Reflections of the choices

Сhapter fourteen

"It's B̶r̶i̶t̶n̶e̶y̶, bitch

They want more? Well, I'll give them more

I bet you didn't see this one comin'."

"Gimme more" by Britney Spears

Sixteen Years Later. 1831.

In the grand halls of the Hastings estate, excitement filled the air as Belinda, Daphne's daughter, prepared for her debut. Tonight was her first ball, and she could hardly conceal her anxiety. Belinda knew the expectations placed upon her. Her mother had once been the diamond of the season, and everyone expected her daughter to continue the family tradition.

"Mama, what if I can't meet their expectations?" Belinda nervously smoothed the folds of her gown, her voice trembling. "Everyone thinks I should be the diamond like you, but I'm not sure I can do it."

Daphne smiled softly and gently patted her daughter's shoulder.
"Darling, you're already perfect," she said confidently. "Remember, you're not just the daughter of an earl; you're a Bridgerton, and that says a lot. You are incredible, and all you need to do is be yourself."

"She's right, my dear," added Violet, Belinda's grandmother. "We are all so proud of you, and you'll do just fine."

Belinda nodded, though doubt still lingered in her eyes. She knew the path ahead would be long, and she desperately wanted to live up to everyone's expectations.

The debutantes' ball began in the luxurious halls, and Belinda's grace and beauty captivated everyone present. Gentlemen couldn't take their eyes off her, and the ladies whispered among themselves, admiring her elegance and refinement. However, instead of naming Belinda the diamond of the season, the Queen smiled mysteriously, as if waiting for something special. At the end of the event, she announced:

"Well, where is my splendid diamond?" said the Queen, scanning the room.

Everyone looked around in confusion, unsure of whom she was referring to. At that moment, the doors opened, and a young woman entered, gracefully bowing to the Queen. She was flawless—from her attire to her manners, from her gaze to her smile.

The Queen looked at the girl with approval and said with admiration, "Flawless, my darling. As always."

The room gasped in shock. No one knew this girl, and everyone was stunned by her sudden appearance. Belinda stared at her, unable to hide her surprise and slight bitterness. How could this happen? Who was this mysterious debutante who had taken the title that should have been hers?

At the picnic the following day, when the socialites gathered once again, the enigmatic debutante was the center of everyone's attention. Belinda tried to hide her emotions, but the pain and disappointment were evident in her eyes. She watched as one gentleman after another attempted to converse with the new diamond, but the girl remained aloof and uninterested, exuding a cold, unapproachable aura.

Florence, Belinda's closest friend, approached her, noticing how intently she watched the diamond.
"You were magnificent, Belinda," Florence said with a smile, trying to cheer her up. "Everyone was impressed by you."

"But it wasn't enough," Belinda replied sadly, unable to take her eyes off the girl whose status had overshadowed her own.

Belinda's older brother, August, joined the conversation.
"Stop worrying, sis. She's probably just one of the Queen's protégées. How else could someone take the top spot so easily?"

"What do you mean, a protégée of the Queen?" Belinda asked, frowning at her brother.

"It doesn't matter," Simon interrupted, giving August a stern look. "The season has only just begun. It doesn't matter who the diamond is; all that matters is you, and you'll find your match."