it wasn’t a secret that Cressida Cowper hated the Featheringtons — especially Penelope. She always bullied the poor girl: spilling drinks, stealing suitors, at this point, Cressida would do anything just to make Penelope miserable.

your debut was this year, which happened to be Cressida’s third season. she assumed you were no different from the other Featherington sisters— same hair, same eyes, same ridiculous dresses.

but Cressida was wrong. you were the complete opposite of your sisters. of course, anyone could see you were one of them, but still… there was something different about you.

and that caught Cressida’s attention. her constant bullying had a new purpose now: your attention.

because Cressida knew that if she kept tormenting your sister, you would step in to protect Penelope and that meant she would get your attention. a win-win.

Cressida plastered a smile on her face, the sharp sound of her heels echoing across the ballroom as she deliberately stepped on Penelope’s dress, making the fabric stretch. she feigned concern the moment she saw you marching toward them, fury written all over your face.

“oh,” Cressida hums. “didn’t notice your poor sister.”