Although the two of them wanted to do something spectacular, they must note the time. They still had to freshen up and Serena was feeling tired. 

"Rest a little first, I will wake you up after 30 minutes." Charlton said as he lied next to her.

Serena snuggled to his chest humming her agreement as she closed her eyes.

Charlton saw the fatigue in Serena's eyes, he took it as her being tired with all the responsibility she's been under. Unlike him, she was part of the student council attending meetings, heading the program committee for the ball next week along with Leonard, composing music, and even studying for her subjects to maintain her grades all at the same time.

A guilty part of him just wanted to keep her all to himself. However, even when he couldn't fly alongside her, he should not try and clip her wings. Thus, all he can do was continue to support her.

--

When Charlton left the room after waking Serena up, it was already 5:15. Thankfully, everyone was busy and the corridor was empty. He went back to his room, took a shower, moving quickly as not to be late.

On the other hand, Serena did the same. 

--

At quarter to six, Felix knocked on Charlton's door. 

"Charlton, are you ready?"

Charlton looked at himself at the mirror one more time before moving and opening the door.

"yes, why?"

"I want to go ahead and see if my friends have arrived. Please inform Serena and escort her later. Alright?"

"Okay." He nodded.

--

Charlton smiled. It was his first-time seeing Serena prepare herself for a ball. She was wearing a sleeveless asymmetric gown made of silk and chiffon with floral prints. Her hair was in a braided updo with loose curls framing her face. He wondered how she fixed her hair.

"Will you help me put this on?" She said as she opened the velvet box containing the necklace he gave her.

"With pleasure." He replied. He kissed at back of her neck after locking the clasp. When she turned to face him, he smiled at her and said, "you look beautiful."

Serena smiled back, "You look quite dashing yourself."

Offering her his arm, they walked together to join the celebration.

--

The ballroom was expansive and well appointed. The French doors that lined the far side of the room was wide open, affording the cool breeze to circulate in the area. Large, gold gilded mirrors reflected the scene of colorful gowns and twinkling jewels interspersed with men in full evening dress suit. The walls had been draped in a gauzy fabric in antic gold. With the chandeliers projected yellow lights. Footman in full livery circulated with trays of champagne and lemonade while a full orchestra was playing music at the background. 

There was no requisite announcement as the people invited to the gathering were mostly relatives and close friends. At one side of the ballroom were large round tables where the guests will be seated once dinner commences. 

From afar, Felix saw Charlton and Serena and they waved them over.

"Serena, Charlton, I want the two of you to meet Mr. Edward Easton. Serena, last time if you recall, I told you about the man who wants to strike a recording deal with you. This is he."

Serena looked at the man with wide eyes. Is this real? She's meeting the founder of Columbia records. So, she gave him a curtsy and greeted, "Good Evening Mr. Easton, it is a great honor to meet you."

Charlton seeing Serena do so followed with a bow.

"Ah, Lady Maxwell, please don't make a curtsy, also Lord Daniel, no need to bow. I'm no nobility, just a simple man who's trying to make a venture." Edward said, not really knowing protocol, but he knew that the two were children of esteemed Dukes.

"Please don't say that Mr. Easton, I was very much enthralled with the recoding deal you told Sir Felix about. I am interested in joining you on said venture. If you don't mind, would you please explain how you plan to go with the recording deal?" 

Seeing that Serena was interested, Edward explained about the specifics. It was very straight forward, they will ask Serena to go to their recording company, then they will record her song in a disc which will be up for sale. Afterwards, they will split the profit after all the costs have been deducted.

Serena liked how it sounded but thinking that her voice was not up to par, she suggested that they hire other singers. 

"I like what you're proposing, however, I don't think that my voice is that beautiful. Aside from that, the schedule might be quite tight. How about I send you the sheet music for the song and the lyrics then you hire another singer?"

"I think that you and Lord Daniel, singing, will have a greater impact. Also, I heard your voice last time, I think it sounded beautiful."

Serena blushed, well if that's the case, "then how about this, I have more songs I would wish to have on record, but I don't want me and Charlton singing all the time. So, some songs I can sing on my own, but some we can hire a singer. If it is alright, I can also recommend some of my friends."

Edward, ever the businessman thought it through. What Serena was suggesting was instant publicity. The market that he's targeting in the meantime were the nobility. The masses can't afford the discs yet. "That would be fine too. In the meantime, I have been informed that you have 2 songs ready. Let's try that first because I don't know how the market will respond and move. I don't want you to be disappointed if ever things doesn't work out for the best."

Serena thought that it will work. However, she understood what he meant. They can't produce everything all the once. In its initial phase, a disc only contains one song, and the two song that they will record was already a huge investment.

"Alright. Is your recording company far?"

"Actually, it's just about an hour drive from here. If you two have time, I can draft the contract tomorrow morning for you to sign. What do you think?"

Serena thinking that things would be better if they record it tomorrow. "Actually, I was thinking, if we can sign it tomorrow, we can also record the songs right after. That is, if your recording company is equipped for it. We're very much ready with the Sheet Music and by now, we've already mastered singing the songs. I think that releasing your product a week before Christmas would be a great marketing strategy. People at this time are more willing to spend."

Edward thought that her suggestion was a great idea. Not wanting her to change her mind, they quickly shook their hands on it. Although he hasn't heard the second song yet, he was sure that just the first one will already garner them enough income. "Then, I will see you both tomorrow after lunch."

Serena smiled back, a businessman is a businessman. He was very decisive and knew that he will not be entering a losing deal. 

Charlton and Felix stood at the sidelines like gawking fishes. The first recording deal for a song in their empire happened just like that.

--

After a while, the master of ceremonies announced the ducal couple entering the hall. Everyone gave them a round of applause. Then he handed the mic to the Duke.

"Good evening everyone, it is with great appreciation that I thank all of you for attending tonight's occasion. As you all know, my sweet and I…"

Everyone whistled and cheered at the pet name.

"ehem ehem… my darling wife, Duchess Lolita and I, are celebrating our golden anniversary...… Now I know that some of you have come from far places and must be, are those stomachs rumbling I am hearing?" he paused, and everyone laughed, "hungry already. So, before we proceed with the program and the dancing, I want to treat all of you to a sumptuous dinner. Again, thank you very much."

Then he handed the mic back to the master of ceremonies. The guests were guided to the tables, and then the feast began.

--

While everyone was eating, Serena noticed the servants bringing in a grand piano at the other end of the ballroom. Were they playing there? She smiled at the Maestro's antics.

 After dinner, the master of ceremonies approached Felix to ask if Serena and Charlton were ready. After getting their confirmation, he went back to the platform.

"Just before we start the dancing, I would like everyone to welcome two special guests for the evening who will be gifting our main stars for the night a song. I know that everyone have been waiting for this moment. So please let us welcome Lord Charlton Daniel and Lady Serena Maxwell!"

Everyone who attended was truly looking forward to their performance. The Maestro even boasted that the first song was especially composed as a gift to him and his wife while the second which was played at the wedding last time was for their opening dance.

--

TBC

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