"I heard that your friend's family is inviting you over the summer." Celine commented.
"Yes, have you met them? I would really love to go mother. I have never been to any other kingdom just here." Serena pleaded.
Celine wanted to shake her head. She didn't want her daughter to go. However, she also did not want to disappoint her. Anyway, summer was still months away, not wanting to dampen the mood, she replied "Yes, I met them. They seem pretty nice. But for you going, perhaps, we can talk about it again later."
Serena grinned, she held her mother's hand and looped her arm on hers. "Thank you, mother!" she said.
"I did not even agree yet. Ask your father too." Celine chuckled.
Serena faced her father and gave him her puppy dog eyes. "You'll allow me, right father?"
Simoun only sighed. Although he did not want to allow his daughter to go, he understood that she somehow needs to go see the world before she gets tied down. "If your mother does, then it's fine with me."
Celine can only stare at him with eyes full of betrayal.
--
"We're so proud of you, my baby!" Georgina said as she looped her arm with Charlton's.
"Mother, not here." He said with a blush. His mother always coddles him like he was some baby. It was almost embarrassing.
The ever-stoic grand duke chuckled. "I'm proud of you too, Charlton. How have you been?"
Charlton was surprised when he saw his father earlier. These days he was always busy and in fact, the last he saw him was before classes began. It truly made him happy that he came all the way just to partake in this little victory. He felt appreciated, and he also realized that he missed him. "Thank you, father. I have been doing well. I'm glad you can make it today."
Charles gave his son a smile. When he was younger, he always thought that everything that he has was for the kingdom. But since Charlton was born, he knew that he would give everything for his son. However, he was not that good with words, so instead of saying that he wouldn't miss it for the world, he just nodded his head.
--
Geoffrey wanted to approach Serena, but she was still busy talking to her family. Not wanting to ruin their time together, as they must have missed each other, he chose not to impose.
As Princess Georgina was his full-blooded aunt, he stayed by her family's side. He had to admit that a part of him was envious seeing them praising Charlton. Not because they praised him, but just because he never received the same treatment from his own parents. Anyway, he was still happy for his cousin.
After a while, the ballroom was slowly vacated. He saw Serena's family wave at them, indicating that they were about to leave. He met Serena's eyes and saw her give him a small smile which he knew she gave to everyone else. However, for some reasons he could not understand, he felt an eruption of emotions and there was something in his stomach fluttering. He realized that at that moment, he was sure. She was the only woman who would ever make him feel that way.
--
After Serena's family waved Charlton's family goodbye, they walked out of the ballroom. She thought that everyone has already left, so she was surprised to see that a lot of people were still there. As she walked with her parents and passed by, people started clapping their hands and chanting her name.
She could feel the reddening of her cheeks. It was crazy. Everything still seems so unreal, was she really a star now? Not wanting to disappoint her fans, she raised her chin, smiled, and even waved.
Before reaching the exit though, she saw Edward walking back and forth with a worried face. He seems to be fretting over something. When he saw them, he quickly walked over to speak.
"Your grace and Lady Serena, I need to tell you ahead of time. Please don't be shocked, but a lot of people has swarmed the area outside. I don't know how it came to be. We were very careful so that the event today would not get leaked. I hope you will forgive me for my negligence. In the meantime, please stay here inside. I already called for some security to help clear the area."
"It's alright Mr. Easton. Then we shall wait." Celine replied as she chose to sit on the plush sofa that seemed to be reserved for them. Simoun and Leonard nodded and stood by her side.
Serena was puzzled. Why call for security? And what did he mean by his words? Curious, she walked nearer to the door and looked through the glass. Her eyes widened like saucers.
She saw a person pointing a finger at her and the eyes of others moved to her figure. Then they started waving and saying something she could not hear. She could not count how many people were there, but there were a lot.
Edward chose to approach her and explain, "Lady Serena, sorry for this. I never imagined that the impact of your songs would be this strong. If I knew, I would have never printed your photograph and Lord Charlton's on the cover. Now, almost everyone in the kingdom recognizes your face."
"since when have they been there? When we arrived, there were none."
"I have been informed that 15 minutes after you arrived, tons of people have started compiling in the area. So, I guess some of them have been standing there for quite a while now."
Serena turned to smile at him. "I think I should not disappoint them for coming."
"What do you mean by that?" Edward asked surprised, but before he could hear her answer and process what she said, it was already too late. Serena has already exited the glass doors before he could even attempt to stop her.
--
TBC