The Light In The Darkness - Kassandra Lee/Violet Bridgerton, Kassandra Lee & Winifred Baxter
A/N: Fic for @randomestfandoms-ocs gift exchange.
“Don’t let them bother you.” Kassandra’s voice is soft, kinder than she usually is but as she watches Winifred, the girl’s quiet mouselike nature seemingly innocent, she knows she has to speak softly. “They gossip, they always do… it’s not worth worrying about.” Winifred looks at her then and she barely hides her smile. She knows, too well, what happened, what always happens. The girl is kind, has always been kind since she was brought into this mess. Easily hurt, sometimes, but stronger than she gives herself credit for. “You caused a scandal… so what.” “So, they hate me.” “Who cares? They hate themselves more…” “They don’t talk about you…” “Sure, they do… they just know the Queen cares for her guard. They’ll let you be. In time.” Kassandra’s voice drops, just a little. “You’ll be old news, soon enough.” “Not when I’m…” “They will.” Later, of course, it makes sense. Winifred watches Kassandra with Violet, the way she smiles, talks and teases. Scandal, it seems, will always be a problem, but now, as Kassandra leads Violet into the dance, she understands. People will turn away from her, as a scandal, looking at Kassandra instead. A simple truth, but one that even now Winifred knows is a blessing.
