Carry On My Wayward Son (cover)
First light | The day of the Queen’s introduction
A horse drawn carriage gently pulled up to a gothic style estate, a young man, no more than seventeen years of age stepped down and checked the letter he had received once more before opening the doors and walking inside. He briefly glanced into each room on the ground floor, the study, kitchen, conservatory, dining room, ball room, the lounge, everything was exactly as he had remembered it.
Hmmm he never did care much for redecorating.
Upon looking into the library, he saw a man in his late 40’s early 50’s reading something, a letter. The appearance of his face did not provide much insight. The young man spoke up, “Father, your letter suggested a most urgent case, but appeared to be lacking in details. Perhaps now that I have arrived, you can enlighten me as to whom we are to help.” The young man’s father simply tossed the opened letter he was reading towards him. He picked it up and immediately recognized who sent the letter, the cursive writing, the stationary, even the seal from the envelope which he had observed on the table upon entry. After reading it, he began to laugh, “You must be joking.” The young man ceased laughing when his father’s expression remained serious. “I simply will not do it.”
“Bruce…”
“I journeyed here to help people not play politics.”
“And what of yourself, hmm? Why won’t you just meet a good woman, settle down, start a family. Live a good life. You deserve it after…all you’ve been through.”
Bruce’s tone instantly turned ice-cold, “You were there…you know EXACTLY WHY I DON’T DESERVE ANYTHING GOOD IN THIS WORLD!” He bellowed breathing heavily.
The father simply shook his head, “You need to forgive yourself for what happened.”
Bruce regained his composure, “My apologies Father, if that’s all you summoned me for I cannot stay. I must return to Greece at once.”
This time his father’s tone began to change, although subtle and almost imperceptible, but only almost, “And you are…sure, I can’t convince you to stay.”
Bruce noticed the sudden change, his fingers danced along the cover of a hardback book. “I’m certain, Father.”
“Very well, then…” Quick as lightning the father hurled a nearby letter opener directly at the back of his son’s neck. However fast he was, Bruce was faster. He grasped the hardback book and overhead blocked the letter opener he recalled previously seeing on the desk by father. Both men leapt over their respective obstacles and clashed, forearm to forearm. Though he was faster, his father was stronger as a full grown adult. “You have heard me say it before, son, and I shall say so again. A man is judged not solely by the words he speaks…”
“…But by the actions he takes, particularly the battles he chooses to fight, I know I know.” Bruce couldn’t help but smile as he sidestepped and grasped his father’s forearm preparing to use his own strength against him, however his father simply pulled him close and kicked his knee. Acutely aware, Bruce jumped avoiding the blow and kicked his father’s hip pushing him back.
His father seemed surprised at first then proud, “From where, did you pick that up?”
“zhōngguó,” He replied with a soft smile, “I learn from the best, Father, including you. For you have done that trick before.” His father smiled, “Excellent, my son, but how do you fare against one who arms himself?” He then grabbed a firepoker from the nearby stand. Bruce immediately rushed to close that distance and grappled his father once more, rendering his ranged weapon ineffective in close combat. His father countered by dropping his weapon and reached to pull a dagger only to find it gone. “Missing something, Father?” Bruce skillfully flourished the weapon in his palm. “Most impressive move, dear boy!” His father remarked, “Your mother would be proud of the man you’ve become.” Bruce faltered a mere moment, “Mother?” His father seized Bruce’s weapon hand and flipped him onto his back and disarmed him brandishing the weapon against his throat. He smiled and helped the boy up, “Now the matter has been settled, you are going, prepare yourself.” His father had gotten only two paces away before Bruce spoke up, “You rarely mention her, Mother, I mean.” The man stopped dead in his tracks, a moment passed then two, as if he was recalling something, a memory perhaps a painful one. “No, I do not believe I did…” He shook his head and looked back at his son with a soft smile, “No matter, you make haste, lest you be late for the debut.”
The Queen’s Introduction
Ah, Buckingham Palace. How wonderful to see you yet again…
Bruce walked in along with most everyone else and made his way towards the front. It would be there he could see it all, this year’s debuts, the Queen, her reactions, everything. It would be interesting indeed to see how she carries herself socially with her subjects in public. Private matters were one thing, but publicly was something else entirely, one wrong move and your subjects may just find you unfit to rule and rebel. However, her demeanor radiated that of grace and authority, she may be a lot of things, but a fool was not among them. This was not her first time hosting such a grand affair and most certainly wouldn’t be her last. The announcer’s booming voice filled the room,
“Miss Maise Rutherford and Miss Priti Mehta. Both presented by the right honorable Countess Addington.”
Hmmmm. An older dress, and a young woman introduced to society without her mother. Perhaps she was ill?…Unlikely, with a prince gracing this season with his presence, the most dreadful of illnesses would not keep even the most humble of mamas away from such a chance. And given my brief knowledge of the Countess, it would seem she looks after the girl, a family friend no doubt…I’ll be sure to give my condolences should we meet.
Ah, Miss Mehta! As I recall her knowledge proved most valuable aiding me in Gujarat.
A perfect curtsey. Hmmm, it would seem all her practicing paid off indeed.
“Miss Belle Rose Fleur, presented by her aunt, the right honorable Duchess Raunch.”
Hmmm most interesting. It appears another without a mother, but nonetheless expected to be present. Rules out death or illness…most curious.
Hmmm, handmade but not by a modiste…money problems perhaps? Rather unlikely, the daughter of a Duke surely he would help his daughter on her most important day in society. No, upon further inspection the stitching is that of an amateur, but not one without skill. I wager the girl handmade it herself. Perhaps a conversation starter should they speak, to be polite of course. Certainly not a match for a Duke’s daughter.
"Miss Lilly Grace Axbridge, presented by….”
Hmmm. Everything done right done to the last detail. So what could have caused the Queen to disapprove? Bruce stared at the girl’s attire for a moment until he finally figured it out, a step slower to be sure but his eye was not as…experienced as the Queen’s in terms of the finer details of societal elegance. Her dress. It’s not formal enough, a grand one to be sure, but akin to something one might wear to a simple dance, not a presentation to royalty. Perhaps the choice had significance?
“Miss Abigail Flora Brantley, presented by her aunt, the right honorable dowager Baroness Fitzroy.”
Ah, Miss Brantley! I remember, Father and I solved a rather chilling case for the family. A very nice girl, no, as Father says, there’s a difference between nice and good. People can falsify being nice, as I can testify given my own experiences. Miss Brantley, as far as my professional dealings with her, is a good young lady. Which is why I find the whispers of her family’s rise to wealth and power…concerning, however unfounded.
Hmmm, a most fitting dress for her, indeed.
“Miss Lydia Ophelia Ellis, presented by her sister, Miss. Aurelia Juliet Ellis, and their mother, the right honorable Dutchess Ellis.”
Hmmm, Most compelling. A change of stature, from the Queen. Given they had yet to open the doors, I suspect there is one name among them the Queen is most anxious to see…again. The younger Miss Ellis is debuting for the first time, so for the Queen to be interested in her by name alone is improbable. No, perhaps it is the Duchess the Queen is intrigued by…Hmmm, I could see them knowing each other but I couldn’t see her being excited to see the Duchess. One name remains…if there is at least one thing I know of London’s courting season it is that the Queen enjoys picking one girl a season, the best of those presented, to give her favor, a diamond. I suspect the older Ellis girl was a diamond at one point…should we speak I’ll be sure to inquire more about her.
Hmmm, seemingly the polar opposite of her sister. A not so friendly sibling rivalry? Or perhaps she wishes to appear different as if she didn’t care. The latter would not bode well with the Queen, that one can be sure of
“Miss Adeline Grace Delaney, presented by her mother the right honorable Marchioness Delaney.”
Hmmm, a perfect display. Too perfect… It was then Bruce recalled another of his father’s sayings, one that he himself lived by,
“If anything appears too good to be true, there can be no doubt that it is.”
Perhaps it was just simply well planned and executed…or perhaps it meant to serve as a distraction, covering for something hidden. No, no. We do not think ill of people, ever. Especially without all the evidence. A woman like this deserves further…inspection, not that I could ever have a chance, of course. But…a most intriguing one to keep an eye on indeed.
"Miss Bridget Willoughby, presented by her mother, the right honorable Vicountess Willoughby.”
Hmmm. Different. This one, the way she moves, as if she is unsure of where she’s headed and yet…her body moves for her. Repetitive motion, I have seen it before and regularly do it myself when practicing something. The other young ladies’ curtseys’ had the same repetitive motion indicative of repeated practice. But this one, her repetitive motion was in her movement. Practiced walking. Hmmm, most peculiar indeed.
Bruce watched carefully. A silent exchange seemed to pass between the two, she had not spoken a word and neither had the Queen. Almost as if she is…searching for something. But if her diamond has been found, then what could the Queen be searching for?
He had nearly missed it, nearly, a mere second too late and he would have, a testament to the Queen’s remarkable ability to control every aspect of herself. Self-control was, after all, hard to master and few could claim they had. What was that? Hmmm, most interesting indeed.
"Miss Donatella Bianchi, presented by her mother, the right honorable Baroness Bianchi.”
Hmmm. Interesting, another perfect execution. Perhaps she could usurp Miss Delaney as the diamond. After all, the Queen could change her mind as she sees fit.
It seems perhaps the gift itself was not as…perfect as one could have planned. Miss Delaney appears to remain the diamond.
"Miss Phoebe Florence Willoughby, presented by her mother, the right honorable Baroness Willoughby.”
Ah, perhaps Miss Willoughby could be the one to usurp Miss Delaney. Yet another perfect display…
It appears though the Queen’s abrupt exodus was due to the foul perfume, I am concerned about how society would view Miss Willoughby. I hope for her sake not too harshly. Perhaps I will ask about her musical talents, should we converse.
Evening | The Queen’s Ball
Bruce had spent some time making his way around the room, observing, listening. He knew better than to intrude should something spark his interest of course. He had watched a few people dance and quickly stored the pattern away should the need for him to dance arise. After some time he decided it would be prudent to get some refreshment. Bruce had made his way to the table and gotten some lemonade. He had taken a drink and closed his eyes, fine tuning his hearing on the nearby conversations when a woman’s voice got his attention, his eyes opened and he turned to face her. “Ah, Miss Brantley. Wonderful to see you again. As for the nature surrounding our acquaintance, I believe my family helped yours with a…problem. One they would not wish public, so we would do best to refrain from speaking of it.”
@LunaticLeviTheSecond
@/anyone else who’s interested 
ORP: I initially wished to make it longer with him reacting to everyone else’s character throughout the room but wanted to get it out sometime soon. But rest assured, this keen detective will be observing closely indeed.