Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Twenty-Four

Sophia

I never knew I was in love with Benedict Bridgerton until he completely friendzoned me. Or familyzoned me, rather, as he quite literally called himself my brother. I mean, technically I said that, but he started by implying it.

Gosh I feel so stupid. I was never supposed to catch feelings for him, or at least not this intensely. I had gathered that there was something there, especially after we kissed, but that wasn't...love. I enjoyed his company, we could talk very well, he was a good listener. I liked him. Something that has happened more than once before, and it never lasted long.

But this feeling is different. It's not even in the same category. Because why is he there with my every thought and every move? Why is his face the only thing occupying my mind? All day long?

"Are you still up my dear?" Charlotte asks from the door opening. I so much as drop the candle I was holding, under the illusion that I'd been all alone.

"Can't sleep," I shrug.

"Is everything alright?" She asks, squinting her eyes at me.

I nod quickly, "yes, of course."

Charlotte smiles, "You resemble your father, with that guilty look on your face." she says. "It means you've either gotten yourself in trouble or...-"

"Or what?" I ask impatiently.

"Or, my dear, you are in love."

I start blushing bright red. How could she possibly know that? I only found out myself just yet.

"I'm not in love." I lie.

"Oh. So you won't mind that I invited the prince of Denmark to stay with us for the next couple of days? Including the dinner on saturday evening?" She asks.

I shake my head, "No, of course not. You may do whatever you please."

Charlotte grins, "Yes, I know that. Now go to bed, dear, I need you well rested tomorrow to meet the prince..."

....

"I am delighted to meet you, princess Sophia." The prince of denmark, kisses my hand and I give him a smile in return,

"The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness."

"Call me Benedict." He says.

I freeze. Benedict? His name is Benedict? As if I wasn't having enough trouble forgetting Benedict. The other one.

"Shall we sit down?" prince Benedict asks, and I follow him to the sofa. He shoves an entire biscuit into his mouth and to avoid being exposed to the sight of his aggressive chewing I look out the window, my mind wandering.

Would my grandmother get suspicious if I asked her to invite the Bridgerton family to her birthday dinner? After all, they took me in, and Hyacinth and I are friends. I really need to see her, if only to catch up.

"Have you ever been to Denmark?" prince Benedict asks. I shake my head, trying to ignore the crumbs still lining his mouth.

"You truly should visit us. Did you know we are one of the richest countries in Europe at the moment? All because of an initiative I proposed. Not that it cost me much effort to come up with it, it surprised me no one had thought of it before really. I would love to explain it to you, but I fear that since you are a woman, your brain might explode if I try." prince Benedict laughs and I try to remain polite, nodding awkwardly, wishing very much that there was a different Benedict sitting next to me, holding me close, his hands running through my hai-

Wait no, I was going to forget about him. I'm like a sister to him, so it will never work. Not unless he changes his mind and falls in lo-

Oh. No. Doing it again.

"So even though I won the contest, I gave my younger brother the medal, because he always loses to me." prince Benedict is still talking, apparently.

"Would that have anything to do with the seven-year age gap between you two?" I ask sarcastically. Unfortunately, my sarcasm was not caught,

"Well, actually, when I was only eight years old I..." He starts. I press my lips shut. This is going to be a loooong week...