When Serena arrived in the student council meeting room that Saturday morning, everyone was already seated, and the Meeting was about to start.

"Good morning Serena!" Mary greeted, while the others nodded in acknowledgement. 

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Geoffrey smile her way. 'Dang, guilty conscience.' She thought. Anyway, she chose to pretend she did not see his smile and walked to her seat.

"Good morning everyone. Since we're all here, let us start our meeting. Today, our main agenda is about the year-end ball. Representative Joan, if you may?" Geoffrey began.

"Thanks Geoffrey. For the year end ball, if it is alright with everyone, the seniors will be taking lead…" Joan started explaining. 

Serena tried to pay attention but could not help the yawn escaping her. She was still a bit sleepy. After their practice in the music room, she and her friends had dinner in her room. Then, Gizel and Milly, still so excited with the song, insisted on singing and practicing, asking her if they were doing it right. They also talked about their plans for Militeia since Via was not present earlier. Thus, in the end, they called it a night sometime after midnight. It was really enjoyable though.

"You alright?" Leonard, who was sitting beside her asked.

Serena turned to face him, 'ah, this sinful handsome brother of mine.' She thought. She never confronted him about what he did with Charlton's letters and for some time, she really wanted to smack some sense into him. But then again, she understood where he was coming from, so like a good little sister, she just shook her head and smiled at him. 

Leonard did not think that there was anything amiss with Serena. She seems to have moved on and was happily spending her days with her girlfriends. He nodded his head and faced forward.

Anyway, Serena noticed that Douglas glanced her way and made a somewhat disgusted expression and then turned back to face Joan who was still talking.

Serena wanted to give him an eyeroll. What a sore loser that cannon fodder. 

--

"Won't it be difficult for you guys to handle the ball all by yourself? I mean nothing negative about asking, just curious." Gina asked.

"Well, not really. Although we're working on the upcoming graduation, our final exams will be on the last week of May. After that, we have the full two weeks free before our graduation on the 18th of June." Joan answered.

"Indeed, also, some seniors want to be involved in the planning and execution of the last ball they will be attending in school." Diana added.

"Alright, we can leave the whole year-end ball planning to the seniors." Geoffrey decided. Actually, he was glad that they will be handling it. He still has to work on the research paper for the orphanage and it has been keeping him busy. 

Everyone expressed their agreement. Since it was still early, the members started to talk amongst themselves. The atmosphere was relaxed, besides, after all the pressure they faced during the fundraising events, they deserved the break. 

"I will miss you so much Joan and Diana, just thinking that we will not meet every weekend anymore after this school year pains my heart." Mary said while wiping her tears as the others nodded their head at the side.

"Yes, Joan and Diana, we will sorely miss you." Gina seconded.

"Don't cry Mary, now I too feel like crying. It's only the 2nd week of May and I am feeling the separation anxiety already." Diana replied.

"Hey, I feel kinda left out that you guys will miss Joan and Diana but not me and Artemis." Diether complained.

"Fine, we will miss you too. Especially Artemis!" Gina answered while the others laughed.

Curious, Serena asked, "What are your plans after you all graduate?"

Artemis was the first to answer, "After I graduate, I will inherit the title Earl of Warwick which is a subsidiary title of my father. Then, I will need to manage and oversee my earldom. From time to time, I will need to attend the meetings in the house of the lords, so I guess I would still see Douglas later." 

Serena almost wanted to pity Artemis. He was such a good student and vice president, but he would have to work under Douglas that freak later.

"Ugh, thank goodness I'm just a second son then. I get to do what I want. After I graduate, I think I would apply for professional Polo." Diether expressed.

Joan guffawed, "Diether, don't even attempt it. Just apply for commentator or announcer, I think that's where your talent lies."

Diether pouted. "Well, if that doesn't work out, I'll just go manage my own team in Militeia."

"I think that's a better idea." Artemis teased.

"you!" Diether reacted and everyone laughed.

"For us girls, it's a little anticlimactic after we graduate. If engaged, we will be married about a year or two after we debut. If not, then we will be paraded around in social gatherings in hopes to find a good match. Sometimes, I think it's a little unfair but not everyone can be Princess Grace Astoria. Although I want to build a career for myself, the opportunities I see are bleak. Anyway, I for one am engaged and will marry about a year after I graduate. I don't think it's that bad though. I will be Marchioness and will be busy hosting balls and galas. If I'm lucky, perhaps I will help manage the estate? I don't know. I haven't met my intended who is 5 years my senior." Diana shared.

Artemis nodded, "Indeed, you ladies have it bad. Personally, I believe that you are capable of so much more than just being brooding mares as the older generation calls it, no offense. Although time is slowly changing, the majority members of the house of the lords in the 8 kingdoms are still from the older generation. So, any bill of right for women would be difficult to pass for now."

--

TBC