A Pact With The Prince | Bridgerton ~ Prince Friedrich

Chapter Twelve

The day Prince Friedrich was supposed to call, was a day that could not be any more stressful to the Vincent household. Every room dusted twice, the best cakes and treats baked by cook since the crack of dawn and her mother, going through every dress Diana owned. After settling on a simple gown. Diana settled in the drawing-room with her book, pulling the Dynasties of the East. 

It was by some miracle that her mother convinced her brothers to be out of the house when the Prince came calling. It was a lesson learned and disseminated to other mothers, by Lady Violet Bridgerton. She had learned firsthand how older brothers made the worst chaperones and matchmakers. 

Instead, her sisters Daniella and Daisy came inside the room, settling by the window with a card game. The game did not seem to hold their interest as they kept glancing at the door for the royal arrival.

"Diana, could you not slouch my dear." her mother walked into the room settling in the seat across with her embroidery. After chiding her sisters to behave, Diana couldn't help but glance at the clock every so often. Diana knew this was pivotal, she would have to ensure that her mother believed their connection, not that it should be that difficult, she got on well with the prince.

However, the prospect of a small lie had begun to eat at her more so since it had damaged her friendship with Eloise, who had decided to remain silent after she had reached out to her. 

Exactly at the hour of his arrival, the door swung wide open with their butler, Halston, leading Prince Friedrich inside. Much to Diana's dismay, the nerves did not calm but flamed to life as he smiled and greeted them. Dressed sharply in a surprisingly simple but effective striking black coat not opting to wear his royal attire. 

Diana suddenly felt as if the room was much too small, as his gaze settled on her with a wide grin. 

"Diana." her mother said softly reminding her to do a quick curtsey but earned a curious look from the Prince.

Once they were settled, her mother sat respectfully far enough to keep watch over her stitches and her while her sisters pretending to be focused on the cards.

After a moment of silence, Diana attempted to start the conversation several times but found she could say what she wanted to say in front of her perceptive mother. The growing silence became directly proportional to the awkwardness that settled in the room. Her sisters of course made it much worse when they giggled and whispered clearly about them.

It was suddenly broken, when the Prince slowly, unexpectedly settled the tips of his fingers on her hands in assurance. The simple act meant to be encouraging but instead, she had forgotten to breathe. He still sent a look of encouragement and an imperceptible smile she was beginning to know. Despite it being quite distracting she then rallied her wits and drew it away clearing her voice. 

"How was your stay in London so far?" she asked, steadying her voice. The prince smiled, taking a biscuit that she offered after she found her limbs to be working. 

"Quite alright, it is how I remembered it from last year however, I went to school here when I was younger." he replied, sneaking a glance at her mother seemed to relax more into her embroidery.

"Oh? I had no idea." Diana decided she could work with this, even if the conversation was painfully dry and banal this was for the sake of proper appearances in front of her mother and her wide-eyed sisters.

"I insisted, I wanted the advantage of one of the best schools and I had chosen Oxford and I rather enjoyed England." he replied.

"Tell me, your family, are you close?" Diana began to notice her mother turning toward them clearly listening.

"Perhaps not as quite as yours, but I grew close with my cousins and I think it should be quite alright to have the same for my own family." he replied, there was a wistfulness in his voice at the mention of family. 

"Well, then I must extend an invitation to dinner sometime and see if you change your mind." Diana couldn't help but say. At this her mother coughed, a sign that she wanted her to change the subject. The Prince noticed amused, "I would very much like that actually." 

Diana smiled finally, feeling the tension a little less than before. 

"I see you are reading cultures of the far East, know I have visited quite a few countries there and no one could compare to the beauty of the people and its land anywhere else I found." he said picking up her book. 

Diana turned toward him, "Really? Tell me, have you seen the Great Wall or Taj Mahal?"

"I have and it's not easy to describe without seeing yourself." the prince grinned. "Perhaps I can advise you on...." he paused seeing Diana shake her head slightly. "on the best books that accurately describe them." He had added quickly swallowing hard at his almost misstep. 

Diana glanced at her mother, who didn't seem to notice the smooth transition from the prince. Diana did wonder if he meant to tell her he would offer travel advice and she hopes in the future when her mother wasn't present could take him on that offer. 

"Tell me, did you look further into the story of Queen of Razia?" Diana pivoted slightly hoping to find safer territory before they let something escape. 

"Of course, I am still skeptical, though I will admit there seems to be more than they had let on as an objective observer." the Prince replied taking a sip of tea. 

"Are you not a believer of life-long love?" Diana couldn't help but ask pausing from her cup. 

The prince paused collecting his thoughts, "I think it can exist..to be sure, but I am realistic in my situation." The answer surprised her, someone as handsome, titled, and accomplished as he shouldn't have to be realistic. Diana supposed, his conditioning as royalty made him that way, and Diana began to wonder what he was really looking for in London.  

Diana decided to steer the topic altogether away into lighter fare and found it was easy to do with his amiable nature.  It then she learned he was quite knowledgeable in many subjects. After some time Diana could not believe they filled over an hour of safe conversation. With his departure imminent, Diana liked to think they were successful in fostering more of a connection in front of her mother even if it was a ruse. The servants who were watching just as closely will surely spread the news of the successful call and how the prince was ever so charming to the flighty eldest Vincent daughter.  

However, Diana found herself wondering when she could meet again just so she could freely speak on other matters. 

After the Prince left, her mother gushed on his charm and intelligence, her maid even joining in on the praise. Her sisters were even worse, hoping for a future of other similar royals their age and quite unattached. Diana finally retired to her room, when she walked in she felt her foot step upon a note. 

When she opened it, Diana found the handwriting elegant a new but he smiled, recognizing the words could only belong to one person. 

Diana, 

I know it may seem like a risk asking your maid to sneak in a note, but I thought it would be the best way to ask you if you happen to desire a ride tomorrow at noon in Hyde Park. It will be such a coincidence that I shall be there around the same time and happen upon you. We can discuss some details of your plan.

Regards,
Freddie 

A/N: The curse of Act II, the story will go on with some fun and games! I know at some point, I'll have to update some developmental parts in previous chapters but I think I will wait until the story is completed. Any feedback would be great! Follow, comment or vote! Bridgerton Season 2 is coming and I don't think the Prince will be making an appearance sadly but I am very excited for Kate and Anthony's story!!! Let me know if you plan on binging the second season too! 

xoxo

Wild Child