-

Not believing his eyes, Anthony walks to his Brother, lying on the hard ground outside of a bar, singing off key.

"Is that how the tune goes?"

Anthony interrupts Benedict singing.

Benedict frowns.

"It's a bloody love song, I think."

He slowly sits up.

"Happy to hear you're embracing the genre." Anthony says sarcastically.

"Where is my drink?"

Benedict asks to himself while looking around him.

"Did they kick you out?" Anthony asked only for knowing the answer a few moments later. "My god, they kicked you out." He helps his brother stand up.

"I don't think getting wasted is the proper way to handle this situation. Look, I know you still care for her." Anthony said.

"Feelings are irrelevant. Indeed, they're responsible for this mess. I let them get the better of me. Now, I have to watch her get married to that bloody prince!" Benedict snapped.

He limps closer to the bar. "Hey, tell him to play the one about the trapped wife!" He yells from outside.

Anthony grabs his arm and drags him away from the pub. "All right, brother. Time to get you out of here."

-

The next morning, at Buckingham palace, the queen sits on her chair, facing Simon, Daphne, Lady Bridgerton and Lady Danbury. They were trying to obtain a marriage license after they were denied the first time.

Lady Danbury steps forward to the queen and gives a small bow.

"As low as you can go, Lady Danbury?" The queen asked.

"With these knees, yes, your Majesty." She answered.

"Very well. Let your young people come forward."

Simon and Daphne approached the queen and bowed. They gaze into each other until the Queen spoke. "I've heard a rumour that the special license you seek to marry has been denied. I'm not quite sure what you believe I am to do about it."

The young couple does not speak but stand there all nervous.

"Well, plead your case." The queen said.

"Your Majesty, I assure you nothing untoward has occurred. It is only that we love each other so very much." Daphne states as the queen lets out an exasperated sigh. "While I was deeply flattered by the attention of your nephew, the prince, I... I simply could not ignore my long-standing affection for the Duke. You see, your majesty, it was love at first sight."

"It was not, your majesty." Simon denied while Daphne stared at him wide eyed. " The young lady flatters me, but it was not love at first sight for either of us. There was a traction, certainly, at least on my part. But Miss Bridgerton thought me presumptuous, arrogant, insincere.

All fair, really. And I thought her a prim young lady barely out of leading strings. Not to mention the sister of my best friend, and so romance was entirely out of the question for both of us. But in so removing it, we found some thing far greater. We found friendship. You see, Miss Bridgerton and I have been fooling all of Mayfair for some time. We have fooled them into thinking we are courting... when really, all along, we simply enjoyed each other's company so much we could not stay away from one another. I have never been a man that much enjoyed flirting, or chatting, or indeed talking at all. But with Daphne... miss Bridgerton... conversation has always been easy. Her laughter brings me joy. To meet a beautiful woman is one thing, But to meet your best friend in the most beautiful of women is something entirely apart. And it is with my sincerest apologies, I must say it took the prince coming along for me to realize I did not want Miss Bridgerton to only be my friend. I wanted her to be my wife. I want her to be my wife. And so I plead with you... not to make us wait." (My fingers hurt)

Daphne stared at Simon with shining eyes while hearing him talk. "Simon..." She breathed out.

"You are wise... or perhaps unusually lucky to understand friendship to be the best possible foundation a marriage can have. Even if that foundation should crumble as quickly as it was built. I shall like to offer you the choice, Miss Bridgerton. Do you wish to marry this man?" The Queen asked.

Daphne furrowed her eyebrows and looks at Simon who was still staring ahead.

-

"Elena?" Arthur gently knocked on his sister's door. He waited a moment for her to open the door, but she did not not answer.

Meanwhile, Elena was lying in her bed since this morning, all wrapped up in her blankets like a burrito with her red puffy eyes.

Arthur turned to his younger sister and shook his head. She moved him aside and knocked on the door once again. "Lena? It is almost time, you need to go."

"I do not wish to go." Elena mumbled clear enough to hear.

"Darling, you got an invitation, Daphne awaits for you at the church. It would crush her if you did not attend." Arthur said.

Elena did not want to miss Daphne and Simon's wedding, she really wanted to be there. But she couldn't bare to see Benedict after last night.

Arthur and Elizabeth did not get an answer. They sighed. "Well, we will be at the ceremony at the Bridgerton's house. Please join us, if you feel like it."

-

"It was such a beautiful wedding. Thank you for having us." A woman said and left Daphne.

Behind them, the Bennet siblings steps towards Daphne. "Your grace." They all bowed and looked back up. "We apologize, on behalf of our sister. She really wanted to attend but she was feeling a little ill."

Benedict who was standing right beside his sister, overheard. He stopped drinking and turned his head to glance at them.

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry to hear that. Please tell her that I miss her and that I hope she feels better as soon as possible." Daphne said.

"Of course." Arthur replied with a light smile.

Benedict puts down his glass and rushes out of the house, pushing through the crowd. Daphne noticed her brother leaving and he looked rather heartbroken. She excuses herself from the Bennets and follows after him into the garden.

-

Meanwhile, Eloise was walking around the house scanning the crown, holding onto her notebook. Accidentally, she bumps into Penelope who looked stressed as well.

They awkwardly stare at each other until Isabella goes in between them, holding a plate full of food.

"Girls, have you tried the food yet? You must try it. It simply melts in your mouth." Isabella said all happy while the other two still stood there awkwardly.

She furrows her eyebrows and looks at both of them. "Is everything alright?"

"I should-"

"As should I." Penelope cuts Eloise off and they go to different directions leaving Isabella confused.

Is it my breath? She thinks to herself.

-

Daphne goes to the garden and sees her brother sitting on a swing, all sad and depressed.

She takes a deep breath and goes to her brother, sitting on the swing next to him.

Benedict was hiding his face with his hands but Daphne could notice his tears.

"You look like you could use a talk." Daphne stated and Benedict slowly met her eyes. "What has happened between the two of you?"

Benedict looks back down and puts his head in his hands. Daphne sighed and started caressing his back.

"I messed up, Daph. I hurt the feelings of the most beautiful person in the world. I read the Whistledown paper and I panicked." Benedict explained.

"Well why don't you just go talk to her? I am sure you can work this out with her."

"After what I said to her? I cannot even meet her family's eyes, sister." Benedict looks in the other direction.

Daphne sat there, dumbfounded. Not knowing what to advise.

"I was going to propose to her." Is the sentence that caught her attention. She showed a small spark of happiness on her face. "She was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and I messed it up."

"Benedict..." Daphne called for her older brother. He turned to her and locked eyes. "I think what you both need here... is time. Lay off for a few days. If you really love her, do as I say." She gently took his hand.

"I do love her." Benedict said.

"Then give her time."