Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Thirty-One

Sophia

I never imagined myself fitting wedding gowns to marry a prince. To be completely honest, a year or two ago, I was fairly sure I was never going to marry at all. Yet here I am, practically drowning in a mess of feathers, lace and multiple layers of heavy fabric.

I can barely breathe, as my waist has been snatched tightly by my maid, who is clapping happily. The owner of the store is smiling widely, I suspect because this is the most expensive dress she has to offer. My grandmother was unable to attend, she seemed sincerely sorry about it.

"Your highness this dress is..." Another maid muses, leaving someone else to fill the blank.

"So not you." For a second I though that was just the voice in my head, because it was indeed what I was thinking, but then I heard an offended gasp and realised it had actually been said out loud, and not by me.

I turn around, getting caught in all of the fabric that had been piled up around my ankles and naturally, I trip. I try to catch myself by reaching out with my arms, but instead of finding something steady to hold on to I simply push my maid aside and stumble closer to the ground.

"Hello there." Two strong arms catch me, setting me back upright. I turn around, my favourite face greeting me, and for a second I forget about everything. About the wedding that comes straight out of a horror movie. About my future, uncertain and pretty terrifying. When looking into Benedict's eyes, it all falls away.

"Hi." I breathe, sort of, the corset on this dress makes it rather difficult.

"Need some help getting that thing off?" He asks and I nod,

"Susan, Elena, could you please walk with miss Harrison to find me some other options?" I ask sweetly. They nod hastily and leave the room. Benedict takes care of the corset and turns around so I can change into my original gown.

"You shouldn't be here." I say, our backs towards each other.

"I had to come. Your grandmother told me you were marrying an idiot." He says.

"You spoke to my grandmother?" I ask surprised.

"Yes, I apologised for what I did yesterday."

"For what we did." I correct him.

"Well, that is still up for discussion. Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you and ask you why." He sighs.

"Why what?"

I can hear him turn, and I feel his fingers touching my back as he closes the buttons of my dress, "Why won't you marry me, Sophia?"

My breath catches in my throat and I shake my head, "Benedict I'm sorry I-.."

He cuts me off, "Just say it, Sophia, be honest with me." I can hear the anger in his voice and I snap,

"Because you're an artist. You draw, you paint, sometimes you write. You have a family you love seeing, you have freedom you enjoy. If you marry me, you will lose everything."

"I would have you." He steps closer, I step back,

"I'm not worth all that Benedict. You would be king, you would have to rule a country!" I've gone into panic mode now.

"No, you would rule Sophia, I would just stand by your side, wave a little, and paint you." He smiles.

"This is not funny Benedict, you think this is what I want? You think I enjoyed saying no to the man I actually love just so I can marry that smug-looking moron?" I ask, the words escaping my mouth before I truly realised what I was saying.

Benedict falters in his step as he moves closer to me, "You love me?"

"No." I lie.

He laughs and I can't help but smile, "You love me, Sophia Badger." He teases.

I shake my head, "You wish pretty boy."

Then Susam and Elena return, arms filled with more heavy and itchy dresses. Benedict and I step away from each other and he heads towards the door,

"If you change your mind Sophia, about this prince of yours, meet me tonight, I'll be down by the lake, the one closest to Bridgerton House." He says, and closes the door behind him as he leaves the store.

"Are you ready for the next dress, your highness?" Susan asks. I turn around and fake a smile. Then, with my mind on the wrong Benedict I say,

"Yes, let's get this over with."