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cinnamonspicewritingroom · 2 years ago

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More Than Diamonds

Pairing: Prince Friedrich x Princess! Reader Description: Britain has gained themselves a new royalty nearing the debutante ball of 1813. Princess Amelia of Siam was sent as the new Ambassador of Siam. In Britain Princess Amelia was able to find her family, but will that be all? After the failed courting between Daphne and prince Friedrich, it was a surprise to everyone that he stayed in London. However, Prince Friedrich is anything, but a coward. He came to Britain to find a wife and one failed courting will not chase him out of the country with a tail between his legs. What both Amelia and Friedrich never thought to happen is, the friendship that blossomed between them and their growing feelings for one another. Friedrich was never a coward, but he is when it comes to Amelia. Everyone said Amelia is a genius, but not when it comes to love, because she is truly lost on what to do with these butterflies in her stomach. Tags: Slow burn, Coming of age, Time-Travel, Back to the past, Friends to Lovers, Royalties, Oblivious!FLxObvious!ML, Jealous! Friedrich, Slightly Possessive! Friedrich, Black cat gf, Golden retriever bf Timeline: S1&S2

Chapter 4: Dearest Violet,

Anthony woke up to the buzzing noises of his siblings downstairs. He decided to get ready and face the source of the noise. Unfortunately for him, once he opened the drawing room, the voices got even louder.

“Well, there he is. Anthony, the man who captured the heart of Siam’s new ambassador.” Benedict said, chuckling. He approached his older brother and threw his arm across Anthony’s shoulder.

“Captured whose heart? Surely you jest, brother.” Anthony scoffed at the reminder of the ambassador. “Really? Who got home riding a carriage with a Siamese flag? She asked her closest adjutant to keep you company back home, and now she sent flowers and sweets. You tell me you are not being wooed by the ambassador, brother?” Anthony looked confused.

“Flowers and what?” Anthony looked flabbergasted. He sure hoped Hugo was right that the ambassador has no romantic intention towards him. “Over there, Anthony.” Daphne said pointing at the simple yet elegant flower arrangement in a basket, which is new.

Usually it was using a vase of bouquet. Below were several boxes of sweets from a rather popular store. Anthony broke free of Benedict’s hold and approached the gift.

“Gosh, Anthony, is it true? Are you being wooed by the new ambassador?” Violet gushed, it may be progressive, for a woman to woo a man and send gifts, but maybe her son can finally find a suitable woman for himself. Anthony hummed as he grabbed the envelope inside the basket. He took out the card only for it to say a simple ‘Sorry’- Siam’s Ambassador. A.C.K.

“I don’t think I am, mother.” Anthony turned around with a grin and he held up the card to his mother’s eye level. “‘Sorry’... What is she sorry for, brother?” Eloise popped out behind her mother. “Probably yesterday. She asked her adjutant to pick me up because she wanted to meet me. I can’t say it was a pleasant experience.” Anthony explained as he proceeded to open the sweet boxes. It was filled with all sorts of tarts, choux and pies, when his eyes caught another letter inside the box.

He took the letter out of the envelope. Inside was a beautifully written letter in cursive.

Dear Viscount Bridgerton,

How are you today? I hope you are fine and so is the rest of your family. This letter will be a short one.

Yesterday I was too focused on handing you the letter, which I hope you have given to your mother along with the necklace.

I know it has been years since the tragedy, but I would like to offer my condolences over the passing of the former Viscount Bridgerton, Edmund Bridgerton. Please offer my condolences to your mother as well.

As a peace offering from my mishaps and the lack of courtesy on our part yesterday, I hope you will accept the boxes of sweets.

I wish you a good day.

Sincerely,

Amelia Chaiya Kanika

“Mother.” Anthony calls out his mother who is gushing on the flower arrangement along with Daphne and Hyacinth. Eloise, Colin, Benedict and Gregory were already looking at the selection of sweets.

“Yes, dear?” Violet turned towards her eldest son who cleared his throat before passing his mother the letter. The dowager viscountess took the letter and started reading. She did not know who this ambassador was, but she could feel that she is a great person if she would take time to write a letter to offer her condolences and even bearing gifts.

“Well, the new ambassador is surely a sweet person.” Violet smiled, but tears pooled her eyes before Daphne went to hug her mother and Eloise took the letter. She read it for a bit and turned to Anthony.

“Brother, why is the ambassador giving mother a letter and necklace?” Anthony let out a small ‘Ah’ as Violet looked at her son. “Right, there was something about a letter and necklace in the letter. What is that Anthony?” The eldest son took his mother’s hand and led her to sit on the sofa. This was followed by the rest of his siblings.

“Yesterday, the ambassador asked to meet me because of an order she received from the Siamese Royal Family.” The family was confused, especially because she has no relation with anyone from Siam.

“Mother, the ambassador handed me a letter and a necklace asking me to deliver it to you or father. She said the Royal member who asked to search for you was Felicia. No last name was given.” Violet gasped as she shook slightly. Felicia, that was a name she has not heard in a really long time. She finally remembered the Siamese boy they met in the summer of 1786. Back then Siam just opened the embassy, it was one of the very first years of British-Siam relationships.

“Anthony. The necklace…” Violet’s voice trembled “You said there was a necklace? Can you please fetch it for me? I need to confirm something.” Anthony was concerned, but nodded. “Alright. I will go grab it.” As he went out of the drawing room, he could see his mother trying to control her breathing with Daphne and Benedict trying to calm their mother.

Anthony quickly fetched the letter and necklace he left on his bedside table and returned to the drawing room.

“Mother, this is the letter and necklace given to me by the ambassador.” With shaking hands, Violet took the familiar necklace and broke into a heartbreaking sob.

“Mother-” Everyone was concerned for their sobbing mother. The last time she was like this probably during their father’s funeral.

“She is alive, oh my god. This necklace was hers.” Everyone’s eyes were meeting everyone, but no one knew what to do as they did not know what happened. They decided to just let their mother cry it out until she has calmed down enough to talk. While waiting, they rubbed the matriarch’s shoulders and backside to let her know they were there.

“Haa…” Violet sighed, her face was red and a mess from all the sobbing and crying she had done the past 10 minutes. “Did you feel better?” Daphne asked, still rubbing her mother’s back. “Yes, thank you dear. Anthony, could you please pass me the letter.” Violet outstretched her hand without needing to look in his direction. “Here, mother.” Anthony placed the letter on her palm.

Violet looked at the envelope and traced the familiar handwriting. This is Felicia’s handwriting. She opened the letter and she could not help the tears that fell from her eyes.

Dearest Violet Bridgerton and Edmund Brigerton,

This is your beloved younger sister, Felicia Bridgerton. How are you all faring? I bet by this point brother Edmund is fuming. I am doing well in Siam and I hope you all are also well in Great Britain.

Brother Edmund, I apologise for running away from Great Britain, but I know I will not be happy if I settle for someone I do not love. After seeing you with Violet, I decided to chase after the man I love, you all know him. Chim, the boy who visited the Siamese embassy all the time back in 1786. Violet, I must thank you and apologise for using you to hold off brother the day I escaped.

Chim and I, we got married in 1790, right after I arrived in Siam and 6 years later were blessed with 2 beautiful kids, Amelia and Vernon. I believe you have met my daughter, Amelia. She is currently representing Siam in Great Britain as an Ambassador. She may look cold, but I assure you she is the sweetest child. Attentive and sensitive as well.

Violet, if I may burden you and sister Billie with a request. Right now Amelia is without a family in Great Britain. It broke my heart to have to send her away so young to fulfil her duty to her country. If you both can please become a family for her and guide her about the British Society. There is nobody I trust more about this than the both of you.

I promise that Amelia will be nothing more than sweet and kind. I assure you I will visit Great Britain as soon as possible. Let us meet then.

With all my love,

Felicia.

Violet’s tears were dripping once again as she read the letter again and again. She is alive. Her childhood friend Felicia is alive and not only that she is married. Lord, the ambassador! She is Felicia’s daughter, which means she is her niece!

“Anthony!” Violet’s tone made him perk up. “Where is the ambassador’s residence? We must invite her here immediately.” Anthony frowned at the question. “I do not know, mother. Why do we need to… See her?” Violet handed him the letter, which quickly got him surrounded by his siblings who are dying to see the contents of the letter.

“She is the child of your father’s younger sister. Felicia Bridgerton-” Gasped erupted from her children. “She ran away in 1790 to chase that Siamese man, Chim.” Violet shook her head in disapproval. “She is the reason why your father always told you all to protect your sisters, so she will not pull a move like Felicia and run away to another country.” Eloise laughed at this. “This aunt Felicia sounds like a fun person.” Violet groaned as she remembered all of Felicia’s naughtiness.

“You are the splitting image of Felicia, Eloise.” Eloise eyes sparkled at this. “How about our new found cousin, brother? How was she? You met her yesterday!” Now Eloise is extremely interested in their cousin, but not only her, Violet too wanted to know about her niece.

“You will definitely like her, Eloise. At the age 13 she persuaded the King and Heir Apparent of Siam to establish an education law that allows all genders, male and female, to receive fundamental rights to education. She even explained the reasoning behind it and why it was necessary for women to receive education if they want the country to strive.” Anthony sighed as Eloise’s eyes sparkled.

“How interesting! I must meet this new cousin of mine! Clearly she is an intellectual. When will we contact her?” “Back to our question yesterday brother-” Colin slipped into the conversation. “Was she as gorgeous as rumoured? The gentlemen in the club said she was an exotic beauty, many people attending yesterday’s meeting were enchanted by her introduction.” Anthony was reluctant to answer Colin’s question.

“Considering enough people were enchanted by her presence alone I would guess she is.” He thought it was quite a diplomatic answer, but of course they are not satisfied with that answer. “But what do you think? Is she as gorgeous as rumoured?” “I expected her to be, Felicia was the diamond of her year.” Violet quipped before turning to face her eldest son. “So, was she?” Anthony sighed, he knew there’s no end to this so he just nodded.

“Yes. The new ambassador is indeed gorgeous. She looked like a walking gold statue, adorned in gold from head to toe.” Benedict, Colin and Daphne chuckled while Hyacinth got excited. “Was she, brother? Adorned in gold from head to toe?” She bounced excitedly.

“She was, from her head-piece, jewelleries, down to her shoes.” Anthony nodded in confirmation before turning to his mother. “It seems aunt Felicia was married to a Siamese equivalent of duke. Lady Amelia’s adjutant introduced her as coming from a dukedom family.” At least her childhood friend is living well, she has to if she went all the way to another country, Violet thought as a smile formed on her face.

“So, do you not know where her residence is located?” Anthony shook his head, looking quite guilty for not bothering to ask. “Then we can only send a letter to the embassy.” Daphne sighed. “Well, at least we have a way to reach her.” Violet was quite satisfied with that.

***

Unfortunately, reaching the ambassador was proven to be hard as Amelia filtered her mail and only accepted work related mail and those coming from Siam. It has been 9 days and Violet has grown restless. She wants to see her niece from her husband’s younger sister, from her childhood friend. Even more so as stated in the mail, they are her only family aside from her entourage from Siam.

“Do you think we can set up a meeting with the embassy instead?” Daphne tried giving ideas. “And what would the meeting be about? I have even tried to ask if the ambassador would accept a personal meeting, but her schedule is full.” Anthony shook his head.

***

A miracle to reach Amelia came a week later when Violet was talking to Lady Agatha Danbury about this while they were taking a promenade together in the park.

“Lady Danbury, do you remember Felicia Bridgerton?” Violet said, she purposefully kept her voice low incase anyone would hear. Lady Danbury’s eyebrow rose as she recalled the brunette little rascal of a lady. “Of course I remembered her. That little rascal.” The old lady sighed and shook her head. “I remember the day she ran away and we never saw her again.” Violet looked around to make sure nobody was paying attention and slipped the letter from Felicia in Lady Danbury’s palm.

The old lady raised a brow and took out the letter from the envelope. She gasped as she read the writer of the letter. She turned towards Violet who gave her a smile and a nod.

“Did you try to contact her? The new ambassador?” Lady Danbury whispered as Violet sighed and nodded. “We did, but unfortunately there was no response and her schedule was full. We also never see her nor her attendants around the town.” Lady Danbury stared at her friend. “The new ambassador was often seen around Foreign Office in Westminster and The Buckingham Palace to have meetings with the Prince Regent.” Violet looked grateful at the information.

***

It was two days after Violet received the information that Anthony met Amelia in Foreign Office. It was purely by coincidence. He was just done with the parliament meeting and Amelia was in one of the benches outside, eating a sandwich as a quick lunch. She was out of Siamese traditional clothing and opted for a dress, but a different style from theirs.

(Above: The brooch, Middle: the dress and hair, Below: the makeup and bangs)

She was wearing a purple dress that fit on the top part and starting from the waist it flared out into an A-skirt. The dress stopped above her ankle, which was fortunately covered by her stockings and boots. The dress went all the way to her neck fully covering her bust area and it was decorated with a single diamond brooch just in the middle of her collarbone.

Her hair was up in a bun with no decoration. Aside from the brooch, her only jewellery is her earrings. She looked extremely different from the woman in gold he saw in the parliament meeting.

“Lady Amelia.” He called out as he approached her. The ambassador only looked up from the document she was reading on her other hand.

“Viscount Bridgerton.” She greeted Anthony, all lukewarm. Like the last time, she looked extremely tired. There were bags under her eyes and her skin complexion was pasty. Her eyes held no emotion due to her tiredness. He felt bad considering how young she was, she could not be more than 20 years old.

“May I join you?” Anthony pointed at the empty spot next to her. Amelia gives the spot a side glance and contemplates for 5 seconds before nodding. “Go ahead.” Anthony nodded and sat down while Amelia returned to reading her document.

“Lady Amelia,” Anthony started, to which she only replied with a hum. “I would like to thank you for the flowers and sweet treats. My family enjoyed it and appreciate your condolences letter” Amelia nodded. “I’m glad they enjoyed it. I hope it did not send the wrong message.” Anthony did not want to tell her that it did. For a whole 10 minutes his family actually thought the woman next to him was trying to woo him.

“I handed my mother the letter and necklace.” Anthony started, his eyes squinting from the direct sunlight. “Thank you. You helped me finish the mission given by the Royal Family. I will make sure to send you a gift as thanks.” Anthony did not reply and silence enveloped them.

“Lady Amelia. Did you know the content of the letter?” Amelia shook her head, but her eyes glued on the documents. “No, I did not. I’m afraid unlike a certain someone, I am not interested in checking someone else’s letter.” Well, ouch. Anthony knew it was rude of him to check on a letter addressed to his mother, but she did not have to bring it up like that.

“Well, it turned out the sender of the letter was an old friend of my mother. They have not talked in over 20 years, so you delivering the letter to our family was a miracle for her.” Anthony turned to look at Amelia. “Lady Amelia, my mother would like to invite you for dinner as a way to properly thank you-” “Please tell Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton that a simple thank you would suffice. I delivered the letter as a mission received from the Royal Family, unfortunately I think it is unnecessary to go through such length inviting me to dinner.” Amelia sighed and set down her documents.

“Princess- Oh. Viscount Bridgerton.” Hugo bowed his head politely and Amelia stood up from the bench. “Hugo, you do not have to follow me. I am meeting Lynn after this to have tea with Lord Adelheid and his wife. He wanted to talk about the silk trade with the Qing Empire. It will be boring for you.” Hugo nodded. “Of course, Milady.” With that Amelia disappeared back inside the building, her entourage carried her half eaten sandwich and stacks of papers.

“Viscount Bridgerton.” The Hugo in front of him was different from the one he met last time. Despite still wearing a smile, it brought chills down his spine. “Marquis Hugo.” Anthony warily greeted.

“I would say it is not everyday I see you. I hope your statement last time is still true.” Anthony looked confused, which statement was Hugo asking about. “How old are you? 29? 30? I hope you will not approach Lady Amelia with romantic intention as she is only 16 years old.” Anthony choked on his own spit. One of the ambassador’s closest attendant and adjutant thought he was approaching her romantically.

“Marquis Hugo. I have no such intention with the ambassador-” Hugo raised an eyebrow at his words. “Truly. I was only-” “Brother!” Both Hugo and Anthony turned to see Colin waving at them.

“Colin, what are you doing here?” Anthony asked when Colin was close enough. “I was meeting up with Earl Sutcliffe about the possible business I told you about last week.” Colin's eyes travelled to Hugo who gave him a polite smile and nod.

“Colin, let me introduce you. This is Marquis Hugo from Siam. He is here with the new ambassador.” Anthony introduced Hugo. “Marquis Hugo, this is my younger brother, Colin Bridgerton.” “Nice to meet you, Lord Bridgerton.” Then it clicked with Colin. The Marquis works with the ambassador and she is his cousin.

“Brother! You found the ambassador-” “Col-” “Mother must be ecstatic now you found her niece and our cousin. So, did you tell her about the dinner invitation?” Colin kept rambling and Anthony did not even have the time to intercept what he was saying.

“Viscount Bridgerton…What do you mean by cousin?” Hugo's eyes widened. His polite smile dropped. Anthony sighed before he casted a glare at his younger brother who was confused.

“Wait- You have not told them yet?” Colin frowned as his brows furrowed. “I was getting into that, Colin.” Anthony hissed before he turned towards the Marquis.

“Look. We also just found out about it. The reason why you were searching for Edmund Bridgerton was because Felicia is my father’s younger sister, making her my aunt-” Anthony rummaged through his pocket and took out the letter he borrowed from his mother, in case he met Amelia today. “Look. This was the letter.” Hugo took the letter with uncertain eyes as his breath hitched when he read the content of the letter.

“Look, I was not lying and I am not trying to pursue Lady Amelia in any way.” Anthony took back the letter and folded it back before putting it in his pocket.

“I mean- I guess it made sense. Lady Felicia looked a lot like your younger sister, uh–” Hugo scrunched his face as he put in effort to remember the little lady’s name. “Eloise?” Colin filled in helpfully and Hugo snapped his fingers. “Yes! Her! I was surprised when I saw a miniature Lady Felicia.” Hugo then came to a realisation.

“Have you informed Lady Amelia about this?” Anthony shook his head. “I do not know how I should break this to her. I mentioned the dinner, but she rejected it.” Hugo hummed, Amelia rather hates socialising, so he could see her rejecting the invitation if not needed.

“Then I will tell Lynn about it. She will be able to slip this in Milady’s schedule. If you could please send a formal invitation to the embassy and attach this business card. It will be delivered directly to my office and thus will not be filtered out.” Hugo handed them a small card with his name in Roman alphabet and below in South East Asian, Siamese abugida, embossed in golden colouring.

“Thank you, Marquis Hugo.” His mother can finally rest without thinking on a way to reach the new ambassador. Anthony and Colin shook hands with Hugo before he went inside the Foreign Office to gather several documents Amelia would need.

Words: 3666

More Than Diamond's Master List

IMPORTANT NOTES A/N: Hello, how are you guys? I hope you are well. Regarding this story that is following Julia Quinn's hit series, Bridgerton, I would start by saying I read the book first before I watch the Netflix series, thus I apologize if there are some differences with the Netflix version, but I will try to make it as similar as possible. I would also ask the readers to be kind when criticizing this story as this is my first time to actually publishing my work in the open. For the story, as you can see there is a time-travel tag. Our reader was sent back to the past with all the knowledge from the future. If you are also confused with Davika's education, I actually based her using Spencer Reid, a character from Criminal Minds. I also made Friedrich to be a year younger than Benedict when in actuality, he was born in 1794, 2 years younger than Daphne. If you are not interested or felt like those 2 themes ruined a historical romance story, then please do not leave any bad comments as you can just stop reading this story. Thank You Very Much! Much Love, Cinnamon Meilleure's Writing Room

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