Serena was sitting in front of the piano waiting for Charlton. Call her presumptuous, but she just knew that he will be looking for her when he finds out that she has been given a copy of that disc.

After listening to the song, she finally understood why he has been avoiding her. At first, tears fell as she was touched with his selflessness. Then came giddiness as he loved her still, scratch that, he said, will always will. Then after the euphoria, came annoyance. Does he not understand, that for her, having him is enough?

Anyway, she'll give him a piece of her mind once he arrives. If not because of Edward's interference, they would still be moving in circles!

--

The hall was already shrouded in darkness as the sun has already set, but Charlton was easily able to find the private music room where Serena was in as it was the only one with the lights on. He slowly walked towards the room as he tried to catch his breath. Then, he looked through the glass panel of the door first, and when he ascertained that it was her who was in the room, he entered it.

Serena who has been waiting for about 5 minutes was caught by surprise. Although she was expecting him to come, she did not expect that he will arrive that soon. She was still mulling over on how to welcome him but before she can decide, he was already there.

She looked up and their eyes met. For one second, both of them suddenly did not know what to do. Nervousness intermixed with excitement prevailed in their hearts.

"Serena, I…"

"Charlton, I…"

Both of them said at the same time.

Serena have thought of so many dramatic ways this event would go, all the romancing, the drama, but in the end, she could not stop her bubbling happiness. So, she laughed.

Charlton too thought of how he should beg for her forgiveness, to admit to her that he was wrong. But before he could, she was already laughing with happiness like every wrong he has ever committed were already behind her. He could not help but feel more ashamed, but no matter how undeserving he felt himself to be, he could not, would not, let her go again.

With fervent determination, he dropped on one knee in front of her as he enclosed her two hands in his. He could not look her in the eye, as he was afraid of what he will see as he bares his heart to her.

"Serena, I don't know what I have ever done to deserve you. Because of my cowardice and stupidity, I caused you pain over and over. To tell you the truth, without Edward's interference, I might still be inside my room. Rotting away and wasting my life, telling myself that I should not love you for you deserve better. But Serena, I love you, have always loved you, will always love you. Even now, I feel ashamed to be here. For I know that I am unworthy…"

"what nonsense are you spouting?" Serena could not help but interrupt, "You don't have to place me in some pedestal Charlton, we both know that I'm not a saint."

Charlton laughed, then he kissed her hands one by one. Having more confidence, he looked up and their eyes met, "I know that you're not, but Serena, to me, you are perfect, and you deserve all the happiness in the world."

Serena furrowed her brows, was he here to get back together with her or break up with her again? She tried to remove her hands away from his hold.

But Charlton did not let go, "Please listen to me first. Serena, I admit that I was wrong, so please forgive me. I just wanted what I thought was best for you. But now I realize that it was only my cowardice making that excuse. For I was afraid that one day, you will wake up and regret choosing me. I know we talked about going on exile, running away from it all, but I can't do that. I can't let you make that sacrifice for me." he confessed as tears started to roll down his cheeks.

"Serena, I don't want us to live in hiding once our relationship goes out in the open. I don't want anyone to point their fingers at you and tell you disparaging words. It would make me crazy. Also, I don't want to simply run away and make you elope with me. I am a man, and I want to give you all the best things that I can.

I want to marry you here in Windsor, in front of all our family, our friends, and all the guests that we can invite. I want it to be the biggest affair in the empire, your father will walk you down the aisle and your mother will ride with you on an open white carriage pulled by the most handsome horses we can find. We will have the best dressmakers create you a gown with a train so long and grand that it would seem like a river of crystals had flooded the length of the cathedral."

Serena too felt her nose become sour and tears welled in her eyes. "But I want to be with you. Charlton, do not think for a second that I need all of those things to be happy."

"But I want to give them to you. I won't be able to live with myself in the future knowing that you got the short end of the stick with me. Aside from that, Serena, I love you and I want our love to flourish, and the only way I see how, is if I become indispensable to the crown. Will you wait for me to make all those a reality?"

Serena who has long let her tears flow took her hands from Charlton's hold and placed them on his cheeks. She understood the words he was not saying. "Charlton, I am not some damsel in distress that needs some saving. You, more than anyone else, should know that. We are in this together and if that is what you think will work, then I will be right beside you to help."

Then, she kissed him.

--

TBC

AN: HI EVERYONE! Finally! Our main ship are back together.