Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Sophia

I cannot believe what happened tonight, it's like a nightmare come true. I thought that being stuck next to prince Benedict would be the worst part of my night, but boy was I wrong about that. Not to say that sitting next to prince Benedict was a pleasure, I have never yawned so often in the span of an hour.

But it was not that Benedict, ruining my night. I was completely speechless at first, when Benedict said he never wished to marry me. Not that I before thought that he did wish to do so, but it came out of his mouth so brutally that I was taken aback. And then he just kept going, calling me spoiled and said that I had changed.

In any other case I would have been raging with anger if someone dared to speak to me in such a manner, I would have shouted back just as loud, maybe even given him a slap on his chest, demanding him to stop. Only this time, I froze. It was a miracle sentences managed to escape my mouth at all, because I could barely comprehend what was happening.

Maybe I was so taken aback because I had never seen this coming from him, maybe because it had already been such a long night and prince Benedict had completely worn me out, or maybe because his words cut deeper than a knife. Maybe, because all that hate coming from him made me believe it was true. He was always honest with me, I trusted him.

But I know better now, standing in my bedroom, ready to go to sleep and leave this messy business behind me. I know better because I have not been acting spoiled, nor have I changed. My title has, and my wardrobe is the complete opposite of what it was before but I know for a fact that I myself have not changed. I wouldn't, because frankly, I like myself. I like who I am and although the police might not agree, I am proud of all the things I have done and achieved in my life.

So Benedict can be angry all he wants but I-...

Something hits my bedroom window. I turn to look. Tick... Tick...

I walk closer and open the window carefully, just so a tiny rock can fly right by my face.

"Sorry!"

My heart stops. Benedict Bridgerton is standing outside the castle, his shirt undone, his hair all over the place. I move my hand and am I about to shut the window without saying a single word to him,

"I'm sorry!" He shouts and I step forward, showing him my face. He's sorry. Well of course he is, he should be.

"Good to know!" I smile and once again begin to close the window,

"I lied!" he now adds and I sigh,

"About what?" I ask, secretly curious.

"About everything. I lied when I said that you were spoiled. I lied when I said that you had changed and I lied when I said that..." He stops.

"When you said what?" I ask, my curiosity not so hidden anymore.

"Can I please come in?" He asks, moving closer to the castle walls. I look down, would the vines hold him?

"If you make it all the way up here, then yes." I say, crossing my arms. Before I've even finished my sentence Benedict begins climbing up. I should step away, and wait inside for him to get to my room. I should step away to prevent myself from getting a cold and messing with the perfectly fine temperature in the room. But I am rooted to the spot.

Benedicts hair waves in the wind as he heaves himself up. His muscles show through his shirt whenever he pulls and-

Sophia, please, a voice reminds me. I cough and take my eyes off him. He effortlessly climbs over the windowsill and then there he is, right in front of me. He seems like a different man than he was merely hours ago.

He closes the window to stop the wind from coming in and a I try not to shiver. Then he turns, and we are mere inches apart, his warm breath falling on my neck. I look up, trying to stay steady,

"You lied?" I ask, staying on the topic.

"I lied" He exhales, his green eyes piercing mine, "Because I-..."

"Because what?" I ask eagerly, restless.

He sighs, walking away from me, "I'm not sure I should say this."

"Yes you should." I state.

"But Sophia, I-.."

"You owe it to me." I push him.

"Alright fine." He mumbles.

"Yes, fine. Say it." I step closer to him, his back facing me.

He whispers something that I cannot understand.

"I can't hear you." I put my hands on my hips, his back now at arm's reach from me.

Swiftly, he turns, nearly crashing into me, "I would marry you." He says then. Very loud, and very clear.

I would marry you.