CHAPTER 10. TEARS AND MATCHES

"The incomparable who captured the prince's eye."

"A mere wisp of a young lady, and a commoner at that."

Whispers flow through the room, as Mama, Daphne and I make our way through the court.

"Everyone seems to have quite an opinion." Mama comments, as we stop by the refreshments table.

"Everyone always has an opinion." I reply.

"How long do you think it will be before Her Majesty arrives?" Mama questions. "I may very well faint from hunger."

She looks around, and grabs a piece of food.

"Mama!" Daphne lets out, in disbelief, as I just smile at her. "We are at court!"

"No one is looking at me, dearest." Mama tells her. "That's quite delicious."

"Really?" I ask, grabbing another piece. "Oh, yes, they sure are."

Mama beams at me, but her smile dims a little, as she sees Daphne's worried face.

"My darling, you seem a little strained." She tells Daphne.

"You have been that way for the past few days." I add.

"I have much on my mind." She tells us.

"You do, indeed." I reply.

"Her Majesty Queen Charlotte and her esteemed nephew, Prince Friedrich of Prussia." The doorman announces.

"Miss Bridgerton, I find myself in raptures over your acceptance of my invitation to the palace." The Prince tells her.

"You flatter me, Your Highness." Daphne replies, as she stands in front of him, and Mama and I stand to the side.

"I cannot help it." He tells her. "You are perfection itself."

"Offer her your gift." The Queen tells him.

"I have brought you a gift." The Prince says, and turns around, opening a box, pulling out a gorgeous necklace.

He walks around Daphne, gently clasping the necklace around her neck, as she gasps, and turns around sharply.

"Miss Bridgerton, are you unwell?" The Prince asks, confused.

"I am perfectly well. Of course." She replies, with a strained smile, touching the necklace. "This necklace is... quite well too."

"She will make a lovely princess, will she not?" The Queen asks, with a smirk.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Someone replies.

"Now, that this matter is done, allow me to introduce you all to our royal guests." The Queen tells us, and points towards the door. "I assure you all, it will come as a pleasant surprise."

"Her Majesty Queen Amelia, and her son, Prince Louis of the United Kingdom." The doorman, announces, as the doors open, we all turn towards the door.

My heart stops, as I sharply take a breath, after seeing who was walking in.

"Queen Charlotte." Queen Amelia greets with a warm smile.

"Queen Charlotte." Prince Louis greets.

"Queen Amelia. Prince Louis" Queen Charlotte replies, and turns to us. "Let me introduce you to this season's incomparables." Mama and Daphne share confused looks, as they find Prince Louis painfully familiar, as I just stand there, not knowing what to think. "Miss Daphne and Miss Diana Bridgerton, accompanied by their Mother Lady Violet Bridgerton."

Mama looks at her, and bows. As my eyes remain on Prince Louis, who was looking back at me, apologetically.

"Your Highness, it is a pleasure to be acquainted with you" Mama greets, and turns to Daphne, who stammers.

"Uh- Your Highness, I'm honored." Daphne tells them, and everyone turn to me, but my eyes were still on Prince Louis.

I break out of my haze, as I figure out what was going on. It all made sense, his disappearing, his apology.

"Your Majesty." I say, bowing, in a monotone.

"It is indeed very pleasant to meet you all." Queen Amelia tell her, her warm smile still on her face, as she turns to Daphne. "I do believe you are the incomparable who caught Prince Fredrick's eye. You are exceedingly beautiful."

"You are too kind, Your Highness." Daphne replies, grinning.

"And you are Diana." She turns to me. "Absolutely beautiful, you are."

"I do believe Daphne is Right, Your Highness." I tell her, as I muster a smile, not looking at Prince Louis. "You are indeed too kind."

"You both need to receive compliments better." Queen Amelia jokes, kindly, and turns to her son. "Do you not think so, Louis?"

"Indeed, Mother." He replies, but I still avoid his face. "Miss Diana is an exceptionally gorgeous lady, and needs to be told so."

"I do hope we will see you at tonight's events." Queen Amelia tells us. "We will surely be attending. It is about time Louis started looking to marry."

"We will certainly attend, Your Highness." Mama replies.

"I look foreword to seeing all of you there." Queen Amelia tells us, as she walk off.

Dear readers, it seems Mister Barnes's identity is no longer a mystery. As a matter of fact, as of now, he is not Mister, rather Prince Louis of the United Kingdom. I find it to be quite a coincidence that two Princes have their eyes set on the Bridgerton Sisters. I believe Miss Diana would be over the moon, after finding out the truth.

In a town filled with ambitious mamas and fortune-hunting gentlemen, marrying above one's station is an art form, indeed. But Miss Daphne Bridgerton's advance from future duchess to possible princess is an achievement that even this jaded author must applaud. Though this author cannot dismiss the Duke of Hastings quite so soon. He may have let the diamond slip through his fingers for now, but I shall wager he is not a man to ever hide from a fight.

were here, of all places..." Daphne says, as her Anthony and I walk into the boxing exhibition.

"Trust she would have more to say to me than you both." Anthony replies.

"That is entirely true." I add. "Stop worrying, Daph. I have always wished to see a boxing exhibition."

"Of course, you have." Daphne tells me.

"There's your prince now." Anthony tells Daphne. "With your fancy well in hand."

"We shall make ourselves scarce for the final blow." I tell her, smiling, as I take Anthony's arm, and we start to walk.

"Viscount Bridgerton." Prince Louis greets. "Miss Bridgerton."

I give him a cold face, not giving away anything I was feeling.

"Mister Barnes—" Anthony tries to say, but I cut him off.

"Haven't you heard, Brother?" I ask Anthony, mockingly. "It is His Royal Highness Prince Louis now."

"What do you mean, Sister?" Anthony asks, confused.

"I mean, Mister Louis Barnes does not exist, Brother." I say, looking at Prince Louis. "The man standing in front of us is Prince Louis Frederick of the United Kingdom, a man— might I add— I have nothing to say to."

"Miss Bridgerton—" He tries to say.

"I think you are needed elsewhere, Your Highness." I tell him, my tone still cold, as I drag Anthony away. "I do believe there are many burdens on a Prince like yourself."

We approach Benedict and Colin, and Anthony turns to me.

"Diana—" Anthony starts.

"I do not wish to talk, Anthony." I tell her, as I take a seat between him, and Benedict.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats!" The announcer says. "The match is to begin!"

The match starts, but I do not pay attention to it, my eyes on a pair of brown ones across the ring, instead. He looks at me, longingly, while I just stare back monotonely.

I don't even notice when the match ended, or who won, or when we all left.

"both where?" Mama asks, in disbelief, as Daphne plays the piano, and I lean against her seat.

"He kept close watch the entire time, Mama." Daphne tells her.

"It does not matter. A boxing exhibition is no place for any young lady." Mama replies.

"Is it a place for Princes? Were they at today's match, Sisters?" Hyacinth asks.

"They certainly was." Daphne answers, with a small smile as I frown.

"It is a loathsome and barbarous form of entertainment." Mama comments.

"What about the Duke?" Hyacinth asks, and both Mama and Daphne turns to her, sharply.

"What about the Duke?" Both of them ask at the same time.

"Was he also present?" Hyacinth clarifies.

"I do not know." Daphne lies. "If the Duke was there, I did not see him."

"The Duke was present, Cinny." I tell her, gaining pleasure in my sister's discomfort. "He was heatedly cheering on his friend."

"I do believe Prince Louis was there too." Daphne says, turning to me. "Did you ask him why he felt the need to lie to all of us about his true identity?"

"I did not." I tell her, coolly. "I was quite busy watching the match."

"Well, then you will have no difficulty in telling me who actually won, said match." She fires back.

"I- um..." I try to think, but fortunate get saved.

"Mother. Diana. Daph." Anthony greets, as he rushes into the room.

"Did you truly take your sisters to a boxing match?" Mama asks him, sternly.

"Your admonishment will have to wait." Anthony tell us. "I have news." He turns to me and Daphne. "Prince Friedrich has asked for my permission to propose to Daphne."

"So soon?" Daphne asks, surprised.

"That is not all." Anthony continues, turning towards me. "Prince Louis has asked my permission for the same for Diana."

"What?" I ask, shocked, as I stand up straight.

"What is your answer, dearest?" Mama turns to me.

"No!" I yell, as I storm out of the room, calling a carriage, to give someone a piece of my mind.

of the carriage behind me, ignoring the coachman's hand, as I storm towards the Danbury House.

"Miss Bridgerton." I hear a voice from the garden, and sharply turn towards him, making my way towards him, angrily, and he notices. "Are you alright, Miss Bridgerton? You look a little angered."

"Angered?!" I scoff loudly, stopping in front if him. "Angered? I am enraged! Infuriated! I am antagonized!" I wave my hands, frustrated.

"Did I do anything wrong, Miss Bridgerton?" He asks, confused, and I look at him, in disbelief.

"Wrong? You think you can just lie to my face, and I will be accept it, just because you are a Prince?" I ask him, angrily. "You think just because you are a Prince, you can ask my Brother for my hand? You have no right! You made me believe you were someone you were not! I thought I knew you, but you turned out to be an entirely different person. You think I will ignore all the deceiving, and say yes to marriage jus because you are a Prince?"

"You must know, this life I have, I do not know whether people want me for my title, or for myself." He says, looking extremely guilty, as he tried to desperately explain his actions. "I thought, for once, I could find out if I were enough. If someone could want me, just for me. I merely wanted to find someone, who did not know where I came from, but could still love me! And I did, I found you Miss Bridgerton."

"Let me tell you something, Mister Barnes, or Prince Louis, whoever you are, I do not care anymore, when all the girls were swooning over Prince Fredrick, I was there! I was there, standing by your side, dancing with you!" I reply. "I understand your fears, I even sympathize with you, but you had the chance to be honest with me after you found out I genuinely liked you, and wanted you to propose!"

His expression changes form one of desperateness, to one of disbelieving.

"You did?" He asks softly, surprised, reaching for my hand.

"I did." I answers, honestly, but I back away from his reach. putting my hand up. "But I do not, anymore, so you will do well to keep to your way, as I keep yo mine."

With that, I turn around, and walk hurriedly towards the carriage, silent tears falling on my face.

MY BABIES ARE CRYING AFDIJVJFNAVBJV

WHY AM I LIKE THIS?