(y/n) - your name

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Once again, the Spring season quickly flourished over the city bringing clear skies, bright colours and fragrant flowers. And along with the Spring, also brought the annual Social Season that everyone has been anticipating for.

Misses and daughters of every household that has come of age to be foisted upon the marriage market. This may all be perfect and dandy, the dream of many young women to be courted and soon see their wishes of a proposal come true.

Every notable lady in the city is dressed up for such an important day, to be presented to Her Majesty the Queen. For on this day, it is only the queen's eye that matters. A glimmer of displeasure and a young lady's value plummets to unthinkable depths.

Every Social Season has an opening ball which is the most highly sought-after ball to be invited too. Especially for every darling debutante that is to be displayed.

And as the sun sets and the moon rises, every marriage-minded misses are adorned in their best dresses designed with the most expensive fabrics of silk or velvet and their skins decorated with their most prestige jewellery of gems like pearls or diamonds. For on this night of music, dance and wine, it is a bet to see which of these young ladies might succeed in securing a match.

Servants easily wove through the masses of nobles, serving champagne and appetisers while the dance floor was filled with young men and women dancing together. The ballroom a white and golden exquisite architecture was decorated with diamonds and clear crystals, chandeliers hung up high on the ceiling with the skylight showing the glimmering stars that paled against the many beautiful young misses. The corners were filled with white flowers filling the room with sweet scents, the music of a violin orchestra and candlelight amongst clear mirrors.

(A/N: LOOK HOW AESTHETICALLY BEAUTIFUL THIS IS LIKE YO, MY WILD DREAMS OF LIVING IN THE 1800S IS SCREAMING FULL FORCE!)

Everyone enjoyed themselves until the silence had overtaken everything. Whispers hung in the air as men and women both gossiped and gasped at the family that had walked into the large ballroom. One of the highest nobles of the city, the Hargreeves.

Lord Reginald Hargreeves as the father with his 7 high-class children.

Luther a soldier who had recently come back from serving at the frontlines.

Diego who was a famous swordsman and fighter courting Lila.

Allison who was a world-renown actress who was married to Lord Raymond Chestnut.

Klaus who is the city's favourite jest and party host engaged to Dave.

Ben a famous school teacher and novelist courting Jill.

Viktor who is a worldwide famous violinist courting Sissy and finally,

Five who had finally come of age to be in search of a wife during this season's marriage market.

The Hargreeves were an exceptional and extraordinary family, each already either married, engaged or courting except for Luther who wished to stay and serve under his father.

"I hear that the youngest, Five is completely unattainable."

"No lady has been able to pique his interest."

"Heard that he is a cold and cruel man at heart with quite a hidden temper but look how gorgeous he is!"

"He is such an intelligent and mature young man and quite ravishingly handsome too." the gossip between the women had immediately piqued seeing the most famous bachelor of the season, Five Hargreeves.

Five sighed beneath his breath as his father nodded, signally for him and his siblings to venture forth and "enjoy" the ball. He watched in boredom as his family went off to dance and in even more boredom as the girls around him tried to look more seducing. The mothers of these debutantes eyed him like prey for their daughters and he immediately walked off to grab a glass of bourbon or whiskey.

"Lord Hargreeves-" Five glared at the women that tried to approach him, them quickly scurrying off to leave him alone. Five sighed in annoyance, wanting to be back home with his books and his shooting range instead of being stuck in a packed ballroom of women trying to start up a conversation with him.

"Why am I here?"

"Why are any of us here?" Five jumped in surprise, looking over to see the shorter stature of a woman donning a lace masquerade mask standing next to him.

"Who are you-"

"-is that Madame (y/n)!?" people quickly started to gossip, instantly forgetting about the Hargreeves as THE highest noble in the entire country, just below the Queen stood amongst what would be considered mere peasants in her company.

"Why is she here? She never comes to the Social balls."

"I heard the Queen herself extended a personal invitation for Madame (y/n)."

"She is absolutely gorgeous."

"She's a complete mystery. No one knows what she looks like or who she is."

"She wears that mask to keep her identity a secret."

"I heard that she is almost as rich as the Queen herself! Much higher on the hierarchy, even above The Hargreeves."

"No one knows of her lineage, not even her surname and dare I say, still to be the most well-known noble in the country!"

Five thought it was odd since this Madame (y/n) was the only one wearing a mask as well as wearing a more monotone and simple dress compared to everyone else's intricate gowns. She stood out easily amongst the others but still stood tall and proud, not boasting about her riches. Her hair flowed over her shoulder like a waterfall, the simple fabrics of her dress hugging her curves as her lace-gloved fingertips brushed against her soft red lips that were twisted up in a slight smirk.

Five cleared his throat to break out of his trance, bowing to you dressed as an enticing demoness. "Madame (y/n), a pleasure to be in your presence."

"Oh stop being such a prude. I do not care for these formalities." Five blinked in surprise at the response, straightening his back. "I hear that you are in the market?" Five scoffed slightly, sipping his drink.

"It was per my father's request that I stop wasting my time and finally find a wife."

"But you don't want to."

"No, I do not."

"And why is that?" Five looked over at you, a glint of mischief in your wide doe eyes as you looked up at him behind your feather fan.

"And why do you want to know?" Five bites back, quickly regretting the sudden attitude. "I apologise-"

"-no need to. It's refreshing to speak to someone who doesn't care about ranks." You quickly steal a glass as a waiter walks by, sipping the drink. "I see the mothers are eyeing you like their next hearty meal." You snicker into your glass.

"Unfortunately. What brings you here Madame-"

"-call me (y/n)." Five raises a brow at you, a smirk hinted on his lips.

"That would seem too informal for strangers that barely know each other. What would people think?"

"I'm pretty sure you do not care for the gossip and whispers of bored mothers and misses who have nothing else to do besides needlework." Five chuckles behind his hand, trying to calm down from the burst of laughter.

"You are spot on... (y/n). So may I ask, what brings you here? I'm sure you are as bored as I am if you are here conversing with me instead of fraternising with a young gentleman."

"I am here for the drama and to break down the egos of these men that think that they can score someone like me. Someone who thinks this whole social season charade is sickening and belittling." Five instantly noticed the many male eyes that were on you, their eyes blazing with an egotistical fire that thinks they can own a woman.

"Someone who I can finally agree with."

"So you think the same? This marriage market of dressing girls up like fattening pigs to see who comes out on top?" Five hums out, downing the rest of his alcohol. He sighs in annoyance once more when a daughter and her mother soon walk up to him and you.

"Madame (y/n), Lord Hargreeves. What a pleasure to see you both tonight." the mother says with not-so-hidden intent.

"A pleasure it truly is for a beautiful night. One where it seems it might be a little late for me to be up for." Five looks over at you, slight begging in his eyes as you bid them a farewell to retreat back to your home.

"(y/n)-Madam (y/n), a little early to leave don't you think?" Five says, trying to get you to stay but you grin at him, playing with your lace facemask.

"No, I do not. Sadly, I have some business to attend to early tomorrow morning so I'll bid you all adieu. Enjoy the night." you bowed and walked off, Five shivering as your brushed your fan against his cheek as you walked past him. Your figure clad in black waltzed through the crowd like a figment of Five's wildest imagination. You disappear from his sight and somehow his boredom that was pushed away with your presence had come back barreling like a bull.

~A/N~

I started and finished watching Bridgerton today and my god was this show aesthetically gorgeous to look at.

The scenery and the colours of the series was so pretty!

The storyline was as cliche as it gets but I absolutely love it!

Mainly enjoyed the show for it's visual and not the actual story, sorry not sorry.