Today is your debut. The most important day of your life. Especially because you're the Princess. Yes. The youngest of Queen Charlotte's daughters was making her debut tonight; it was a special season, of course. Every man was vying for her attention.

You knew the expectations, the rules, the game; your mother taught you well. So it was no surprise when she named you Diamond of the Season.

Now, after the announcement, it was the real ball; you were always close to your mother, watching intently as another brave man approached to ask you to dance, but before you could speak, she rejected him with a grimace.

You were so bored, being watched by everyone and unable to choose your own dances... until you saw him.

Anthony Bridgerton. The name only made you smile like a fool.

He stood in a corner of the great room, watching you and smiling. You wanted to go to him. You really did, but your mother wouldn't let you. After all, you and Anthony had a history that didn't end well. Let's just say... your mother caught you kissing when you were barely teenagers and immediately forbade him from ever being alone with you again. Obviously, being the rebel you were, you kept writing him letters, telling him how much you loved each other and how, as soon as you came of age, he was going to come for you (that moment had arrived).

But there was a problem. Your mother was strict, but excessively so. She knew Anthony was known for his philandering ways. There were rumors of him frequenting brothels, having affairs with a low-class singer, a seamstress, even a maid in his own house. He was a walking scandal!

That's precisely why you were strictly forbidden from approaching him, but you weren't about to give up easily.

"Mamma, can i go to-" you started but your mother cut you off dryly

"You will not speak to Anthony" she answered quickly