Serena almost had a heart attack. It was so surprising, but she could not help but smile back giddily. She felt flattered. Seeing that there were only about 8 of them she made a quick stop.
Leonard wanted to stop her, but she just smiled at him and asked him to wait by the entrance.
Serena walked over to approach the teens, "It's alright, thank you for welcoming me here today." She said as she smiled. Then she received one of the covers and pen to sign.
Charlton's carriage was just behind hers and when he went down, the teens also saw him.
"WAHHHHHHHH LORD CHARLTON IS ALSO HERE!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! THE TWO OF THEM ARE EVEN WEARING MATCHING COLORSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!" another girl started yelling.
Serena did not know if she should laugh, but these children were really weird.
Charlton hearing his name turned to look. That was when he saw Serena for the first time that day. She was over there happily signing a cover with those weird teenagers surrounding her. He unconsciously smiled. Seeing her happy made him happy.
Serena turned to look and saw Charlton who just came down from his carriage staring at her with a smile. The kids were right, they unconsciously chose the same colors, it was like they were indeed wearing matching outfits. She smiled back at him and beckoned him to come over.
Letting himself act on instinct he approached her despite knowing that Leonard's eyes were on him. Upon reaching to where Serena was, she handed him a pen, then she instructed him to sign his name on the cover.
After they were done with the 8, the children thanked them profusely.
"Thank you so much Lady Serena, Lord Charlton. By the way, you two are like a match made in heaven. We love your songs very much and we hope we can attend your wedding in the future!" one of the girls said. They did not know that Serena was engaged to Geoffrey.
"We are so rooting for the two of you. Ahhhhhh!!!! I'm so happy today! Thank you! thank you!"
Serena can only laugh awkwardly. Although she knew that she and Charlton were over, she did not refute them. For deep inside she liked the sound of what they said.
Charlton too could only chuckle awkwardly. He too was feeling the same things as Serena.
"We will go ahead. Thank you for the support." Serena said.
The children thanked them again while waving them goodbye.
They had no idea that their actions made the curious on-lookers confirm their identity and that they would spread the word.
--
Leonard knowing that things between the two were already over let his guard down and even invited Charlton to walk with them. Thus, when they entered the hotel, the nobles in the lobby who were waiting for Charlton and Serena to arrive saw them together.
Thankfully, nobles no matter their age knew how to act with tact in any circumstance. The kids earlier were only outliers. Still, when they saw Serena and Charlton they began whispering. Suddenly, one screamed Serena and Charlton's name. And when one took the lead, the others followed.
"SERENA, CHARLTON WE LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!"
"I'M TEAM CHERENA ALL THE WAY!!!!!"
"I LOVE YOUR SONGSSSSSS"
Then everyone in the lobby smiled at them, some were waving the discs cover while some were cheering their names like a mantra and clapping their hands.
Serena was flattered by the welcome. She could only wave her hands, blush, and smile at them.
Charlton too was very much flattered. He waved his hand too and smiled.
Not long after, Mr. Edward Easton who learned that they have arrived, walked over to welcome them. He too was very thankful that the lobby did not turn into a pandemonium.
"Charlton, Serena, I'm glad the two of you are here. Come, everyone is waiting in the ballroom." Edward said as he greeted the two, giving them both a handshake. "Mr. Leonard, your parents are also in the ballroom already. Please come with us."
--
When they arrived outside the ballroom, the doors were shut. Edward instructed one of the men assigned in the registration to escort Leonard inside.
"Serena, Charlton, before you enter those doors, let me briefly talk about what is inside and what is expected from the both of you. Today, there are 300 people waiting to get to know you. 20 of them are from the press and will be asking you both questions like an interview. After that, we can proceed with the signing. I hope that is okay to the both of you?"
Serena nodded her head. She expected that much, though she was a little nervous.
Charlton too was feeling the same.
"don't be nervous, just relax and smile. By the way, I love your outfits, it matches. Really perfect for the event." Edward off-handedly commented. "I will go inside first, then when these double doors open, you two should enter with a smile."
Again the two nodded.
Edward left, giving the two of them some time alone. It has been quite a while since they had a conversation with just the two of them.
They looked at each other, then as if on cue, they just started laughing.
"You do look good in that by the way." Charlton was the first to say.
"Thank you. You too look dashing. Did you just use mental telepathy on me to know that I'm going to wear these colors?"
"I should be the one to ask you that. I recall that it's you who always take a longer time to get dressed than me." when he uttered those words, it was as if a bucket of ice water was thrown on him. He stopped laughing and turned away from her. Then, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Serena on her part did not say anything about it. She just missed him and just realized that she hasn't laughed as easily in ages as she did that moment. But his sudden silence hurt her again.
Charlton was about to say something, to at least apologize, but the doors suddenly opened.
--
TBC