"Hmm..."
Diana slowly opened her beautiful eyes, squinting slightly as she adjusted to the soft morning light.
Then, stretching gently, she sat up and looked around, dazed by the completely new sight before her.
"You're awake?" said Steve, already efficiently packing up their luggage. He flashed her a brief smile before adding, "We arrived much earlier than expected. Welcome… to London."
Diana remained silent for a few seconds, her eyes getting lost among the tall buildings, the bustling streets, and the gray sky. It was a world vastly different from Themyscira, where nature reigned supreme. Here, metal and stone dominated, and people hurried by, indifferent to the scenery around them.
"It's… very different…" she said, almost in a whisper, as if still trying to take it all in.
"You get used to it with time," Arthur replied calmly, watching her curious and amazed gaze.
Diana glanced at him briefly, noticing how naturally he seemed to fit there, as if he were already part of this strange world, while she still felt like an outsider. But, somehow, she felt safe by his side, as if she could face anything as long as she was with Arthur.
---
Beep!
The sharp sound of a horn startled Diana. She looked, fascinated, at the vehicles speeding by, their engines roaring and their wheels spinning rapidly. Then, unable to contain her curiosity, she gently tugged on the sleeve of Arthur's coat, leaning in a little closer:
"These… are cars?" she asked, with an innocent sparkle in her eyes, excited.
"Yes," Arthur replied, smiling as he watched her excitement over something so mundane to him.
Steve, who was walking a few steps ahead, turned to them and said, with the air of a responsible older brother:
"Alright… I'm going to deliver the information. You two stay here and don't wander around, okay?"
But, glancing at the two of them—Diana still holding Arthur's hand, her eyes shining with enthusiasm, and him so calmly by her side—Steve merely sighed, aware that it would be useless to try and restrain them.
"Fine… okay… you can look around a bit. I think I'll be able to find you… probably," he added, half-resigned.
Diana smiled contentedly and, wasting no time, took Arthur's hand, intertwining her fingers with his naturally, as if that gesture had always been part of them.
Arthur didn't protest; he simply accompanied her calmly, admiring the insatiable curiosity with which she looked at everything around her.
Inexplicably, Diana already had vast knowledge about the human world, present in her mind like an implanted memory. And she knew the reason for that: Arthur. He had exposed her to this world, even if unintentionally. Now, walking through those streets, it was as if she were experiencing for the first time what she had only previously known in an abstract way.
---
Soon, the two of them arrived at a photography studio, drawn by the shop window filled with framed images of couples, families, and travelers wanting to immortalize their moments in the city.
The owner of the studio, a friendly middle-aged man, quickly noticed the elegant couple standing outside. He approached enthusiastically, with a welcoming smile:
"Welcome! Would you like to take a photo to remember this visit?"
Arthur nodded and, with a discreet motion, pulled out a banknote from his pocket and handed it to the man. Steve, always cautious, had given them a small wad of money for situations like this.
"Take a photo of us," Arthur said, while Diana looked around, enchanted by the old-fashioned atmosphere—the heavy fabrics, the velvet curtains, the antique furniture.
Soon, they changed into more classic attire, in line with the studio's style. Diana wore a delicate cream dress that highlighted her natural beauty and noble posture even more, while Arthur donned a dark suit, elegant and understated, accentuating his calm, commanding presence.
Diana sat in an ornate chair with golden details, the soft fabric contrasting with the firmness of the backrest. Arthur stood beside her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders and leaning slightly toward her.
They both smiled, sharing that silent connection that needed no words.
When the camera flashed, a bright white light shone, making them both instinctively close their eyes and rub their eyelids.
Arthur then stepped forward and took the photograph, which was quickly developed and handed over by the photographer.
In the image, Diana and Arthur appeared perfectly aligned: she seated, with a delicate smile and a serene gaze, yet full of silent affection; he standing beside her, with a calm but protective expression, as if silently promising to always look after her. The contrast between their classical elegance and natural ease gave the photo a timeless air.
Arthur remained silent for a moment, holding the photo, absorbed.
"You're not satisfied with the photo?" the studio owner asked, a bit apprehensive.
Arthur smiled, looking away and shaking his head slightly:
"No… it's great."
But, as he gazed at the image again, he thought:
(Hmm… but something's missing…)
Suddenly, he raised his head, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Heh… I know."
He turned to Diana and called her:
"Diana… come here."
She approached, curious, and then Arthur, with gentle hands, gave her a small ornate box lined with red velvet.
"This is…" — Diana murmured, surprised, as she opened the box and saw the necklace resting inside: a delicate ruby pendant, cut in the shape of a teardrop, hanging from a fine silver chain. The stone shone intensely, as if it carried a piece of Arthur's very own heart.
Diana looked up at him, her heart beating faster—a mix of surprise, joy, and… something more. Something she didn't yet know how to say, but felt intensely.
"It's a gift for you," Arthur said, with that calm tone that always made her feel safe.
"Thank you, Arthur…" she replied, with a sweet smile full of tenderness. Then, on an impulsive whim:
"Will you help me put it on?"
"Of course…" he agreed, smiling softly.
Arthur then carefully took the necklace and moved closer to her. Diana tilted her head slightly, brushing her hair aside so he could clasp the jewel around her neck. Arthur's fingers lightly grazed her skin, and for a brief second, the world around them seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them in that silent bubble of intimacy.
Suddenly…
Flash!
An unexpected flash of light surprised them. They both turned toward it, and there was the studio owner, with the camera still smoking, smiling with innocent mischief.
"Hehehe… I couldn't resist! You two make a perfect pair! No need to pay… this one's on the house!" he said, with a conspiratorial wink.
Diana, still a bit surprised, took the new photograph. In it, Arthur appeared behind her, just finishing fastening the necklace, his eyes fixed on the jewel, while Diana looked at him in profile, with a radiant smile and an unmistakable sparkle of happiness in her eyes. It was a spontaneous moment, real… and infinitely more intimate than the first photo.
She looked at the image, then turned to Arthur with the same sweet smile full of meaning:
"I'll keep it… forever," she said, her voice soft but filled with a profound feeling that didn't need to be explained.
---
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."