pairing: benedict bridgerton x ofc
summary: loraine silva always knew she was not normal. she loves unusual things. she loves her father's guns, horses, boxing, climbing a tree, falling from a tree, engineering, astronomy... oh, and a man eleven years older.
it was the first time in a while that the sunlight touched her face and it did not hurt. she stirred awake, the light seemed to be poking her from sleep. raine tossed, pulling the sheets deeper to her.
"i was afraid you will not be here when i wake up."
his morning voice greeted her as he placed a hand on her head and played with her hair. ah yes, last night really did happen. she buried herself on his chest, taking in his natural smell.
she looked up at him, her lips grazing his collarbone as she spoke with a smile, "anthony and violet are going to kill us."
benedict chuckled lowly at her jest, "they will not."
she returned back to his chest, closing her eyes once again. he planted his face on top of her head, seemingly taking in her smell as well. this was it. these were the arms she has longed forâthe comfort she has been seeking.
"i am too tired." her muffled voice resounded.
he planted a kiss on her for solace, "it is alright. i will be here."
raine pursed her lips, deciding if she should say anything about her grave situation later and ruin the moment or not. but as we have always known, she was a frank one. it would not be her if she wasn't.
"this may be the last time we will be together."
"then i will wait for you."
he replied with ease, professing confidence amidst the direness of everything around them.
raine was sure thoughâthat the intensity of the situation has not sunk in on benedict yet. she was with him, alive and well right now. how easy it was to be lost in the blissfulness of the moment.
she slowly sat up, leaning for a kiss on his forehead as she removed herself from the sheets, "let us go. they will grow wary of our absence."
raine clothed herself as the man kept his eyes on her. she turned to him, instructing that he follow down after a couple of minutes to avoid suspicion from the family. she turned the knob, exiting the room silently.
as she looked up to walk, she was met with a viscount already staring curiously at her.
"what? it's my room. hoâhow was the ball?" she said in a pitched voice, quite defensively, causing anthony to narrow his eyes at her.
âââ ⌠â â˝ ăâă âž â ⌠âââ
she ate quite the breakfast, treating it as if it was her last meal. at the very least, she was happy she ate with the bridgertonsâthe only family she has left.
after a meal for breakfast, she excused herself at once, quickly going to anthony's office with raphael in tow. they have been going back to back for strategies on what to do for more than two hours already, now settling in silence to let themselves take a breath. the colonel called for her out of the blue, the latter waiting for him to continue.
"lord high chancellor scott will be there."
she looked with confusion at that. raine was familiar of the man, yes, but she has not seen him ever.
"i do not know what he is like."
"raine, i have not told you one thing." he began, words laced with shame, "they took general's body."
in truth, she knew already. raphael would have done anything to bring her father to her even if a lifeless body. he would actually give his life to his superior since the general saved him before in the streets of homelessness too.
"i have figured, given that you returned alone without his remains. you would not have left if you could."
she tightly smiled at him, the most form of comfort they could achieve in this moment.
"it was him. he was there when they attacked our quarters, ordering his men." he revealed, regret in his voice on how he was not able to do anything to save the general in that time.
raine put her pen down, closing her eyes for a second before turning to him, "why are you telling me this just now?"
"i was debating myself whether i should." he replied with doubt. he knew how the girl can get mad easily sometimes, especially that concerning her family.
she stared out of nowhere, trying to think of something. an idea popped in her head as she spoke with a realisation, "we will use that to our advantage then."
"no, that's..." raphael seemed go have caught on what she was thinking. he showed his clear disagreement with her plan, "you will be charged for high treason."
"by questioning his person?" she scoffed at the idea of a soft high chancellor.
"by questioning his person, you are accusing him." the colonel retorted, his arms on his waist, thinking of other solutions as well.
"it is not an accusation if it is true."
"it is an accusation if we cannot prove it."
raine knew he was right. they could do nothing about it if they cannot prove it, "we can build the story around us, put the rest of the soldiers outside of it all."
he sat beside her on the couch, facing her calmly as if giving up, "they all knew what we were doing, raine. there was nothing like only the general and i. the whole troop knew the issue we found and the measures we were taking. they are all highly ranked men and were the most trusted by your father."
"i do not care." she said with a slam, staring him down with firm, "forty-six soldiers, raphael. forty-six."
despite her best efforts, a tear fell from her already luminous eyes. the thought that these men who should have been celebrated by their services are coming close to dishonor angers and pities her at the same time.
"i will not let you all die."
he placed a hand over hers, "we are soldiers. we have been prepared for this."
raine declared with might. she will make sure to turn the tables, and if it will not, she will fucking flip it over.
he could do nothing but nod slowly, accepting her point. he took a glimpse at his watch, ruffling the girl's hair as he stood up.
she nodded, following the man outside the study, "gather them."
currently in the hallway, waiting for carriages after carriages to arrive, the second daughter caught sight of her and took her hand.
"raine, come. just for a while."
she followed the young woman up to her bedroom where penelope stands, waiting in anxiety. eloise gestured to the redhead as she offered.
"penelope can help you turn the people's favor to you."
getting a hint of what she was trying to say, raine tightly smiled at them, "lady whistledown?"
penelope stopped her tiny movements of unease as she turned to the silva, both of them asking her in chorus, "how did you know?"
"no," she ignored the question. she was a daughter of a general, of course she would know. she stepped towards the girl, addressing their idea to help, "i appreciate you both trying to help, but no. they knew of my father's activities and he was a general."
raine took the featherington's hands and held them softly, "my best bet is they know you are lady whistledown and is just letting you be for now since you have not attacked them directly."
"but you cannot go there like this." eloise voiced in distress and worry.
she did not realise that other people were being affected by her situation this much. the young silva thought she has managed to keep them off and awayâenough that they would not need to worry. evidently, that was not the case.
"come here." and so, she placed each of her arms on the girls' shoulders, bringing them in on a tight hug. it may have been her imagination, but eloise let out a small sob as she wrapped her arms on her.
they exited the room after, descending it with begrudging steps. the carriages have arrived and are only waiting for them. the bridgertons gathered near the door to bid her farewell. she turned, addressing them for possibly the last time.
"i ask of you all, do not go anywhere near the palace."
the matriarch could not help herself but grab the girl, enveloping her in one of the warmest hugs the young one has ever received. violet kissed the top of her head, a gesture that says all will be well.
raine knew it was not going to be.
and so, she continued on her way, exiting the bridgertons' home to see the carriages lined up, all filled with soldiers. they waited for her to get in just as benedict came forward. he held her hand tightly, prompting her chin up as he caught her lips in his.
she tasted like heartache and war.
âââ ⌠â â˝ ăâă âž â ⌠âââ
the twelve carriages that contained the forty-six soldiers and loraine silva arrived at the front of the palace in a processional manner. a significant number of citizens have gathered. at the sight of the hottest topic of the townâthe country, evenâsome were yelling in support to them and some against.
the viscountess, the colonel, and the major sat on the first carriage, the men exiting first. she followed, not sparing any look to the people. they could not affored to cheer nor smile. this was the deciding moment of their future.
raphael and raine entered the palace alone, the soldiers all lined up in a row outside, facing the people. they were greeted coldly and strictly by both royal guards and other military that she was sure must have interacted with her father at least once. they were guided into different rooms. she was given nothing but the wary and observing gazes of the unknown soldiers guarding her.
the colonel has been away for more than an hour now. she understood that they were interrogating him first, squeezing all the details before they would deal with her nuisance. not later than her own planning of her statements in her head, the door opened to reveal the man, head leveled properly. but, she could tell. that it was only his rank that made him still have the dignity to raise his head. however, the inner raphael? she could see him conceding and casting the head downwards.
she was prompted to stand up, them crossing each other as she left the room and walked towards where raphael came from. the doors opened to reveal the queen, brimsley behind, and the lord high chancellor with two other parliamentary members and two decorated generals, it seems.
raine sat across them all as lord scott did not waste time to begin his questions, "did you know of your father's treacherous plans against the crown?"
just by the first question, she already knew she wanted to shoot him. he was enjoying this, evidently on his tone.
he scoffed sarcastically at that, turning to the other members present as if gaining their attention, "i find it hard to believe, considering how close you both were, especially after the death of your mother and brotherâgod rest their souls."
it was a foul. mentioning them both amidst all of this was a great foul. she narrowed her eyes at him, firmly and armed as her voice sounded with confidence, increasing in volume.
"i did not know because there were no treacherous plans in the first place."
the members of the parliament leaned back slowly with their chins raised in an insulted manner. the two generals present turned to them with a curious look. ah, these generals are not involved in this.
lord scott noticed their interest piqued and hurried to push the matter to the young lady, "major general silva was reported of having questionable communications within the military force. we were monitoring him for months."
he continued to reveal the story he has crafted so well against them, "in the most recent event, he was caught exchanging fire with the british military, resisting in the quarters that must have served as their unofficial office for such activities."
she sat up straight with a piercing look at him, offense clear intended on her tone, "and who can attest to this?"
"girl, you question the credibility of the sources of the highest governments of the crown?!" he bellowed, sitting at the edge of his seat as the other members gestured for him to calm down.
"loraine, address the assertions."
the queen spoke for the first time. ah, she was not involved either. raine could tell she was trying to help, trying to get her out of this.
"your majesty," the girl began, turning to the queen with respect in contrast to the lord high chancellor, "my father was not a traitor and neither am i or raphael."
"where is the quarters where armand was unfortunately killed?" she asked outright.
the young silva could see right through the queen's plans. her majesty has conceded the matters of the girl's father. there was no saving his legacyâhe was not saved already. it was a lost cause.
charlotte focused on his offspring, saving her from this is the only thing she could do for the family. and fortunately, the girl looked like she did not know anything.
raine had no words to answer at all. all the planning they did, all the stories she preparedâthey went to the drain in just one question.
the queen waved her hand, the footman understanding her language. he opened the door and there enters raphael. he sat on the other chair beside the girl as charlotte continued.
"colonel montague has admitted to all suspicions." at the mention, raine turned to the man instantly, looking at him in surprise. the queen continued, "your lack of knowledge in the basic information of their activities suggests that you were indeed oblivious to the acts of treachery to the crown."
the girl glared at the queen, completely opposing her idea of helping. she declared clearly, word per word in firmness, "there was no betrayal from our end."
she clutched the couch, anger rising at their refusal to listen and acknowledge her side. other than being known for her unceasing confessions to the second bridgerton son, raine is also infamous for her hatred and passive-agressiveness.
"the colonel has copies of multiple reports that were altered to provide misinformation and cause mayhem in the military communication." her voice maintained the strength of her argument, "they were investigating it for months, even during my debut. we can call people as witnessâ"
raine held her tongue in time. she does not wish to put people on the government's eyes anymore. she swiftly dismissed the previous idea, continuing her previous point.
"the night they were ambushed on the way to the ball... tell them, raphael."
she turned to the other man who stayed silent the whole time, beckoning him to talk about what he witnessed in all actuality. however, the latter refused to utter a single word. she furiously turned back to the high officials.
"he saw the british insigniaâthe very people my father promised to protect the crown with." the young one spat the words with absolute hate, pointing her finger to the high chancellor, "and in fact, when they attacked my father in the quarters, you were there lord scott, were you not?!"
"you dare declare such accusation when you do not even know its location!" lord scott raised his voice, growling in her disrespect, "we are not here to address the matters of your father. he was a traitor. you are here to be questioned about your involvement in the said treason!"
raphael moved, raising his head to the officials with a determined voice, "i have conceded to everything. i have divulged all you wanted to know. the girl is entirely unaware of our activities!"
"oh, stop making her look like a child!" the high chancellor sneered at him, looking at loraine with sarcasm, "the lady has been raised by a general. everyone knows of your physical skills and marksmanship, taught by your very own father since you were young."
he stood up with authority, slamming his words with distaste. he stepped forwards as he pointed down a finger to stress his point. the young silva's eyes darkened at that, her mind going blank as he continue.
"there is no need to stray far from the truth."
he was too loud for her, his words biting her. she recognised this tension, this atmosphere. this is the battle. this is the war.
"you grew up mostly with him, taught everything by him, discussed plans with him, strategised with him," he paused, as if gathering his breath before he spat with malice.
"and committed high treason with him!"
raine stood up at once, unclasping her gun from her thigh in the process as she shot the man on his chest twice, his blood getting on her dress and features. the queen jumped and recoiled at the sound, brimsley nearing her instantly. the rest of the members jumped away and the generals reached for their guns.
loraine silva has shot the lord high chancellor.
one of the generals opted to reach for the actively dying lord scott, his hands on his chest as his mouth froze and jaw locked in neural shock.
the girl turned to the general and pointed her gun at him, "help him and see what follows."
he slowly backed with the queen gesturing for him to stay down as well. her majesty understood the young lady. she was not a threat to anyone else at the room as long as they were not a threat to her.
she walked to near the chancellor that leaned back helplessly with blood on the foamed chair, "you were right about everything but one."
she did not dropped her gun, still aiming it to his head now with clear dark intent. her voice was neither loud nor small, neither hard nor soft. it was the kind that would cause you to squirm.
"we did not betray the crown. we did not betray its people."
her voice did not declare war. it proclaimed the ending.
"and if we did," she leaned down to him as if whispering, "none of you will ever know."
raine stood straight up, sneering at the chancellor below her, "we would not have been as stupid as you."
she pulled the trigger thrice moreâwith no mercy or pity, with no regards of the people around her. seeing him finally stop breathing, she dropped her arm down, still gripping the gun hard.
"it would have done you good to know that i have his patience as well."
by the remnants of her rage, the future became clearâit's going to fall apart.
"your majesty," raine turned to the queen. the two generals behind her went for their guns seeing the girl's back on them. charlotte raised her hand immediately, halting the actions of both men as the silva continued, "the reports and all related documents are in the care of viscount bridgerton."
she dipped her head down in a bow for a few respectful seconds before standing back upright, feet together, leaning in a martial manner.
"i apologise for the mess, aunt lottie."
raine walked away, raphael following closely. he wanted to say something so badly, but was fearful of disturbing the already unstable state of the girl.
they exited the palace with no other encounters, likely because of her majesty's intercession. reaching outside the fence, the people tripling in number than earlier. they all yelled unintelligibly at the sight of them. her father's soldiers turned about face at their arrival. it was obvious that they heard the gunshotsâher father's silver flintlock pepperbox has a hell of a sound.
gilbert returned raphael's gun, the latter cocking it immediately up in the air before firing. the crowd silenced in chorus as the girl inhaled deeply.
"each and every one of you has seen my father. major general silva had always been for the people."
while her father carried the rank of a major general, he was not disconnected with the people. yes, he was still distant for security purposes, but for a man his rank, he willingly shook hands with the people that deserved it.
and, armand often told her that he gets to shake more hands of the commoners and the general public than the officials.
"he was not a traitor. they have blamed their own treachery to my father, killed my father, and killed his loyal menâmen that were all defending the crown and its people. this is what has become of our society. i do not care if you are busy with the social season and of other pleasures. this should be your duty as a person behind the crown."
she walked at the center, nearing them all so that they would hear her words betterâwords that they shall engrave in their hearts and minds, etched in their very soul.
"i stand before you all, not only as his daughter, but as someone who will never sit whilst injustice is apparent."
the viscountess silva's voice deepened with conviction. her eyes were flaring with truth and patriotism. she caught everyone's gaze and held it until it hurt.
"one who will not cover her ears against the screams of the dead."
"one who will not close her eyes in the midst of people abusing their power."
"one who will never sleep soundly whilst there are bodies of the wronged under each of our beds. "
all of her will went to her voice as she declared her final words to the public.
"this is the age of awakening. do not go gentle into that good night!"
raine continued to speak in the words coded by her father, the late major general, the superior of all. the forty-six soldiers answering with equal strength.
"min koimitheĂs Ăsycha ekeĂni tin kalĂ nĂ˝chta!"
"orgĂ, orgĂ enĂĄntia sto svĂsimo tou fotĂłs!"
they placed their right fists on top of their heart as the young lady and raphael found the royal guards and other military personnel. there was no escaping their situation now. what they did ensured only one path, and that was their head to the execution block.
the queen has ordered to not execute them on the spot. she reasoned that it would mean making them martyrs on the eyes of the people and they want to avoid thatâalthough in truth, she pushed for them to have a private execution because that is what the two wanted.
viscountess loraine silva and colonel raphael montague turned about face to the rest of the soldiers. the latter saluted in uniform to the colonel, him returning it. they were saluting their ranks for the last time. she saluted the men this time, and by her surprise, the soldiers then turned to the young lady and saluted to her.
they were not supposed to salute back to her. she has no official rank.
raphael nudged her, prompting the girl to dismiss the salute as did the soldiers. a warm smile settled on her lips before both of them turned to the guards.
this is it. there is no going back.
and just as raine entered the vehicle to transport them to the cells, she completely missed the familiar head standing out from the crowd like a sore thumb despite her telling him not to attend.
once again, he could do nothing but hold his head down and shut his eyes at the end of the day. his palms formed a fist, biting his lips intensely as tears graced the floor under him.
every storm runs out of rain.
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