Chapter 9:
Whispers & Revelations
'Some things never change, do they?' Naruto thought wistfully to himself as he and Saraya retrieved their belongings from the ornate cloakroom alongside the remaining Bridgerton family members. The hushed whispers and furtive gossip filled the air like a thick fog. 'It seems no matter the nation, no matter the society, exposing another's private business and personal hardships for the world's scrutiny is still dreadfully commonplace.'
The young prince's eyes drifted over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of his dance partner from earlier—the lovely Eloise Bridgerton. She stood outside the cloakroom, patiently awaiting their return, her soft azure gown pooling elegantly at her feet, the ends of a green cloak stopping just short of her ankles. For the briefest of moments, their gazes met—soft lilac orbs locking with sky blue. But just as quickly, the owner of those sky-blue eyes dropped her stare, cheeks flushing.
'Either I did something wrong, or Eloise has found herself in another predicament,' Naruto mused, noting how the lady shuffled her feet anxiously where she stood. A ghost of a smile played across his lips. 'Ah, that answers that question then. It's definitely not due to any misstep on my part.' He recalled from their childhood days how Eloise always exhibited that particular tell—the restless foot-shuffling—whenever guilt weighed heavily upon her. 'Some things really do remain unchanging.'
"Saraya? We're good to depart?" Naruto inquired, his overcoat neatly folded over his right arm as he began making his way towards the exit, where Eloise stood before reaching the Bridgerton carriage.
"Hai, Naruto nii-sama," Saraya responded with a curt nod, her gaze briefly flickering towards her adopted brother before settling on Francesca Bridgerton. The youngest Bridgerton daughter was just finishing securing the clasp of her cloak, the deep emerald fabric swirling around her feet.
"At least now you'll be spared from enduring all that insufferable posturing from the lords," Saraya remarked, a hint of disdain colouring her tone as she referred to the pomp and circumstance of the English nobility.
Francesca offered a small, demure smile and an understanding nod as she fell into step alongside Naruto and Saraya, the gentle swishing of her emerald green skirts accompanying their measured gait. "Tell me, Lady Saraya..." she began, her voice laced with an inquisitive lilt.
"Not a Lady," the English girl interjected, her voice carrying a cool edge that brooked no argument regarding her lack of noble title.
Francesca paused, slightly taken aback by the abrupt correction before continuing undeterred. "My apologies. Tell me then, Saraya, what is life like in the Dominion? In Japan itself?"
As the quartet made their way through the dimly lit corridors, the flickering torchlight casting dancing shadows upon the stone walls, Saraya could not help but feel a pang of wistful nostalgia. Her formative years in the British capital had been hell, marked by deprivation and struggle—a daily fight for survival amidst the bustling streets and looming shadows of the nobility and an abusive home. 'But life in the Dominion's capital of Edo could have been very different, if I wasn't found by him,' Saraya thought as she looked at the broad back of her brother as he greeted Eloise ahead of them. It wasn't until that fateful day when the Uzumaki clan, with their fiery red hair and ancient lineage, took her in as one of their own. Now, surrounded by the opulent trappings of English high society, the lavish furnishings and air of indulgent frivolity, she found herself reminiscing about how her life had changed so drastically upon reaching the Dominion's shores—how that one pivotal decision had irrevocably altered the entire trajectory of her path.
"It is...different," Saraya began slowly, carefully considering each word as if tasting it before allowing it to roll off her tongue. "A quieter existence, more grounded in tradition and duty than the goings-on of the Ton." Her piercing gaze drifted towards Naruto, the young prince who had shown her such profound kindness and given her a new lease on life within the folds of his clan.
"But it is also one of great honour...and offers freedom to all those who have earned it." A ghost of a smile played across her lips as she paused, her mind drifting back to a poignant conversation they had shared before their entry into the brutal throes of war.
"Kushina Oka-sama told me this when we first arrived on their home shores," Saraya continued, her voice taking on a reverent tone as she recalled the wisdom of Naruto's formidable mother. The shinobi apprentice paused, brow furrowing slightly as she endeavoured to remember the exact wording of those fateful words that had forever shaped her worldview.
"Do not be fooled by our bows and our politeness, beware our maze of rituals. It's all because death is in our air, our sea, and earth," she recited solemnly, the weight of those words hanging heavy in the air around them. Saraya's gaze grew distant as memories of her first earth-shattering quake a year after her arrival, and the terrifying moments of near-drowning at sea during the war, came flooding back with visceral clarity.
"It can come for us at any moment," she whispered, as if confiding a sacred truth. "There is no use dwelling on something that cannot be undone. We live, and we die. We control nothing beyond that."
Naruto chuckled, his eyes crinkling with mirth as he heard every word tumbling from his imouto's lips. "Oka-sama will be happy that some of her lessons are actually sticking," the prince teased, a sly grin playing across his features as he glanced sidelong at Eloise, who had yet to meet his gaze.
"Her lessons always stick with me," Saraya retorted, her tone carrying a hint of indignation. "You're the one who has to get those lessons beat into you. Oka-sama says it's your Uzumaki blood, but I just think you're thick-headed." The girl lightly snapped, though her eyes sparkled with affection beneath the feigned exasperation.
"Maa, maa," Naruto soothed, gesturing with his hands in a placating manner. "No need to insult your big brother, we have feelings too, you know." The prince's voice held no real heat, only a teasing lilt as he rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Look at you, all wise and learned," a new voice chimed in from behind them, laced with amusement. "You're absolutely correct, us big brothers do get the brunt of it these days." Eloise turned at the sound, her brows arching inquisitively. "Benedict, and where have you been? We've been looking for you."
"Oh, you know, around," the unmarried second son responded with a smug tone, sauntering forward to drape an arm over the prince's shoulders in a casual embrace. "Do you see what I mean, Naruto? Such disrespect." Benedict's eyes danced with mirth as he aimed a playful jab at his younger siblings.
Naruto's nose twitched ever so slightly, catching a whiff of an unfamiliar floral scent clinging to Benedict's clothing. 'Is that...perfume?' he mused inwardly; curiosity piqued. 'What, or who, have you been up to, Benedict Bridgerton?'
"I know, right?" the prince responded with a wry grin, playing along with the teasing before turning his attention back to his sister. "How about this, little sister? When we return home, how about you challenge me at the Barragan Festival later this year?"
Saraya's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat at the prospect of fighting at a Warlord's festival—a grand celebration of combat itself, hosted by the wealthiest and most influential of their ranks. To be granted such an honour, to test her mettle on that hallowed stage...it was an opportunity she had only dreamed of...
The girl lightly blushed, taken aback by the change of topic. "If you believe I'm ready, Onii-sama."
"The Barragan festival?" Francesca questioned before her brother, who had an intrigued look upon his face.
"A festival to celebrate combat skill, warriors are invited from all over the Dominion," Eloise spoke, answering her sister's question.
The response caused her siblings and Saraya to look shocked.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise before his grin got even wider. "You remembered," Naruto announced.
"Well, you did write to me, telling me you were attending such a thing," Eloise tried to dismiss.
"Yeah, but that was almost what... four years ago." Naruto thought wistfully as he remembered making it to the finals that year before he got beaten down by his cousin.
"Was that not the year Malenia-sama kicked you into the dirt?" Saraya asked, as she was too young to attend that year.
"She did not kick me into the dirt, but yeah, that was the first actual fight I had lost since returning home, so it was humbling."
"Foolish cousin, for all your skill and strength. For all your accolades and achievements thus far, you stand before Malenia, Blade of the Senju Clan, and I have never known defeat."
Naruto remembered the first words his cousin uttered to him on that battlefield, in that arena. The low-cut grass that cut to represent a beautiful garden sustained their battle for three days and three nights. "I almost died in that fight, like almost six times in total," Naruto chuckled as he thought fondly of that experience. "It was the finals that year, and I pushed myself past the brink, my own limits had to be broken, countless times in that fight just to keep up."
As Naruto explained some details, the group's jaws collectively dropped, apart from Saraya as she remembered the state Naruto came back in—his body completely covered in bandages, his forearm fractured. 'His body was in a bad way, but when he was awake, he couldn't stop smiling,' Saraya thought as she smiled at that memory.
'This woman sounds like a monster amongst monsters,' Benedict thought. He had remembered how strong Naruto was during that one summer. 'A little bit of wine and he was a wild maelstrom of chaos.' It took Colin, Anthony, and himself to hold down the prince until he passed out, all those years ago. 'So, if this woman could beat him a few years later after he was already strong, what do they feed them over there?'
A heavy silence fell between the Bridgerton girls as they each grappled with the implications of such a fearsome warrior. For Eloise, whose bond with Naruto stretched back to their childhood days, the notion that someone could so thoroughly defeat him was nearly unfathomable. Had his skills truly grown that immense during his time away?
Francesca, on the other hand, found herself both intrigued and unsettled by this glimpse into the Dominion's warrior culture. The very idea of a woman possessing such lethal prowess challenged the deeply ingrained societal norms she had been raised with. A small part of her thrilled at the thought, a spark of curiosity igniting within her breast.
As the fivesome finally stepped out into the cool night air, the gentle breeze carrying the faint scent of jasmine, Violet patiently waited for the carriage to pull up. Saraya could not shake the feeling that their journey back to the Dominion would be fraught with more complications than a mere ocean voyage. The undercurrents of English society, with its intricate web of societal mores and political machinations, ran far deeper than the vast waters separating their two disparate nations.
"Ohayo, Oba-chan," Naruto called out, his voice carrying warmth as he waved to Violet before turning to Eloise.
"Do you mind if I have a word in private, Eloise?" he asked gently, his tone respectful yet tinged with concern.
The group paused slightly, exchanging curious glances before Benedict shrugged and continued on towards his mother. 'A few feet away is not scandalous, so it should be all good,' he mused, casting a reassuring look at Eloise.
Francesca offered her sister a comforting smile, sensing the unease that Eloise tried to mask.
"Saraya, please inform The Dowager Viscountess that we shall be escorting her and her family home this evening," Naruto spoke with slight authority, his voice steady. Saraya nodded, her eyes briefly meeting his before she continued walking with Francesca and Benedict.
Turning back to his childhood friend, Naruto's expression softened. "Now then, would you like to tell me what has you churning like you're sailing through a bad storm?" he asked, his eyes searching her face for clues. "That's not the face you had at the end of our dance," he added, a hint of flirtation in his voice as he offered a small, intimate smile.
Eloise hesitated, her eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. She looked down, her hands fidgeting with the fabric of her gown. "It's just... everything feels so overwhelming lately," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto took a step closer, his presence a comforting anchor amidst her turmoil. "You can talk to me, Eloise. You know that. I know I've been gone awhile, but I'm here now and there is no war." he said softly, his gaze unwavering. Noticing her gaze straying to the floor again, Naruto slowly reached up, placing a curled finger under her chin, gently lifting her vision to meet his.
Lilac met cerulean.
For a moment, both were lost in each other's gaze. The world around them faded, leaving only the intense connection of their locked eyes. Heat began to creep up their necks, a familiar warmth spreading through their bodies. Naruto, noticing Eloise's unease, broke the silence gently.
"What's troubling you, El?" he asked, his voice tender and filled with concern.
Eloise sighed, the weight of her worries pressing down on her shoulders. She struggled to maintain eye contact, but Naruto's unwavering gaze held her steady, breaking the spell of anxiety that had gripped her. "I-I guess it's everything," she began, her voice trembling. "From you joining the war and us not hearing from you for months at a time, to almost losing my place in society last season because of Lady Whistledown. My whole way of thinking put my entire family in jeopardy of losing everything." Her words tumbled out in a rush; her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "And now you're here, alive and well, but you got hurt while you were away. You should have stayed with us, grown up with us. Why did you leave m—why did you have to leave?"
Naruto listened, his heart aching for her. He realised just how emotionally exhausted she was. 'She's been carrying so much on her own,' he thought, his eyes softening with empathy. "So, before we unpack all of that, would you like to tell me what's pushed you over the edge tonight?" he asked gently. "I remember that look on your face even when we were children."
Eloise took a deep breath, grateful for his patience. "I asked my brother why he was with Penelope this evening, and when he told me, I may not have been as discreet as I should have been," she admitted, releasing a deep breath as she remembered ranting to Cressida in anger about her brother helping Penelope and the potential scandal. 'Or when we argued back in there.'
"Dearest sister, the carriage is here," Benedict shouted as the family and Saraya began to hop in and take their seats. The pair looked behind them towards where the voice originated from.
"Well, would you look at that? I see Benedict's timing still hasn't improved," Naruto commented, a playful smirk on his face.
Eloise lightly snickered. "No, no it has not," she said, feeling slightly better.
Naruto gently placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her towards the carriage. "How about this: tomorrow at luncheon, we'll meet and really talk. I'll lay out everything I can about my time away from these shores," he promised, his voice filled with sincerity.
Eloise felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I'd like that," she replied softly, her eyes meeting his.
As they approached the carriage, the cool night air caressed their skin like a whisper, carrying the distant melodies of the city - the clip-clop of horses' hooves, the faint laughter of revellers. Naruto offered Eloise a reassuring smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and she felt a spark ignite within her - a warmth she hadn't experienced in far too long.
"Now then," Naruto began, rolling his eyes playfully. "In this land of chivalry, what is the customary saying?" He extended his hand, calloused fingers unfurling in an invitation. "Ah yes, ladies first."
Eloise hesitated, her gaze flickering between his proffered hand and those azure depths that had captivated her since childhood. With a trembling breath, she placed her palm in his, savouring the comforting strength of his grip as he aided her ascent into the carriage.
Naruto followed with a fluid, effortless grace, sliding into the seat beside her as if drawn by an unseen tether. Across from them, Benedict arched a quizzical brow, his gaze flicking towards Violet. The Dowager Viscountess regarded the pair with a calculating look, one tempered by the soft affection of a mother's understanding.
In the confines of the carriage, the boundaries of propriety blurred. Eloise found herself leaning into Naruto's side, their bodies aligned from shoulder to knee as if two puzzle pieces slotting into place. Though the space could have accommodated them all with room to spare, she gravitated towards him, drawn like a moth to a flame she had long been denied.
Naruto was acutely aware of the curious glances and subtle reactions from her family, their silent judgments hanging thick in the air. Yet, in that moment, such societal constraints held no sway over him. 'And some still call us savages,' he inwardly scoffed, a flicker of defiance igniting within his azure gaze.
For Naruto understood, in a way those bound by English propriety could never comprehend, the profound depths of his bond with Eloise. She was more than a mere childhood friend – she was one of the few souls who had reached into the darkest recesses of his being and pulled him back from the brink of self-destruction.
Violet's lips quirked ever so slightly, her eyes crinkling with maternal warmth. 'She needs this moment,' she thought, compassion overriding the rigid ideals of duty. With a subtle shake of her head, she turned her gaze towards the window, allowing the lovers their fleeting respite as the carriage trundled homeward.
The following morning in the heart of political London, the grand halls of Westminster echoed with heated discourse. Prince Naruto sat alongside his trusted guards, Uzui and Chika, observing the back-and-forth exchange with growing frustration.
The chamber was filled with the scent of old men and tobacco. Normally the prince wouldn't of minded the smell of tobacco as he occasionally dabbled after the war to aid when he struggled to sleep, but even for the prince the smell was as nearly as unbearable as having to listen the little politicians haggle and grunt over minute details while the British delegation wanted to move naval warships throughout Dominion territory.
'She was right,' Naruto thought, recalling Eloise's warning about the tedious and boorish nature of these proceedings. 'All this pomp and circumstance, and nothing of substance is getting done.'
As the shouting match escalated, Naruto exchanged a subtle nod with his guards. Rising from his seat, his commanding presence instantly silenced the room, freezing the politicians mid-shout.
"My lord?" one of the British delegates inquired, his voice laced with uncertainty.
"Uzumaki-sama?" another Japanese negotiator echoed, the honorific a testament to the respect commanded by the Dominion heir.
"Enough," Naruto declared, his rich baritone reverberating through the chamber like a clap of thunder. The politicians froze, their mouths agape as the Dominion heir rose to his full, imposing height. His azure eyes blazed with a steely resolve that brokered no argument.
"We are currently going back and forth over details that, quite candidly, are not important," he said, his words slicing through the tension like a katana's razor edge.
Naruto's gaze swept over the assembly, daring any to challenge his authority. The British delegates shifted uneasily, the weight of his commanding presence bearing down upon them.
"You know our requests, and we have more than generously offered trade and military support." His deep timbre reverberated within their chests. "But the use of the Dominion's shipping lanes for British Naval ships will simply not happen."
He paused, allowing the gravity of his declaration to sink in. "Do you really think my people would accept that after fighting off a five-year incursion? I think not."
Naruto's jaw tightened, his aristocratic features hardening into an unyielding mask. "So, no, there will be no more bartering on Dominion seas. No military vessel will enter my Dominion, without permission from the Golden Throne or a Warlord escort."
His words hung in the air like an executioner's blade, final and absolute. The British politicians swallowed hard, their Adam's apples bobbing with trepidation.
"I am retiring to Mayfair," Naruto continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I expect all the details to be ironed out before the weeks end."
With those words, he pivoted on his heel, his orange haori swirling behind him like a banner of defiance. His guards fell into step, their boots echoing through the deathly still chamber as they departed, leaving the stunned politicians to ponder the consequences of defying the Dominion's ultimatum.
Just as the prince reached the doorway, he stopped and glanced back toward the chamber. Hushed whispers rippled through the room as Naruto's ultimatum hung in the air like a guillotine blade. The British and Dominion representatives exchanged furtive glances; their faces etched with trepidation.
Naruto's gaze swept over the assembly, his eyes blazing with an intensity that brokered no argument. "Remember," he declared, his rich baritone reverberating through the hall, "we won our war against the Chinese Republic."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in like a barbed arrow finding its mark. The British delegates shifted uneasily, their brows furrowing as the weight of the Dominion's military might settled upon them.
'What is this pressure?' the lead British negotiator thought as he tried to match gazes with the prince but found himself unable to match up against such intensity.
"While you still bicker with the French, the Catholics, and have already lost your hold on the Americas," Naruto continued, his voice carrying a scathing rebuke, each syllable dripping with disdain as he laid bare Britain's faltering grip on its empire.
The prince straightened, his imposing frame cutting an imperious figure amidst the opulent trappings of English high society. "While your empire is older, without support from the Dominion, at the rate you're going, you will be selling off your own empire before the end of the next century to keep all of your finery."
His words sliced through the tension like a katana's edge, exposing the fragility of Britain's waning power. The warning hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the Dominion's ascendancy and the consequences of spurning their alliance.
The princes guards smirked towards each other at the presence of their charge the heir to the Golden Throne.
'It's not because he is the heir for why we follow him,' Uzui thought to himself as he watched Naruto dress down the room.
'Despite being significantly younger than all the men in room, the prince must hold himself higher,' Chika thought with pride as the Prince held himself to the standard that all rulers and future shogun should.
Naruto's steely gaze swept over the stunned assembly; his jaw set in a taut line of resolution. "Do not mistake our offer of cooperation as a sign of weakness or desperation. We extend our hand in partnership, in friendship even, but make no mistake – the Dominion bows to no one."
With those words, he broke off his stare down and continued on his path, his orange haori swirling behind him like a banner of defiance. As the Dominion heir departed, the chamber descended into a deafening silence, the weight of his rebuke leaving the politicians to ponder the shifting tides of global power and the price of pride.
The trio returned to Mayfair with haste, their carriage wheels clacking against the cobblestone streets. As they arrived at the grand Uzushio Manor, a serene scene unfolded before them in the lush gardens. Beneath the gentle sway of a towering willow tree, Suguru led a guided meditation, his deep, melodic voice guiding the participants into a state of tranquil awareness.
Naruto couldn't help but smile at the sight before him. The manor's staff, a harmonious blend of English and Japanese citizens, sat cross-legged on the verdant grass, their eyes closed in peaceful contemplation. While most continued their duties, a sizeable group had joined Suguru, Saraya, and their Japanese colleagues, sharing in the serene tranquillity that permeated the air, that late British summery morning.
As the prince's gaze swept over the scene, his mind drifted back to the previous night when he and Saraya had escorted the Bridgerton family home after the evening's festivities. 'This hot air balloon creation does sound intriguing,' he mused, recalling the conversation about the latest technological marvel.
His reverie was interrupted by the approach of a young footman, his footsteps crunching on the gravel path. "Lord Uzumaki," the man said, slightly breathless, "Here is today's Lady Whistledown." He extended the infamous pamphlet, its pages crisp and inviting.
The footman's voice caused Suguru and Saraya to open their eyes, their meditation disrupted. They turned to find Uzui, Chika, the young footman, and the prince standing before the meditative group.
"Interesting," Naruto remarked, his gaze fixed on the pamphlet as he flipped through its pages. "Suguru, Saraya, we are going to change into something more suitable for this demonstration. We leave within the next hour."
"Hai, Naruto-sama," Suguru responded, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.
"Hai, Naruto nii-sama," Saraya echoed, her voice calm and measured.
After issuing his instructions, Naruto, Uzui, and Chika turned and headed inside the manor. The two guards noticed the prince had begun reading the pamphlet intently and decided to split off, making their way to their respective quarters.
Naruto's attention was wholly consumed by the words of Lady Whistledown, his eyes narrowing as he noted several names of interest, including his own, in a particular section:
Lady Whistledown's Society Papers
16 June 1824
This author's keen eyes and ears could scarcely believe the sights and sounds from last evening's musicale at the Lord and Lady Hardy's Manor house! Amid the swirling silks and clinking champagne flutes, two figures commanded the entire assembly's rapt attention upon the dance floor in what was the prince's first dance of the season.
None other than the exotic Prince Naruto of the mysterious Dominion and that most rebellious of the Bridgerton daughters, Miss Eloise, were quite the breath taking vision as they moved together in perfect synchronicity. One could scarcely discern where the foreign prince ended and the spirited Miss Bridgerton began - their bond forged over years of intimate friendship was palpable to all who witnessed their dance.
As they whirled and glided across the floor, it seemed the very world around them melted away into insignificance. How utterly scandalous for an unwed English lady to be so publicly intimate with a foreigner of elevated rank in his first appearance on the dance floor this season! This author wonders if young Miss Bridgerton's heart still yearns for her childhood companion after his lengthy sojourn abroad.
In other news that shall surely set the ton's tongues wagging, it appears the roguishly charming Mr. Colin Bridgerton has taken on a new role - that of matchmaker to the wallflower of the season, Miss Penelope Featherington. Whispers abound that he has been overheard discreetly inquiring about suitable prospects for the increasingly overlooked Miss Featherington.
One can only speculate as to Mr. Bridgerton's motivations for aiding the perpetually unnoticed Miss Featherington in securing a match. Could it be a case of unrequited affections finally blooming? Or does the charming heir merely pity the poor girl's increasing prospects of facing that most undesirable fate - a life as a spinster on the marriage mart's outermost fringes?
For while Mr. Bridgerton's efforts are no doubt well-intentioned, any association with a lady of such diminishing marriageability as Miss Featherington could prove ruinous to her chances. The mere hint of having been so publicly acknowledged by an eligible gentleman could see her branded as a woman of loose morals and permanently remove her from the ranks of polite society's most sought-after debutantes.
So many mysteries and scandals abound this season, my devoted readers. Fear not, for this author shall be ever-vigilant in uncovering the truth behind these tantalizing tales of secret trysts, clandestine intrigues, and the rise and fall of reputations.
Yours most devotedly,
Lady Whistledown
As he read the scandalous retelling of his dance with Eloise and the implications regarding Colin's involvement with Penelope, Naruto's brow furrowed. The words seemed to leap off the page, their implications sharp and biting.
"Well, she certainly didn't hold back," Naruto commented, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance at the insinuation that his dance with Eloise was inappropriate and the slander thrown towards Penelope. 'It seems that I'm making my friends a target for this Lady Whistledown,' the prince thought, a pang of guilt tugging at his heart as he entered his private bathroom and began drawing himself a bath. "But then again Colin should know better or at least learn how to be discreet, kami be damned." The prince cursed.
The steam rose in wispy tendrils, filling the air with a subtle, earthy scent as Naruto shed his outer layers, his mind still grappling with the implications of Lady Whistledown's words. As he sank into the welcoming warmth of the water, he couldn't help but wonder what repercussions this latest scandal might bring, and how he could shield those he cared for from the sharp tongues of society's elite.
The hour passed quickly, and the royal party, composed of Uzui Tengen, Chika Shihoin, Suguru Geto, Saraya Uzumaki, and Prince Naruto Uzumaki, moved forward. All were dressed in attire befitting English high society, designed for posing and strolling through well-kept gardens, not for combat. The four instantly saw the source of this whole thing a large orb like shape attached to some kind sawn in half box being held down by rope.
"Is that the balloon? That's meant to be filled with hot air?" Naruto said making sure to use the exact words he heard Suguru use.
"I believe so, Naruto-sama." Suguru answered simply also looking at the hot air balloon before them.
"Huh, it doesn't look very durable, does it?" Naruto questioned again as he tilted his head to the side.
"Maybe we should wait and see if it actually gets off the ground first." Chika spoke up.
"Ever pragmatic, Chika-kun" Suguru praised as he began scanning the rest of this lovely garden they were in. 'It's kind of like a less fun festival back home.' Suguru thought as his mind glanced back to the festivals of his hometown.
"You really can't tell from this lot, but how they built their empire to this day boggles the mind," Uzui commented, gazing at the well-dressed Lords and Ladies.
"It's how they separate themselves from the mud, the dirty work committed by those deemed lesser by society," Chika responded, his gaze drawn to where the Queen of England stood next to her mother, Lady Danbury. 'Lady Emmeline,' the noble guard noted with a small smile, recalling the rest of their evening after the prince and his apprentice left the Hardy's ball.
"We do the exact same. We hide it behind our manners and measured words, but deep down we can never truly forget. We are murderers and killers, weapons to be aimed and pointed by a lord of higher standing," Naruto spoke solemnly, his thoughts drifting back to the Paramount war.
"Those in power over here expect everything handed to them," Saraya interjected, her voice carrying the weight of someone who grew up in this very city. "At least in the Dominion, you can gain power and influence off your own merit, not just by marrying into a more powerful clan."
"War never changes, but people do. Maybe this is a glimpse of how our Dominion could look one day," Suguru said, his gaze narrowing as he spotted a small, cute pink tent emitting a delicious aroma. "But then again, if we mould ourselves after Britain, our warrior spirit will surely die alongside the old ways."
"Wise words from a mad monk," Naruto remarked before spotting Eloise with her blonde friend, recalling the night they danced together.
Noticing where his prince's gaze landed, Uzui smirked. "Ara, Naruto-sama has found his dance partner from last night. The question is, will there be a reprise?" Uzui teased, a good-natured grin spreading over his face.
"Oh, shut it, Uzui," Naruto snipped back, trying to ignore the heat rising up his neck as his mind jumped back to the dance they shared and then their moment in the carriage. "Now remember, wander around and be merry but keep an ear to the ground for anything interesting," the prince whispered at a volume only those right by his side could hear.
"Hai, Naruto-sama!" the four declared before the group split off and went their separate ways.
Naruto looked around, hoping to also spot Penelope. He hadn't really had time since he last saw her at the ball the previous night. 'Guess she's not here yet,' the prince thought as he continued on his way towards Eloise and the blonde, who just nudged Eloise and had not-so-discreetly begun pointing in his direction.
The chestnut-haired Bridgerton looked up and found the familiar whiskered face. "Naruto? You're back from Westminster already?"
The prince released an annoyed huff. "Don't, I have had enough of those self-serving fools," Naruto said before sighing and relaxing his face from all the tension of work earlier. He offered a smile at his friend, before hearing a rather forced cough from his right-hand side.
Eloise paused, whatever she was about to say next as she glanced towards her friend, who was staring at her.
"Ah yes, Naruto, this is Lady Cressida Cowper, and Lady Cowper, this is Lord Uzumaki," Eloise introduced them.
Naruto nodded slightly towards the woman before turning back to his friend. "It's a lovely afternoon, and I decided to take a stroll and happened to head in this direction, getting dragged into the festivities by the gracious hosts." The prince misled, not revealing that this demonstration had seemingly forgotten to invite his house. However, his curiosity had gotten the better of him when Suguru mentioned it last night.
"So, how are you ladies doing?" the prince questioned earnestly. Cressida almost blushed but realized that while the question was addressed to both of them, the prince's eyes belonged only to Eloise.
"Well, we—" Eloise began before being interrupted by Cressida once more.
"Lord Uzumaki?"
"Naruto, please," the prince said, disliking the use of formality most times.
"Lord Naruto," Cressida corrected. "Yourself and Miss Bridgerton, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you not childhood friends?"
'I guess that will do,' the prince thought. Naruto smiled and looked towards the blonde, regarding her once more. "That would be correct, Miss Cowper."
"Ah, think of all the childhood stories and mishaps you could spill," Cressida joked politely, but Eloise's expression turned into one of pure fear.
Her eyes widened, and she looked directly at the prince, seeing his grin become large and mischievous.
"My lady, the stories I could tell—we did a lot over one summer before I had to return home," the prince paused as he looked towards his friend, smirking at her fear as a teasing grin set on his face. "Every day was an adventure."
"Don't you dare, Naruto," Eloise warned.
The prince wanted to continue teasing but then he spotted Penelope across the way, walking towards another gentleman standing off in the distance.
The prince's distracted look caused the other two to turn and spot Penelope walking with purpose towards Lord Deblin.
The two girls looked back at each other before Cressida began rushing off toward the lord.
With Cressida joining the race, that left Eloise and Naruto alone, watching the other two ladies race each other to gain a lord's attention.
"This is going to be painful, isn't it?" Naruto commented.
"Oh, you have no idea," Eloise responded, as she too stood there looking at the two women.
The duo of Naruto and Eloise stood in silence, their gazes fixed upon the unfolding spectacle before them. Cressida and Penelope vied for Lord Deblin's attention, their movements growing increasingly frantic as the competition intensified.
Eloise's brow furrowed, her lips pursing into a tight line as second-hand embarrassment washed over her. Naruto, however, regarded the scene with an air of bemusement dancing in his lilac eyes.
Several moments passed, the awkward tableau playing out like a farcical pantomime until finally, Cressida began signalling frantically, her desperation palpable as she sought to enlist aid.
Naruto chuckled, the rich timbre reverberating through Eloise's core. "Well, I guess that's my cue," he murmured, his gaze lingering on her for a heartbeat too long.
Eloise felt her cheeks flush under his intense scrutiny. She averted her eyes, worrying her lower lip as a tumult of emotions swirled within her. Naruto's presence simultaneously comforted and unsettled her, his mere proximity igniting a simmering warmth she dared not name.
"Good luck with all of that," Naruto said, his voice laced with gentle teasing. "And after this, I'll probably swing by and call on you for a late luncheon as promised.
"Eloise's breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat as his words washed over her. 'He remembered?' she thought, a bittersweet pang blossoming in her chest. Despite his lengthy absence, despite the years that had stretched between them, he had not forgotten their bond, their connection that transcended time and distance.
Swallowing thickly, Eloise mustered a tremulous smile. "I'll see you then," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of the festival.
With a lingering glance and a subtle nod, Naruto pivoted on his heel, his hair blowing in the slight wind, watched him depart, her gaze drinking in the sight of him until he disappeared into the throng.
Steeling herself, she turned her attention back to the unfolding debacle, squaring her shoulders as she prepared to intervene. Yet, even as she focused on aiding her friend, a part of her mind lingered on the promise of their impending luncheon, a flicker of anticipation kindling within her breast.
With the prince he had disappeared into the crowd and found himself bumping into another Bridgerton. The one he had seen least of since his return excluding Daphne.
"Colin."
"Naruto."
There was a tense stare down between the two before the prince smiled which cause Colin to slightly relax.
"You got some explaining to do."
"About?" Colin looked confused.
"About what you said last summer."
"Oh," Colin's jaw dropped in the same shape as the letter he said.
"Yeah oh, you think I haven't spoken to Penelope yet?" Naruto questioned through a narrowed gaze.
The clear blue sky stretched almost endlessly, with clouds drifting lazily as if they had somewhere else to be. The sun cast a warm, golden glow over the lush green fields where the summer festival was in full swing. Penelope, dressed in an elegant gown of pale blue silk, felt the soft breeze against her skin as she chatted amiably with Lord Deblin.
Their conversation was pleasant enough, but Penelope's attention was soon diverted when Cressida arrived, her voice grating as she began to prattle on about some bird she had seen. Penelope smiled politely, though inwardly she rolled her eyes. 'I can feel the tension from here,' she thought, her gaze shifting towards Naruto and Colin, who were standing a short distance away.
Naruto's face was set in a stern expression, his arms crossed over his chest, while Colin's posture was equally rigid, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. It was clear that their exchange was anything but friendly.
Eloise, who had just joined their group, noticed Penelope's stare and followed her gaze. "If they are anything like when they were kids," Eloise murmured, a note of concern in her voice, "this won't end well."
Penelope nodded, her eyes never leaving the two men. "What could they possibly be arguing about at a festival?" she wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued.
As if on cue, Colin's voice rose above the murmur of the crowd. "You have no right to question my decisions, Naruto!" he snapped, his frustration palpable.
Before Penelope could make sense of their argument, a sudden, fierce wind tore through the area. The gust was so strong it ripped the ropes loose from their knots, sending them whipping wildly through the air. The wind began to push the basket of the entire contraption forward dangerously, causing people to shout and scramble for safety.
"Watch out!" Eloise cried, as Lord Deblin grabbed hold of Cressida, who in turn grabbed Eloise, pulling them both out of harm's way.
Penelope tripped over her own feet amidst the chaos of lords and ladies running away from danger. The younger lords, including Colin Bridgerton, ran towards the danger, ripping off his jacket, leaving only a white shirt underneath. He quickly grabbed the nearest rope and yanked as hard as he possibly could to halt the movement of the wayward balloon.
Penelope was stunned, shocked at the entire situation. Before her was her childhood crush, Colin, in a tight white shirt, his body tensing under the strain of trying to hold the large object at bay with the aid of the other young lords.
Naruto watched on as the British lords struggled to hold back the contraption. He glanced towards his guards, all scattered around the field, and signalled for them not to intervene.
'I want to see what kind of people they really are. Do they only live in luxury or is even a lord willing to dirty their hands for the safety of others,' the prince thought before he heard a cry above all of the drama.
"LADY FEATHERINGTON!" Lord Deblin roared as he dashed back towards where he was originally standing before the last few minutes of chaos erupted. The older gentleman dove to cover the young lady from any potential harm, shielding her with his body.
Naruto's eyes widened as he finally moved, almost seamlessly disappearing from his position. In a blur of motion, he dashed past the British lords and leapt into the basket, his movements fluid and precise. With a swift, acrobatic flip, he grabbed hold of the ropes that kept the balloon tethered to the basket. His agility and strength were on full display as he maneuvered through the confined space with minimal effort, swiftly appearing on the other side of the basket. There he stood, poised between the balloon and the lord and Penelope, who were still on the ground. "Enough of this," Naruto declared, raising his leg and stomping down hard onto the edge of the basket, forcing it back into the earth.
With another strong gust of wind, the balloon tried to move once more, but Naruto's strength, along with the efforts of the young gentlemen of the ton, prevented any movement.
"I guess the prince decided to show off after all," came a voice from behind Eloise, prompting her to turn away from the unfolding scene. She saw one of Naruto's guards standing there. 'Suguru? I think his name was,' she mused, before her attention was irresistibly drawn back to the main event.
The prince, no longer focused on the task, leaned backwards until he was almost parallel with the ground, looking up at the couple before him. "Yowai neko, you alive down there?" the prince teased with a loose, upside-down grin.
Lord Deblin shifted to the side as he sat up, also bringing the smaller lady up with him.
"My thanks, Lord Deblin, Prince Naruto," Penelope thanked the pair, a furious blush springing up on her face from embarrassment and being saved by three handsome lords. She also wanted to thank Colin, as he was the first one to charge. 'And those arms,' a treacherous voice spoke in the back of her mind.
Naruto felt some weight shift before him, but he paid it no mind as his eyes did a quick assessment of the two people behind looking for injuries. "Erm excuse me good sir."
"Hmm?" Naruto hummed as he began to stand up straight again only to come across a man he did not know.
"Do you mind stepping off? I believe it is stable now," the man whispered.
"Ah, no problem," Naruto answered before removing his foot from the edge of the basket, causing the whole structure to shake and bob uncontrollably for a few moments before settling down. As the pilot steadied himself, he pulled on a lever, granting the balloon the power of flight. It hovered higher than before, now much more stable. The pilot began waving and bowing to the gathered crowd, who, no longer startled or panicked, were applauding that such a device actually worked and that no one was seriously hurt.
The End
A.N
OK gonna stop their mainly cuz so many fracking words and im tired as hell
Thoughts on the drama build and characters
Also any confusion this chapter starts from the last chapter almost immediatly before jumping to the next day for the wesminster stuff.
More to come from Colin, Penelope and Eloise.
Also Dominion characters (Personal guards) will get more fleshed out eventually.
Naruto and Penelope need to have a talk too so probably get that within like the next 3 chapters or so
Malenia Senju if you don't know who she's based off I can't help ya
Also Barragan Festival - Radahn Festival
How am I doing with this one?
Leave a review they feed my engine of creation
Stay Chilling Y'all