a bit closer.
"I am sorry, but I do not believe you. I spent years trying to be your friend; I invited you to tea, I brought you gifts, and you despised every approach. Now, when I am not interested, you want me to believe that you are."
"It was not all of a sudden, as you say. But wait… do you remember me? I mean, from before the accident… have you been able to remember me now?" Diego said, advancing a few steps toward her.
At that moment, Valeria realized she had spoken too much. It was evident that Diego was seeking to get close to her, with every gesture and every invitation. However, Valeria did not want to fall into his nets: if things continued as in the novel, when Rosalia appeared, Diego would forget her.
"Somewhat… not everything," Valeria responded cautiously, "but I clearly remember that I tried to be your friend, that I invited you to tea, I brought you presents, and you despised every one of my approaches. Now I am the one who wants to stay away."
Diego, feeling that he was losing ground, made a final act of determination. He circled Valeria's waist with his arms, bringing his face close to hers. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said:
"I am afraid you will not be able to stay away from me. Is it selfish? Yes. Was I an idiot in the past? Also. But I will not allow you to stay away from me."
Valeria was mesmerized by Diego's intense gaze. Before she could react, their lips met in a slow kiss, heavy with sensuality. Diego pressed his body against hers, feeling the heat emanating from both. At first, Valeria tried to resist, but soon decided to let herself go. She introduced her tongue gently, exploring, while Diego, surprised but surrendered, reciprocated the gesture.
They were left breathless and, finally, they separated by a few centimeters, breathing with difficulty. Valeria, without looking away, took the nape of Diego's neck and brought his lips close again, this time in a kiss full of passion and desire. It was no longer a delicate contact; it was the manifestation of an overflowing attraction that neither of them could deny.