Serena was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she only realized Leonard was standing near her when he called her attention.

"Serena, may I introduce you to my friends? Also, would it be alright for them to join us for lunch?"

Serena nodded her head. Seeing the two men, she stood up as Leonard pulled the chair to help her. Earlier she noted that Leonard was the tallest amongst them. The other two were about the same height, reaching Leonard's eyebrow.

"Charlton, Kylo, this is my lovely sister, Serena Lilianne Maxwell."

"Good afternoon Lady Maxwell, I am Kylo Louis, the second prince of Alighieri. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." Kylo introduced himself as he nodded at her.

'So this is Kylo... he's a cutie with his silver hair and purple eyes, but not my type. In the novel, he and Charlton were the closest in their group due to their same interest with the fairer sex. He was also interested with the female lead because of her feistiness'

Serena curtsied in return then gave him a close-lipped smile. After, she turned to look at Charlton, batted her eyelashes once then gave him a coy smile.

Charlton was slightly surprised. He was no saint to not know the meaning of a smile like that. Deeming what he saw as impossible, he composed and introduced himself.

"Lady Maxwell, I am Charlton Heindrich Daniel, it is a pleasure to meet you" he said and then bowed slightly.

Serena curtsied in return. "The pleasure is all mine, your highness..." then added "Lord Daniel..." coquettishly.

Meanwhile, Leonard who was standing beside her did not saw her facial expressions.

"My kind sister accepted your insistence in joining us for lunch. Come take a seat."

Leonard helped Serena first then sat beside her. It missed his eyes how Kylo elbowed Charlton whispering 'she likes you' then pushed him to take the seat in front of Serena.

The waiter approached them for their order. While waiting for the food to arrive, Kylo opened the conversation.

"So... Lady Maxwell, are you excited for school? If Leonard can't tour you around, our dear friend, Charlton here, will gladly do so. By the way, just call me Kylo" Kylo teased, for which he received a glare from Leonard.

"Thank you for mentioning that Prince Kylo, Lord Daniel, will you kindly do so?" Serena said while looking expectantly at Charlton.

Charlton was flabbergasted, he was about to reply when Leonard spoke while glaring at his friends. "Serena, don't believe whatever you hear, I will personally escort you to look around the campus later."

"Brother, Prince Kylo just mentioned that as a courtesy... no need to be angsty!" Serena said with a pout.

'Did she not get what Kylo was implying? Charlton escorting her unchaperoned?' Leonard thought while furrowing his brows as he looked at her.

Of course, Serena understood what Kylo meant. It's just that, she has already zeroed in on Charlton as her first target, and letting them have their alone time will be perfect!

Charlton meanwhile can't take his eyes away from Serena. Sitting in front of her, he couldn't help himself but be mesmerized by her beauty. He has seen a lot of beautiful girls, but this is the first time that he has been affected this way. From the arch of her eyebrows to the way she pouted her kissable lips, she was perfection. He had to look elsewhere to stop himself from wanting to kiss her. However, he made the mistake of looking below her face and saw her pale decolletage. Feeling flushed, he drank the cold water in front of him. He can't believe that he just checked out his friend's sister.

Kylo elbowed Charlton slightly, and when he turned to look at him, he wiggled his eyebrows and smirked. As if telling him that he saw everything.

Leonard cleared his throat, "Be that as it may, you should be wary of men asking for your time. You might be taken advantage of."

"But they are your friends..." Serena wanted to laugh at Leonard's overprotectiveness. 'besides, it is me they should be careful of!'

'especially because they are my friends that I know these two' Leonard wanted to say but stopped himself. Saying that these two are rakes will only make his own character questionable.

Leonard, knowing that his advice was not really absorbed by his sister, just looked at the boys in front of him pleadingly.

"So... what are you looking forward to in school?" Kylo asked.

"Nothing much really... I just want to enjoy the times of my youth." 'like having your hot friend here as my first boyfriend.'

"I thought meeting a certain someone would be your answer." Kylo continued teasingly.

"Who? Crown Prince Geoffrey?"

The two boys completely forgot that Serena is Geoffrey's fiancé until she mentioned his name. Now that she mentioned it, guilt immediately ate the two boys.

It was last summer that their friend, Geoffrey, started to act strangely. Although Geoffrey never told them about it, since he just got engaged, they both assumed that it must because of his fiance.

They never told it to Leonard, knowing that his sister is Geoffrey's fiancé. In fact, they helped Geoffrey hide it. During their schooling last year, Geoffrey was busy with what they assume were love letters. Clearly, their friend was besotted.

Just yesterday, they saw him touring a brown haired girl in campus. Although it was from a far, their friend looked happy and comfortable. They assumed that she is also the reason why Geoffrey did not join them in their excursion today.

Charlton clenched his fist. Looking at Serena, he figured that, clearly, she was not the girl Geoffrey was with yesterday. He doesn't know why he feels this way, but his heart aches just thinking how she will feel if she finds out that her fiance might be cheating on her. He doesn't agree with what Geoffrey is doing. He needs to talk with him later. Although he and Kylo were rakes, they were not yet engaged to be married.

Meanwhile, Kylo was more guilty. It was not only now that he figured that it was not Serena, Geoffrey was corresponding with. However, he thought that since Leonard's sister is the end game, he can just let Geoffrey enjoy this time. He thought that whatever Geoffrey is feeling now may come to pass.

Kylo laughed awkwardly as he replied. "Oh... so... are you excited to meet him?"

"Well, I don't know. I never met him before and he never took it upon himself to visit." 'I know his character though. He really hates the fact that his father, the king, announced his engagement without consulting him at court in spring last year. It made him feel like his whole life has been planned out for him, stifling whatever freedom he has. Thus, when he met the female lead last summer, he found his breather. Well, whatever...'

"Don't take it to heart Serena, Geoffrey is just busy. Being the crown prince, he has a lot in his hands. We have been friends for so long, and I can vouch that he is a good man" Leonard defended his friend.

Serena just nodded with a smile. She knows the truth, but Leonard here is completely innocent.

"I understand... I just hope that he will treat me kindly." 'Well, at least kindly enough to let me break our engagement first, or if not, at least not humiliate me when he breaks it!Come to think of it... would I appeal to Charlton more if I were to paint myself as a damsel in distress after my broken engagement?'

Meanwhile, guilt is eating Kylo and Charlton more. Thankfully, lunch arrived signaling the end of their conversation.

Just like that, lunch ended. Leonard settled the bill despite the other two's insistence.

As they parted their ways, the boys had one thing in mind.

Geoffrey was a very lucky man, and he doesn't even know it.

—-

Tbc