Chapter 16
The Trip to the Institute
Diego decided to step out of his hiding place, turning his back to Valeria so as not to look at her directly. His voice sounded somewhat nervous when he spoke:
"Forgive me, Miss Valeria, but do not scream, please."
She looked at him with surprise, her cheeks still flushed from the embarrassment of having been discovered.
"You… what are you doing here? Were you spying on me?"
While she waited for an explanation from the Prince, Valeria had no choice but to dress herself again. The opportunity to take a dip in those magnificent hot springs had been ruined by Diego's untimely presence.
"I only followed you…" he hesitated, lowering his gaze. "It was not my intention to spy on you. I wanted to speak with you for a moment, about continuing to pretend to be engaged now that we are returning to the institute."
"And you could not come out before I undressed?"
The Prince's silence was a clearer answer than any word. Valeria understood it immediately and sighed with irony.
"Of course not…" she said to herself. Then she added with a firm voice, "Well, I am dressed now. You may turn around."
Diego did so slowly, completely blushing. He did not dare to look her in the eye.
"Well?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Are you going to speak?"
"Erm… yes…" he swallowed hard. "I only wanted to know why you do not wish it to be known that we are no longer engaged."
"Do not get any strange ideas, Prince." Valeria interrupted him coldly. "I do not wish to marry so young. I prefer to wait."
"And what ideas do you think I might be getting?"
"I do not know…" she said with a sarcastic smile. "Perhaps that I am still in love with you and intend to keep away the women who approach you."
Diego tensed. In his heart, that idea had crossed his mind. He longed to believe that she still saw him with affection, that the condition she had asked of his father hid a secret interest.
"And is that not so?" he asked, taking a step toward her.
"Of course not." Valeria immediately stepped back.
The Prince insisted, closing the distance.
"Then tell me, Miss Valeria, why are you so nervous to be near me?"
She continued to back away until she felt the damp stone at the edge of the pool. Then she changed the play. Instead of continuing to yield, she straightened up, fixed her eyes on his, and walked resolutely forward.
"Who is nervous?" she asked, coming within mere centimeters of his face. "What are you playing at, Highness?"
Diego remained motionless.
"I am not playing, Miss Valeria."
His initial plan had been to provoke her, to make her uncomfortable. However, now the roles had been reversed. Before he could react, Valeria reached out with her hand and gently stroked his cheek.
"You are playing," she whispered with a dangerous smile. "First you despise me to the point of rejection, and now you follow me, you watch me. You wanted me to leave you in peace, and I did. Now tell me… what are you playing at?"
The Prince's heart beat strongly. The contact of her skin had left him breathless. He swallowed with difficulty, trying to maintain his composure, but he was lost in the proximity of that young woman.
Valeria, satisfied, leaned her face to his ear.
"I had better go. I see that even you do not know what you want. Just a piece of advice, Prince…" her voice dropped in tone, silky and firm. "Do not play with fire. You might get burned."
She left him paralyzed, confused and with his pulse racing. Then, with a mocking smile and a wink, she departed, leaving him alone among the vapors of the pool.
They returned to their families shortly after, who were already saying their goodbyes to return to their duties.
The days passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, the moment to depart for the institute arrived.
At the Delacroix Duchy, the atmosphere was somber. The children clung to their older sister as if their world depended on it. The Dukes, Maximiliano and Renata, shared the same silent sadness.
"Please, change those faces," Valeria asked, trying to sound cheerful. "I already told you that I can come on weekends. The institute is a day's journey away; it is not that far."
"Promise us you won't miss a single weekend," Tomy asked with a pout.
"And that you won't forget us," Lucas added with a trembling voice.
Valeria hugged them tight.
"Forget you? Never. You are my life. I will come every weekend, I swear."
After consoling her siblings, she finished preparing her luggage. Clara, her faithful companion, would accompany her to the institute, so she also finalized her bags. Soon, both were ready to depart.
The Dukes went out to see them off in the main courtyard. Maximiliano, with a concerned gesture, informed them that they would travel escorted by fifteen of the duchy's best soldiers.
At that moment, an imperial carriage arrived and stopped in front of the entrance. From it stepped, with a firm pace, Prince Diego.
"Greetings, godparents." He bowed with respect. "I come by order of my father. He wants Miss Valeria to travel with us, for greater safety. Besides, that way we can guide her when we arrive at the institute."
"Greetings, Aunt and Uncle," added Damian, who stepped down after him.
Renata arched an eyebrow, although she hid her surprise.
"Is that so? What a nice gesture. Then move everything to His Highness's carriage."
Valeria, annoyed, furrowed her brow.
"And why do I have to go in the same carriage? We are fine as we are. We can follow behind, but separately."
"Please, Valeria," Maximiliano intervened, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Do it for us. That way we will be more at peace."
"Yes, darling," Renata added. "Go with them."
She had no choice but to accept, though her face said it all: she did not like the idea at all.
"Very well…" she murmured with resignation, watching as the servants transferred her suitcases to the imperial carriage.
Valeria climbed in first, followed by Clara. Behind them entered Diego and Damian. The silence inside the carriage became dense, almost uncomfortable, until Valeria, seeking to lighten the mood, broke the stillness.
"Tell me, Prince Damian, what year are you attending at the institute?"
"Second year, Miss."
"And I suppose you, Prince Diego, will be in the same one as I."
"That is so. We shall share some classes."
"Oh…" she responded, not knowing what to add. Getting no further conversation from him, she took refuge in silence.
The journey passed slowly. Night fell, and the lights of the institute began to shine in the distance. Valeria sighed with relief.
"We are finally here…" she said dramatically, causing Diego to give a half-smile.
When they stopped in front of the great gate, Diego took control.
"Brother, take our things with the servants. I will help Miss Valeria with hers."
"Alright, see you later," Damian responded, leaving them alone.
Diego offered his hand to help her down.
"Come. Let us announce our arrival, and I will guide you to your room."
"Very well…" she accepted with a gesture of resignation.
The students watching from the entrance whispered among themselves. Everyone knew that Prince Diego had always shown contempt toward his fiancée, but seeing him now so attentive to Valeria raised doubts.
Had things changed between them during the holidays?
Perhaps, some thought, the relationship everyone believed broken was not so after all.