Scarlett's heart raced as she left the ballroom and stepped onto the balcony. The night air was cool against her flushed skin, a stark contrast to the heated turmoil in her mind. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, hoping the fresh air would calm the storm within her. The Queen's decree echoed in her ears, the weight of her decision pressing heavily on her shoulders.

"Scarlett," a voice called softly from behind her. She turned to see Anthony standing in the doorway, his expression a mixture of concern and determination. "I must talk to you."

She sighed, turning back to face the garden below. "I don't know what there is to say, Anthony."

He stepped closer, his presence a comforting warmth against the chill. "There's everything to say. Scarlett, I need you to know how I feel."

Scarlett shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "How you feel? You've had years to tell me how you feel, Anthony. But you waited until now, when everything is on the line, to decide you love me?"

"Yes," he admitted, his voice pained. "Because I was a fool. I thought I had all the time in the world, but now I see that I was wrong. I love you, Scarlett. I've always loved you."

She turned to face him, her eyes filled with hurt and anger. "Stop lying to me, Anthony. If you loved me, you wouldn't have waited until now to say it. You wouldn't have let me go through all of this alone."

"I'm not lying," he insisted, his voice desperate. "I was scared, Scarlett. Scared of losing you, scared of ruining what we had. But seeing you with Henry tonight... it made me realize I can't keep hiding my feelings. I love you, and I want to spend my life with you."

"I cannot with you! You infuriate me! I hate you Anthony Bridgerton!" Scarlett screamed. Her words echoed in Anthonys ears.

"why is it that you dislike me so!" He raised his voice. What had he done to her to make her hate him so much? So many questions ran through the man's had but were silenced by Scarlett.

"Enough! Enough!" Scarlett paused for a moment before she continued.

"I gave you a chance when I came back. I waited for years for that the boy who I had fallen in love with to come back to me. To tell me he loved me! But that boy is dead and he's now a man finished I am finished waiting for." They both stood in silence as they stared at eachother.

Scarlett's eyes filled with tears, her heart aching at his words. "I have to think about the future, about what's best for the England."

"And what about what's best for you?" he asked, his voice breaking. "Doesn't that matter?"

She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I don't know anymore."

Anthony reached out, gently wiping away her tears. "Please, Scarlett. Just give me a chance to prove my love to you. I know I've made mistakes, but I promise I'll do everything I can to make it right."

She looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there, but also the pain. Her heart ached for him, for what could have been, but she knew her decision was made. "I'm sorry, Anthony. But I have to think about more than just us. Henry is a good man, and I believe we can build a strong future together."

Anthony's shoulders slumped, his hand dropping to his side. "I understand," he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "I just hope you find the happiness you deserve in him, Scarlett."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Scarlett alone on the balcony. She watched him go, her heart breaking with each step he took. Her mouth moved and attempted to speak the words "I love you." but no words came out as he turned the corner. She knew she had made the right choice for England, but it didn't make the pain any less.

She grabbed onto the balcony railing. Holding onto it for dear life as she sobbed.

"Why did he let me go?"