Eloise Featherington: Bridgerton

22| Test begins

It was the third day he was going to be presented to the Queen. In the morning he opened his eyes lying on bed naked with Eloise gone. A guard stood on top of him. In his harsh tone he asked him to change and he hurriedly changed into the cell uniform again.

Thanks to Eloise he spend two nights in a cozy room in her arms but he still stayed locked in the dark shady cell. Sitting idly and walking in the memory lane. He thought everything was sorted. He worked hard for months to make everything fine.

But his misery never left him. He was back at zero in fact negatives. Angrily he punched on the wall until his knuckles turned red and ultimately started bleeding. He was tearing apart. He regretted deflowering Eloise. He always hated himself but in this moment it was more than ever.

"What did you do Pen? How could you? Now who will marry her? You were supposed to protect her and now she is there suffering because of you. You are a selfish man!" He thought to himself.

He did not knew what to do. For a moment he thought it would be better if he would just die. He would not have to deal with any troubles and he will not have to see Eloise suffering again, trying to make it work with a lackey husband that was him.

Meanwhile time passed quickly. With his bleeding knuckles, dirty clothes and messy hair he was first tied then dragged to the court. All the way from cell stairs to the gardens of Palace and eventually in front of Queen.

A special court was held for him. He saw Eloise alongside Benedict already standing there. She looked pale and weak. She was definitely not eating enough. They made eye contact for a moment until guilt captivated Pen and he looked away.

"Tell me the name then Lady Featherington." Queen asked in an arrogant tone while she sat on her throne. She looked happy and agitated at the same time.

"What will you do to them? My highness." She asked.

"Thats for me to decide." She replied angrily.

Eloise started clapping. Doors of the hall open and a pair of young servants enter. "They work at Mr Brown house they were involved in the scandal." With poker face.

"They are not members of ton." With anger.

"Indeed but they are servants of members of ton and they attend every ball. If you will read the pamphlets they were always found outside in garden or an abandon part." With confidence.

I could see Queen was in deep thoughts. She looked at them carefully wondering if she was lying. While I looked at Eloise. It was smart of her but I did not knew if Queen would believe her. After a while

"You two must leave this city today and guards take everything from them and discard them. I do not want such indecent people in my society."

As she said these two were dragged outside. I saw a little smile on Eloise face but quickly she looked expressionless again.

"You can go Lord Featherington but royal empire will take most of your belongings and will leave you to be with little. You are not allowed to published any pamphlets from now on." In a mighty tone.

"With due respect Queen everybody knows about this thing. We are facing much defame in society. Also Lady Whistledown is Lord Featherington's hard work. This is the only thing that he loves. You must allow him to write further." With poker face.

"Are you arguing with me Lady Featherington?" With shock this time.

"I want you to announce that it was a misunderstanding and Pen is not Lady Whistledown and return things as usual." She replied. She was standing still. I could not understand what she was doing.

"Are you giving me an order?I can behead you right at this moment are you aware of your status?" With shock.

"I know my Queen of my status I am in your court as a wife fighting for my husband. I have no other option. In return I will keep my mouth shut as well. Benedict can you?" She stopped.

Then I saw Benedict passing a stroll to the Queen. "It clearly states the bad mental health of King. If this secret will be revealed. We all know how much it will damage the throne." Benedict.

"Are you two threatening me? How do you know this?" With shock and anger she stood up. She quickly tore the stroll in her hand.

"I am here to make a deal Queen." With determination.

"I cannot trust anyone with such a secret. I can behead you both at this moment." With anger.

"There is another stroll. If we will not leave this court. They will publish this stroll." Eloise.

"How dare you?! Alright I will let you go at this moment but you will pay for treason." In an angry and loud voice she shouted.

It was definitely not going well. Everybody knew nature of Queen and it was a severe mistake to challenge her. I could see rage in her eyes.

In a moment I saw Eloise walking close to the Queen. She looked at her for a moment then she sat on her knees. It was sudden with red face she finally broke down her sheer confidence a moment ago fell apart.

"My highness I am not here to challenge you. I am just here to protect my husband and his interests. I am in love with my husband and my heart ache for him.  You are a wife as well. You are in anger as well because you are protecting your husband too. I am not comparing but I am just begging you. I do not mean to offend.
We cannot afford your anger. You can behead me at this moment if you please.
Pardon me for my disrespect I am at your mercy. I will accept whatever you will decide." With a heavy voice. She ended her appeal. I could never imagine her like that. She was sobbing and kneeling.

Was I dreaming? I saw Queen's face I could not analyse what she was thinking. I stood there idly tied with chains and Benedict standing aside looking at the state of her beloved sister. He knuckled his fists with anger his veins popping with rage as he had nothing he could do about the situation.

"I can let you go. As you offended me severely. I will accept what you asked for but in return I will not behead you but I will put you in a torturing prison for the rest of your life. Will you still accept?"

"Yes." She answered quickly.

" Guards announce that it was all a mistake and leave Lord Featherington."

One of the guards opened my chains. I quickly ran towards Eloise. " No" I shouted.

" My highness please put me in prison but not her. It was my mistake. I beg you for mercy." I kept screaming. While I held her in my arms tightly. She stayed silent I could see a smile on her face. I could not help but cry like a baby.

"I love you, Pen. Its alright. I am happy for you. Find a nice lady. Do not blame yourself. Okay." She whispered.

Queen left us in a moment. Soon Eloise was snatched from my arms and was dragged outside. I ran like a madman. I ran after carriage for miles and eventually lost it. She dragged her away from me in front of my eyes and I could not do anything.