"One day Kenz me and you are gonna get married." A 10 year old Benedict Bridgerton said to his best friend Kenzie as they sat out on the swings in the back of the Bridgerton manor. She scrunched her nose at him. "Benny that's gross you're my best friend." She was only 9 she's their next door neighbor her family is lower status than the Bridgertons but Violet and Edmund treat them as equals. A long while had passed since that day and a lot had happened in that time her parents were status climbers through their kids in having them marry up at the age of 13 she was sent away to a boarding school. In that time Edmund Benedict's father had died and Anthony had become viscount and was looking for a wife her parents saw an opportunity and took it it was her first time back in London after years of being away she was just going through puberty when she left but now she was proper woman and Benedict was a proper man. She walked in the house being called the future viscountess of the Bridgerton house since her and Anthony were engaged Anthony didn't have the heart to tell Benedict knowing how much they loved each other he didn't wanna say yes to the deal but it was either Anthony or some old Duke. Benedict was heartbroken and so was she. She looked even more beautiful than the day he lost her. One day he pulled her aside he needed to tell her he was gonna challenge Anthony for her hand knowing Anthony would let him win he just wanted to give her a heads up. He pulled her into his room his large hand cupping her cheek she leaned into his touch. Benedict: Do you love Anthony? he had to make sure she loved him and not Anthony before declaring the duel