Chapter 8:
Chords of War
Naruto's irritation simmered beneath his composed exterior as he found himself yet again impeded by the cloying presence of the British nobility. Their incessant inquiries about the war and his marital prospects grated on his nerves, disrupting his desire for a pleasant evening's respite. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he regarded the gaggle of simpering lords and ladies - raging sycophants, the entire vapid lot of them.
The prince's gaze narrowed, scanning the opulent ballroom with its glittering crystal chandeliers and richly adorned guests. A kaleidoscope of vibrant colours and ostentatious finery assaulted his senses, until his eyes finally found solace in a familiar figure across the room. It was as if the world around him faded into obscurity when his piercing lilac eyes met the ocean blue depths of Lady Eloise's gaze.
In that moment, the tension melted from his shoulders, and a genuine smile tugged at the corners of his lips - the first of the evening. Her mere presence was a balm to his vexation, a reminder of the enduring bond they shared that transcended the superficial trappings of high society.
To her Naruto was cutting a striking figure in his tailored ebony tailcoat with intricate embroidery. His bold burnt orange sash hinted at his regal heritage. But it was his captivating lilac eyes that drew Eloise's gaze - iridescent pools, swirling with ancient power that seemingly contained wisdom from beyond his years along with an element of mystery.
As Naruto approached, Eloise's breath caught. His eyes held untold depths she recognized from childhood, now bearing the weight of a warrior prince who had emerged victorious from the fires of war.
"Lady Eloise." Naruto's rich voice caressed her name as he bowed low and intentionally slow. "May I have this dance?"
It's the Prince's first dance of the season, a whisper from some random lady who was suddenly cowed by a mean stare from Cressida making the young lady look anywhere else.
Cheeks flushed pink; Eloise accepted his proffered hand. As they took the dance floor, the quartet transitioned to a romantic new piece, the swelling notes enveloping them.
PLAY- Ruth B Dandelions- Piano cover with strings
The pair bowed and curtsied to one another respectfully, but his stare was mixed with a childish mirth alongside a genuine affection for the girl. The couple already knew what kind of dance to do.
He had spent an entire week off their youth learning it from his favourite aunt, her mother Violet Bridgerton.
Their waltz was elegant yet spirited, bodies mirroring in perfect harmony as if two halves of one soul reconnecting. The pair allowed for instinct to take over as Naruto's hand rested confidently on her waist as Eloise's palm warmed his shoulder. For a suspended moment, they existed in their own world, responsibilities melting away.
"You move beautifully," Naruto murmured, eyes shining with shared history. Eloise's own gaze sparkled with mischief at his rare vulnerability.
"Not bad yourself," she replied with an impressed look on her face. her tone carrying a hint of her usual cynicism. "I never thought I'd see you actually dancing in society, you know since you are some big and bad warlord now."
The prince just laughed throwing his head back as they danced his face displaying a wide and uncontrolled grin as his voice past his lips, for the whole ballroom to see but in this moment the prince did not care who saw his lack of decorum. They were having a moment, and it was in that moment where he chose to stay.
"I will have you know this great warlord hails from the Uzumaki clan, and we're excellent dancers." Naruto said grinning slightly as he was referring to fighting and not this kind of dance.
"You've changed." The girl commented as she felt his arms tense slightly in preparation for their first spin.
As they twirled, their bond seemingly to them, transcended the physical - a depth of intimacy few had ever witnessed from the hardened prince. Eloise felt like the only person in room especially when she was pulled flush against his solid frame, to her it felt like their hearts were syncing. To the people that new them best her family and his royal guard, she had been more graceful and he had never been so open and honest.
"War does that to people yes, but somethings remain the same."
"Like our dances?"
"Just like our dances," the prince said as he locked eyes with his friend purposefully blocking out the rest of the room focusing only on the young lady in his arms.
She could hear it in his tone; he wanted to say more but held back. 'Back then, he wouldn't have held back, not with me or Pen,' Eloise thought, her mind flashing back to that fateful summer when she met and befriended a louder, brash boy who wore his heart on his sleeve for all to see.
"I won't disappear again," Naruto spoke softly, his words banishing the shadows of doubt. A glimmer of hope bloomed in Eloise's chest at his promise before she stamped it down. "Do not make a lady a promise if you know you can't keep it," she whispered as Naruto spun her one more time before dipping her low.
"When I am the freest man in the world who is going to stop me." Naruto whispered in Eloise ear before pulling her back up right just as the music ended causing her to gasp slightly just as they, separated, the prince could see a light dusting of pink gracing the lady's cheeks.
Naruto's guards looked on in surprise, witnessing a vulnerability rarely seen in their battle-hardened lord. For tonight, his prowess was not defined by martial skill, but by the depth of his emotions and the strength of the bond he shared with Eloise.
As the pair conversed, their words flowed easily despite time apart - a testament to their enduring friendship. Naruto spoke of needing to reconnect after the toll of war, his voice laced with hard-earned wisdom.
Eloise's heart ached at his sincerity, a physical reminder of the longing she felt during his absence. "We missed you too," she admitted, her ocean blue eyes shining with warmth.
When pulled close enough to feel his body heat, Eloise's pulse quickened. Naruto too seemed flustered by their intense proximity, his gaze lingering on her sparkling eyes that had always captivated him.
Though of different social spheres, their connection transcended such boundaries. Naruto was the heir to an empire, Eloise a viscount's daughter. Yet in this moment, they were simply two souls reunited by an unbreakable bond.
As they parted, Eloise couldn't help but wonder at his promise to not disappear, and if it hinted at something more.
Yet the spark between them burned brightly, stoked by the embers of a friendship forged in youth. Though the dance ended, their souls remained intertwined, a love forged in the fires of friendship. With tender smiles, they parted, a renewed anticipation thrumming between them a connection that neither time nor distance could ever sever.
Eloise looked almost in a daze as she walked back to where she had left Cressida, her mind still replaying the intimate dance with Naruto. The warmth of his solid frame pressed against hers, the intensity of his gaze - it had awakened a longing she dared not name.
The eldest female Bridgerton spotted her former friend Penelope Featherington leave a room nearby and walk right past Cressida who seemingly had a conflicted look on her face. Partially proud and partially scandalised.
'Oh, that can't be good,' the girl thought as her imagination began to work overtime before her logic kicked in. 'Actually, I'm not going to worry about it right now, let me just enjoy whatever this feeling is before it fades.' Eloise thought to herself as she was content to glide from the dance floor.
The dance floor filled with other couples eager for their turn, but Eloise paid them little mind. She was adrift on clouds of blissful reverie, savouring the lingering scent of Naruto's cologne.
Across the room, Naruto calmly made his way to the refreshments table where Uzui, one of his personal guards, awaited with two drinks in hand.
"Nice and flashy, Naruto-sama. I'm impressed," Uzui praised with a roguish grin, handing his prince a flute of bubbly liquid. "Not as strong as sake, but it's lively and strange."
Naruto accepted the glass, an odd look crossing his features as the fizzy champagne tickled his nose. A memory from his first visit to London surfaced - of splitting a purloined bottle with Benedict and the older Bridgerton boys, all of them underage at the time.
"It's nothing," he replied to Uzui's concerned look. "Just a memory from my original visit here when we were kids. Benedict and I found a bottle and split it between the older teens and myself."
Naruto's lips quirked in a half-smile as he recalled that raucous night of drunken revelry permitted by the lax Bridgerton chaperones. 'Why on earth did they let me drink? I was not even a teenager,' he mused, lightly cursing their terrible judgment in retrospect.
Yet even that youthful indiscretion paled beside the intoxicating effects of his dance with Eloise. As he sipped the champagne, he could still feel the warmth of her body swaying against his.
As Eloise reached her friend, she stood there in silence for just a moment before the Bridgerton released a sigh before turning to Cressida. "I'm almost afraid to ask but what does that look on your face mean?"
"Firstly, I proud of you that dance with him of all people, taking a foreign dignitary, a prince at that's first dance is surely going to picked up by Lady Whistledown, just look at everyone."
At that Eloise looked around the room and outside of the couples currently dancing and the musicians mostly everyone's eyes were on either her or the prince whispering away, in such a faux showing of being discrete.
"You would think they had better things to do," Eloise commented quietly so that only Cressida could hear.
"You been in society long enough to know this," Cressida commented before she saw the object of her desire "Now excuse me, I do believe it is my turn to manifest my destiny." The blonde said as she began to head in the direction of Lord Deblin before stopping mid stride and turning over her shoulder to look back at the younger girl. "Oh, and by the way I think you should speak with your brother Colin."
'Colin?' "Ok and good luck."
"Like I will need luck," Cressida responded in a haughty tone as she allowed a natural grace to come over her as she began her usual performance to try and bag a lovely lord. 'I can't mess up this chance,' the blonde thought as she remembered her mother's warning and her father's threat.
'If only it was that easy.' Eloise thought in response before scanning the room in a bid to look for her brother.
Chika looked on with a sense of pride as he watched his prince converse with Uzui. 'Being here is definitely good for the prince; he gets to be somewhat more relaxed than dealing with royal courts back home,' the guard thought, spotting movement off to his side.
"To think that boy has grown into a fine young man filled with grace."
Turning to his right, Chika spotted her.
"Lady Emmeline? What a pleasure to see you this evening," Chika greeted with a polite bow.
"Quite, Lord Shihoin."
His eyes widened slightly before returning to normal. "So, you've heard."
"I have heard. You are from a noble house in the Dominion." There was no accusatory tone, but Chika could tell it wasn't a question.
'She is looking for confirmation,' he realized. "An old and noble house, yes. At one time or another, I was heir to the entire clan," Chika explained, a shadow crossing his face. "But tragedy and grief struck, and I stepped aside for my sister to lead. At the time, I could not bear the responsibility of my entire clan." His voice softened, filled with the weight of past sorrows as he referred to the loss of his wife and child.
Her eyes widened at his words, recalling their conversation the previous night at her mother's ball.
'He understands,' the woman thought as she turned her gaze to the floor below them.
The two stayed in silence from their position on the balcony overlooking the floor. They observed the bustling crowd below, finding a shared peace in their quiet companionship. The noise of the ballroom seemed to fade away, leaving them in a bubble of tranquillity amidst the chaos.
Lady Emmeline stole a glance at Chika, noticing the way the soft light played across his features, casting gentle shadows that hinted at his inner turmoil. She felt a pang of empathy, her own heart heavy with memories of losses and burdens carried in silence.
"Life has a way of changing us," she finally murmured, breaking the silence but maintaining the serene atmosphere.
Chika nodded; his gaze still fixed on the dancing figures below. "Yes, it does. Sometimes in ways we never anticipated." He glanced at her, a faint smile touching his lips. "But it also brings unexpected companions along the journey."
A delicate blush coloured her cheeks as she met his eyes. "Indeed, it does."
For a moment, their shared understanding and mutual respect created a bond stronger than words. The quiet strength of their presence beside each other spoke volumes, each finding solace in the other's company. The unspoken promise of friendship and support hung in the air, a testament to the resilience of their spirits.
As they continued to watch the dancers twirl and glide, both Chika and Lady Emmeline felt a renewed sense of hope. Despite the burdens of their pasts, the future held the promise of new beginnings and the comfort of shared experiences. And for now, that was enough.
Saraya and Francesca stood off to the side, mesmerised into silence by their siblings' dance. Francesca had never seen her sister so graceful, so beautiful, as she did in that moment.
'Is this what Mother meant? When they make you look like that?' Francesca pondered, recalling their conversation upon arriving at the ball. Her mother had spoken of marrying for love being an option, not just duty.
'Nii-sama,' Saraya thought, her eyes wide as she watched her brother and Eloise step away from each other and bow. 'Since when did he have the time to learn that?' The apprentice's gaze lingered on her brother, noticing the expression on his face. 'Good, his smile, his eyes—they're alive, not like with that wretch of an Uchiha, Tomoe.'
The English-born shinobi's mind flashed back to that day when her brother almost died on his wedding day.
Kyoto was burning.
She like all Uzumaki alongside the samurai guard were ordered by the prince to aid all civilians and push the enemies from beyond their city walls or give them death. But that left Naruto facing down the Uchiha assassins who were at the ceremony.
Naruto was battered, bruised, and covered in blood; a hundred bodies scattered around him in a pool of blood along with a littering of metallic blades and other shinobi tools. The prince was breathing heavily, his eyes frantically searching for the next enemy. Behind the prince stood members of his clan who could not fight: the elderly and the young, his mother's unconscious form being tended to be the only medic in the room, Karin Uzumaki.
Saraya stopped and smiled, not at the chaos and bloodshed but that her brother was okay and still standing.
"By kami-sama he did it".
"There were 100 Uchiha's and now there is only one."
"What kind of monster did you bring into world Kushina-sama. The boy is only fifteen summers old."
The girl heard the comments, but she didn't care she needed him and Kushina-sama to be safe. 'Good, he's-' Saraya thought before her eyes widened and she screamed, "NARUTO!"
His eyes widened as he turned at the last minute, but it was too late. The knife had already pierced his flesh, digging deep into his side. As the prince finally fell, he looked towards his sister, already on the move. "Saraya, sorry, looks like they got me." The prince said as he sent a weak smile as he fell.
"Tomoe Uchiha," Saraya snarled, tears pouring down her face as she dashed like the devil himself was chasing her.
Tomoe's eyes widened as she tried to back away.
"She's too fast," the would-be assassin thought as she took two steps backwards, but the English shinobi was already in her guard with an already bloody tanto in hand, but the blood did not come from an earlier enemies but the young woman gripping the handle of her blade so hard she tore into her own palm.
The blade slashed in deep, stopping just at the Uchiha's clavicle bone.
"You will never lay a hand on NARUTO-SAMA again!" Saraya snarled in her harshest Japanese accent as she ripped forth her blade.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke, I guess it's up to you," Tomoe Uchiha said with her dying breath, collapsing to the floor.
Saraya froze as she looked down at her brother's killer, at her very first kill at 13 years of age.
"Saraya, over here now!" Karin Uzumaki barked, snapping the adopted Uzumaki out of her freeze. "Naruto is alive; I need your help. Get over here now."
Saraya just nodded and rushed over.
"Lady Saraya, are you alright?" Francesca asked, snapping the shinobi out of her memory haze.
"Hmm?"
"Well, it's just, you're crying?" A gentleman who had wanted to speak to Francesca before they got distracted by Naruto and Eloise's dancing, offered her a handkerchief out of kindness.
Saraya blushed slightly in embarrassment before thinking of a quick excuse.
"Oh, excuse me, my Lord. It's just seeing my brother dance so wonderfully brought me to tears." Saraya lied as she wiped away the tears from her face.
Seeing a potential way out of another uncomfortable conversation, Francesca took it.
"Oh, my poor dear, well then, we must be off to sort out those tears and eyes now," the older girl spoke as she pushed Saraya away from the lord whose name she had already forgotten as the two hurried out of the main hall.
The formally dressed monk watched his lord dance and he internally praised the young man for being so bold but then as the pair made their ways off, from the dance floor he began his mission once more, hunt for anything that maybe of interest to him or the Dominions heir. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the various dignitaries and socialites engaged in animated discussions. He was searching for something, though he wasn't quite sure what.
As he neared the grand staircase, Suguru's attention was caught by a hushed conversation between two well-dressed gentlemen standing just off to the side. One of them, an older man with a distinguished silver beard, spoke with an air of excitement that piqued Suguru's curiosity.
"Have you heard about the demonstration tomorrow?" the silver-bearded gentleman said, his voice low but brimming with enthusiasm. "It's supposed to be quite the spectacle."
"Indeed, I have," replied his companion, a younger man with an earnest expression. "A hot air balloon, they say. It will be the first of its kind to be displayed here. Can you imagine the possibilities?"
Suguru slowed his pace, his interest fully captured. He pretended to admire a nearby sculpture, positioning himself within earshot of the conversation.
"Absolutely," the older gentleman continued, his eyes gleaming. "The ability to travel above the ground, to see the world from such heights... It's revolutionary! They're calling it the future of exploration and transportation."
"Who is behind this marvel?" the younger man asked, his tone filled with awe.
"A group of brilliant engineers and inventors from the Academy of Sciences," the silver-bearded man explained. "They've been working on this for years, and tomorrow they will unveil their creation to the world. The demonstration will take place in the morning, just outside the city."
Suguru's mind raced with possibilities. A hot air balloon could change everything, offering new vantage points and opportunities for travel that had never been possible before. He knew he had to see it for himself.
Just then, the monk decided on his plan of action, and it was a simple one. 'Pretty sure Naruto-sama would like to hear about such a device.'
Naruto, having finished his dance with Eloise, made his way away from Uzui with a new drink in hand, to a quieter corner of the room. He was joined by Violet Bridgerton, who had been observing the interactions on the dance floor with a thoughtful expression. She approached him with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting the wisdom of years spent navigating the complexities of society.
"Naruto," Violet greeted, her voice gentle yet commanding. "May I have a word with you?"
"Of course, Violet-Oba-sama," Naruto replied, offering her a respectful bow. "It's always a pleasure to speak with you."
They moved to a nearby alcove, away from the prying eyes and ears of the other guests. Violet gestured to a pair of chairs, and they both took a seat, the ambient noise of the ballroom providing a soft background to their conversation.
"I wanted to speak with you about something I observed earlier," Violet began, her tone considerate. "Your dance with Eloise was quite captivating. It's clear to see that there is a deep connection between you two."
Naruto nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he looked out into the distance. "Eloise and I have known each other for a long time. We've shared many experiences, even over that one summer, but the contact afterward is what truly saved me. They reminded me of who I was. Our bond is built on a foundation of friendship and mutual respect."
'Interesting,' Violet thought before asking another question. "Tell me, Naruto, as the future heir to all that is Dominion, what are your thoughts on love?"
"Love?" Naruto questioned, bringing his focus back to his favourite aunt. "Love is passion, commitment, and a willingness to support each other through the highs and lows. It also requires a solid foundation to support all of that." The prince paused, thinking about relationships back home—arranged matches for political gain and very few love matches in the high end of society in the Dominion. "I don't know what that foundation is, but when I find it, I'll let you know."
"A very wise answer, your Grace," Violet teased lightly, all the while thinking to herself, 'I believe you already have the foundation with Eloise, but whether you both will recognize that before the moment passes the point of no return is another matter.'
"Oba-chan, what have I said about this 'Your Grace' stuff? I get it at home all the time," Naruto whined, his seriousness forgotten for a moment.
Violet just laughed to herself, enjoying the moment of winding the boy up.
Amidst the swirling gowns and tailored suits, Eloise Bridgerton moved with determined purpose, her eyes scanning the crowd for her target. She found him standing near the refreshment table, chatting amiably with a group of young ladies.
"Eloise," Colin greeted, his smile faltering as he noticed the stern look on her face. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes, something is very wrong," Eloise replied, her voice low and controlled, though her eyes flashed with irritation. "I need to speak with you. Now."
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed his arm and led him to a more secluded corner of the ballroom, away from the prying eyes and curious ears of the other guests. The music and chatter faded into the background as they reached a quiet alcove adorned with plush velvet drapes and ornate gold accents.
"Eloise, what is this about?" Colin asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.
"Don't play dumb, Colin," Eloise snapped, her frustration evident. "I was told to ask you, so are you going to tell me what's going on, or explain where you got that cut on your hand, or why I find out about Penelope visiting earlier from my maid?"
Colin's expression softened, but there was a hint of defensiveness in his eyes. "Yes, I've been helping her find an eligible gentleman. She deserves to find happiness, just like anyone else. She has no other male relatives that can help her."
"You know what could happen if this gets out. She will be publicly shamed for having a man who is not part of her family aid in this matchmaking effort. She would be ruined in society forever."
"Oh, now you care?" Colin bit back. "After you have your new friend Cressida Cowper whispering in your ear all summer. You turn your back on your true friend."
"Look, it is really none of your business why, we are no longer friends. I'm just trying to move forward, but if you're going to be foolhardy, take it from someone who has felt Lady Whistledown's sting before."
"I do not fear Lady Whistledown. What she did to you and Lady Crane over the last two years is unacceptable, and I will seek retribution," Colin declared to his sister his face narrowing to a ugly sneer as he spoke.
'Oh, brother, if only you knew,' Eloise thought. She wanted to tell him, she really did, but it was not her secret to tell. 'But yet I am burdened with it,' she thought as a bitter look flashed across her face.
"Look, we are not done with the Penelope conversation, but not here," Eloise said simply, turning on her heel to return to the party. "But please be careful," she whispered just loud enough for her elder brother to hear her.
What the pair did not know, though, was that there was a debutante just outside the room they had just occupied who had heard everything.
Naruto watched as Violet left the alcove, noticing Benedict wandering off, which meant no one was watching over Francesca. Finally, alone, he sipped his drink, savouring the bubbles dancing on his tongue as he pondered the conversation with his aunt.
'Pah,' Naruto silently complained. 'Poets and samurai deal in romance and poetry,' he thought before spotting movement to his far right. 'Hmm, Saraya and Francesca?' He recognized the dresses even from a distance. 'Interesting. Should I join them, or risk being harassed some more?' Naruto wondered, glancing back at the ballroom entrance.
Without hesitation, he turned towards the direction his sister had run off to. "These places usually have another entrance around the side," he muttered, beginning his journey towards something hopefully interesting.
On the other side of the manor, the two girls who had left the main hall found themselves lost in the labyrinthine library. They came across a stark white piano, immaculate without a single smudge or speck of dust.
"You can play, right?" Saraya asked, noticing the forlorn look on the older girl's face.
"It wouldn't be proper," Francesca replied.
"What do you mean? It's an instrument; you play 'em," Saraya said, using her more common tongue to encourage Francesca.
Francesca looked conflicted. One part of her knew it would help calm her nerves. 'Honestly, these Lords act like they are shopping for another horse to bet on at Cheltenham,' she thought as Saraya took her by the hand and dragged her over to the piano.
"Fine, quickly, one song," Francesca conceded, positioning her fingers over the opening keys.
Saraya sat next to her as she began to play a tune, a tune she hadn't heard in such a long time. The prince's guard and sister couldn't put a name to the melody.
"I swear I've heard that before," Saraya whispered to herself, careful not to interrupt the musical genius at work. Francesca's reputation had preceded her during their journey back to the isle of her birth.
Saraya heard movement approaching them. She tensed briefly before remembering her brother's words yesterday. She focused her senses and thought, 'Footsteps, slight heels, multiple.' She fully relaxed once she realized it was the Queen around the corner with a few handmaidens and Lady Danbury.
The melody continued for a few more minutes, but to Saraya, it felt like an eternity of peacefulness. The tune inspired a sense of serenity in the trained assassin. Francesca was lost in the music, letting instinct take hold as she crafted something new and original.
'There, much better,' Francesca thought as she took a breath while the music began to die down and she finished her piece. Just as she looked up at Saraya, she heard a round of applause.
Both girls looked towards the sounds, one shocked, the other expectant.
"My Queen," Francesca attempted to stand but was waved off.
"Oh, how they do shine when they believe they are alone. I'm impressed, my dear. You are performing in the natural and not for recognition. Maybe we shall see if you truly can sparkle." Queen Charlotte said as she continued on her way, doing her best to ignore the smug grin on Lady Danbury's face.
Earlier, Naruto had slipped through the opulent drapery to find a quieter path. The corridors of the estate were a maze of richly adorned hallways, each echoing the grandeur of the ballroom but devoid of the bustling crowd. His steps were light, barely disturbing the silence that enveloped him.
He soon reached a smaller, more intimate room, where a gentle melody reached his ears. The sound of a piano, played with both skill and emotion, resonated through the closed door. Naruto pushed it open slightly, peeking inside.
There, seated at the grand piano, was Francesca Bridgerton. Her fingers moved gracefully over the keys, creating a hauntingly beautiful tune that seemed to echo the depths of her soul. Standing nearby, Saraya watched over her, a silent guardian ensuring her brother's beloved friend was safe.
The melody Francesca played was filled with longing and hope, each note a testament to the emotions she poured into her performance. Naruto stayed behind the door, silently listening to the music gracing his ears. 'I think El might be right; she has long since surpassed Daphne, that's for sure,' he thought, before noticing the new arrivals on the other side of the corridor, waiting around the corner and listening to the music as well.
He waited for the new arrivals to come and go, still unnoticed, before he stepped forward, opening the door fully.
"You play beautifully, Francesca," Naruto complimented, stepping further into the room. "I didn't mean to intrude, but I couldn't help but be drawn by your music."
Both girls' eyes widened before fully turning around back the way they had entered, only to find the Dominion prince standing there with a smirk.
'When did he?' Saraya thought, shocked because she had heard the Queen and her party but couldn't pick up her brother.
"Long enough to hear the start of your little tune all the way until the Queen gave you a compliment," Naruto said, as if he read his little sister's face. 'You've got a way to go, little sister, before you hear these steps,' he thought.
"It's not an intrusion," Francesca assured, standing from the piano bench. "I find solace in playing, especially on nights like this."
Naruto nodded, understanding the sentiment. "Sometimes, we all need an escape."
Saraya approached her brother, bowing slightly. "Nii-sama, do you need anything?"
"No, I just wanted to see where you had disappeared to," Naruto replied, his tone light. "I thought I'd find you keeping an eye on our dear Francesca."
"She needed a moment away from the crowd," Saraya explained. "And I thought she could use the company."
Francesca smiled gratefully. "Saraya has been a wonderful companion tonight. I must say, Naruto-sama, you've trained her well."
"Oh, that's just all her; I just guide," Naruto chuckled, as he spotted the youngest of their trio blushing from her brother's praise. "She's always had a talent for looking after others."
"Onii-sama!" Saraya cried in embarrassment causing the older pair to laugh politely at her discomfort.
"Now then you two I believe it's time to head back to the party, don't you?"
Both girls just nodded and began to follow the prince as they followed the Queen's route back to the ballroom.
As the trio of Francesca, Saraya, and Naruto arrived back in the opulent ballroom, an air of hushed anticipation permeated the atmosphere. The once lively chatter had been replaced by a chorus of furtive whispers, each guest leaning in conspiratorially to share the latest gossip with their companions.
Immediately, they noticed the absence of the regal Queen Charlotte, her throne-like chair at the head of the room now vacant. The sudden departure of the guest of honour had sent ripples of speculation through the assembled nobility, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected turn of events.
Francesca's brow furrowed as she surveyed the scene, her keen eyes picking up on the subtle shifts in body language and the darting glances exchanged between the guests. It was as if a collective breath had been held, each person waiting with bated breath for the next juicy morsel of information to be revealed.
Saraya, ever the vigilant shinobi, scanned the room with a practiced eye, her senses attuned to the slightest disturbance or potential threat. The sudden hush and the undercurrent of excitement did not escape her notice, and she instinctively shifted her stance, ready to react at a moment's notice.
Naruto, the eldest of the trio and more experienced in the art of lip-reading, could only make out a few whispered words amidst the hushed murmurs: "Colin Bridgerton," "Featherington," and "Playing matchmaker." His brow furrowed as he pondered the implications of these snippets, his gaze sweeping the room.
The prince's eyes landed on Chika, standing above on the balcony beside Lady Emmeline Danbury, a woman he had met briefly as a child. Exchanging a subtle nod with his ever-vigilant guard, Naruto's gaze quickly fell to the crowd on the ballroom floor, searching for any sign of Penelope or the Bridgerton family members.
"There you are, Francesca. We're leaving." A panicked voice came from Saraya's side, causing the trio to turn and face Eloise, who looked visibly distressed, a stark contrast from her earlier demeanour.
"Eloise, what happened?" Francesca asked, concern etched across her features and lacing her tone.
"Mother's not feeling very well. We are heading home," Eloise replied hastily, her words rushed and tinged with a hint of deception.
'Lie?' Naruto thought instantly, the prince's instincts alerting him to the guilt etched on the young woman's face. Quickly making up his mind he went with a simple action plan.
"Alright then, since Aunty is not feeling well, we shall escort you back home," Naruto declared, subtly tapping his foot on the ground to discreetly signal his guards to proceed as planned, while he and Saraya prepared to depart with the Bridgerton family.
The air crackled with tension and intrigue, as the trio found themselves caught amid a brewing scandal, whispers of matchmaking and familial intrigue swirling around them. The sudden departure of the Queen and the hushed murmurs only added to the sense of anticipation, each guest silently wondering what secrets spilled on this night might revealed in tomorrow morns Lady Whistledown.
The END
A.N.
No real action on this one but hopefully the romance is moving along.
Now hopefully the dance is received well never done one of those before
If it wasn't clear Naruto wiped out 100 Uchiha's kinda like a Guts way which I just thought of sick, but on his wedding day.
I'm scheming and plotting. that one in particular like where was Minato on his son's wedding day that he arranged….
Now next chapter is going to be kicking off episode 3 timeline wise.
Thoughts on other characters getting some time to shine.
Thoughts on the Lore/World
Next chapter we visit Westminster, not for very long can't be really arsed tbf but looking forward to making this drama part juicy.
Pairing is still undecided both will get moments the dance started as a dance between friends who fancy each other but don't know about the other.
Saraya maybe my favourite OC ever atm hopefully I handled showing her first kill well, not by accident or with honour just straight bloody rage filled murder.
Also excited for part 2 coming out on Thursday
Leave a review it fuels the engines of creation…
Stay Chilling Y'all
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Whispers & Revelations