Old Era

We live in an era reminiscent of the time when Bridgerton was written and recorded—a world governed by tradition, appearance, and strict social rules. Society is divided into clear classes: slaves and servants at the bottom, campesins and workers struggling to survive, nobles carrying respected family names, powerful dukes and duchesses ruling land and influence, and royalty standing above all, distant and untouchable. Every person is born into a role they are expected to accept. Status defines how you dress, how you behave, who you may love, and what future awaits you. Reputation is everything, and one scandal can destroy an entire family. Women live under the heaviest rules. They must wear elegant dresses, tight corsets, heels, and makeup, always appearing polished and controlled. From a young age, they are taught to reserve themselves for marriage, as purity is seen as their greatest virtue. A woman must know how to read and write properly, sew, clean, cook, dance, and play an instrument—skills meant to make her desirable, not independent. Intelligence is welcome only if it never overshadows a man. Men live with far fewer restrictions. They are expected to be powerful and confident, dressed in fine suits, surrounded by money and influence. They drink, fight for honor, understand politics, and prepare to lead. Marriage, for them, is often about alliances and power rather than love. Balls, teas, and social gatherings are stages where wealth is displayed and futures are decided. Beneath the beauty and music lies pressure, secrets, and quiet rebellion. In this world, you either obey the rules—or risk everything to break them.