Love Story - Anthony Bridgerton x Princess Reader

I Was Enchanted To Meet You

The grand debutante ceremony had come to an end, and the hall was filled with the lively hum of conversation as members of the ton began to mingle and socialize. Yn watched as the young debutantes were swept up by eager introductions, the hall buzzing with excitement and curiosity. She turned to Queen Charlotte, who regarded her with an encouraging, almost conspiratorial smile.

"It's time for you to meet them, Yn," the Queen said, giving her hand a reassuring pat. "Mingle, get to know the people. They are all eager to make your acquaintance, and it's important for them to see you among them. I trust you will carry yourself with all the grace expected of a princess."

Yn nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Of course, Aunt Charlotte."

Queen Charlotte's eyes sparkled with a hint of warmth, and with a slight nod of approval, she turned and departed, her royal presence leaving a noticeable gap in the crowd. Almost immediately, the noblemen and women seized the opportunity, converging around Yn in a flurry of introductions, eager questions, and polite exclamations.

"Your Highness, what an honor it is..."

"Princess Yn, may I present my daughter..."

"It is truly a privilege to be in your presence..."

Yn kept her composure, responding with practiced grace and politeness, her words carefully chosen and her smile demure. She had grown accustomed to the weight of expectation, to the delicate dance of pleasantries required in her position, yet the overwhelming number of introductions made her feel as if she were suffocating under the scrutiny.

And amidst the sea of smiling faces and lavish greetings, she noticed him - Anthony Bridgerton, lingering at the edge of the crowd, a smug smirk on his face as he watched her politely fend off the throngs of well-wishers. He made no move to approach, simply observing with a calm amusement, as though he were in on some private joke only they shared.

After what felt like an eternity, the crowd around her began to thin, the noblemen and debutantes offering their final bows and curtsies before retreating to other parts of the hall. Finally, Yn found herself alone for a brief moment, able to take a breath without the weight of countless eyes upon her.

But her reprieve was short-lived. Anthony strolled over, his expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement, his gaze never wavering from her face. He stopped just close enough to be within earshot, bowing with a slightly exaggerated flourish, a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

"So," he drawled, his tone both teasing and respectful, "she's a princess?"

Yn raised an eyebrow, mirroring his smirk as she inclined her head ever so slightly. "Indeed, Viscount Bridgerton," she replied, her voice light yet dignified. "Surprised?"

"Oh, perhaps a little," he replied, straightening and folding his arms as he studied her with a twinkle in his eye. "One doesn't often find a princess alone in a field reading poetry before dawn. You could imagine my shock when I realized that the mysterious young woman I met was, in fact, royalty."

Yn chuckled softly, a warmth in her gaze. "Well, perhaps I enjoy defying expectations, just as much as you seem to enjoy standing back and watching others do the same."

Anthony's smirk deepened, his eyes never leaving hers. "I suppose that would make us... kindred spirits, wouldn't it?"

"Perhaps," Yn replied, a slight challenge in her tone as she met his gaze, unflinching. "Though one might argue that a Viscount ought to show more decorum in front of royalty."

He laughed softly, the sound low and genuine. "And one might argue that a princess ought not to be meeting strange men in fields, much less indulging their questions."