Serena was not in the mood to see nor talk to anyone after being rejected by a man for the first time in her two lifetimes.

'Breath in, breath out. Serena, you can't blame him for rejecting you. Aside from the day when Leonard introduced you and when your eyes met during the assembly, you have not met each other nor spent time with each other. It's your own fault that you assumed too much. Not because you felt like you already know him, which you kinda do by reading the novel, means that he knows you. But.... Why does this hurt so much... it feels like my heart is being pierced and I can't breath properly.' Serena told herself as she held her aching chest while walking back towards her dorm.

When she arrived back, she went inside her bedroom, shedding some tears of heartbreak and frustration.

'Perhaps I feel this way because I have one-sidedly invested all my attention to that one single man. I've thought of a lot of possibilities, but not the possibility of him rejecting me. What should I do now? Should I move on to the next target? But... he's the best-looking man around! It's not his fault, he just hadn't known me well yet! He's nice and upright. His rejection just means that he respects me and his friends. Besides, I haven't really confessed anything. Come on Serena, you can't give up now. He must like you too. He will not shake his head at you when a girl held his arm if he doesn't. Remember? That's just how he is. He has been programmed that way. Although he might like a person, he will still act in a reasonable manner. Recall the novel?'

'However, it seems like I must level up. I might be the most beautiful woman around but it seems like my Charlton is not that shallow. Also, it's a challenge to have him come out of his shell and well, claim me! I doubt that his walls won't crumble when I choose to persevere.'

Serena told herself, successfully convincing herself that she must persist in her cause of seducing the Second male lead, Charlton.

As her lunch date plan was thwarted, she had Beatrice prepare it for her. Afterwards, she had her hair braided in a low bun exposing her neck. She still chose to wear the same dress as it fit her delectably.

'Ha! Although he is not shallow, I know that he still can't take his eyes of me.'

--

Charlton stood rooted to where Serena left him. He too felt the disappointment radiating within him in waves. As if his stomach is churning.

When he saw her standing there, wearing that slip of a dress exposing her white arms and her decolletage that he so wanted to explore, he wanted nothing more than to embrace her in both his arms and hide her inside his room. What man can deny her when she so offered herself in a silver platter?

He approached her only after reigning in his desire. When she saw him approaching, she too walked towards him, as if telling him that she can't wait to be near him. Then, she smiled and he felt that she is more beautiful than sunrise. He is not a poet, but he felt like he can endlessly write one for her.

What she told him was akin to a confession, and he can not be sorry enough for himself for being a sensible coward. Yes, a coward. He knows that what she has for him is mere infatuation. He already met a lot of girls who, like her, were infatuated with him, and he also did take advantage once upon a time. He is no innocent in that matter, but he has been a changed man since leaving Alighieri. Aside from that, she is not just any girl. She is the fiancé of his cousin and the sister of one of his closest friends.

Nevertheless, the main difference between then and now, is that this time, he knows that what he feels for her is more than just that. He may have only met her twice or thrice, but his heart has already been ensnared.

Honestly, he is not afraid of the consequences if he knew that she will be able to bear it with him. However, he will never be able to forgive himself when she comes to regret it.

'You did the right thing Charlton. She would be thankful when she's able to think it through.'

--

"Why are you still here?" Kylo asked as he saw Charlton standing outside like a statue still.

Charlton shook his head and sighed. "Let's not talk about it."

"Oh come on man, did she change her mind last minute because she suddenly finds you lacking? Haha! By the way, did you find out what art class she chose?"

"No, I didn't get to ask." Charlton replied as they went downstairs.

"Oh, I just hope that Leonard warned her not to join painting, sculpting, or dancing. Those boys will have a feast if she did. By the way, can I still change clubs? I don't want to hear you. Leonard and specially Geoffrey singing in music. It might give me nightmares."

"No can do. I joined fencing for you, so you must do me the same favor. I'm so not returning to sculpting. My eyes have forever been sullied."

"What's so bad about that? Art is art. It's not my fault that David wanted to prove that his little brother is not the same size as the other popular David's. HAHAHA!!!!!" Hey, wait, speak of the devil, is that Leonard? I thought he'll just join us later in class?"

Charlton saw Leonard walking towards their building.

"Leonard, over here!" Kylo called him.

Leonard approached his two friends and asked "Did you guys see my sister? She told me that she joined swimming club. I'm actually here to fetch her."

Kylo looked at Charlton and when Charlton shook his head, he just knew what to say. "The swimming class was dismissed ahead of time. I think she left early."

"I see. Thank you for the information. I was hoping to talk to her during lunch. It seems like her new friends are of bad influence. I can't believe she joined that club" Leonard said, defending his sister right away even when not asked.

'I highly doubt that it's her friends influence. But no need to tell Leonard that.' Kylo thought.

"You should've warned her beforehand." Charlton commented.

"It's my fault indeed." Leonard sighed as he continued "since you guys are in fencing, please watch over my sister. If any of the boys dare to approach her..."

"No worries Leo, if anyone dares, Charlton here will surely know what to do." Kylo replied with a laugh as he slapped Charlton's shoulder.

"Okay, I give you my gratitude in advance. I'm actually having a headache since earlier. My sister is joining music and I'm thinking of whether I should give her an introduction with Geoffrey. He's been acting strange as of late."

Charlton suddenly stopped walking, feeling as if he was struck by lightning. He had to give himself a few seconds to compose himself.

"What do you mean strange?" Kylo asked, not failing to notice Charlton's pale face. 'I really think that he's got it bad.'

"I don't know. I thought he will be the one asking me for an introduction, but he's been acting like my sister doesn't exist. I also noticed that he has been evading me, as if hiding something. Actually, I've noticed it since last year, but it's gotten worse now. On the other hand, this is also one of the reasons why I've been avoiding Serena. I'm not sure if she would want an introduction. I haven't spent too much time with her since we were children to know."

"Woe is me; I must say. Just let it be, you know Geoffrey and his aversion to being controlled by his father. He'll get over it someday." Kylo advised seriously.

"I do hope so too. Thankfully, Serena is sensible. She hasn't asked about him since we left the duchy. Hey Charlton, why so silent?" Leonard asked, noticing Charlton not saying anything.

"Huh? Nothing, just thinking of our assignment." Charlton replied.

"Okay, let's just go grab some lunch, my treat."

--

They say that when it rains, it pours.

Serena entered music club early to make sure that she saves a seat for her brother which will make Charlton sit near her too. However, the first thing that she saw was Emily being introduced to Charlton. How can she forget that this is where the two of them first met?

In the novel, Emily was introduced to Charlton by the music teacher. Emily, being the female lead, was a music prodigy who plays the piano in the church for orphans every Sunday. The music teacher who was once Charlton's tutor, has long been a fan. Thus, later, the teacher will ask them to perform a piano duet for the class and seeing that they are so well in tune, he will pair them up for the rest of the year.

'I am so not letting that happen!' Serena thought as she quickly tried to walk towards them.

The music room was semicircle in shape downward sloping with stairs, where the stage is at the bottom. Serena who just entered the room was at the very top, while Charlton, Kylo, Leonard, Emily and the music teacher, Felix, was at the bottom.

The five heard someone enter the room and turned to face her.

On the other hand, Serena due to her hastening, did not notice that the next step is already a stair leading down.

Leonard being at the other end of the room can only shout her name to warn her.

But it was too late. Serena could not stop her feet because of her heavy footstep and can only brace herself for the fall as she promptly lost her balance.

Suddenly, she felt an arm wrapping around her waist, hoisting her up.

When she turned her head to thank her savior, her eyes can only widen.

Turned out, her savior is the so-called Male Lead, her fiancé, crown prince Geoffrey.

--

TBC