When Geoffrey left the room and walked down the stairs, he saw Emily slowly walking out of the building. Her shoulders were slumped, and he saw her wipe her tears with her hands. He felt that she looked too pitiful, so he chased after her.

When he reached her, he pulled her to an inconspicuous corner behind the main school building.

"Why are you crying?"

Emily hiccupped as she said "I… I just feel bad about myself. I thought that if I were able to best everyone else, I would deserve to stand beside you. But… my efforts were just in vain. You are beyond my reach."

"you don't have to work so hard to stand beside me." He said as he shook his head.

"but I want to… and I hope you won't be angry with what I am about so say…" she paused and looked at him as if asking for permission.

"I won't so do tell me."

"earlier, I felt even worse because… it made me realize that Serena was much better than me in comparison. She is just too perfect. She has everything and everyone likes her. I do believe that your heart for me is true, but I know that it is still her that you're bound to marry and I'm afraid that she will move your heart."

Geoffrey shook his head remembering how Serena responded to his offensive remark. He knew that he was the one in the wrong, but he did not expect that his airhead looking fiancee will catch on to his meaning immediately, and more so, even giving him a biting retort.

From the very start, he already labelled Serena as the attention-seeking sort. She likes being in the middle of the spotlight, basking in her own glory. What surprised him though was that she had the ability to back it up.

Yes, Serena was beautiful and capable. But she was too full of herself, or at least that was how he perceived her. He had to admit though, that if she were to tone it down a little, there's a chance that she might pique his interest. However, as she is now, he would rather prefer someone like Emily who was humble and self-aware.

"Emily, don't compare yourself to others. You should focus on yourself. You are kind and hard-working, and I believe you will reach further heights in the future. Do not let something like an exam daunt you. So, please stop crying and have more faith." Geoffrey comforted her by giving her a slight smile and then hugging her.

Emily hugged him back as she nodded her head.

--

There was silence in the room as six pairs of eyes looked at Serena in amazement.

"Serena, can I hero worship you now? No one, save for my parents, ever defended me like that before… I even doubt that they would say those words to a crown prince" Gizel said with stars in her eyes.

"Will you be okay after that Serena?" Via asked worriedly. What if Geoffrey tries to get even?

"Don't worry about it. What can he do to me?" Serena replied, smiling

"Served him right!" Milly exclaimed.

Charlton shook his head. What use was it for him to be a knight in the shining armor? His girlfriend can perfectly defend herself. Not only that, but she was also even capable of pushing her opponent down and step on them too.

Kylo thought that he was beginning to like her more. Perhaps, she really was not that bad. Not that his opinion matters.

Leonard was not surprised as the others since, he knew that there was a part of Serena that has been very spoiled. Facing his sister, he veered the conversation, "You will be joining the student council meeting tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, I was informed that the Meeting will be held at the annex building at 9?"

"That is correct. Would you need me to guide you? I can fetch you by 8:45."

"That would be lovely, brother Leonard." Serena replied.

After, everyone turned to leave. The boys walked the girls back to their dormitory.

"Should I accompany you going to the church on Sunday?" Leonard asked Serena as they stood at the dorm's lobby.

"No need, the coachman can just send me. Besides, the prince might be bringing his own entourage of guards, so you can be rest assured." Serena replied.

"But how about the reception? You're coming back late."

"uh… Mr. Charlton will be with me so don't worry." Serena replied as she eyed Charlton who was itching to talk to her alone. However, with Leonard present, all his attempts have been thwarted.

Leonard turned to face Charlton who immediately grinned at him. The action made him roll his eyes. Whatever did Serena saw in him? Geoffrey may be an ass, but he must admit that objectively, regarding everything else, excluding the face, he is superior to Charlton.

"I hope that you would take good care of my sister and bring her back to her dorm, not a hair misplaced." Leonard said addressing Charlton.

"Of course. You can leave her to me." Charlton replied.

Leonard gave him another once over as he sighed. He should have just nipped their relationship from the bud. But what can he do? Serena was her own person.

"Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow."

Serena nodded. Then Charlton approached her.

"I'll need to do something tomorrow, so I'll see you on Sunday?"

"Oh, okay. I'll see you at the church?"

"I was hoping to meet earlier, but alright, let's meet at the church." Charlton agreed.

--

When the boys went back to their dorm, Leonard gave Charlton a warning look as they parted ways. On the other hand, Kylo followed Charlton like a puppy. Charlton was still giving him the cold shoulders, but they have been friends for so long, so he will undoubtedly be forgiven.

"ugh… what are you looking for? You're turning your room upside down." Kylo commented as Charlton rummaged through his room.

Charlton picked up his shell cordovan leather boots studded with a piece of two-carats diamond on each side.

"What do you plan to do with that?" Kylo asked with wide eyes, he recognized that boots which Charlton received as a graduation gift from his uncle. He remembered that he wanted it so much that he had to beg for his mother to commission one for him. Sadly, she said that he didn't deserve it. It costs at least 50 grand!

"I'm planning to pawn it off. I am in dire need of money."

"Huh!!!???? If we have the same foot size I would buy it from you! How could you!? They will only pay you 20 grand for those at most! A real loss!"

"I still need to pay you for last time. Also, I don't have money for the rest of the year anymore."

"Then just write a letter to your mother. I know that she will send you some. Also, what will you need the money for?"

"Ah…"

"You can use your credit card. Why the need for cash?"

"My own already reached its credit limit and the one which is connected to the Ducal house, well, I don't want my mother to know where I will be spending it."

"Ha! I bet you're planning to book a room at the Ritz! You naughty boy! If I had some cash left, I would lend it to you. But it's already the end of the month and my allowance is not coming until the 3rd.My credit card has also been cut off." Obviously, his mother cut his credit card because of his uncontrollable spending habits.

"I don't want to pawn this off, but I don't really have a choice. I would want to earn some money, but I don't know where to get it from or how."

"Ha! Why don't you ask me? I know where and how."

Charlton raised his brows as he said, "Really? Don't tell me you're planning to lead me to some gambling den? Or Maybe introduce me to some loan sharks?"

Kylo laughed. "No! Well, kind of, but we will be earning money fair and square. Are you interested?"

Charlton felt that what Kylo's talking about was quite interesting. He did feel guilty that he was only able to spend money on his girlfriend through the means of his allowance.

"Alright, count me in. When and where will we be heading?"

"We can leave here tomorrow at 3, we can pawn the shoes first so that we will have some money to bet and then we can redeem it after."

"Just as I thought! You'll be bringing me to a gambling den! What if we lose?"

"You do trust your sword fighting skills, right? I remember you once told me that no one, save for your father, has ever beat you since you turned 16. Unless those were all just you, bragging."

"I was not just bragging, I do have confidence in my skill. But what's that got to do with this?"

"Because dear Charlie… that is what we will be betting on." Kylo answered as he smirked.

--

TBC

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