𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 ☼︎ 𝒂.𝒃

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒆𝒘𝒆𝒍'𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌

"miss daphne bridgerton. presented by her mother, the right honour, the dowager viscountess bridgerton." the voice called once more, most young ladies sighing in relief for extra moments. the door opened as daphne began to smile, the hall of people appearing before her. gently walking up the middle towards the queen herself, her pace not too fast nor too slow. the family of the bride beaming for joy for their daphne, the durhams grinning as well for their friends. daphne looked breathtaking, as usual. she stopped before the queen, bowing gracefully as she arose from her seat. the queen allowing her to stand  daphne's eyes meeting the queen's. she was amazed. 

"flawless my dear." she spoke, pressing a gentle kiss to daphne's forehead before being led to her seat. the bridgerton ladies bowing once more. 

"did that really just happen?" daphne mumbled to her mother, both very surprised by the queen's actions. 

"keep smiling dear, they are watching you. now more than ever." violet whispered back, her own face holding a gleaming smile as everyone's eyes remained on them. 

'but as we know. the brighter the lady shines, the faster she may burn.' 

"miss colette durham. presented by her mother. the right honourable, baroness durham." was called, the girl who was fusing with the strands of her hair froze. it was her turn. her turn to walk into a room, all eyes on her. like she was a prize, a piece of meat. yet she found herself, behind the door awaiting it. plastering a fake smile upon her lips as she let out shaky breaths. shaky breaths that stopped all together as the doors opened. the sets of eyes landed on her, watching her like hawks. lillian durham was grinning ear to ear, her sister shined. the queen watching her closely, something about this lady was different. maybe it was the contrast of purple against her dark hair. maybe it was the warm skin freckles like stars. or even the kindest eyes she has ever seen. bht this girl before her shorn, almost just as brightly as the last. anthony looked proud, the girl hadn't thrown up or ran out yet. an improvement at least. but he had also noticed  her chest did not rise nor fall. she was sucking in her breath, she was scared. his smile flattering, she was likely to crack under the eyes very soon. nobody made a sound, not even a breath as they stared straight ahead. all eyes on the lady. some in jealousy, in admiration but most in lust. many men staring at her wide eyed like she were a piece of meat indeed. a prize, a trophy. a trophy to become their wife, especially since she gained the likes of the very queen herself. 

"oh dear, a jewel indeed. breathe." the queen mumbled, holding the girl's hand as she stroked her thumb lightly against the freckled skin. before leaning in closer, her ear against the queen's lips as she whispered the last part. and as if it were an order, she complied. taking another shaky breath as the queen leaned back once more. giving the grin a faint smile before making her way back to her seat. esther smiling at her daughter before they too disappeared out the doors daphne and violet bridgerton that left through. the three sets of ladys now alone without watchful eyes. esther made her way over to violet as dahme rushed to the once again frozen colette. 

"oh colette, how'd it go?" daphne asked, because of the girls appearance one would think she messed it up. but in fact it was the very opposite. 

"i think it went well." the girl mumbled, the queen's words echoing in her head. a jewel. the queen had called her a jewel. she could scream for joy. but she knew the reality of what was to happen. 

‘all those watchful eyes, would now never leave. because little did daphne bridgerton and colette durham know, they would be the jewels of the season. the diamond and the ruby. and one could never outshine the other.’