· Main Content

Chapter Text

Dearest Gentle Readers.

There has been quite an uproar seen in London ever since Commodore Welsh surrendered himself, or right term will be left there hanging by none other than our Mask Hero Zetara. Rumors are that she was seen on Palace Grounds a few moments before Welsh was seen.

How she is getting in and out of Palace Grounds is mystery to this Author and I am sure Queen would be investigating this matter if she wasn't busy finding out Welsh's list of crimes and his accomplice.

Either way, the possibility of corruption has not dampened this season's mood as tonight Lady Danbury is hosting a lavish ball. This author is looking forward to seeing Countess and Viscount first formal appearance ever since their courtship has begun.

I hope this ball will lift up Viscount's mood since he was seen publicly confronting Welsh in broad daylight as he was enjoying picnic with his family, Lady Danbury, Featherington's and our dear Countess. This Author wonders what is the source of conflict between them because no one was close enough to hear this confrontation except Viscount and his party.

Even Lady Portia Featherington (Town notorious gossip, second to this author of course) is tight-lipped about this matter and not seen uttering single words about that day. It must be something big and more than juicy gossip if a woman like her is keeping her silence. Do not fear my dear readers, like all mysteries this will be unveiled in time.

Yours truly Lady Whistledown.

The queen was reading this article feeling fury rise inside her. "Brimsily!" Brimsily!" Her voice echoes and soon her most loyal trusted servant entered inside her throne room.

"Leave us alone!" She orders her ladies maids and companions who quickly bowed and start leaving one by one.

Once they were alone she showed him Lady Whistledown as she inquires. "What do you know about this confrontation between Lord Bridgerton and Welsh?"

"Only what everyone knows Your Majesty. Word is going around that on the day of the lakeside picnic Welsh approached Viscount and Countess. I don't know what has happened between them but according to rumors Viscount has lost his temper. He would have attacked that man in front of everyone if it wasn't for his brothers, who were holding him back."

The Queen looked deeply intrigued and disturbed because Viscount Bridgerton is the most upstanding man of the ton and if he has lost his temper like this... "Something big must have happened between them." She said her thoughts out loud and Brimsily nodded his head as if agreeing with her line of thoughts.

" I need to get more information. Summoned Lady Danbury post haste! I am sure my most trusted friend will put some light into this matter."

Lady Danbury was led straight into Queen's private sitting room with only Brimsily in attendance.

Once refreshments and tea were served and they were left alone with doors closing behind them that Lady Danbury finally asked. "My queen I can feel something is bothering you. Is this about season progress? I can assure you that this season is proceeding splendidly."

The queen sighed as she felt a strange kind of uneasiness. "Truth to be told I don't care about this season proceedings because of unfortunate turn of events. With proves of corruption and crimes unfolding these last few days and the appearance of this Masked Hero Zetara, I have to admit my plate is rather full to be concerned with balls and matchmaking."

But then her eyes lit up with thought as she added. "Although keep me updated about progress of Viscount Bridgerton and Countess Beaumont's courtship."

"Of course your Majesty, I will keep you updated or you may hear about it in Lady Whistledown."

Finally getting opening she needs The queen to bring out latest issues. "Speaking of Lady Whistledown, what is the story behind Viscount and Welsh confrontation?"

Lady Danbury seemed too hesitating so she insisted more. "Please do tell? Viscount Bridgerton is the most respected man of ton and with Welsh list of crimes it must be something serious if Viscount lost his temper like this.

When her friend stayed quite she insists even more. "Even small details can help the crown to punish that man severely! So I insist Agatha do tell me what happened between them?!"

Lady Danbury must find wisdom in her words as she starts speaking. " The fight was about Kathani Sharma, I don't know if you remember her but she was Doctor Milan Sharma's daughter."

As lady Danbury told her everything she knew, many reaction appear on Queen Charlotte's face and finally when she finished The Queen looked gravely troubled.

For a moment everyone sat silently as they waited for their Queen to speak. "I remember him Lady Danbury, Doctor Milan Sharma, the most brilliant doctor we ever met in our life. My dear George was fascinated by Doctor Sharma abilities to find cures from plants and herbs."

She sighed sadly for a moment as she remembered those times. "George was left in quite a difficult position when Doctor Sharma ran away with his girl Victor fancied. Even when Victor assured that he pardoned them the other lords wanted Doctor Sharma to be punished."

Lady Danbury nods her head in sympathy, even royalty is sometimes duty-bound to do what their subjects demand.

"George felt it was a great loss when Doctor Sharma was dismissed from the Palace and Royal Academy for Science. You cant imagine his happiness when Earl Sheffield forgive his daughter and son-in-law. He quickly reinstated Doctor Sharma back to his position."

She stood up and then started pacing as she remembered that night when everything went wrong. "It was those days when George illnesses first started showing. He would slowly start forgetting things and some time it's seems his body was there but his mind was sleeping. Naturally, all our Doctor started searching for the reason for this illness and cure but it was Doctor Sharma who seemed closer to finding both the problem and its solution."

Lady Danbury put her cup down, frowning as she tried to understand what her Queen was saying. "I beg your pardon your Majesty but are you saying Doctor Sharma was trying to find a cure for our King? But if he was trying to help them then why would he try to assassinate our King?"

"This is one question that still plagues my mind Lady Danbury." Queen told her as she remembers that unsolved puzzle. "That night everything was so confusing, George was extremely unwell for days. He didn't slept at all and keep screaming things that makes no sense. That night finally one of our doctors made sleeping medicine and George fell asleep. Doctors instructed us to leave him for some rest. It was late in the night when I finally woke up when screams echoed around the Palace and by the time I reached George chambers. He was wide awake screaming in terror, the men in our family were trying to calm him down and guards were taking Doctor Sharma's dead body. My son was the one who told me about the assassination attempt and execution of Doctor Sharma."

Another silence as Queen tried to compose herself. The shock of that night still haunt her from time to time.

"Your Majesty if you don't mind, may I ask why our King orders an innocent child to be exile as punishment for her father's treachery? Kathani was not responsible for her father's crime and our King was known to be quite merciful."

The Queen then turned and what she said next shocked Agatha to her core. " That's the thing Agatha, my George never ordered that child's exile."

"What?! But Welsh said himself to Violet and her son that King had pardoned Mary and her daughter because they were Earl's daughter but he ordered Kathani to be exiled!"

"It's a lie Lady Danbury! We didn't even knew about these orders until Late Viscount Bridgerton got letter from his wife. You see he was in London appealing for Kathani's custody. By that time George was back to his normal self and he agreed with Viscount that a child shouldn't suffered for her father crimes. I was present at that moment when they were negotiating details to keep Kathani with Bridgerton's when that letter arrives."

With a sad sigh she sat down beside her old friend. "It was confusing time Agatha, any one of my children or high official could ordered that summons in my husband's name. George wanted to investigate but by that time the girl was gone and with George's illnesses getting worse day by day the investigation was forgotten over the time until..."

"Until Welsh confession." Lady Danbury finished her friend's troubling thought.

"Thank you Lady Danbury for telling me everything and now I know what to do with Welsh now. I will investigate all his crimes, especially about who gave those orders regarding Kathani Sharma."

After a very long time Lady Danbury saw a spark in her Queen's eyes. She was not some spoiled monarch but today she looked like a Queen who cares and loves deeply her subjects.

·