How can Leonard talk sense to his sister? She has always been spoiled. He stopped walking as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Serena whose hand was inside the crook of his arm also stopped walking.

Leonard knew that he was but an adoptive child. Everything he has were supposed to be Serena's. Still, he could not pretend that he was okay with what she's doing.

"Serena, I will be honest and tell you that I don't like what you're doing. However, I know that I won't be able to stop you given how hard-headed you are, and I know that in the end, if I tell our parents, they will only follow your whims and cause strife. I want to go and confront Charlton, but I know that he too would not listen to me. I don't know what to do to be honest." Leonard said just to get it off his chest.

"The only thing you should do is support us and keep everything a secret. Okay? Besides, I know that you knew that Geoffrey was having an affair before he started liking me."

Leonard's eyes widened, "He did?"

"You didn't know? Well, at least now I know that you won't sell me out on Geoffrey just because he's the crown prince." Serena sarcastically said. Although she liked this brother of hers, she haven't forgotten any of his sins.

"I didn't know. How did you know? Did Charlton tell you?"

"No, I'm just so much smarter than you are. Now, if you want to make it up to me, then you better support me. Trust me, okay?"

"Do I have a choice?" Leonard can only say exasperated.

Serena started chuckling, "Brother Leonard, don't you know? You're my most favorite brother in the world." she teased.

"I am your only brother." He deadpanned.

That only cause Serena to double over laughing.

--

Serena felt better that her brother was already on her side. He would make a very good ally for Charlton in the future too. 

Anyway, on the stage the orchestra stopped playing and the MC took over to make announcements. The interlude began by giving away the first set of prizes. Then, it was followed by him announcing Danny Quinn's name and he will be singing 'Daisy Bell' written by Harry Dacre.

The audience excitedly gave their applause. The orchestra played their instruments serving as background music as he began singing. 

Serena was impressed, the music arrangement for the music background was good and his voice fit the song perfectly. He was better than her in singing, but he's male so not much comparison there. Anyway, the audience seemed to be equally impressed, as after he finished singing, they all gave him an applause, some cheering, some whistling, some even catcalling.

After his number, next announced were Emily and Claude, and they will be singing 'sun and moon' by Lord Roger Grimmauld.

When Emily sang the first line, Serena felt goosebumps rising. Emily's voice, though she hated to admit, was angelic and sounded better than hers by leaps. She looked around and saw that the audience were all enraptured. The spotlight she was in gave her a solemn appearance, like that of a fallen angel. She was beautiful, and truly deserving to be the female lead of a novel. 

If she did not trust Charlton enough, she would worry that this scene would surely make him fall for Emily. But since she did, she could only lament that Geoffrey was not there, perhaps he would change his mind about her? Oh well.

After singing the piece, the audience fell silent, then when the first person clapped, thunderous applause followed. Serena did not know what to feel about that.

Emily looked around, she knew that Serena was present, and when their eyes met, she smirked.

Serena saw what Emily did and although she did not really hate her, she still disliked her. With her competitive spirit brought to life, she gave Emily a raised eyebrow with a smirk in return, as if saying, 'So that's what you want huh? If you want to compete, then bring it on.' 

--

The MC announced that the orchestra can take the floor again and the dancing continued. 

Serena wondered how long before Charlton takes the stage. Anyway, she and Leonard went inside the store and saw that the new singers and composers were being hounded by the other nobles, curious about their work. She particularly noted that Emily seems to be having the time of her life, feeling very proud of herself.

Maybe because it was innate to her villainess character, but she just wants to pull her hair. Anyway, she just rolled her eyes. 

Her mother approached and whispered as if wanting to comfort her, "I still think you're much better. Your songs are also all composed by you so don't feel daunted."

Serena smiled at her mother, "don't worry mother, I'm not."

Anyway, when the other nobles saw her, they also tried to engage her in a conversation, and Serena being asked, also revealed that she was working on her new song and will be releasing it perhaps in 2-3 weeks. What? She was positive that 'crazy for you' will drive their songs to the mud.

--

The MC took over the stage again and called Charlton to the stage to announce the winner for the Benz- Victoria. Being given the mic, he started addressing the audience.

"Good evening everyone. I hope that all of you had a great time today. First, on behalf of Benz-motors, I wish to thank all of you for joining us and making this event a success. I trust that you all enjoyed this day?" he asked the audience.

The audience started exclaiming yes, while some of the ladies started shouting 'Lord Charlton Daniel, I love you! Please marry me!!!!' then some others saying how thankful to Charlton they were and that he's totally their idol.

Serena could not help but want to cheer along but stopped herself having her mother and Leonard beside her. They were standing outside the store along with the other nobles.

"Charlton is such a dear. Even his father pales in comparison to his charisma." Celine noted for the first time. 

Serena wanted to say, 'of course, that's my man. No man here could possibly be better than him.'

Marchioness Diana nodded in agreement. "Indeed, I thought that he would forever be living in the shadow of his father, but now I see that he's a man of his own. However, that should not be surprising, their family has always produced heirs better than the generation before them. If only my daughter can catch his eye. Perhaps I should start sending proposals to Princess Georgina?"

Serena wanted to say, dream on, but did not interrupt and just continued looking forward. 

Meanwhile, another middle-aged noble lady interjected, "I don't think that that would be a good idea." 

The marchioness sighed. "Yeah, I'm just saying." she knew that she would never do that either. 

Without considering politics, they all wanted to have their daughters married to the next grand duke of Suffox. Who didn't? Next to the crown prince, he has the highest status amongst the men in their daughter's generation. 

However, one must always consider politics and they all knew that getting their daughter engaged to him also spells trouble. The memory of what happened to Charles back then still fresh in their memory. 

Getting married to the family of the grand duke was tantamount to always living in fear that the crown will stab you at the back. Except for princess Georgina, all the grand duchesses came from lower nobility as the crown never wanted the one holding the grand duke position to have a strong ally. 

Truth was, without the getting married to the princess, the grand duke's family would have been eradicated with Charles. The family of the grand duke has always been powerful as they hold 20% of the whole military force in the kingdom. Add that the vice minister of defense has always been from their family, that was an addition of another 20%. 

It would have been alright, but Charles shined too much. He was like a bright star that whoever stood beside him would pale in comparison. If he waged war against the crown, there was no doubt then that at least one third of the noble families would have sided with him. And that of itself was a problem. 

Thus, the crown has been eyeing that family, waiting for a good timing to squash them. Why else did no one dare to marry grand duke Charles when he was still a marquess? It has always been a unwritten rule, that all the men in that family can only be looked at from afar. Each generation wanting to marry into but could never do. 

Seeing Charlton even having more charisma than his father, they can only shake their head. Lucky for him, he was the son of princess Georgina the younger full-blooded sister of the king, thus, if he marries low and try not to fight for power, he will be able to live a peaceful life. The generation after him though, well, no one will be able to tell.

Serena wanted to say 'good you know' when the marchioness said that she's just saying. But again, she just looked at the stage. A smile on her face, blissfully unaware of what the people behind her were thinking. Besides, even if she were, it's not like she would stop her relationship with him.

--

TBC

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