-

Now that the ball has started, Elena did the tour of the room, greeting almost everyone accompanied by her mother. But the whole night everyone was concentrating on her. They never expected to see a lady this beautiful to be locked away from the world.

-

"I heard you spoke 3 languages, Miss Bennet."

"Yes, I do in fact."

Elena answered to the Lord she was talking to.

"And she's learning a new one."

Her mother added.

-

"I envy you, Miss Bennet. I too always wanted to travel around Europe."

"Then what is stopping you, My Lord?"

"Nothing, actually."

-

"May I just say, you almost looked like an angel, entering the ball room."

"You are too kind, Sir."

-

After meeting all of her mother's close friends, Elena decided she would greet the people that she wanted to. She met one of Isabella's friend's sister, Daphne Bridgerton and they got along quite well. It was a start of a new friendship.

When she noticed Benedict standing in the corner of the room, she instantly walked towards him.

"Are you enjoying yourself, my lord?"

She asked, standing next to him but Benedict gave her THAT look. "Please, don't give me that look."

"You never told me you were the marquess' daughter."

"Well you never asked, my lord. Besides, I had to keep it a secret. I'm sorry if I offended you."

"No worries, Miss Bennet. I completely understand."

He took a sip of his drink.

There was a long silence after that, the tension between the 2 was very awkward.

"I think we owe each other a proper introduction, don't you think?"

Benedict broke the silence.

"I suppose your right."

Elena agreed.

She put down her glass and bowed.

"Elena Bennet. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Benedict smiled and took her hand.

"Benedict Bridgerton. At your service, madame."

He said and kissed Elena's hand.

-

"Miss Elena Bennet, presented by her mother, the Right Honorable, The Marchioness Bennet."

Everyone turned their heads towards the door to be greated by the beautiful Elena walking towards the queen.

The whole crowd simply sulked. Her eyes, her nose, her hair. Everything of her was remarkable.

"Is that my goddaughter?"

The Queen whispered to Brimsley and he nodded.

When Elena arrived in front of her with the perfect bow, the Queen stood up and walked towards her. She took her time to look at Elena before lifting up her chin.

"Astonishing, my dear. Simply, beautiful."

With a small proud face, she thanked her godmother.

-

"You did amazing, sister."

Thomas complimented his sister and kissed her on the cheek.

"Please, all I did was wear a dress and bow like everyone else."

She said, not taking her eyes off her book.

"Not exactly like everyone else."

Isabella added.

"Penelope's sister literally fainted in front of the Queen."

"Now, Bella. There's no need to insult."

Arthur said, entering the room they were in.

"I'm not insulting, brother. I'm simply pointing something out."

She said and Arthur shook his head, sitting down next to Elena.

"Oh Dear, I need to go check on Penelope and see how she's doing."

"Now what was it that the queen called you again?"

Thomas asked.

"Astonishing. Then she added 'Simply beautiful' "

Elena responded, copying the Queen's voice. "But did you see that Bridgerton girl?"

She looked at Arthur.

"Oh how lovely she was."

Elena looked up, picturing the beautiful Daphne in her mind.

"Yes, seems like you have quite the competition." Arthur said and took a biscuit, putting it in his mouth.

"Life is not a competition, brother. In fact, I'm very excited to talk with her. I didn't have much time, last night."

Elena noticed from afar that her sister was also reading but not a book. "Is it Lady Whistledown again?" She stood up taking the sheet from her with her brothers following.

"The author?" Thomas asked.

"What has she written this time?" Arthur also looked at the paper.

Elena started reading, but out of nowhere Lady Bennet snatched it from her daughter.

"Mama!" Elena called but she continued to read.

After a few moments of silence, Lady Bennet spoke. "She calls Daphne Bridgerton 'A diamond of the first water', the Season's Incomparable. Still keeps calling Elena 'The Foreign beauty'...

Elena rolled her eyes.

"... also says that the other young ladies do not likely stand a chance against Elena."

"Well I call that cruelty." Elena replied.

-

"I should not be surprised if this Whistledown is revealed to be Violet Bridgerton or even Anastasia Bennet themselves." Lady featherington said while taking the sheets from her daughters. "These pages certainly report on their families with much indulgence, indeed."

"The pages report nothing but the truth, Lady Featherington. Daphne and Elena have bloomed exquisitely, and the sooner they are taken from the market, the better for the other young ladies." Lady Cowper said.

-

Elena was now heading to Danbury house with her mother and her 2 older brothers. She sat in the carriage next to Arthur, while Lady Bennet and Thomas sat in front of them.

"Your second ball of your life. How are you feeling, dearest?" Lady Bennet asked her daughter.

"Amazing, mama." Elena lied. What she really wanted to say was 'Like I shouldn't be here'

The carriage stopped in front of Danbury house. The door opened and Lady Bennet went out first followed by her 2 other sons and then her daughter.

As soon as she got out, Arthur held out his arm for his sister to take it and she gladly accepted. She rested her hand on his arm and they started entering the house.

As Elena entered, all eyes were on her and her family. She started to feel a little uncomfortable with everyone staring on her so she tightened her grip around Arthur's arm.

Arthur noticed so he whispered to her ear. "Do not worry, I will try to get you out of this." He assured her.

She now felt relieved because Daphne entered the ball room and now everyone was looking at her. Now was her chance to go get herself a drink.

"Brother." She called and Arthur looked at her. "I'm quite parched, I shall go get myself a drink." She said removing her hand from his arm.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Elena replied and left.

She started heading towards where the beverages were and greeted many people along the way until she walked straight into a tall figure.

"Oh, I beg your pardon." She apologized.

"Miss Bennet?" She looked up and saw none other than Benedict Bridgerton.

"Mister Bridgerton. How lovely to see you here."

"Likewise, Miss Bennet. How are you doing?" He asked her.

"I'm doing quite fine, thank you. How are your sketches coming along?"

"It's a nightmare. I cannot get anything right."

"I'm sure whatever the problem is, it is still beautiful." Elena smiled at him, making his heart melt.

-

"I'm quite parched." Daphne told Anthony.

"Then I shall fetch you a glass of lemonade."

"No. You have already done so much for me tonight. I shall return in a mere moment."

walk walk

Daphne took herself a glass of lemonade while looking around the room. Then, Lord Berbrook came walking towards her. "Small glasses."

"Lord Berbrook." Daphne bowed.

"Tiny little things, are they not?"

"The glasses? I suppose."

"Then the matter is settled."

"I'm not entirely sure the matter in which we discuss, my lord."

"You've always amused me, Miss Bridgerton, ever since I was a schoolboy and you were..."

"All but... five?"

Lord Berbrook simply chuckled at Daphne's respond and slurped loudly while creepily staring at her.

Now Daphne was getting uncomfortable. "My brother, he summons me. Adieu." Daphne quickly left but Lord Berbrook followed her.

"Miss Bridgerton? A moment, please!" He called again but Daphne started to walk faster.

"Miss Bridge-" that was when Elena purposely bumped into him, spilling her lemonade all over Lord Berbrook.

"Oh, dear. Due forgive me, Lord Berbrook." Elena said taking out a small cloth. "Stupid me, I wasn't looking where I was headed." She handed the cloth to him with an unnoticeable smirk.

He took the cloth and awkwardly smiled at Elena.

She then turned towards Daphne to see that she was with the duke of Hastings.

"Thank you." Daphne mouthed and Elena nodded.

She turned back towards Berbrook with a fake smile. "Again. My apologies, my lord." She bowed and went back to Benedict who was watching the show from afar.

"I would not want to mess with you." Benedict said earning a laugh from Elena.