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𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐀𝐖𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃, 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒. Although, as she looked around her she found herself alone, no presence of another when she remembered in actual fact exactly who she pulled into bed with her.

A dress had been laid out for her and it was most charming, a royal red with dark chemise and golden thread woven through the fabric.

As she stepped outside her eyes widened from the hum of the house that was rampant with maids carrying several bouquets and ornaments. She crossed the hall and knocked on Eloise's door but was met with silence and divulged in searching for her, herself.

The ton had already started to arrive and until the ball tomorrow, as well as today, she knew expectations must definitely be made. She was an extension of her mother, of the crown and she would not let anything of the importance waver though, Anastasia wanted Eloise by her side.

"Anastasia, glad to see you up, you missed breakfast," Colin mumbled in her ear and she looked undoubtedly embarrassed.

"Yes, you unfortunately I appeared to have have too much to drink, alas it will not happen again," he arched an eyebrow, unbelieving in her words. "Will you be courting any young ladies today?"

Colin darted his gaze from her to the floor and back once more before shaking his head softly, "no, I'm afraid not, not today that is." He peered at her but Anastasia was shifting her head round, "forgive me princess but are you looking for something."

"Yes, have you seen Eloise?"

Colin nodded his head, "yes I believe I saw her outside with- where are you," he trailed off as she hastily looked through arch ways and doors. The grounds were overrun with family's of all different coloured gowns, small tents with tables and chairs, a separate platform entirely from the rest that she knew was reserved for herself and her concierge.

"Princess Anastasia," she turned to be met with a woman of middle age who bowed as she met her eye.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Miss Leana of Wessex, your Grace."

Anastasia's eyes widened in recognition, "you wouldn't happen to be related to Malcom of Wessex, would you?"

A fond smile spread across each women's face at the memory of the young Lord, "why yes, he is my son and it appears he enjoys the bowling with the Bridgerton's." She looked to see Malcom, Haycinth and Grogory jumping after a small ball that you'd kick and catch in the air. "I can call him over, if you'd like, your Grace."

Anastasia shook her head, "let him realise on his own but I would like to know such a polite family like yourselves." She held her arm open and pointed to the large tent with gold and red tables and chairs, "would you care to join me?"

Leana appeared ecstatic as she latched their arms together and they walked in step with one another. They spoke of her husband who unfortunately passed, her other two children who she had to leave at home due to their age and how dearly she loved her family. Anastasia's eyes wandered over and she spotted Eloise more easily than before, she was situated with other ladies and looked like she found the conversation tedious.

She was slouched in her chair occasionally throwing her arms up as she looked at the women in front of her like they were buffoons.

"What is your relationship with that girl, princess?"

Anastasia snapped her eyes up to see Leana watching her with a mirth in her countenance, she cleared her throat. "Whatever do you mean, Lady Leana?"

Leana leaned back, "well you have not taken your eyes off of her for some time, Miss Eloise Bridgerton truly is a beauty." She now looked at the girl who furiously sipped on her lemonade with her hand clenching around the glass in annoyance.

"She is."

Leana arched a brow at her and leaned in closer with her elbows on her knees and voice lowered to a whisper. "Princess, please forgive me if I come off as rather direct but I myself, understand when someone is in love."

Anastasia slowly turned to see Leana with a small grin but she found no joy in the situation, "just what are you implying, Miss?" Her tone had changed, gone was the friendly princess and in her place a guarding sentient who wished to protect the reputation of Eloise.

Leana held her hands up, "do not be alarmed, princess, please it is not that I wish to judge you, in fact I myself-

Anastasia stood upright, "excuse me, but if you wish to speak of your own private affairs then you can do so with other companions but do not drag Eloise's name through the mud." She went to walk away but Leana called her back and she looked over her shoulder, a glare brewing in her eyes.

"Please princess, I apologise if I have offended you but heed me," Leana pleaded and Anastasia paused before returning to her seat, looking anywhere but Eloise.

There was an awkward lull between the two women until Anastasia sought it best to break it, "I know there is nothing wrong with a woman loving a woman just as a man would another." Her gaze was fixed on the green in her view as she spoke whilst Leana looked at her with a cautious gaze. "I experienced for myself on my voyage that specificity of love with another," she spied the woman form the corner of her eye so she understood her entirely, "and although you may be right, she is still a young lady herself, impressionable, regal and above all else it is dangerous to be such a thing in a place like this."

She tossed her arms around her, "I take it Paris was not ashamed of our loves." Leana sympathised as even though Anastasia tried not to look at Eloise she found her glancing repeatedly at her.

"Certainly but here, for some odd reason the ton would only see it as a disappointment, I am the heir and I must excel perfection. Whilst Eloise is a Bridgerton and," Anastasia huffed like the matter weighed on her shoulders, "and society would not be kind to us."

"Society is filled with fools," her curtness made Anastasia breathe a laugh, "but you'll find that in doubt if one accepts your desires then the others will always follow."

"Like sheep," Anastasia murmured, looking over to Leana who nodded slowly.

"But you are not a sheep, you're a lion, the one who makes the changes and does so with passion."

Anastasia looked to the floor with a soft smile, "perhaps you are right, Lady and I find myself enraptured in your company, tomorrow and today as well."

Leana nodded slowly, raising a glass in cheers to her, "it is a pleasure, your Majesty."

"Now, tell me of your loves."

𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐔𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐒𝐎, 𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐍. The rain was prominent and the sky was darkening, soon everyone had retired to their chambers and Anastasia had not yet spoken to the girl she wished for. Besides the Bridgerton's and the Sharma's she couldn't find an enticing conversation in any corner of the room, the girls talked of marriage and their mamas talked of arranging the marriage, all dreadfully boring.

She departed to her chambers with a small excitement festering in her at the main event, the hearts and flowers annual ball. Though, as she rolled over in her bed it seemed Eloise's scent had altered the bedsheets as all she smelt was her.

It drove her mad, as her eyes closed and she breathed in deeply, underneath the cold and crisp covers all she could see was Eloise. As she burned a stare into the empty space besides her it only irked her more, would she have to sleep in a new room entirely? Or was it the fact that she had only a slither of her favourite desert when she truly needed to go to sleep with a full stomach.

Anastasia flung the covers off of her and all but stormed to Eloise's door before knocking, as she did footsteps echoed to her right. She turned to see Kate stumbling up the stairs with a guilty look drowning her face, the two stared at one another until the princess lifted a finger to her lips and the Sharma retreated into the night.

"Anna?"

Eloise's voice was husky with sleep and Anastasia felt her knees weaken, "I'm sorry for knocking at such a late hour, I just can't sleep."

"Oh, is it the storm?"

Anastasia froze for a moment before nodding along, "yes, it is the storm."

"Ah, would you like to come in?" She held the door wider and Anastasia strolled in, her eyes near shutting at the scent of strawberries and cream filled her senses, so sweet and desirable that it nearly made her delirious.

"You have a diary?" She pointed over at the open book with a quill next to it as she got under the covers.

"Yes, it passes time," she shut it before climbing into bed herself, a small barrier of space separating herself from Anastasia.

Anastasia smiled at the heavy jewel on Eloise's neck, "you even wear it to bed."

Eloise ran her fingers over the metal, "it cools me in my sleep and I cannot find it in me to take off,  for I fear someone will steal it away from me."

Anastasia laughed and shuffled closer to Eloise, "like your sisters."

Eloise hummed a laugh and shuffled closer,"certainly Haycinth would, Francesca would only look at it and then ask if she could wear it."

"I like your family," Anastasia sighed as she looked up at the ceiling.

Eloise turned on her back and copied her actions, "they like you as well, it seems no one can escape your charms, princess."

"Oh?" Anastasia arched a brow and turned to face Eloise, "does that include you, Miss Eloise?" She said nothing but turned to face Anastasia with a soft chuckle leaving her. The silence that filled the space between them was comfortable, "I'm sorry for the way I acted last night," Anastasia murmured with her cheeks already reddening at the memory of herself.

Eloise hid a laugh, "well, you did tackle me into the bed and entrap me from leaving," Anastasia covered her face with a groan, "I had to pry your legs off me so I could sneak out." The two fell into eruptions of laughter before Eloise was quick to continue, "though, shall you need me to be your plush companion again, I would not be opposed."

Anastasia nodded, "well, you did mount me in your gardens the other day." It was now Eloise's turn to blush a bright red as she too looked away and the two spoke until the late hours of the night and early hours of the day, falling into sleep with a proximity in between them that disappeared.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐏. Penelope Featherington swooped in to steal the Bridgerton the second Anastasia had turned to preoccupy diligent suitors with mindless chatter. As she turned she was met with an empty space and still even though she did not want to talk to the ton she felt indebted to, the Bridgerton's had been nothing but kind and she would not jeopardise their reputation for her rudeness or selfishness.

Anastasia had allowed herself to be danced with, some who stepped on her toes out of nerve and those who's hands were so sweaty that she cringed in their face. Until the Duke of Wessex, Malcom came and saved the day with his bright grin but as the music slowed and quietened he brought her down to whisper in her ear.

"What is it that troubles you, young sir?"

He wrung his hands and looked around in the crowd like he were to tell the greatest secret, "how is it you ask a Lady to dance?"

Anastasia let an adorning smile slip past her lips, "and which Lady is it that you would like to dance with you?"

He leaned in close, "Miss Hyacinth, she's very pretty and far better than me at pall-mall."

Anastasia awed at his fear but also pure devotion, "you simply ask as you did with me and trust me, she will not refuse such a handsome boy as yourself," she winked and patted his shoulders in the way of the Bridgerton and watched as he fearfully walked towards her through the sea of giants.

As she went to retrieve a drink she turned and held her hand up as a polite excuse for all the men who looked to want to ask her questions. She rushed her way up the stairs until she met the highest perch and leaned against the banister, glass of lemonade in hand and a watchful eye as she spied the entirety of the ton.

Her eyes sought out her emerald and she watched as she danced, albeit rather stiffly with a tall Lord who leaned in far too close for her liking. When they danced with one another, even in a crowded room much like this one Eloise was fluent with her, at ease and confident with each step she took. It worries her to see Eloise in such an uncomfortable position and as the Lord grabbed at her wrist to try and keep her from leaving a heavy air filled the room.

She glared from her stand with a sneer on her lips, Eloise looked to snark back at him before turning on her heel. The Lord looked up, feeling eyes on him and gulped whilst taking a step back at the crowns jewel killing him with her stare, he felt compelled to leave the room and did so in haste.

The Bridgerton had not yet seen her as she stormed up the steps with her mother in tow but she was close enough for her to listen in on the conversation.

"My rebellion is not some party trick I put on to play a part, mama, and it is certainly not some accomplishment I've developed, like singing or painting to help me attract a suitor." Anastasia watched with her chest tightening in pain as Eloise sounded in near tears, her words quick but weighed heavy as Violet stared up at her, the realisation that she had misread her daughter hitting her. "I," Eloise stuttered her words, "know I am a disappointment to you so, just allow me to take my leave and go to bed."

Anastasia waited for the viscountess to lurch forward and repeat how she wasn't the disappointment she thought her of but she said nothing, simply staring at the floor. Eloise let out a quiet sob as she quickened her pace to her room and Penelope called out for her.

"I wish to be alone."

Anastasia placed the drink in the hands of a chaperone before following after Eloise, "she said she wished to be alone."

The princess craned her neck back to see the Featherington girl and rose a brow, "I know her better than you." She gave her not an ounce more of breath before she followed after her with worry clinging to her figure.

Her door had been left ajar and she shut it softly to see Eloise frantically tearing her earrings out and pulling at the jewels in her hair but leaving the necklace untouched.

"I said I wished to be alone," Eloise hadn't turned to look at her and Anastasia hadn't given any indication that she heeded her words. "Did you not hear me? Leave."

Anastasia took several steps further until she stood behind Eloise who was sat in front of the mirror that rested on her desk. Fresh tears still fell from her eyes, wetting her cheeks and reddening her eyes as she ferociously tried to wipe them away.

"I will not go." Anastasia kneeled next to her and Eloise looked down at her, the tears still clouding her vision. Her eyes resembling more of the ocean and although it would have been a gruesome sight to anyone else, Anastasia thought her the most beautiful girl at the event.

"You must go, I am the black sheep of my family, my mamas greatest failure, it would be damning to be seen with me." Her shoulders shook as she cried into her hand and Anastasia pulled her hands away by resting her own on Eloise's elbows.

"Eloise Bridgerton, you are anything but a disappointment," a dry scoff escaped her lips, "listen to me, you are well educated and well versed, you never purposefully do something if you know it will harm your family. You care not for society's expectations and although that may vex some it only made you all the more anomalous to me. If you don't like what someone has said you will speak your mind, that is one of your traits I admire most greatly about you. You, Eloise, are kind, passionate, radiantly alluring and a most intelligent young woman."

She took her hands in hers and brought them to her chest, speaking every word with the might of her heart, it's thrumming was something both women felt. Though, as Eloise stared down at her with her mouth parting in awe and at how charismatic the princess was being it made her own sore, she was sure she would have a panic attack if she did not stop talking.

"But you are not a disappointment, not to me and rest assured you never shall be, my emerald, my darling, my Eloise."

Eloise's chest heaved as she let out a sob, one of relief and utter devotion to the princess as she too fell to her knees and into Anastasia's warm embrace as she shushed her gently whilst rocking her. She bathed in her scent of lemons, sour to some but delectable and flavourful to others.

As she stroked her head and quieted her softly Eloise eventually ceased her cries, the two lay still until she wiped her face rid of any wetness. Although, she kept her head down, consoled in her chest, her dress wet from her but neither party minded.

"You must free me."

Anastasia furrowed her brows but still caressed Eloise's head as she hid in her chest, "what do you mean, darling?"

The sweet name she called her made Eloise close her eyes and a shaky breath leave her, "you must free me from this torment you have instilled upon me." Anastasia's silence prompted her to continue although the princess had stopped touching her hair and kept her hands around her back. "You plague me even in sleep, my very thoughts of you are ever growing, inescapable and," she swallowed thickly, "pleasurable."

Her head rose as Anastasia breathed in sharply at the sight of her eyes. "I would recognise you by touch alone, by smell, I would know you blind, by your breath, the way your feet struck the earth. I would know you in death, at the end of the world," she found the courage to stare into Anastasia's dark eyes. "And I cannot remove myself until you do."

Anastasia felt her breaths deepen, "and what is it you think you do to me?"

Eloise felt her body melt in relief, the feelings in which galavanted throughout her very being were coming true.

"When you first caught my eye it was not infatuation at first sight, instead a quiet curiosity was planted in my chest and it rooted itself to my heart. It was only a matter of time before you sunk beneath my bones and nurtured this deep seated familiarity that lead me to wonder if I had ever been in love before."

Their eyes flickered from eyes to lips, cheek and nose, hair and brow, analysing every detail of one another, should either one be struck down.

"Tell me, Eloise," their breaths mingling with each others as they inhaled the others scent. "Do you still wish for me to free you?"

Eloise shook her head, like a marionette with a puppeteer her eyes fixated now on one feature that she found irresistible.

"No," she whispered, heavy and filled with affection.

"What would you have me do?"

"Kiss me."

Anastasia sucked on her teeth, "are you sure? It may only worsen your torment."

Eloise did not think she so as she reached a careful hand up and tucked a loose curl behind Anastasia's ear. "I do not think it so, you are the air that I breathe, the thing I crave, if I were to kiss you," she cupped her hand to her cheek. "It would soothe my yearning and the ache I feel in my soul, for this kiss would claim your heart as mine and mine as yours, if you'll allow it."

Anastasia answered her by surging forward, a hand coming to burn Eloise's neck as their lips were pressed against one another in a searing kiss. It was tender at first, both of them testing the uncharted waters they had both voyaged into but when they found the water to be shallow, safe with room for deep diving, they were much harsher with one another.

Hands gripped and tugged at their clothing with little regard if the fabric were to rip, heavy breaths shared in between each tug of their lips as they tasted one another's soul. Every compliment, adoring remark, jealous action, grand gesture and comforting touch was a new stepping stone made for this moment. As they clawed at one another in desperation that the other would slip away at any given moment until their hurried nature became sweet pecks.

They pulled away, looked one another in the eye before engaging a laugh that rang bells through their ears. Before resting their foreheads on one another, "tell me, Eloise, are you content with being my poor, tortured soul?"

Eloise glowed, "if I am a poor soul then this is sweet torture," their smiles morphed into a kiss, an embalmment, a promise that whatever they had was real. "Come with me," Eloise abruptly said, hauling the princess to her feet.

"Where are we going?" Anastasia swayed her step once more like a drunken sailor as the breath had been stolen from her and was yet to fully return to her head.

"You'll see."

It was thank full that the ton was occupied with the ball as they would have spoke of how the emerald and princess ran out into the pelting rain, hand in hand with their cheeks red and figures out of breath. Eloise lead them far into the edge of the gardens under a large oak tree that sheltered them from the rain and she pulled a cigarette from a packet.

"Really?" Anastasia mused unimpressed.

Eloise shrugged before lighting it, "one for celebration," she positioned the stick away from the princess but stared at her with a grin.

The two jewels sat under the stars, under the cover of plants and flowers, their solitude, a small escape from the rampant responsibilities and expectations of society. Small murmurs of love whispered into the others skin and the sting that Anastasia's lips felt from the toxic air breathed in by Eloise all under the fall of complete and total darkness.

If Eloise had not prompted them to leave the room so suddenly then, she would have realised that her diary was not in its original place.