Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Nineteen

Benedict

Sophia and Hyacinth have been practically glued to each other for the last two days, they hardly seem to leave each other's sides and it has therefore been impossible to talk to Sophia on her own. I've been trying to apologise to her every single day but Hyaacinth is always there and to my surprise, she doesn't seem angry with me.

Another thing that surprised me is the lack of catastrophe that was supposed to wreck my life after kissing an eligible young woman in front of no one less than her majesty the queen. I have been expecting Anthony to pretty much hit me to the ground and demand that I marry Sophia right this second. But if Anthony doesn't know yet, then that means the queen has not said anything about it.

Something she has made public is that on the night of the ball, something of her was stolen. A little red booklet. The same godforsaken booklet I have seen Hyacinth holding all day long. It was clearly the thing she took with her when we left the castle and both her and Sophia have been acting incredibly suspicious about it.

I have not bothered to ask her what is inside the booklet, because I know she would never tell me, but every now and then I can hear an excited sort of yell coming from Hyacinth's room, which must mean there is something truly interesting in there.

Although now that I think about it, it has been very quiet upstairs for some time, and I decide to take a look, just to make sure no one has been harmed. I move up the stairs, the door to Hyacinht's room in sight. But before I get there, I spot Sophia standing on the balcony at the end of the hallway, all on her own.

"Enjoying the sunlight?" I ask, for once announcing my presence to her. She takes a brief look over her shoulder before turning her eyes back on the sight in front of her,

"I'm rather cold, actually" She says softly and I can instantly tell something is off. I place my jacket over her shoulders, an action to which she gives no reaction whatsoever, and stand next to her.

"I've been wanting to talk to you." I say carefully, unsure what she'll reply. Sophia lets out a heavy sigh, but doesn't say a word so I continue,

"I wanted to apolpogise for what I did. I'm sorry I kissed you, especially in front of the queen, it could have altered your entire life and I am very aware that you do not wish to marry me."

"Is that why you kissed me?" She looks up at me with an alarming look in her eyes.

"No, god no," I say, stepping back, "I did it to protect Hyacinth. And you. But still, had the queen spoken up about what she saw, we would need to become husband and wife."

"She could still come forward. Most certainly when she figures out that the thing that was stolen from her is in this house." she states. A frightening sentence really, but Sophia seems to have lost all sense of emotion.

"Are you alright?" I ask, moving closer to her.

"I am perfectly fine." she replies, not meeting my eyes.

"What is it?" I ask.

Sophia sighs heavily and opens and closes her mouth a few times before finally giving in, "I never realised why Hyacinth was so eager to find this lost royal, why it mattered so much and why she wanted it figured out so quick."

"And you do now?"

She lets out a laugh, but it isn't a happy one, "Yes, I do."

I wait for her to keep going, to tell me more. Eventually, she does,

"I was helping Hyacinth because I could tell it meant much to her that I did. Or at least that's why I thought she wanted me to assist her. But I was wrong. Hyacinth never wanted me for my mind or my support she..."

I can tell that whatever is bothering Sophia lies on the tip of her tongue, but she is scared to let go. Then she lets out another laugh,

"You will think I'm mad when I tell you this."

"I will not." I reply instantly, moving my hand to her chin and moving her head up, "I could not."

Carefully, her eyes meet mine,

"Hyacinth thinks that I am the lost royal. That is why she needed me, so I could give her the answers she needed, so that she could put it all together."

I scrunch my eyebrows together, "But I do not understand the problem, Sophia, just tell my sister you want her to stop, just tell her you do not want to be involved in her nonsense investigation. Surely, she will understand."

"But you do not, Benedict, you do not understand."

"What do I not understand? Why are you so bothered by this?" I take her hands in mine but she pulls them away,

"Because I think she may be right, Benedict. I think the lost royal is me."