The dry desert air welcomed her as she stared out into the twilight of their room, its large windows presenting the city in its splendor. It had been nearly ten months of constant travel aboard and they finally reached Cairo. While the world was significantly different than what she read in books and she fell in love with it all. It helped as a placeholder, a distraction from what she truly wanted at the moment. Her deepest wish was to spend an afternoon or even an hour enjoying the sights, sounds, smells, and people of the various places she visited with Freddie.
She wrote almost every day in her diary as if she was writing to him, using it to fill the void that his absence left in her. Frustrated with the silence about what happened during the incident with Sir Elliot, she could only gather bits and pieces of the aftermath. However, much to her relief Sir Steffan was found and relatively unharmed with the exception of getting knocked out by Sir Elliot.
She knew that when Sir Steffan came to it was presumed he told the Prince himself. The Prince did not marry the Fruelin and she experienced the power of the crown taking control of the situation hiding the truth from the ton and giving them a story that sounded perfectly reasonable as to why the engagement was broken. Penelope seemed to be the only one who shed some light on what had occurred. The Prince was no longer in England but back in Prussia where things seemed to be muddier. Penelope revealed Sir Elliot was also absent in England hinting he was driven out as Lady Whistledown took upon herself to exact revenge on his nefarious behavior, wisely leaving out her name but unfortunately exposing the Fruelin. The conclusion not quite hitting its mark as Diana had hoped.
For additional distraction, Eloise Bridgerton had kept her entertained with her adventures of the summer and discovering female empowerment. Diana had wished she could speak to her about what had happened but wisely decided to wait until she saw her in person. The lack of information and Freddie's silence had frustrated her to no end, each day oscillating between giving up and waiting for hope.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Dominic interrupted her thoughts as they both stared at the ancient pyramids beyond the city of Cairo. Diana stroked her long braid that rested over her shoulder, after all that happened and the adventures she had since she felt quite humbled and grateful for all that she learned and experienced including the pain.
"It has exceeded everything I read about." Diana sighed happily deciding she would paint it, with the colors of the twilight and stars that started to appear.
Dominic her dear brother was more alive on this trip and ensured her safety making them grow closer than ever. It did not go amiss that he frequently wrote to Sir Steffan finding several letters directed to him and sometimes including her in some passages.
"Sir Steffan is still doing well and is quite enchanted by your descriptions and pictures." Dominic smiled widely.
"Well, then surely he can join us and see it for himself." Diana exclaimed turning to him sensing his excitement. It was something she constantly kept suggesting but Dominic always met her with a knowing smile until now.
"Is that what you wish?" Dominic asked, his tone serious.
"Of course." Diana said amused.
"Good because I am already here." a voice startled her Diana turned quickly finding Sir Steffan, his golden hair longer and a blond beard. The tall man beamed at them as she quickly rushed over happily, her English civility buried as she hugged him in welcome.
"Sir Steffan!" she exclaimed laughing. "I cannot believe you are here! Did you know!?"
Diana turned to her brother who grinned sheepishly. "I thought you could use a fun surprise."
Diana continued to laugh delighted. "Well, you certainly took to the sun I didn't realize you could gain more freckles." Sir Steffan teased.
"I know it's not fashionable in some places." Diana said.
"But you are more beautiful than ever, travel has agreed with you quite well." Sir Steffan grinned.
Diana rolled her eyes, "I no longer need any proposals so you do not have to flatter me."
"She should have traveled aboard sooner, she has received more proposals aboard than in England." Dominic laughed.
"I hope none you've considered." Sir Steffan inquired.
Diana laughed again, "As I said, I don't need them besides none were enticing as yours to have me say yes."
"How about one more proposal?" Sir Steffan asked sending her a knowing smile.
"From you? I thought we would wait and under very specific circumstances." Diana remembered that proposition fondly which seemed like almost another lifetime ago.
"Oh, sweet Diana. Not me." he grinned coyly. Diana looked at him confused until a shadow darkened the doorway.
Diana thought she was in another dream, a mirage that only the desert could conjure up. Prince Friedrich stood before her his sea-blue gaze pinned on hers. Diana lost her breath until Dominic nudged her.
"I-." Diana started.
"We will excuse ourselves." Dominic grinned clapping his hand on the Prince's shoulder, Sir Steffan followed behind with a wide grin himself.
Struck dumb Diana watched as he took one tentative step toward her, "Diana." he started. His sweet voice brought her back to reality.
"You are here." she whispered stilling as if he would disappear if she made sudden movements.
"Yes." he grinned another step.
Diana broke into a grin about to move toward him.
"What happened?! Why did you not write or find me sooner?" she asked looking up at him.
"Well, in short when Sir Steffan told me about the condition of Elsbeth, I had to move fast, I will tell the story in more detail but essentially it had quite upended...everything. Enough so that my brothers and I...well if we lost it would be treason but we had gained enough supporters for a coup. Sir Elliot has been arrested after what he tried to do to you and Elsbeth's father is quite furious with him, Elsbeth, and my father. Honestly, it took quite the effort to not murder him myself but it seems that someone else beat me to it." he stroked her face as her mouth dropped in shock. "But now my father is exiled and my mother is safe and you are safe. Everything is still in chaos and it's still a delicate time in my country but I needed to find you."
"A coup?! Sir Elliot dead??" Diana exclaimed.
"I not the perfect man, I relished when heard of Sir Elliot's demise." Guilt wracked his features. "If we'd lost the coup I surely would have been dead which is why I didn't come for you sooner" Diana shuddered at his words, it was unfathomable to her.
"Oh Freddie, I-I would have never wanted that kind of risk on you."
"Wait." he stopped her. "Before any more words. I need to know an answer to this question."
He kneeled before her, his gaze never leaving hers. Diana's heart pounded so loud, that it seemed like the city could hear it. "Marry me?"
Pulling out of his pocket the Knife of Queen Razia, its ivory handle and jewels glinting before her.
"I cannot think of anyone beside me for the rest of my life than my own equal." he smiled up at her.
Breathless Diana stared at him, the knife, and back at him. Tears blurring the sight. "Yes!" she exclaimed happily. He stood and Diana couldn't help but crash her lips on his. He held her tight against him, each savoring the visceral kisses and the feel of each other, letting the long months of dreams become reality at that moment.
When they broke apart she gazed fondly at his face, "Of course, I do have a ring for you but just know there is quite a mess in my Kingdom."
"I don't care, together we will navigate throughout it all." Diana laughed. "As long as I am yours and you are mine."
"Always." he smiled against her lips as the stars above them witnessed another moment in history of another love to transcend across time.
The End
A/N: AHHHHHH IT'S OVER! BUT WAIT!! EPILOGUE!!