Nowadays, everyone in the house of lords have noticed that Geoffrey has become different. Although there was slight resentment initially towards him because of him mentioning the orphanages, which led to some nobles getting milked (getting money from them), they all have seen the way he handled it, and it touched the heart of many.

He was diligent, charismatic, promising, and most of all, he has a heart. All these makes him very fit to be the future king, making his popularity soar in the circle.

Although that was another matter, Simoun knew that they were connected. Serena was Geoffrey's intended, and her reputation with the masses was very good. It won't be strange if the second prince's faction would want to lessen it. But not so much to offend him, as he knew that they also want him on their side. It's a very complicated matter. The monarchist was the majority faction, but there's internal strife. Yet, they won't offend each other too much as there's still the radical faction. 

Simoun closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He truly hopes that they won't involve his daughter to the mix.

Celine noticed that her husband's reaction and asked what's wrong.

Simoun shook his head, "Esquire is owned by duke Tristan Geralt. We can't offend them, but they won't really deliberately try to offend us either. Serena, don't let what the gossip wrote get to you. But do always observe propriety. I know that you working Charlton is inevitable but try to lessen it so that it won't cause an issue."

Serena thought that being in the entertainment circle, getting gossips should be a normal occurrence and she should not let it get to her. She nodded her head, trying not to be saddened by the thought that her ship with Charlton in the entertainment industry just sank. 

Another thing that got to her was Emily's rising fame. She doesn't understand why, but it bothers her. There was no need for her to prove that she's better, or anything like that. Maybe because it was Emily that was daunting her in the first place? 

Either way, she won't let Emily win against her. She's a transmigrator for god's sake. Besides, she wants to tear that smirk she has shown her last time. Maybe it's a natural thing for her to feel, she was, after all, a villainess.

--

Emily has never felt anything like this all her life. She was being flattered by the masses, and it was fulfilling. There was a sense of pride coming from the achievement she got from her rising popularity which was different to when she was like a leech, trying to depend and bet her future on a male to elevate her social status. 

She loves the attention, and she would do anything to keep everything this way. She doesn't need a queen seat dependent to a king if she can be a queen in her own right. Now, all she must do was push Serena from that pedestal which overshadows her, and she can have all these to herself. 

She has started collecting all the news about when she sang that night, and one particular news that got her attention was the one from Esquire. She suddenly recalled the information she revealed to that writer, Mr. Howell Jones, she smiled thinking that the move seemed useful.

Now, thinking about it, if she wants to lead in the music industry in the future, she must ensure that she gets to solidify her foothold on it. Her own popularity right now was not enough, and like her initial plan it seems that getting linked with Charlton was a good way to go. 

Getting linked with him is enough to get the attention she wants. She doesn't need to really get his love or affection as he has politely rejected her last time. She doesn't want to suffer the same fate again, and earning his ire was no good. He was after all, the music producer. At least for a year she heard.

--

A day after the Esquire published the news, the common people started gossiping all about it. Serena was apparently already engaged, and many were devastated by the news because they have been cheering Cherena for a while. However, that piece of news was very interesting and after everyone recovered, they became more curious of other things.

Who Serena's intended was, Charlton being single and available, what type of woman Charlton likes, who Emily Evans was, If Serena was going to end her career soon, etc.

The writer, Howell Jones, also became an instant sensation and was directly given a column of his own in Esquire. He was also informed that the grandchild of their company's owner, wanted to speak to him in private.

He was excited with the news and went to meet said grandson. He did not know the young adult's name, but he seems very regal. Anyway, the man told him that he wanted him to find ways to lessen Serena's popularity without offending her family too much. Of course, wanting to impress the man as he's their owner's grandchild, he told him leave it up to him.

The man asked his servant to hand him a pouch, and when he left to see what's inside, he was surprised with the number of gold coins in it.

Gods, what did he do to deserve such luck!

Thinking of a way forward, he thought that the best way for him to ensure that Serena's popularity will be lessened was by having someone to stand above her. 

He already thought of that from last time, that's why he wrote his article that way. He knew that people liked Serena, but she was still someone from the nobility. She was not someone people can always relate to. So having some gossips about her was a sure way to gain readers. Ugh, truth was, he was just desperate for a break, so he wanted his article to be noticed.

--

TBC

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