Serena turned away and noticed that almost everyone was still looking up in admiration as Emily descended. She shook her head, she doesn't really care that much so long as Emily does not get in her way. 

During the 1st few months of her career, Emily tried to get her name linked with Charlton's. In the articles about her in esquire, she expressed admiration to Charlton, and how thankful she was that he gave her a chance. Etc etc.

The masses bought it and since they sympathized with her, they conjured her as a Cinderella and started describing Charlton as the prince charming for her. It was sensational at first.

However, much to Emily's chagrin, Charlton directly asked 'the times' to publish how he felt about the love story. He said that there's nothing between them, and that all he has with her was friendship. He also requested people to stop pairing them up as he doesn't want people to think that there's anything between them. 

Short to say, that ship started sinking before it could even sail.

Serena on her part was very annoyed at first. She wanted to pull Emily's hair, but she can't do that because her relationship with Charlton was in secrecy. Fortunately, she did not have to tell Charlton what she felt about it, as he got rid of it himself. She almost wanted to laugh at Emily's face then. 

Thankfully, Emily was not so stupid and knew where to stop. 

Thus, they lived a life parallel to each other peacefully from then on.

--

After all the guests were announced, the royals were next. 

The Master of Ceremonies began to announce, "His highness, crown prince Geoffrey William." 

Then, Geoffrey entered the hall from the entrance which came directly from the palace. All the people in the room gave a bow or a curtsy, while he looked around, and quickly spotted Serena. He wanted to approach her, but given the protocol, he just smiled her way. He stood on the platform beside the throne. 

Then, the MC continued, "All hail his majesty, King Edward V, and her majesty, Queen Loretta"

The guests this time made a lower bow and curtsy. They did not rise until the King said, "all rise."

--

For Serena, this was the first time she saw the King and Queen. Both were good looking though they seem to be in their late 40s.

The MC started speaking again. "Tonight, we hold the 88th Charlotte's ball, with the purpose of introducing our new debutantes. This event also marks the beginning of the awaited Season filled with balls, soirees, and galas that will last from July to September. As…"

While the MC was still announcing, all the debutants were being asked to stand in a line as their introduction would come next.

Serena followed and saw that there were about 24 of them. Again, 8 she recognized as her schoolmates, while the other 16, she assumed must be from other noble families that either did not get sent to school because their family did not like the thought of it, or that they were relatives of nobles (e.g. like the daughter of the second son, or something like that) that were sponsored by their relatives still in the peerage. 

The girls were all nervous and did not talk amongst themselves given that the MC was still speaking and everyone was silently listening.

After a while, the MC started announcing the first debutante.

"Ms. Amelie Anderson, the niece of Earl Marcus Anderson, she's currently 18 years of age, likes embroidery and dancing." 

The said girl walked a bit nervously, and Serena almost winced thinking that she might trip. Which she did. The girl made a curtsy, and the queen just looked at her in passing, then waved her hand off.

When the girl walked away, she almost wept, and Serena can only pity her.

The next was better and the queen gave a nod but nothing more.

The third person to be presented was Emily.

"Ms. Emily Evans, the first daughter of Baron Evans, a proud graduate of Windsor School of Nobles, a music producer, a composer, and a singer."

Emily walked with her back straight and gave a perfect curtsy.

The queen nodded twice and smiled. An indication that she liked her.

The introduction continued until it was Serena's turn.

"Lady Serena Maxwell, the only daughter of Duke Simoun Maxwell, a proud graduate of Windsor School of Nobles, a music composer, and a singer."

Serena felt goosebumps as she walked, not that she was nervous with people looking as she did that so many times before, but because she was being presented to the King and queen. The parents of Geoffrey who thought that she will be the wife of their son. What if they can see right through her and her plans with Charlton? She tried to focus as she walked and almost tripped like the first girl did. 

Geoffrey looked at her the whole time, he smiled seeing how nervous she was. 'Was she like that because she's meeting her in-laws for the first time?' he wondered.

When Serena reached the front, she curtsied properly in front of the queen.

The queen knew that the girl was his son's intended so she smiled immediately and signaled one of her ladies-in-waiting.

The lady went to walk towards Serena and presented her a gift. It was a bangle made of gold and studded with large and sparkling diamonds.

The guests were all in awe with such favor. Then again, they all knew that after the season, Serena would be awarded the title crown princess. It was an engagement set in stone 4 years ago, and the only reason that they haven't made the engagement public was that they were waiting for Serena's debut.

Serena did not want to accept such favor, but to say no would be tantamount to offending the queen. Thus, she curtsied and received the gift. "Thank you for the benevolence, your majesty."

She said as she curtsied again. The queen nodded, "Very good." She said as she smiled.

Then, Serena walked away. While walking she met Charlton's eyes, but he just shook his head and smiled, as if telling her not to worry.

Serena was finally able to breathe and went back to stand with her family.

--

TBC

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