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𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐒.

"Mother, I would like to promenade, will you join me?" Anastasia poised as she fitted the globes onto her fingers and was already turning back round as she saw her mother perched on the sofa with pamphlets of Whistledown, pictures of young ladies and one in her hand. She eyed her daughter wordlessly over the paper and Anastasia sighed loudly, "never mind."

"There is something you can do, dear." The queen perked her head up from the words on the page. "Instead of a promenade Miss Eloise should come here."

Anastasia was more than thrilled at her mothers request but it seemed a confused frown fitted her face at the look from her mother. "Not for you, child though within doubt I will hear her steps up and down the halls as she stays at ungodly hours." Charlotte mused cockily and Anastasia kicked the carpet under her foot with her cheeks turning red, "I require Miss Bridgerton's expertise, go fetch her form me."

"Yes, mother." She huffed unknowing wether to be delighted or slightly disappointed that she would not receive all of Eloise's attention to herself. "Make haste, please I should like at least a minute of the ladies time to myself." She grumbled to the driver whom hid a smile at her attitude before making double time with the horses.

As she arrived to the Bridgerton's manor the atmosphere within the house was unlike the fruitful and warm air that greeted her as she entered. It was dejected, a longing embedded through the walls and a deep rooted sadness at a failed wedding and a unrequited desire for love. She sensed the viscount was amidst and as she entered the drawing room she was greeted with the entire family except the very girl she came to see.

"Good day, Brdgerton's," the princesses voice coaxed them out of whatever silent trance they were in and they were all to their feet in an instant.

"Princess Anastasia," they went to bow but a gentle laugh pardoned them.

"There is no need for the formalities, you have all been so kind to me since my journey back," smiled went to the room and her eyes locked to Daphne. "Her grace herself," the Duchess let out a grin as their eyes met, "forgive me but I thought you were leaving after Aubrey Hall."

Daphne walked in front of her and they gripped one another hands tightly, she could feel the girls nerves through her touch. "On the contrary, I couldn't leave knowing a very good friend of mine would be left to defend herself against, Eloise."

Anastasia let out another laugh before keeping the girl on her arm to her right, "but I was hoping that Miss Eloise is about, is she?"

"Unfortunately not, princess," Violet sounded disappointed that her daughter was not here, "she is attending a lecture with Penelope on flower arranging."

Anastasia arched a brow and caught Benedict's gaze over her shoulder who gave her the same expression, Eloise would be caught dead attending such a thing.

"I see," Anastasia mused but she chewed on her lip in agitation, she knew where she was and she went without her to see him. "I shall not burden you with my presence any longer, I shall call another time." She squeezed Daphne's arm before going for the door, a stomp in her step and a will to drag Eloise back to the castle.

"Princess wait!" Benedict hurdles himself from over the couch, "please do stay for tea, your presence brightens up the room entirely and I'm afraid I cannot stand such misery any longer." He looked a desperate man as he pointed back to his brother whom appeared disheveled, silent and unshaven with no hint of a smile in his eye.

"Yes, that would be oh so agreeable and you can wait for Eloise," Hyacinth giddily told her so and Anastasia couldn't refuse the girls doe eyes.

"Of course I will."

Daphne took her hand and situated them on the couch, the girls squished up with a lighter tingle in the air. Anthony's lips twitching up at the excitement brought to both Gregory and Hyacinth's faces at the hearing of her tales.

𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐖𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐎𝐔𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐒.

"Ah, Eloise you have finally returned," her mama rejoiced as she wiped away a tear, she had never laughed so hard.

"Yes, through your absence the princess has entertained us so very much," Colin assured as he leant against Benedict's arm who was grinning brightly.

"She has indeed lifted spirits," Anthony said with gratitude that had Anastasia smiling back to him with.

"And did you know she plays piano?" Francesca beamed as she looked at Anastasia with a twinkle in her eye and Eloise chuckled, she had her entire family around her finger.

"No I did not but now I do," Eloise had a soft look on her face as she stared at the scene before her. Hyacinth on one arm with Gregory sitting on the floor peering up at her, Francesca on her right and Daphne with a stool next to the couch. Her mama and brothers opposite then with the most sweetest of looks.

"And she will be in attendance at the ball." Violets words made groans and eye rolls cascade around the room to which their mother pursed her lips at in exasperation.

"Oh, splendid," Eloise grumbled before taking the princesses hand and pulling her up onto her feet which her younger siblings looked betrayed at. "Scat you lot, I have not had a moment with her all day."

As they were walking away Hyacinth huffed and said loudly, "you've had every other day with her and those moments seem to last till dawn."

The family gaped at her but the princess hid her giggles in her gloves as the tiara on her head seemed to give her an edge of confidence. Eloise looked over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at her younger sister whom gasped loudly.

As the Bridgerton turned back with a triumphant face she saw Anastasia shaking her head.

"You would have done the same."

She took her by the hand and Anastasia wordlessly followed her up the many stairs until they reached her room. As Eloise entered she heard the clicking of her door locking and turned to see Anastasia in front of her.

"Why were you at that printers shop, again?" Anastasia stared her down as Eloise treaded back slowly which Anastasia matched her steps with. The girl jumping slightly at the feel of the banister from her bed hitting her back.

"I- uh, I-

"We are not going to continue this conversation with another lie," Anastasia told her firmly with her head lowering as Eloise flickered her gaze down to her lips.

"I wanted to discover why Lady Whistledown was no longer publishing," Eloise sucked in a harsh breath of air. The princesses scent making her eyes close, a sight that was most endearing to the princess who sharpened her tongue under one of her canines.

"Will you ever return to that shop without me as your chaperone?" Anastasia dragged her lips over Eloise's collar bone who shivered at the feather like contact.

"No," Eloise breathed out shakily and frowned as Anastasia removed her head from her neck.

"Very good, my darling," she grinned before pressing her hand to the back of her neck and pulled the girl into a searing kiss. Hands flying to the princesses curls whilst Anastasia curled an arm around her waist and dug her fingers in the laces of her dress. The princess slid her tongue in Eloise's mouth who let out a sound of pleasure that fell into Anastasia's lips.

The princess pulled away first, the restraint preparing to snap as she forced herself away from the Bridgerton. Eloise fell breathless against the bannister that held the roof of her bed, "why did you stop?"

Her innocent question had unbecoming intentions as the answer, Anastasia placed her hands on her hips to stop them from reaching out for the girl any longer. "Because I would much rather kiss you for as long as I like without knowing that your entire family is just a floor below us."

Eloise let the back of her head drop on the wood and let out a puffed chuckle, "well, until next time." She inquired with a twinkle of desire in her eyes that Anastasia matched tenfold.

The princess went to the mirror to fix her hair that Eloise had ruffled, flushed cheeks and red lips, the Bridgerton had never seen such a beauty. "What gown will you wear?"

Eloise rolled her eyes at the mention of dressed and sat on the edge of the bed as she watched Anastasia. "I care not, I only wish to hide away in my room with you."

Anastasia smiled as she met Eloise's eye through the mirror before walking to her wardrobe, "this one." She said within seconds of glancing over the dresses, white with gloves that went just past the elbow and diamonds embedded within the material of the design. They would be matching as Anastasia wore a creamy pale dress that had emblems of gold and diamond.

Eloise arched a brow before sighing and taking the dress from her hands before walking behind the divider.

Anastasia pouted, "not going to share the sight of you with me, my love?" From behind the divider she heard Eloise let out a chocked breath and stutter her words to which Anastasia laughed at, "I'm only teasing." Though, they both knew that she was not.

The princess relaxed on the large bed with her body sprawled and a devious smile on her face, she had completely forgotten to bring Eloise to the castle. Her mother might even be at a los for words to find that she would be attending a ball in the Bridgerton's house with a man who ruined her diamonds wedding. What fun.

𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐘𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒, 𝐀 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊. Anastasia heard the scrambling of maids prepare everything for the ball and when she thought they were to be greeted with a sea of guests she let her lips pull into a frown as no one had arrived.

All except the Sharma's and Lady Danbury whom she greeted each with a kinder smile to Edwina who was just about the only person she gazed softly at.

"I suppose it is early days," Lady Danbury said as Violet hummed with the air having a tension that was ready to be punctured.

Benedict was first to break, throwing his head back with a groan, "I cannot stand this so, if you do not mind I am off to doodle."

Anthony reached for his arm,"you will stay for a dance," the viscount sounded cryptic as he held his hand out for the steps above him before shouting. "Haycinth!" Both her and Gregory's heads appeared over the banister in confusion, they were not allowed at balls.

"Yes, brother?"

"Come down here and do me the honour," Anastasia awed as she leant on Eloise's shoulder at the gasp of delight the little girl had.

"If she gets to dance then so do I," the two children bolted down the steps and Haycinth slotted herself between Anthony and Anastasia. The princess grinned down at her as she held her hand and smiled as the reflection of the tiara met her sights.

They all held hands in the circle, the only ones present, all having different backgrounds entirely and a failed wedding to be ashamed of and yet they danced as if they had been friends for years. Anastasia was careful with Agatha but still had a pep in her step that she was surprised the woman with a cane could match. Giggled echoed around the room and breathless laughter filled the void of empty guests.

With each partner Anastasia had she would look over their shoulder, in no rude way but one to let Eloise know that she would have her soon. As she skipped lightly across the floor and was swung round by the arms of Eloise.

The girls howled with one another and nearly tripled over their own two feet, minds glassed with excitement. Bodies hot at the intensity in which they danced but also the fun that fuelled the endorphins in their blood.

The music died down and honeydews of delight filled the glowing walls, a calm atmosphere of jubilation embedded throughout the room. Anastasia leaned all of her weight onto Eloise who shamelessly wrapped an arm around the princesses waist with the other pressing against her stomach.

"I must say viscountess, you truly have outdone yourself," Anastasia mused and laughs barked at her.

Violet smiled, grinning almost twice as bright when she saw the relaxed expression on Eloise's face as she stared at the side of her head. "Yes, well I think that there shall be many balls just like this one."

"I do agree to that," Lady Danbury clicked her can in exultation.

Though, as the footman held out a pamphlet of Lady Whistledown, the room fell to a hush. There was one put out in front of the princess as well as Lady Bridgerton, Danbury and the Sharma's. She steadied her wobbly footing with a hand to her chest as her smile dimmed at the mention of the woman until she read the first few words. Anastasia gripped it tightly now, fingers pinching the paper till it turned white and the happiness in the air became polluted with an undeniable tension.

Anthony saw the look on his mothers face and rushed forth to look over her shoulder, his eyes too widening as he now stared at the back of the princesses head. Kate Sharma and Mary still stared at the pamphlet whilst Edwina stared at Anastasia with tears pricking at her eyes.

Eloise looked around and felt her own grin slip away as she snatched the pamphlet from her mothers hands who had been flickering her gaze between her and the word on the page. Her heart plummeted into her stomach and she felt the ground shatter from beneath her, wishing it would swallow her whole.

Ladies and gentlemen, it has come to this scribblers attention that your beloved heiress was in fact born a mute. It appears the Queen wished to keep at least another disappointment away from the eyes of the ton as she kept such a secret from us. We now know just how the princess skipped the cue of her many brothers and sisters, simple pity for such a small and silent soul whom would not say a word till her tenth birthday. The question still remains, will princess Anastasia, the seemingly daring and regal woman, take to the throne or will she wobble on her way and loose her words once more? Will she end up as mad as the King? Once again, my many thanks to a most reliable source, Miss Eloise Bridgerton.

The paragraph ended and spoke of modistes and the upcoming nuptials but the silence in the room was deafening. Anastasia kept her head down, the embarrassment too much for her as it hung across her neck, turning her ears red and chained her neck so her only sight was the floor beneath her feet.

The Bridgerton in question let her mouth part, she hadn't told anyone, how could Whistledown have known of such a thing?

"Anastasia?" She whispered out, a plead for her to turn and look to her but the princess seemed to tense her shoulders back as the paper fell from her hands. Without a word to anyone she headed for the door, storming for the exit when a hand reached for her wrist. "Anastasia, please."

Eloise begged but as the princess turned around she ripped herself out of her grip and Eloise wished she hadn't met her eye. Her eyes were dark, the same shade when underneath candlelight except they burned her with a savage glare.

The families in question looked besotted, looking between them with worry clear in their faces as they stared at the two.

"Please?" She retorted sarcastically with a dry scoff leaving her lips, Eloise winced at the venom in her voice. "Please, what? Forgive me for telling the entire ton something that I trusted you with!" Her words and the pain of betrayal, the shaking anger in which she spoke them in made Eloise's eyes glossing over, matching Anastasia's though the princess willed herself not to cry.

"I didn't!"

"Then who did?" She was met with silence and Anastasia looked to the ceiling for a brief moment to make certain she wouldn't waste tears on the girl in front of her. "I never wish to see or speak to you again, you will now be seen as a traitor in my eyes and the eyes of the Crown, I hope you enjoy your very brief time of fame," she bitterly sneered, referring to Lady Whistledown who called her out.

She went to reach for the handle once more and in desperation, Eloise clung to her hand like a child yearning for its mother in the cold winter. "Anna-

Once again Anastasia couldn't allow her to touch her for more than a second or the anger she felt would dissipate under her hand. She held it out of Eloise's reach, "don't you dare touch me, ever." Anastasia did not ponder on Eloise's face, the look of her crying would make her walls crumble. Instead, her eyes drifted to the necklace that she had gifted Eloise and without another passing moment she barred her fingers and snatched the silver from her neck.

Gasps echoed around the room at her display of barbarity as the clashing of the diamonds hit the hard wooden floor. Anastasia threw it at Eloise's feet who hopelessly stared at the scattered jewels around her and grasped her neck like the girl had strangled her.

"You have been released from your torment, is it as you wished?" Anastasia coldly spoke into the crisp void of quiet behind her before slamming the door.

Before the door even properly shut Eloise let out a loud cry and fell to her knees, as if receiving a punch to the gut and a stab to the heart, everything pained her. She scrambled to pick up the Emerald that had silver string and few diamonds still remaining on the demolished necklace, clutching it to her chest whilst the other held her heart that she thought was tearing itself apart.

Arms were quick to wrap around her and she fell into their embrace like a wounded animal in urgent need for succour. Daphne shushed her gently as she stroked at the hair on her head but it only made Eloise wail louder as she was reminded of how Anastasia would do the same.

"I didn't do it," she gasped out in between her heavy sobs, she thought she would drown in her own tears. "I didn't do it," she repeated and Daphne cooed to her softly.

"I believe you, Eloise." Her sister murmured to her whilst slowly rocking them together on the ground. Hycainth and Francesca were quick to file at either side of Eloise and too wrapped their arms around their elder sisters.

Sorrow was coated on every face that watched the scene, from the footmen and maids to Lady Danbury and the Viscount. Kate Sharma stared at her friend on the floor with misdirection, she knew Lady Whistledown spoke only to spread gossip and cause scandal but a selfish part of her thought that she would become like that, hysterical at the sight of losing a true love. Edwina went to go forth and try reunite the two girls but her mother simply pulled her back, she had read the situation better than her youngest daughter and it was clear the princess was in no forgiving mood.

Benedict had a deep frown as he kneeled next to Daphne and the sisters who cradled a agitated and whimpering Eloise in their grasp. Colin looked uncertain of his stance but as his sisters voice cracked as she repeated the same phrase he felt a shared pain. The Viscount wrapped an arm around Gregory who buried his head in his stomach to shield himself from the loudness of his sisters cries. It wasn't a nice sound, the feeling of being unable to mend a broken heart and being utterly useless was something Gregory found he loathed and didn't want to experience for himself.

Lady Danbury looked down to the floor with both hands on the handle of her cane, she would be sure to soften the blow as best she could for Eloise from the mighty wrath of the Queen. She knew she hadn't done it, it would be impossible, she saw the beauty in the bond shared between the two women and knew neither would do something purposeful to strain it.

Violet felt her heart swell, her daughters cry's reminding her of her own the day she lost the love of her life and kneeled in front of her child. Eloise's eyelids peeked open for a moment to see Violet, "mama," she chocked out and the Viscountess let her bury her head in the crook of her neck.

"Oh, my child," she murmured sweetly whilst kissing the crown of her head, "true love is not kind to all, sweet girl."

"But," she wept into her mamas chest, "but I love her."

Her voice was taught with glumness but no ounce of shame was detected, her confession didn't shock the room as she had once thought it would. Instead, she only received pitiful touches and adorned looks were shared over Eloise's shoulder between Violet and Daphne.

"Oh, Eloise," Daphne murmured softly as her sister cried, "we know."

"That is all we wanted for you," Violet kissed the crown of her head, appeased hat her daughter had come forth with her feelings. Eloise sunk into their comforting words with her sobs morphing into the mewls of a newborn.

Anthony almost couldn't bare the sight of his usually content and proud sister become a disheveled girl who cried whilst holding a necklace in her palms. He raced out the door, ignoring the shouts of his family as he grabbed at the door of the carriage just as it was about to take off.

"Princess Anastasia."

The door opened and he was not met with the same stone faced girl seconds ago but in fact a blotchy faced girl with reddened cheeks and a hand held over her mouth.

"Mr Bridgerton," her voice was shaky and cracked at certain points.

"Please, come back inside, you can leave in the morrow but it would be unmanned of my family if we let you return at such hours." Anthony had a puppy dog plead in his gaze but Anastasia furiously tried to wipe her tears away that seemed relentless. 

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Mr Bridgerton, if you would kindly remove yourself from the d-

"My sister needs you," he rushed quickly and nearly let his tongue slip that she moments ago she shared her love but it was not his place to say.

Instead of the warmth that would normally envelope her at the mention of Eloise's name she felt a bitter one crawl up her throat. "Miss Bridgerton should have learned to keep her thoughts to herself.

Anthony shook head, "no, no you don't understand-

"I understand just fine!" She barked to the man with her chest gradually heaving and eyes becoming a raw red. "Your sister betrayed my trust, exposed me and now I-

Her breathing stuttered and Anthony squinted his eyes as she looked like she would feint even when sat. "Now I-

"Princess?" He pondered but gradually became more frantic with his own movements as he watched her try and catch her breath.

"I-

Her eyes widened as she gripped at her chest as her body betrayed her, she felt her lungs become restrained by her ribs and her heart. How her heart clenched in a villainous pain that made Anastasia gasp out in a futile attempt to live but her soul was reliant, entirely on the beauty that was, Eloise. Yet, now the thread between them had unravelled and been severed with the cruelest of prompts.

The viscount lurched forward and shut the door behind him from prying eyes as he tightly held her arms, trying to restrain her to reality.

"Anastasia, you must breathe through your nose," he tried to gently coax her with gentle instructions. Although, as she looked to him she shook her head and now held her throat as she realised she couldn't find her speech.

Anthony pulled her into his grasp and held her whilst he banged his fist on the roof of the carriage making them make way towards the castle. He shushed her gently, "it's alright, breathe Venus." He prayed the name would spark a sense in the princess who still heaved in his arms and it was as if it unlocked the gateway to her breath.

The endearing name her father called her made her let out a hollow cry, a relief flooding over her that she was not retreating back into her illness, as Lady Whistledown put it.

"It's alright," he sighed out, equally and if not more relieved that he was hearing her breath even out.

Anthony had never felt such a fierce protective force other than for his family but now, as he held the princess in his arms he wished to shield her from all evil. And as they lay on the carriage floor, curled in the corner as if hiding from the dark, he swore that he would discover who Lady Whistledown was and she would pay.

As they neared the castle gates Anastasia found her strength to stand and move to the seat, Anthony followed in suit to the one opposite her. She didn't bother cleaning her face of tears as exhaustion had taken root of her and left her disoriented.

"Would you like me to accompany you to the door?"

Anastasia looked out to the palace where her mother waited and felt bile arise in her, she had failed her. She smiled to the viscount, a small and barely visible twitch of her lips, "unnecessary, my Lord but I cannot thank you enough, should you ever need anything you shall only ask."

Her offer was wafted away by a hand, "nonsense, you are friend," the carriage doors opened and as he went to get out a hand stopped him.

"You will take the viscount back to the Bridgerton estate," Anastasia told the driver and Anthony looked to her in confusion, obviously about to protest. "Please, for what you did for me just take it," he let out a long huff before nodding. She looked up at him as he sat and let a genuine, sad smile grace her lips, "thank you, Lord."

He bowed his head low, returning the pitiful smile, "of course, princess."

She went to turn when he shouted for her once more, "princess! Please do not hate my sister, she'll be lost without you."

Anastasia didn't turn or appear to even acknowledge his words as she simply trembled in her footing before briskly walking up the many stairs. She didn't think she would be able to bare the sight of Eloise at this moment, as far as the princess was concerned she had betrayed her trust and once it was broken it would never be repaired.

All she wanted was her mother, she ignored the gloomy eyes of the maids as they stared at her fast walking figure. Anastasia trailed to the drawing room whilst dragging her feet behind her, head hung low as she pushed to door open slowly. She peered her eyes up to see Brimsley standing behind her Majesty and as they met one another's eyes, he gave her an expression that was one of sorrow.

The princess walked in front of her mother with shame drenching her form more than the storm that was brewing. Charlotte stood up and met her child's eye who's bottom lip trembled and eyes welled with tears.

"My child," she soothed airily as she pulled the girl into a hug who instantly collapsed in her mothers arms.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled into her dress.

She was hushed and gently lowered to the couch where she all but curled in her mothers lap, "do not be sorry." Her own voice trembling at the sight of her usual stoic and jovial stature in such disarray. "I assure you that Eloise Bridgerton will receive an even harsher punishment than Lady Whistledown."

Anastasia sniffled before shaking her head and pulled her head from the cover of her arms. "No, mama, you can't."

Charlotte looked at her with furrowed eyebrows and eyes still wild in fury, "I appreciate you trying to defend your friend, Anastasia but that girl-

"I love that girl," Anastasia whimpered out as her cries lessened and the air was filled once more with a silence. The Queen was still as she stared at her daughter with an unreadable expression on her face that Anastasia evaded with a look to the floor. Brimsley stood with his eyes wide and mouth parting in shock as he looked between the two women. "Please don't ruin her, it was my mistake but it was Whistledown's fault entirely, she is who you should punish."

"Alright," Charlotte finally said and her daughter sighed in relief, the Queen eyed her daughter pensively. "You are willing to forgo her punishment even after what she did." Anastasia wondered if her mother knew all this time about her preferences, it seemed quite obvious in most cases. She didn't like to crochet or attend the most extravagant balls all to avoid the attention of suitors or rather men.

Anastasia felt her mothers words were judgemental and created a stomach of uncertainty in her gut, she nodded.

Instead, she said the entirely opposite and smiled warmly, pitifully but not condescending, "my sweet girl, you're heart broken." She stroked her cheek and Anastasia leaned into her hand with an exhaustion taking over her.

A tired sigh left her, "it hurts so much," she cushioned her bosom where her heart lay beating a slow and painful pace.

"I know," Charlotte muttered whilst pecking the crown of her head, "do not fret child, Whistledown will pay, only her, you have my word as your queen and your mother that Eloise's reputation is secure." But Lady Whistledown should start praying as once you stir the sleeping lioness they will make sure she feel their rage.