chapter eight the day
trigger warnings // mentions of blood , character death

day seven, week four.

the last day, for both diana's work at the herieth kingdom and ranboo's life.

does diana regretted accepting this job and falling in love with ranboo? yes.

will she back out? no.

she stayed silent, conflicted. she can't run away now, right?

"i- i need to do it. for my family. it's all i want in my life. to see my family happy."

will she really be happy, though?

----

diana woked up, rubbing her eyes to check the time.

5:43

she woked up really early. what a rare event.

they didn't sleep much last night, all she kept on doing is tossing and turning on her bed.

how could she sleep? they literally need to kill someone tomorrow.

to make it worse, it's ranboo. the person she fell in love with.

"what should i do?" diana sighed. she thought about it, and she just decided to sharpen her plan and her dagger.

they walked to the table inside her room, and took her knife and a sharpening stone that she always kept together with her knife.

they sat down, a frown visible on her face. she was scared. very scared.

sharpening it, fear in her heart. she doesn't want to do this. she loves him. so much.

sure, some people might think "it's probably nothing big, you met him around a month ago." and maybe say things like "you're just a teenager, you'll forget this sooner or later."

but to her, he's,,, everything. never once in her life she thought that she would have fun on a mission, especially because of a boy.

they glanced at the window, noticing the sun rising. i need to go prepare.

there's no other way.

----

she didn't meet ranboo at breakfast. well, it would make a lot of sense. he's having breakfast with all the princesses. to say diana was jealous was quite the understatement.

anyways, ranboo (somehow) managed to sneak out of the the crowd. he instantly look for diana, and that is definitely not because he wants her instead as his fiance/wife.

okay, i think it's a bit too late to say those things. they almost kissed, for goodness sake.

he saw her walking around the garden. it seems like she was helping the gardener and fundy by carrying things that needs to be brought to the castle.

he instantly smiled, and ran down to get to her. when he arrived a bit behind her, he instantly called for them.

"rachel!" he said. diana jumped slightly at her place, eyes widen from hearing his voice.

no please not you i can't look at you when i'm going to kill you today-

"you okay?" ranboo asked while placing his hand on her shoulder.

diana pulled her shoulders away from his hand, shocking ranboo. slightly hurt, ranboo pulled his hands to his chest.

"i uhm, yeah. i'm okay. fine." diana sighed.

"oh, uh... you sure? i-i'm sorry that i touched your shoulder. i'm g-guessing that you're not comfortable with it. i'll ask next time."

there will be no "next time", ranboo. "yeah, okay. please do that."

it was very awkward after that.

----

lunch time! ranboo somehow convinced his parents and diana herself to join him and everyone else.

it was a weird experience for diana. everyone around her looks so,,, elegant. and fancy.

the princesses are all wearing pretty dresses, diana is pretty sure one dress is way more expensive than her house. the king and queen was wearing their usual attire, as well as ranboo.

while diana? she was just wearing her uniform which is a boring, black suit.

the only thing was heard was utensils, and diana could feel ranboo staring at her (lovingly) from her side.

"ranboo, i was wondering why did you ask ms. lovegood to join us here?" queen olivia, ranboo's mom, asked.

most people there just acknowledged it as a normal question to ask, but ranboo did not think that way.

she knows about his little (big) crush on the bodyguard.

she sent a smirk to him, and ranboo lowered his eyes. why now, mom. please.

she actually found out about his crush in a quite simple way. she saw him writing the little love letter he left for diana one day.

and to add to that, she actually there looking at when diana and ranboo was about to kiss. she was actually so hyped for that, even going to the extent to chant "kiss her kiss her" silently.

she almost threw the vase near the window out of frustration when she saw fundy interrupting them, if she's being honest.

"i uhm, well, i want to show my... gratitude! yes! gratitude. to rache- ehem. ms. lovegood, for being my bodyguard for a while."

"hmm, is that so? is there any other... reasoning?" queen olivia's smirk become more evident.

everyone looked at her, confused. diana was just staring at her, and her eyes widen. she knows, does she?

"n-no, mom. t-that's the only reason." ranboo stuttered.

"hmm, okay then." she stopped. but before she continue eating, she sent a small wink at the two teen. she also mouthed something to ranboo, and it seems to be some language diana doesn't understand.

but ranboo instantly blushed at the words and lower her head again.

what the fuckkkkkkkk-

----

around 3 hours before the ball. diana is currently trying to style her short hair, which is kind of hard.

she decided to settle with her usual hairstyle, but they decided to add a small ace hair pin as a simple accessory.

she hasn't changed to her gown, since she still needs to go around the castle to make sure everything is well.

exiting her room, she was greeted by 3 of the princesses that's going to be one of the princesses that might be ranboo's fiance.

"i...uhm...can i...help...you...?" she asked nervously. just because she's an assasin, doesn't mean she doesn't get intimidated by these angry-looking princesses.

diana never went to school so she doesn't know these mean girls type scenario and stuff.

"hmm...i don't know honey, you tell me." one of them said aggressively.

"i uhm, i genuinely do not know-"

"shut. up. you know what you did. you're trying to steal the prince's heart right? you poor filthy thing."

first of all, i am not filthy. second of all, i am not- wait. i am poor. ANYWAYS third of all, i have stole his heart. what about it HA.

"i am not doing that." diana replied. 'you're such a pussy oh my god' she could hear dream's voice mocking her.

"mhm. sure. listen honey, he's not going to marry you or anything. you're really,,, ugly. oops! no offense." they all giggled.

"anyways, we better be going. we actually have pretty dresses to use unlike you."

the princesses walked away, while diana stayed silent.

when they're out of sight, diana grunted

"i have a dress too you spoiled little motherfuckers i can literally slap you if i want-"

her rant continued until she arrived at the dressing room. sigh.

----

arriving at the dressing room, diana saw ranboo sitting at the chair waiting for the tailor to take his suit.

she can see her dress ready to be use, and ranboo turned around, acknowledging her presence.

"h-hey rachel!" he greeted. "hey there." diana sighed while sitting next to him.

"waiting for your suit?" they asked.

"yeah, the tailor said that he made some minor changes and stuff that's why he doesn't put it like he puts your dress." ranboo answered.

"hm alright then." diana layed back at the seat. ranboo stared at them, and she raised her eyebrows.

"what?" "nothing. i just think the clip you're using is really pretty on you."

STOP I LITERALLY NEED TO KILL YOU TONIGHT THIS MOTHERFUCKER-

"huh?" "i-i mean, uhm, your... clip... is... uh... you know what nevermind."

awkward silence fell between them, until the tailor came back.

"alright lovebirds stop flirting here's your suit. now go change i want to see how you two look."

the two sighed, and went to their respective changing place.

----

after they finished, the two of them came out and looked at the mirror.

this is a bit familiar, huh?

"alright!" the tailor clapped. "you guys can go prepare your own things! everything looks great." he said.

"will do sir, thank you." ranboo smiled and nodded. diana also nodded and thank him.

after the man left, the two of them stayed for a short while.

"alright then." diana sighed. "i guess... see you later...?"

"yeah, see you later." ranboo smiled at her.

diana started to walk to the door, but ranboo suddenly held her hand. "wait!"

diana looked back at him, confused. ranboo mused, thinking about something. "what is it, ranboo?"

suddenly, ranboo leaned in, pecking diana on the lips for a second. her eyes went wide, and she stumbled back a bit.

"i-i'm so sorry. i-i just, i-i just thought i'd do that before the party. y-you know, since we almost,,, k-kissed,,, the other day."

"i'm genuinely so sorry i should've asked for permission first-" "it's okay."

ranboo's eyes went wide. "w-what?"

"it's okay. really." diana said, a bit louder than before.

"in fact," diana leaned in again, now giving ranboo a peck on his lips like he did. "i really appreciate that."

"see you later, lover boy." she chuckled, seeing ranboo's flustered expression.

ranboo genuinely thought that he was about to cry and pass out at that time. slash pos don't worry.

----

diana looked around the hall, the one that once was used for ranboo and her's dance practice. it was now filled with many rich people, from royalties and nobles.

you thought her entrance would be like cinderella's huh? if not then shush the author is trying to sound cool.

anyways, diana could see the princesses that tried to intimidate her (they succeed just a slight bit) trying to flirt with ranboo.

curious, she tried to get closer to them. listening to the flirty lines she heard, diana could safely say that she wanted to barf.

goddamn even i could flirt better than that.

queen olivia saw diana when she was nearing ranboo and the princesses, and started to smirk.

"dear, everyone, i'll be leaving for a second. please excuse me."

"where are you going?" her husband asked, whispering.

"somewhere. now shush." she left.

she rushed to diana, pulling her with her.

"y-your highness?!" diana whispered, shocked.

"hello, hello. now, answer quick, do you love my son?" queen olivia asked.

"i- uh- huh?!" diana eyes widen, her face resembling that smiling emoji that people use to show disbelief, usually.

"well, do you?"

"i-i mean, yeah."

"alright good. now, follow me."

queen olivia, instead of letting diana follow her, grabbed her hand and pulled her to ranboo.

"hello, everyone." she smiled, diana still confused.

the princesses looked at her and gasped. "good evening, your highness." all of them greeted, bowing.

"hey, mom." ranboo smiled, also a bit confused noticing diana behind her.

"would you lovely princesses leave for a second? me and ranboo's beloved bodyguard would like to talk for a while with ranboo here."

"psh i bet she's getting fired or something." one of them whispered. "shut up." the one that seemed to be the oldest slap her hand with her fan.

"very well, your highness. come on, let's leave." the oldest princess said. the others followed her, making them look like ducklings following their mama duck.

"m-mom? what is this? why are you holding diana's hand?"

"shush." queen olivia said. "now, go dance to the next song. together."

"huh?!" both of the teen screamed, shocking everyone around them. "m-mom, the next waltz is supposed to be for lovers who wants to get married or married couples."

"okay, and? why aren't you getting the hint?" queen olivia raised her eyebrows.

diana and ranboo's eyes went wide, and looked at each other.

"i better see you together waltzing or i'm going to kill you, ranboo." she said.

well i mean he is going to die- SHUT UP?? DIANA SHE'S LITERALLY TRYING TO SET YOU UP WITH YOUR CRUSH JUST SHUT.

queen olivia left, going back near her husband.

"i- uh- what was that?" ranboo blinked.

"i absolutely do not know." diana's eyes still wide.

"well, i-i guess we don't have any other choice." ranboo said. the music that's usually used for the waltz queen olivia talked about started to play, and ranboo extended his hand.

"s-shall we dance? i don't really know how to act like those gentlemen and stuff."

"yes, yes we should." diana chuckled.

----

as they were dancing, everyone was watching them. i mean, why wouldn't they?

ranboo, the prince that's supposed to find a fiance, dancing with his bloody bodyguard.

diana is nervous, and obviously not for the stares only. while she was dancing, she could feel the knife she covered with a cap, moving slightly on her thigh.

the movement reminds her of the thing she needs to do, and it also reminded her that dream is already waiting somewhere on on the garden, ready to see her kill ranboo and bring her back to their kingdom.

"you okay?" ranboo asked, concerned.

diana thought for a while, and looked at the queen. she was looking at them

i could say i'm feeling ill, and have ranboo wait near the bathroom. there's one of the princess there, so she would probably start to flirt with him.

so, the queen would think ranboo's with her. i'll ask ranboo to go to the garden with me and kill him there. to stay safe, i'll knock out that princess so she wouldn't say shit.

"my stomach hurts." diana faked a pained expression. "can you escort me to the toilet and wait for me?"

"oh, of course! i don't want you to feel sick. come on!" ranboo said, softly pulling her away from the middle of the room.

"wait, wait. you can wait here. i'll go by myself." "are you sure? if u want i'll catch up to you." "oh yeah that's good. i'll see you later."

queen olivia raised her eyebrows seeing diana left, but then she saw them walking to direction of the bathroom. "ah, okay." she softly said.

she continued to walk to the bathroom, and they noticed that one of the princesses talking to ranboo. perfect.

the girl left, leaving ranboo talking to the princess.

after some time, she went out and saw ranboo standing alone.

"she's gone?" "yeah. she kept on flirting with me." he let out a nervous chuckle.

"do you like it?" she asked. "the flirting? no," ranboo answered. "i would've if the one that's flirting is you but that's not the case."

I LITERALLY NEED TO KILL YOU STOP BEING CUTEEEEEE-

"i- alright. i see how it is." diana looked at him, pretending to be pissed.

the boy started to giggle, watch the girl pout slightly.

"hehe sorry." he smiled at her.

"yeah yeah, it's nothing." she chuckled.

diana mused for a second, until she finally talks again. "...do you want to go to the garden?"

ranboo stared at her, eyes filled with hope. might be a good chance to court her, no?

"i uhm, ah yeah! why not! i would love to." he nervously answered, a little bit too excited for his own good.

"alright then! i need to,,, take care of something first then i'll catch up to you. go first!"

what a poor soul he is, not knowing what's coming.

----

the two of the strolled through the beautiful garden, looking at the mesmerizing sight in front of them.

they walked with a slight gap seperating the two, both of them nervous for different reasons.

"i hope she'll accept my proposal." "i'm sorry everything needs to end like this."

two teenagers in love, but seperated due to their goals and status. what a cliche story this is, isn't it?

diana could feel the cold feeling of the cap of the dagger on her thighs, her eyes dropping down to the floor in shame. i never wanted this.

ranboo took notice of her sudden mood change, worried. "are you okay, rachel?"

i don't know i'm supposed to kill the literal love of my life what the fuck do you think? "yeah, i'm okay."

ranboo looked at her and at the same time, the shorter girl looked up at him. their eyes widen, and both instantly looked away, with visible blush on their own faces.

the stroll continued, the two enjoying each others presence for the last time. ranboo sneaked his right hand to his pocket, and looked at the small box he has prepared earlier.

inside of that box was a ring, the one he planned to give diana as his proposal of marriage. but well, we know how this is going to end.

"...do you maybe want to sit there?" diana asked, pointing at a small, quite hidden, area of the garden. they've sat there together multiple times, it was her plan to make it not suspicious to him. it's just like the other days, right?

"hm? oh yeah, sure! why not." ranboo replied with a smile. diana feels like crying, all she want to do is hug him.

she's just a teenager, why does she needs to deal with this? why can't she live a normal life? why can't she just... be free?

the two sat down next to each other, and gazed upon the moon.

ranboo scooted over near her, and then he layed his head on her shoulder. tensing up, diana's eyes went wide.

"this is nice. i hope we can do this more often in the future." ranboo whispered.

diana could feel tears forming up in her eyes, and she slowly took the dagger without him noticing.

she was a skilled assassin after all, of course he wouldn't hear her taking the dagger.

a part of her wished he would've heard her and stopped her.

she would rather be hated by him rather than to see him die because of her own hands. but she can't go back anymore.

she opened the cap carefully, trying not to make a sound.

soon after that, ranboo tilted his head slightly, and he noticed the tears threatening to drop from her eyes. "rachel?"

she stayed silent.

"i'm sorry."

her last words before she plunged the dagger to his stomach.

she stabbed him at the place she knows will kill him faster. it was not because she wants him gone, no!

she doesn't want him to feel the pain too long.

his eyes widen in shock, feeling the intense pain from there.

he just stared at her, tears dropping from his eyes. diana stared at him back, crying just like he is.

she could see he was in pain, but she was pissed. why isn't he mad at her? why isn't he calling her a traitor? why isn't he saying that he hates her?

"WHY AREN'T YOU MAD?! SCREAM AT ME, GET MAD AT ME! WHY AREN'T YOU PULLING THAT KNIFE OUT AND STAB ME INSTEAD?! AREN'T YOU MAD?!" her small screams could be heard, but not enough to alert other people next to ranboo himself.

tears falling out of her eyes as he sends her a bittersweet smile. why are you so nice? why can't you be mad at me? why can't you just kill me?

"...i- i know you don't have any- bad intent-intentions." he choked out an answer. his time is running low.

he weakly pulled her hands, trying to pull her closer. he lifted his body that was laying down, bearing the immense pain.

he pulled the knife out of his stomach, making her panic. "nonono please don't do that you're going to die faster please i'm sorry let's go now i'll help you i'm so sorry please hate me-"

she was interrupted with him placing his lips on hers, kissing her. more tears was dropping from their eyes, both not wanting to let go.

after a short while, the two seperated. it's close to his death. he can't survive long.

"please ranboo i'm sorry i'm sorry let's go i'll help please-"

"shh, it's- it's okay. j-just go, ple-please. i do-don't want you to b-be in trouble." he softly said.

"ranboo please don't think about me-"

"goodbye, rac-rachel. plea-please, r-run. i dont w-want you to be in danger be-because of me."

his eyes slowly closes. "nononono please no don't leave me please i'm sorry please take my life instead god please."

----

her heart felt like it stopped.

she have lost all of her hope today. her sun. her moon. her muse. her everything.

all that can be heard in the air is her soft sobs.

she continues to sob, but she knows she would just waste her time. she needs to leave. dream is waiting, the king is waiting.

she flees out of the scene, scared for her life with pain in her heart.

----

it was such a anti-climatic death of a prince, one that no one would imagine for a prince.

the death that seperates the two, hopelessly in love, teenagers because of their status.

she runs and runs, going to the location dream ordered her to go to after completing her objective.

"hello dream, i've- i've completed my job."

"he's dead."