Chapter Text
The corpse bride
She stealthily left her home, managing to go undetected, which was almost miraculous. She belonged to one of the wealthiest families in the region, and being the only woman in her household, she was always under surveillance, especially since she entered the marriage market. Everyone wanted to ask for her hand, but they didn't appreciate her; they were only after her fortune.
Until she met him, a handsome man with perfect blond hair and beautiful blue eyes. She knew he was different from the others. His presence made her feel protected in any room he was in. She danced with him at every party, and his courtship was imminent, as was the proposal. But her parents said no, no matter how much she pleaded with them, they refused. Disbelieving why they decided for her, she chose this time not to let them decide and that's why she found herself walking in the moonlight on a cold autumn night.
She trembled, unsure if it was from the cold or from nerves. Her mother's wedding dress did not keep her warm. She arrived at her destination, a forest near an oak tree, waiting for her beloved to arrive so they could take the path to Gretna Green.
She heard a noise behind her, and her heart began to beat faster. With a smile, she turned around, and there he was, as elegant as ever. He smiled sweetly at her, and as she approached him to embrace him, she felt something forcefully pierce her back, and pain flooded her. The air left her lungs, and her heart, which had been beating strongly from seeing the love of her life, stopped, and everything turned black and lifeless.
Penelope woke up with a hand on her chest, the same nightmare again. It was her, but different. Her characteristic red hair in the dream was blond, her blue eyes were brown. That's the only thing that sets her apart because everyone else is exactly the same. It's always the same, every October 6th, she has the same nightmare since she can remember, and it feels so real, as if it's her being killed.
She sees that the sun is rising to start a new day. She sighs with regret. The turns of life have brought her from being one of the wealthiest families to bankruptcy. The only solution, according to her mother, is for her to marry as soon as possible. She is the only surviving daughter; her older sisters died in a tragic accident, leaving her as her mother's only misfortune.
Now it's her turn to be married to a young man from one of the most influential families in London. He is the third son of a large family, and although he doesn't have a title, his pocket is bigger than that of a count. Today is the day they will meet for the first time. He is known as the wandering brother, having been seen very little in the social season. He prefers to go on tours. Penelope doesn't blame him; if she could do the same, she would without hesitation.
She approaches her dressing table and looks at herself in the mirror. She still has the memory of that woman who appears in her dreams, so alike and yet different. She feels the gentle flutter of an insect, looks up, and a beautiful blue butterfly lands on the edge of her dressing table. She looks at it for a moment and then heads towards her window. She opens it, the breeze moves her hair, and the butterfly flies out of the room.
Be free, little butterfly. At least you can - Penelope says, watching it as it fades away in the cold morning.
She feels gentle knocks, and with a final sigh, she turns to open the door to her maid. Let this day begin.
🦋
Colin steps down from the carriage, facing the house of his future wife. How ironic, just a few months ago he was enjoying the Greek islands, and today he finds himself facing a destiny he thought would be far off, and foolishly believed would be for love. But as his brother says, he's already 30 years old, it's time to settle down and stop being the immature child. Despite protesting and trying to prove that he wasn't a child, he couldn't do anything. His brother was the Viscount, and he had the final say in everything.
He looks up at the sky, hoping for a sign, but there's nothing, just a beautiful blue butterfly contrasting with the gray sky of the day. At least someone is free, he thought with resentment. He closes his eyes for a moment and feels a drop fall on his cheek. He walks hurriedly towards the entrance to take shelter. He doesn't bother to wait for his mother and brother; he knows they are coming after him. When the three of them are together, they knock on the door. Immediately, the doors open to reveal a man and a woman standing side by side, tense. The woman has dark red hair and piercing cold blue eyes, while the man is slightly shorter, with brown hair and a gaze that doesn't inspire happiness.
"Welcome, Lord Bridgerton, Lady Bridgerton, and Mr. Bridgerton. It's a pleasure to have you in our home," the woman says haughtily.
"Thank you for receiving us, Lady Featherington," Anthony responds. "This is my brother, Colin," he adds, placing his hands on Colin's shoulders and pushing him forward.
"Pleased to meet you," Colin says, making a reference to their future in-laws.
"My Penelope is just finishing getting ready," the woman says, looking at him without any emotion. "Please, let's go to the dining room," she continues, leading them all to the said room.
Colin lingers behind, looking around. While it's not like his own home, it is a well-ornamented house, although the color scheme is a bit jarring to his eyes, too much yellow. He's about to head to the dining room when he hears noise coming from a room. His curiosity leads him to that place.
The door is slightly ajar, and he can see through the opening a young woman, about two years younger than him, sitting in front of a piano. Her hair is long, red, and cascading in beautiful curls. She's wearing a yellow dress that contrasts with the rest of the room. She doesn't notice his presence yet, as she plays some musical notes, though not a melody, appearing distracted.
He enters the room quietly and approaches her. Just as he's about to reach her side, he trips over a small table. She jumps in her place and turns to see who it is. Their gazes meet immediately. His green eyes and her blue eyes lock with intensity, and he finds himself breathless. She is beautiful, more beautiful than he had imagined.
Her red hair makes her porcelain-like skin shine even more. Her eyes are the most beautiful he has ever seen, blue like the Greek islands' sea. Her rosy cheeks demonstrate her good health, and her naturally pink lips are so kissable. He never believed in love at first sight, but with just one look at the beautiful woman in front of him, he knows that she is undoubtedly the love of his life.
"Forgive me," he says immediately. "It wasn't my intention to scare you."
"It's alright. I tend to get scared easily," she responds with a small smile.
"Colin... Colin Bridgerton," he offers his hand, and she accepts it.
When their hands touch for the first time, they both feel a jolt of electricity coursing through their bodies. It's so intense that they quickly release their hands.
"Penelope Featherington, pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bridgerton," she says, giving a small curtsy.
Colin gazes at her for a while longer, feeling like he's seen her before and tries to search his memories for where he's seen her beautiful face. She remains silent, waiting for him to continue the conversation.
"It's you," Colin looks at her in astonishment.
"Sorry?" Penelope looks at him confused.
"It's you, the girl who made me fall off my horse a few years ago," he responds with a smile.
Penelope blushes as she remembers that accident. Needless to say, that day she fell in love with him. She even thought it was just her imagination since she never saw him again. Plus, she was so embarrassed that she couldn't even ask for his name. She simply retrieved her hat and left.
"I'm sorry, I was so embarrassed about the mess I made and I didn't even apologize," Penelope tries to look anywhere but at him, feeling ashamed.
"I've been searching for you for years, don't bother, in fact, I had a good laugh," he says with a kind smile.
"Really, you weren't upset?" she asks incredulously.
"Please, call me Colin, you make me feel old," he says with a hint of humor.
"Then you too," she responds with a smile.
They gaze at each other intensely, unable to believe their luck. After so many years since their incident, they find themselves facing each other again in completely different circumstances. Colin is about to speak when the voice of Portia interrupts their moment of peace.
"What does this mean, Penelope?" the older woman says with a slightly raised voice.
"Mother, Colin, I mean Mr. Bridgerton, just stumbled into this room, nothing happened," Penelope rushes to say, her body language showing her nervousness.
"It was my mistake, Lady Featherington, it won't happen again," Colin steps slightly in front of Penelope, preventing her mother from judging her with her gaze. "Now, shall we go to the dining room for what we've been called for?" he speaks this time with a slightly louder and authoritative tone.
The woman only looks at him with some displeasure but then remembers why they are here and the real reason. Without any further desire, she turns around and heads towards the dining room, with the young couple behind her. Colin takes advantage of his future mother-in-law not looking at him and gives Penelope a smile and silently says "thank you" before returning the sweetest smile he cherishes.
When they arrive at the dining room, everyone is already gathered, and along with their families, there is also a clergyman. His presence is simply because they would meet today to get to know each other and rehearse for the wedding that will take place in two days. The tense silence could be cut with a sheet of paper.
"Are we all here?" the clergyman asks in a grumpy tone.
"Yes, Father," Lady Bridgerton responds politely.
I need the betrothed here, quickly please - the older man can't hide his displeasure at being disturbed on a Sunday. Both Colin and Penelope make their way to the front of the clergyman, both scared and nervous, not finding any confidence in the man standing before them.
"You must memorize this for the wedding," the man grumbles - "With this hand, I will hold your desires, your cup shall never be empty for I will be your wine, with this candle, I will light your path in darkness, and with this ring, I ask you to be mine. Now, repeat it," the clergyman finishes, looking at him angrily.
"Yes, sir," Colin takes a deep breath - "With this candle," he approaches a lit candle in front of him and tries to light the one he holds in his hand, but it doesn't happen - "With this candle..." he hears the clergyman grumble and a faint whisper from his brother to his mother saying, "I'll have to light it for him." He turns to look at them and realizes that Penelope's parents are looking at him angrily.
He hears another grumble from the clergyman in front of him and directs his gaze back to the front. He realizes that the candle has finally lit, and a small smile escapes him, but in doing so, his own candle goes out. He looks at the object in disbelief, hearing a slight giggle from Penelope.
"Continue," the grumpy clergyman shouts, and the mansion's doorbell rings. He can see the stress causing the clergyman's eye to twitch - "I think we'll skip the candle part for today."
"It's Lord Fife," the Featheringtons' housekeeper can be heard saying.
The man in question enters the room with an air of superiority, and it's evident that he possesses wealth, or at least that's what he appears to have. Something about him doesn't sit well with Colin, and a feeling of protectiveness towards Penelope blossoms within him.
"I'm bad at remembering dates," he sits next to Lord Featherington - "Seems like I jumped ahead a few days before the ceremony."
"Is this guy familiar to you?" Lord Featherington whispers to his wife.
"I don't remember, but he's here now," she says disdainfully and gestures for the rehearsal to continue.
"Try it again," the clergyman speaks - "Do you agree, Mr. Bridgerton?" weariness and annoyance can be heard in his tone of voice.
"Yes, sir, I will try," Colin says, and Penelope takes the opportunity to light her candle, he smiles at her gratefully - "With this hand..." Colin begins to say when he is interrupted.
"The right hand," the clergyman grumbles.
Certainly - Colin says and changes hands - with this hand - he takes Penelope's hand and they walk a few steps, only stopping when he bumps into the table in front of him.
"Three steps!" the clergyman pounds his cane on the floor - "Can't you count? Do you not wish to marry her, Mr. Bridgerton?"
"No!" Colin hurriedly says vehemently.
"Don't you wish to?" he hears Penelope's small voice beside him.
"No," he turns to look at Penelope - "I mean, it's not that I don't want to get married, I mean, I do want to," he feels the cane hitting his head.
"Pay attention!" the clergyman has lost all patience now - "At least I didn't forget to bring the ring."
"The ring," Colin begins to frantically search his body - "Yes, here it is," he grabs it between his fingers and shows it, exerting too much pressure, causing it to fly away.
In a silly twist of fate, the ring rolls and ends up under his future mother-in-law's skirts. Without thinking, Colin bends down to pick it up, hearing gasps from everyone in the room.
"I've got it," he says with a victorious smile, looking at his incredulous brother and mother, his future in-laws staring at him with disdain, and his fiancée trying to hold back laughter.
The clergyman slams the book shut and steps out from behind the table, imposing himself in front of Colin. He swallows hard, undoubtedly intimidated by the man standing before him.
"This wedding will not take place until he is properly prepared!" he shouts in Colin's face, pointing his long finger at his chest - "Young man, you must memorize the vows."
Colin feels like he can't take it anymore in that room and runs out of the place. He can hear Lord Fife saying, "What an ideal husband, don't you think?" He breathes heavily, trying to hold back tears of frustration, and leaves the mansion to aimlessly head towards the forest.
It's almost midnight when he sits on the trunk of a fallen tree to rest. He doesn't know how long he's been wandering, but he needs to breathe. This stage has been a challenge, and although he was initially afraid of marriage, since knowing Penelope, he feels more at ease. Although he believes he doesn't deserve her, he needs someone who has a clear purpose, not just a third son. He picks up a small blue flower in his hands and gazes at it carefully.
Penelope must think I'm a fool - he mutters to himself and starts walking towards the exit - It can't be that difficult, just a few simple words - he muses as he walks - With this hand, I will take your wine - he hits his head realizing that the phrase is incorrect.
"With this hand, I will desire your..." he makes another mistake - "With this candle, I will..." he goes blank - "Set fire to your mother" he hits his face in frustration - It's no use - he sits on the ground, not caring if he dirties his trousers, and takes out the ring from his pocket, looking at it determinedly before jumping up.
"With this hand, I will hold your desires, your cup will never be empty because I will be your wine" he says with determination - he picks up a twig from the ground and pretends to light it - "With this candle, I will illuminate your path in the darkness, and with this ring" he crouches down and places the ring on some branches that resemble delicate hands - "I ask you to be my wife."
A cold wind begins to swirl around him, causing him to stand up immediately. Birds start imitating noises, and he turns to look at them. Suddenly, he feels something grabbing his hand and pulling him to the ground. Scared, he tries to fight back, but the grip is firm. Incredulously, he sees a bony hand firmly holding onto him, and with one last tug, he manages to free himself from that hand. He runs, but trips and falls, sitting just in time to see a woman dressed as a bride emerging from the ground.
The woman is an exact replica of his Penelope, same body and size, except her complexion is now a shade of blue instead of white. Her hair has hints of blue and blonde, her eyes lack life, and part of her cheek is missing, revealing her teeth and ribs on the left side. Her dress is torn, exposing her legs, one of which still has some flesh while the other is mostly bone. She looks at him as she lifts her veil.
"I accept," says the corpse bride in front of him, extending her hand.
Colin looks at her in fear and quickly stands up to flee. He runs desperately through the forest, glancing back to see the bride chasing him. Unaware, he collides with a tree and for a moment, he thinks it's all just his imagination. But when he looks back, the dead bride is still there.
He sees the bridge in the distance, knowing that if he crosses it, he can reach home. He hears the birds cawing. He is halfway across the bridge when he feels his breath being taken away. He stops for a second and looks in both directions but doesn't see her. He's about to sigh in relief when he turns around and sees her standing in front of him. He starts walking backward, and with each step she takes, she gets closer.
"Thou may now kiss the bride," she doth say whilst grasping his shoulders and bringing her face close to his. Suddenly, all turns to blackness, and the last sound he doth hear is the cawing of the birds.