And it's hard to be at a party when / I feel like an open wound / It's hard to be anywhere these days / When all I want is you / You're a flashback in a film reel / On the one screen in my town.
This is me trying / Taylor Swift

ROMEO — 2024
WHEREFORE ART THOU, ROMEO! ©girIbite

            London in the 1800's was all about the competitiveness of the Regal Ton. That one social season where marriageable youth of nobility and gentry are launched into society is where families crossed their fingers, praying that their children would get promised.

            This was mostly for the girls of the families. They were the ones that had to look as presentable as they could, so that they could find a husband at one of the many balls. For Sloane Lachapelle that was no issue.

She was the diamond of her season. The prettiest debutante in a century, they called her. She came from a wealthy family, one of the most respected ones in all London. Money was no obstacle for the Lachapelles.

Sloane received many offerings, but there was only one she'd accept — Cristian Lancaster. They were in love, it was visible to all eyes. Cristian Lancaster had no family, though. No family, no mansion, barely any money. The Lachapelles were known for their kindness. They welcomed him into their home as if he were an orphan.

In a way, they were glad they were yet to say goodbye to the oldest daughter. And Cristian was a great asset to the family. He did everything a son would've done. He did everything their son should've done. But Henri'd rather spent his days frolicking around, doing God knows what. It drove his father, Franklin, mad.

Myths say every time a diamond is forged to its magnificent form, a rock is crumbled. Smashed to pieces, or hidden from human decency.

Fleur Lachapelle envied her sister. She wasn't attractive to the male eye, she knew that all too well. Fleur wasn't looking to be attractive for the male gaze, but the disappointment it caused on her family when she wasn't chosen in the ton was a heavy burden either way.

Her first time being a debutante was last season. Fleur'd attempted making her family happy — talking to men, even when she felt disgusted by it later on. She felt as though there was a fault in her. She felt no desire to get married to any man. Whenever her fellow debutantes talked about the most esteemed single men at a ball, Fleur felt out of touch with them for not feeling the same.

There was something wrong with her, but Fleur Lachapelle couldn't figure out what the matter was. Then she met the girl that would make her realise why she felt the way she felt.

Maybe all is not fair in love and war.

( PERSONNAE DRAMATIS
)

Mia Goth
Fleur Lachapelle

❝I defy you, stars.❞

Keira Knightley
Sloane Lachapelle

Aidan Turner
Henri Lachapelle

Mia McKenna–Bruce
Carlotta ❝Lola❞ Lachapelle

Laura Dern
Zahara Lachapelle

Nikolaj Coster–Waldau
Franklin Lachapelle

Anthony Bridgerton / Jonathan Bailey
Benedict Bridgerton / Luke Thompson
Colin Bridgerton / Luke Newton
Daphne Bridgerton / Phoebe Dynevor
Eloise Bridgerton / Claudia Jessie
Francesca Bridgerton / Ruby Stokes
Gregory Bridgerton / Will Tilston
Hyacinth Bridgerton / Florence Hunt
Violet Bridgerton / Ruth Gemmell

Freya Cowper / Anya Taylor–Joy
Cristian Lancaster / Timothée Chalamet
Penelope Featherington / Nicola Coughlan
Marina Thompson / Ruby Barker
Lady Danbury / Adjoa Andoh
Queen Charlotte / Golda Rosheuvel
Kate Sharma / Simone Ashley
Edwina Sharma / Charithra Chandran

Disclaimers / This story contains a massive amount of homophobia (also internalised), sexual harassment, sexism, vulgar language, manipulation, and, well, it's Bridgerton, so smut.

Copyright / The rights to the Bridgerton books go to Julia Quinn. I only own the Lachapelle family and any other minor characters you might not recognise. The visuals are also not mine, except for Fleur's.

Dedications / amorilas -lostgardens stainedstardom mercurypoisons alicentsgirl daughterofcain333 lovingfictional blvebvnisters -spiderrots sunsfloral -kindredconfetti mistylilaclover hiswonderss mae1mae123 spideyskies HalleCarey fivestarlvr applejuiceluv3r_

Notes / I am a sucker for a good wlw fic but this one is going to be so hard to write. There is going to be an insane amount of internalised homophobia and shit, because, you know, 19th century. I am not sure my writing is good enough for this, but we'll see.