Miss Bridgertons Prince • 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐𝒏

Tears

Bridgerton

SEASON FOUR
CHAPTER TEN

'Tears'

It had been a week since Elodie Bridgerton had reluctantly accepted Prince Theodore's proposal. Despite the outward appearance of contentment, Elodie felt a profound unease, her heart heavy with the constraints of a future she hadn't chosen for herself. Today, she had a private audience with Theodore's parents, the King and Queen of St. Claire, and the weight of their expectations had only intensified her internal struggle.

In the tranquil art room, Elodie tried to distract herself by painting, her brush strokes punctuated by the turbulent thoughts swirling in her mind. The soft knock on the door startled her, and an attendant entered to deliver an urgent message.

"Miss Bridgerton, the King and Queen of St. Claire request your presence immediately."

Her heart sank. She set down her brush, gave a nod, and followed the attendant to the private room where Theodore's parents awaited. They greeted her with warm but solemn expressions, their poise reflective of their royal status.

"Miss Bridgerton," Queen Isabella began with a gracious smile, "thank you for coming."

"Your Majesty," Elodie curtsied deeply, her nerves fraying at the edges. "It is an honor."

The King, dignified and serious, motioned for her to take a seat. "We wanted to discuss the forthcoming engagement. There are matters of great importance that we need to address."

Elodie sat down, her heart racing. "Of course, Your Majesty."

The Queen leaned in, her gaze both kind and piercing. "This union is not only about our families coming together. It has political and social implications that go beyond personal desires."

Elodie nodded, her throat tightening. "I understand."

The King continued, "Your role will involve more than just being Theodore's wife. You will be representing our kingdom and fulfilling numerous responsibilities."

"I will do my utmost to meet these expectations," Elodie replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Queen Isabella's tone softened slightly. "Remember, you must keep this conversation private. You can tell others you accepted Theodore's proposal, but the specifics of our discussion must remain confidential."

Elodie felt a pang of sadness as she nodded in agreement. "I understand, Your Majesty."

As the royal couple bid her farewell, Elodie left the room, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She wandered through the garden, seeking solace in its quiet beauty. The serenity, however, did little to quell the storm raging inside her.

She found a secluded bench and sat down, her thoughts becoming overwhelming. Tears began to flow, the facade of control she had maintained cracking under the strain. She felt a profound sense of loss, as if her autonomy was slipping away with each passing moment.

Theodore, having been informed of her distress, approached cautiously. He sat beside her on the bench, his presence a mix of concern and guilt. "Elodie, I'm so sorry. I didn't know it would be like this."

Elodie looked up, her eyes red and glistening. "It's not just about you, Theodore. It's everything. My life feels like it's being dictated by others."

Theodore's brow furrowed in frustration. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I thought—"

"You thought what?" Elodie interrupted, her voice rising. "That you could just swoop in and fix everything? I'm the one who has to live with the consequences!"

Theodore's face hardened. "I never said it would be easy. I'm just trying to make things work."

"Work?" Elodie snapped. "You think this is just about making things work? My life is not a chess game, Theodore! It's my reality, and I'm being shoved into a role I never wanted!"

Theodore stood up, pacing angrily. "Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I wanted to force you into something you're not ready for? This is not what I envisioned either!"

Elodie stood, facing him with a mixture of frustration and sadness. "You think this is about you? You're not the only one suffering here. I have my own dreams, my own life that's being torn apart!"

Theodore's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "I'm trying to be here for you, but you're pushing me away. I can't help if you don't let me in."

Elodie's tears fell freely now, her composure shattered. "Maybe I don't know how to let you in. Maybe I'm scared of what it means to trust someone who's part of this whole mess."

Theodore took a deep breath, his anger giving way to a pained expression. "Elodie, I know this is difficult. But we need to face this together. I'm not asking for perfection. I'm asking for honesty."

Elodie wiped her tears away with trembling hands. "Honesty? Fine. I'll be honest. I'm terrified of losing myself in this arrangement. I don't want to be just a pawn in someone else's game."

Theodore stepped closer, his voice softer now. "You're not a pawn. You're a person with your own dreams and desires. I want to be with you, not just because of duty, but because I care about you."

Elodie looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity. "Do you really mean that?"

Theodore nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes, Elodie. I do."

The two stood in the garden, the air between them heavy with unresolved emotions. They were both struggling to navigate the complexities of their engagement, their hearts torn between duty and desire. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, they were facing it with a tentative understanding.

As they stood there, the sun setting behind them, it was clear that their journey together would be fraught with challenges. But perhaps, in their shared struggles, they might find a way to bridge the gap between their hearts and create something enduring amidst the chaos.

END OF

SEASON FOUR
CHAPTER TEN

'Tears'