The Queen of Hearts (An Anthony Bridgerton Story)

"I love another Charlotte"

"The wedding is beautiful" Simon said to me, I stood on the opposite side of him. I was maid of honor, this was my job.
"Thank you sir" I said, messing with the flowers in my hands. The bouquet was small, wrapped with white lace.
"Your bride is beautiful" I said, watching her walk down the aisle with Anthony. Her dress was a white satin and lace.
"She is truly a beautiful bride," Simon said, smiling as she walked towards him.
Daphne smiled at me as she stepped up. I looked at her and then the ground. I should perhaps be taking notes seeing as I was to have my own wedding. But I didn't care, the only thing I knew was that Anthony's brown eyes stared into mine unwavering.

"How are you feeling Daphne?" I asked.
"I am married now," She said quietly, she threw back a glass of champagne, handing me one as well.
'You are married now" I repeated, she looked towards me, her face stayed the same for a moment and then she laughed.
I began laughing with her, until she snorted that is. "God, what was that?" I laughed, she covered her nose and snorted again. "How can one make such an unbecoming sound when they laugh?"
I threw back the glass of champagne."I wish you the best in your marriage" I said, grabbing her and hugging her.

"Charlotte?" I asked, taking a sip of my tea.
"Yes, your grace?" she said, coming towards me with the tray in her hand.
"Do I have any letters from the prince?" I asked, I had to get my mind off Lord Bridgerton, whether that be planning my own wedding, or reading a love letter I wish I could return.
"Cold in my professions, warm in my friendships, I wish, my Dear Sarafina, it may be in my power, by action rather than words, to convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that 'till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my love, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my desire to preserve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep my happiness independent of the caprice of others. You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility to steal into my affections without my consent. But as you have done it and as we are generally indulgent to those we love, I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed, on condition that for my sake, if not for your own, you will always continue to merit the partiality, which you have so artfully instilled into me."
"He is kind, he will be a wonderful husband" Charlotte tells me.
"Yes I know" I said, I looked down at the paper, hoping it would not rip in my hands.
"Is there something else you wish to say?" Charlotte asked, her eyes were kind, I felt as if I could trust her.
"I wish I could return his affections, truly I do. He deserves someone who will be able to love him, to treat him with so much kindness and affection. But I feel as if I cannot" I said exasperated.
"Why do you feel like that?"
"I love another Charlotte"

-Authors note-
This is short, this is 100% a filler chapter. I just need to keep wasting time until we get to at least 20 chapters before we have a happy ending. That is the minimum for all my fanfics lol
Much love
Slythtpsq0c 💕