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There were many things wrong with Elizabeth Windsor.

For starters, falling in love with a man meant for another, seeking a loveless marriage despite wanting the opposite, betraying one of her closest friends by falling for her intended, ignoring her mother's advice, and lastly, having stayed at the lake during the pouring rain.

She knew it was a mistake the second she awoke with a burning fever and sore throat. Now, Elizabeth rarely got sick, so she refused to admit to her sickness. She figured ignoring it would suffice, which was why she settled on moving forward with her day as if she wasn't dying on the inside.

She had greater things to worry about than a simple cold, like amending her relationship with Edwina. Ever since the wedding disaster, they haven't spoken a word. Mainly since Edwina's been ignoring her letters or any other attempts at communicating. Completely understandable, but Elizabeth was desperate to apologize and remedy the mess she helped create.

As she headed into the drawing room, her head spun out of control and her entire body felt as if it was burning. Not to mention the pain in her limbs and her weakened state becoming worse, but of course, she ignored it all for the sake of amending her errors.

Aurora sat by the piano, simply watching Adelaide attempt to play a song. She wasn't great with the instrument, but Victoria thought it'd be right if she were to practice. Her debut would be the next season and this shallow-minded society required all kinds of skills in order to be considered eligible for the marriage mart.

Truly antiquated beliefs.

"Are you actually trying to become better? Or are you simply doing what you please?" Aurora frowned ever so slightly as she covered her ears, an action that enraged her sister.

Adelaide pressed on the keys as harsh as possible, emitting an ominous sound that would be perfect for ghost novels. "Like Lizzie once said, I play what I feel. If you cannot deal with my practices, the garden is perfect to be explored."

Aurora looked out the window and winced slightly once thunder struck. "It's raining. Do you want me to catch a cold and die?"

"One can never be so fortunate," Adelaide teased, causing Aurora to gape at her in disbelief.

"Mama! Adelaide is being a pain in my-"

"Girls that's enough!" Victoria stormed into the room and it was obvious how frustrated she was. From the way her forehead was creased, the apples of her cheeks being a bright red, and the tight frown on her face, it was undeniable how much she wanted and needed a moment of respite.

Elizabeth understood her more than anyone. She longed to stay under the covers and sleep all her problems away, but life couldn't be that easy. If it were, she was certain her life wouldn't be as complicated as it is.

Sighing heavily, she leaned against the doorframe and rubbed her temples. With the pouring rain, she was dreading having to head to Lady Danbury's, but her wedding was happening soon. She needed to amend her relationship with Edwina before leaving for Edinburgh and never returning to Mayfair again. If she didn't visit her now, her shortened time stamp would prevent her from finding a vacancy.

"Mama, I shall be heading to Lady Danbury's," Elizabeth announced as she acquired her cloak.

Victoria furrowed her brows in concern, "It is raining outside."

"Great observation," she muttered, earning a deadpan expression from her. "I will be alright, mama. It is a short distance, so I won't even feel the rain."

Victoria took notice of how bright red her face was and how much she struggled to remain steady. Quickly, she placed her palm against her forehead and gasped when feeling how hot it was. "Lizzie, you have a fever. You need to rest and get checked by a doctor."

"I am perfectly alright," Elizabeth dismissed her and raised the hood of her cloak. "The wedding is tomorrow, so I need to visit Edwina now since I won't have the time. I need to try and fix this, mama. Please do not intervene."

"I understand how much you wish to remedy this, but you are ill. Not to mention it is raining buckets out there, which will make you sicker," Victoria attempted to guide her up to her bedroom, but in spite of how sick she was, Elizabeth was able to stand her ground. "What makes you think she will want to speak to you? She has been ignoring your letters and always avoids you when being out on strolls."

"Because it is raining," she pointed out. "I know Edwina and I know she won't leave me out there no matter how angry she is."

"Ahh, how manipulative," Adelaide approached them with her hands on her hips and a sly smirk on her face. "And you wonder where I got my scheming skills from, mama."

"It is not manipulative," Elizabeth argued and hugged her arms together for warmth. "I am simply using the circumstances to my advantage to acquire what I need."

Adelaide narrowed her eyes into slits, "You just described what manipulative is."

Elizabeth wanted to defend herself, but her sister was right. God, she hated when that happened, which has been all the time as of lately. It was truly frustrating and getting on her last nerve. "Oh, shut it. Just mind your business."

"Have you met me?" Adelaide scoffed loudly and laughed. "When have I ever minded my business? You, sister, are my greatest entertainment. I will certainly miss this when you leave for Edinburgh."

Placing her hand against her heart, Elizabeth pretended her words warmed her, "Aww, how nice to be appreciated for my spectacles. I will feel the same way when it's your turn next season."

"Mark my words, the queen shall never see me curtsy to her. I shall run away before I am tasked with such an inopportune occasion," Adelaide folded her arms across her chest, feeling prideful for her plans during her debut.

"Hmm, I doubt it, but we will have to see until next season," Elizabeth took advantage of her mother's distraction to run off into the stables. She knew it was an absurd and dangerous plan, but she had nothing left to lose. Sooner than later, she will be leaving this city, so she needed to see Edwina in spite of the weather.

Thunder blared from afar and the rain fell harder. The hood of her cloak fell upon her shoulders in the wind, the water hitting her face as if it were a wave. She urged her horse to go faster and blinked profusely to attempt keeping the droplets from clouding her vision. She noticed Lady Danbury's home getting closer, causing her to smile in relief and hurry to her final destination.

When she arrived, Elizabeth handed her horse to the footman and knocked on the door. She shivered under the weather, but was still able to feel the warmth gathered in face. Her head pounded intensely and her coordination was starting to fail her. Breathing in and out, she held onto the wall for stability, knocking once more until the door was opened.

"What on earth, wind, and fire are you doing?" Lady Danbury glared at her in shock, unable to understand what went through her mind in deciding to make the journey under this weather. "From what it seems, it appears you are unaware of the storm! Get her a towel!"

Elizabeth shivered under her cloak, attempting to cover herself under the few remaining garments that were still dry. "I know it was quite foolish of me to come, but I need to speak with Edwina, please."

"Your wedding is tomorrow. You need to be making preparations for your big day and staying at home," Lady Danbury took a step closer, noticing how bright red her face was. "Come now. We must get you closer to the fire."

Elizabeth didn't argue against her and wasted no time in kneeling in front of the blaze, allowing her hands to be the first thing to regain their warmth. She could feel Lady Danbury's eyes, a stare so heavy that she felt at her own home when being reminded of her mother. "I apologize for the abrupt visit, but I will be married tomorrow. There will be no time to speak with Edwina, so I wanted to amend my mistake before I leave for Edinburgh."

Lady Danbury handed her a towel, taking a seat in the chair a couple feet from her. "Are you certain following through with this marriage is proper?"

She glanced at her as if she had said the most ridiculous thing, "Are you insinuating I should call off the wedding?"

"Precisely," Lady Danbury clarified without hesitation. "You and the viscount have a connection that is rare to find in this day and age. Many would give anything to marry for love instead of a business transaction-"

"I am fond of William."

"Fond in more of a friendship," Lady Danbury noticed a sense of defeat in her eyes and she wasted no time to continue with these attempts. "You are the most stubborn person I have ever met. You remind me so much of Simon."

Elizabeth wondered why she was being compared to him, seeing as he and Daphne have a happy marriage and a son. Their situations are different, so she remained silent in hopes of receiving a better explanation.

"Let me tell you, Liz. Before this glorious life he has now, he was just as stubborn in accepting joy, but eventually, he chose love," Lady Danbury slightly lowered her voice, as if her words were meant for only her to listen. "You can choose love as well. It is not too late to remedy this and in doing so, you will be amending your relationships. Not just with yourself, but with everyone as well."

She took her words for consideration and for the first time, she was willing to do the right thing for once. After all the hardships and scandals, she didn't have anything more to lose. She loved Anthony with the fire of a thousand suns and it was physically and mentally destroying her being apart from him.

"Choose yourself first, because at the end of the day, you are the one who will have to live with your decisions," Lady Danbury sighed and held a firm grip on her cane before standing up. "I shall bring Miss Edwina to you. Perhaps you two can finally make amends."

"No need, Lady Danbury," Edwina entered the drawing room, her expression adorned with resentment. "You truly have a lot of shame in coming here."

Elizabeth's heart raced a million beats per minute. Her hands felt clammy and her breath got caught in her throat. She felt more nervous, but not because of needing to apologize, but because she was afraid of being shunned and losing the connection she had for years with her.

Lady Danbury sensed the tension and wasted no time in excusing herself, leaving the latter behind.

Edwina noticed her soaked hair and how bright red she was. Her previous instincts returned, causing a wave of worry to consume her and wonder if she felt alright. Still, she was still resentful over what happened that she forced herself to push her concern aside. "What are you doing here? Have you come to reveal more of your deceptions?"

"I came here to apologize," Elizabeth ignored the scoff from her and the disbelief in her eyes. "I am truly sorry for the pain I caused and if I could turn back time, I would do so in a heartbeat. I would do anything to ensure your happiness-"

"Elizabeth, you lied to me for months about your feelings for him. You know how much I value honesty and you still kept things from me," Edwina walked forward, standing so close that she could practically feel the fumes consuming her. "I understand feelings are inevitable, but when you started to fall for him, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I was afraid," she admitted. "I never wanted to fall in love. I saw the pain my mother felt when losing my father and I just- I just could not envision a life for myself that was filled with heartbreak. I believed if I married for my family's prosperity, I could spare myself the pain, but everything changed when I met Anthony."

The room suddenly started to spin. She could feel the ground beneath her shake and her vision fill with black dots. Something was definitely wrong and perhaps the rain had worsened it, but she needed to make a breakthrough. She needed to attempt fixing her mistakes before it would be too late, so like she always does with her problems, she ignored it.

"If I allowed myself to love him, it meant experiencing the pain my mother felt, but it is harder to breathe keeping this inside," Elizabeth continued, her hands interlocking as a way to hide their trembling, but the concern in Edwina's eyes signified her failure. Still, she wasn't going to stop. Not when amending her relationships is more important. "I thought I was doing the right thing by staying silent. I truly believed he could have granted you the happiness you deserve, but I wrecked everything and I will be eternally regretful for this."

"For falling in love?" A part of Edwina was willing to forgive her. She loved her the same way she loved Kate, and these past few days have been agony. She missed her family and missed gossiping about the most random things. It was heartbreaking that their relationship became fractured over a man, something she promised herself to never allow. "Lizzie, I appreciate how much you care for me. All these years, you have been a second sister, so a part of me understands why you did it."

Being addressed as 'Lizzie' brought her hope. A light at the end of the tunnel could be seen and it brought her comfort knowing she was getting somewhere. Perhaps things could become better and-

Her thoughts were placed on a halt once Edwina held her in a tight embrace. Her eyes welled with tears as she returned the action, but everything started going south once a piercing pain consumed her like never before. Her ears were ringing intensely to the point she was tempted to cover them, its sound becoming a never ending torture and causing her temples to pound with intensity.

Gravity betrayed her as she crumpled to the ground. Her head barely missed hitting the pointy side of an end table and all she could hear were the panicked yells of Edwina pleading for help. She wanted to get up, to let her know that everything would be fine, but it was getting harder to remain awake. There was no more strength. Nothing left.

The last thing she saw were Kate and Lady Mary arriving before the world went dark.

__________________

Nightfall approached and the rain continued to pour mercilessly. Anthony sat in his study with the engagement ring in hand, caressing its texture and returning it to its rightful box before placing it right in front of him. A ring like this was meant to represent the sacred rite of a matrimony of love, not what he intended on doing for months. He tried so hard to push through with his beliefs that his marriage would be a loveless one, but he couldn't believe in it anymore.

For starters, his world changed the second he laid eyes on Elizabeth Windsor. She had bewitched him upon first meeting. When she arrived at her home damp from her swim at the lake, her chestnut locks remained perfect and reflected the sun's rays into a pot of gold. Her brown eyes sparkled brighter than the stars and there was a sense of freedom she carried, one he never felt with any person he ever met.

His Elizabeth left him enchanted from the first day and as much as he tried convincing himself of his dislike, it was just his denial to face the feelings he was developing. She brought him the light after years of enduring the darkness. She had been the candle that illuminated his path and guided him to the rightful route.

How could he ever consider letting her go?

How could he remain seated when she's set to marry the next day?

Anthony couldn't allow it. He needed to be honest and express what he's been carrying. After everything they've been through, his eyes have been opened and he's willing to take a leap of faith, because she's worth it.

Harshly, he pushed himself off his desk and stormed out of his study. His mother was seated in the drawing room and noticed him making haste as if his life depended on it. Worrying what scheme her son had rolled up his sleeves, Violet placed her needlework aside and went after him.

"Anthony," she called out and reluctantly paused. "Might I ask where you are off to?"

He wanted to confide about his intentions on asking Elizabeth to end her engagement to the Duke and to marry him instead, but he wanted it to be a surprise. His mother was a firm believer of love and constantly urged him to follow his heart. Surely, their engagement would be a moment of celebration. That is if she decides on accepting him.

Still, he was hopeful and he wouldn't dare lose it after regaining it after a very long time.

Anthony grabbed his coat and opened the door, "I am off to visit a friend, mother."

Violet softly smiled, "Miss Elizabeth, perhaps?"

He didn't say anything and just simply walked off into the rain. It would be a long ride to her home, but the rain didn't bother him. For her, he would face any disaster and take on any burden if it meant she was safe and happy.

Anthony urged his horse to run faster, soon catching sight of the manor and the replenishing gardens he loved. His heart raced faster and sudden nerves overcame him as he prepared himself to ask the most important question. He wanted to be her husband and the man she called for in the day, night, afternoon, everywhere. Being blessed to be mentioned by her desirable lips was truly the greatest blessing the universe could grant him and he couldn't wait any longer to declare himself.

When he knocked on the door, it took a while for his calling to be answered. Eventually, their maid, Mrs. Jones opened the door, but Anthony noticed there was distress in her eyes. "I must speak with Miss Elizabeth."

Mrs. Jones struggled to speak as her eyes filled with tears, "My lord, I am afraid it cannot be possible-"

"What has happened? Is she alright?" Anthony could feel his breathing become heavier and his entire soul ripping to shreds.

"She has grown quite ill and it is uncertain if-"

"Where is she?!" Anthony barged further into the manor in the direction of the stairs. He needed to see her and make sure she was perfectly safe. Surely, Mrs. Jones must be overreacting and her illness could be nerves from her wedding. Elizabeth had to be alright. She needed to be.

"My lord, she is not here," Mrs. Jones stood right in front, preventing him from entering any further. "She is at Lady Danbury's."

Anthony turned around and sprinted toward his horse. Lady Danbury's home was only a couple of miles. It was the perfect distance, so he wasn't wasting anymore time asking questions. His Elizabeth was ill and he wanted to be by her side and protect her from any harm. He longed to hold her hand and let her know that he would remain with her as long as she wanted him to, and for the love of God, he truly hoped she did.

He rode past the narrow paths and the evergreens the fastest he's ever had. It was getting harder to see ahead, but he wouldn't dare stop until he knew she would be alright. He urged his horse to run faster, soon jumping over a gathering of shrubs and leaping onto Lady Danbury's property. He recognized the doctor's carriage and felt relieved that she was getting help, but he couldn't prevent from wondering why she was here and how she had grown ill.

Practically banging against the door, one of the footmen opened and before he could allow him in, Anthony took liberties and stormed into the home in full determination to see her. His footsteps pounded against the steps, leaving behind trails of water, but as much as he was raised to act like a gentleman, he couldn't bother caring for the mess he caused.

"When will she awake?" the voice of Victoria Windsor rummaged through the second floor, becoming his guidance to his path and leading him to the bedroom where his worst nightmares were coming to life.

Laying on the bed unconscious, Elizabeth had a damp rag against her forehead. Her face was bright red and her skin glistened with sweat as she shivered. He felt his heart sink and his breathing come to a stop. She looked frail, like she was headed to the beyond any second, and he was terrified of losing her before being able to tell her how much he loved her.

"We first need to cut the fever," the doctor explained. "Only until then will we know when she might awake."

"Might?" Adelaide cried, holding onto her mother as if she were her life vest. "What do you mean by that? Are you trying to imply she will not wake up?"

Anthony stood back, the water from his hair falling down his face and masking the tears in his eyes that were threatening to spill. This was the reason as to why he didn't want to seek a marriage of love. He didn't want to suffer the pain of losing his beloved and forced to continue living on. Without Elizabeth, he would rather drop dead than endure a life without her. She was his God given solace, the light shining through the clouds, his purpose, and entire reason for existing. How could he continue breathing without her?

"She- she needs more blankets," Anthony stuttered, ordering the maids walking in and out, but decided on taking the fabrics from their hold and placing them gently on top of her. He tucked her in and adjusted the rag, but his heart sank even more when feeling how high her fever was running. She was struggling to breathe and was still trembling no matter his attempts, making his hysteria worsen as every worst possible scenario resurfaced. "She's still shivering! More blankets!"

"My lord, this is a matter of waiting," the doctor tried reassuring him.

"What happened? My valet saw you riding here," Benedict barged into the bedroom, a worried crease on his forehead and panic lacing his tone once he laid his eyes on her. "Is she alright?"

"I- I do not know," Anthony could feel himself start hyperventilating. His heart pounded against his chest that it was threatening to jump out, but in spite of his attempts at regaining his calm, every minute that ran by made it harder to breathe.

Benedict had never seen his brother this way. He was always the most collected out of their entire family, so it was concerning seeing him about to lose his sense of composure, "Brother, are you alright?"

No. Of course not, but he couldn't find the strength to speak. His valor was no longer present and was dangling from the precipice. How could he be alright when his entire reason was struggling to fight?

"I cannot-" Anthony looked toward her family. Her mother, sisters, and the Sharmas were crying and praying that she would awaken and it broke him that he was standing here completely useless not being able to do anything. "I could not keep her safe. I should have been able to-"

"Elizabeth!" William broke past the door in her direction. He kneeled next to her and held her hand, his head resting against it and whispers of prayers being heard.

Anthony found himself taking a step away. Maybe it was his worst nightmares unfolding right in front or the feeling of despair clouding his senses, but his courage was gone. He couldn't remain here any longer watching how she struggles. If he were to lose her, he didn't want to see her last breath being taken. He wouldn't be able to survive.

"Anthony?" Benedict called out, trailing after him and excusing himself from the bedroom.

His words were ignored as all Anthony could focus on was his sudden anger at how much time had been wasted. Instead of resisting his feelings, he should have given in to them and confessed his love, but he wrecked everything like the fool he was.

If his Elizabeth were to lose the battle, Anthony was certain he would follow her without a second thought.

Author's Note

Hey, everyone! Long time no see 👋🏼
So sorry for the wait, but I went through the worst writer's block that my motivation for this story was lost. I'll try to be more frequent for the updates now that I'm starting to get my motivation back.

Anyway, hope you guys liked the chapter!
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