Chapter 10: When worse becomes worst V

Serena took a deep breath. She needed to calm herself, she shouldn't make a spectacle of herself in front of Emily, especially when it's her brother's life which was at stake. She wiped the tears that leaked out of her eyes.

"Sorry, please don't mind me. I… I was just…" Serena apologized and tried to come up with an explanation but came up with nothing.

Emily could sympathize even though she would never understand why Serena was so hung up with Charlton after everything he did. In any case, to break the awkward atmosphere, she cleared her throat and said, "Just good for you to understand that he is not and should never be an option."

Serena nodded her head. If Charlton wanted to or if he had even the tiniest bit of intention, then he would have extended a helping hand from the beginning. Even if he hated her and Geoffrey, it's not like Leonard did anything to hurt him irreparably. That aside, they have been friends from when they were young in Alighieri to when they became adults.

Then again, she should not have expected anything from him at all. For even given their past, Charlton and Leonard were still standing on different sides during the war. She knew Charlton owed them nothing, it was just that, she never thought him to be so heartless.

Now what? She has no money, no influence, no power, no nothing. Maybe she can think of something later, but at the moment, she was at a loss. Looking at Emily, she could only assume that she must have an idea, so she asked. "Then… what do you suppose we could do?"

Emily looked at Serena but could not bring herself to say the words. It felt awkward to say.

Serena looked at Emily. Don't tell her… well, to be honest the only asset she has left was her beauty. How could it not pass her mind when she did think about it from time to time?

"Don't tell me you want me to seduce the current prime minister, Marquess Klaus? He's old and balding. Disgusting really…" Serena could not help but want to gag. But what are their options?

Emily coughed, well, Serena said it first. "Old is a bit too much to describe him. More like middle-aged."

"Are you serious? I… I'll need sometime to think about this…" Serena said. Well, she wants to save Leonard but… she really must take time to digest this.

Despite their serious predicament, when the conversation turned to this, Emily couldn't help but chuckle. She shook her head, the conversation becoming light.

"Though the prime minister himself would be a viable choice, it doesn't have to be him. Serena, although Christopher said that it's close to impossible for him to meddle, it doesn't mean that it's impossible. To be honest, based on the current circumstance, he's our best bet." Emily explained.

Serena furrowed her brows. In truth, it would be much easier for her to accept seducing Christopher over Marquess Klaus any given day.

Christopher, if she remembers correctly, just turned 30 this year. He was the heir to a strong and powerful dukedom, a marquis in his own right, currently has a great career going, and to top it off, he's single. He was still single, wasn't he? Then add as a great bonus to all that, he's also handsome. Really, even when he was just the vice minister of justice, girls have been lining up to get a chance to snag him, what more now?

Serena was not completely delusional. Yes, in the past Christopher did flirt with her but those were just playful banters. Besides, what has she to offer him now?

 "Emily, don't you think that me, trying my charms on Christopher, would be too far reaching? Right now, all I've got going for me, not to sound narcissistic, is my beauty. That aside, he's obviously a man of ambition. And… well…"

Wait, maybe she's the one whose thoughts were too far reaching. She shook her head. "Do you think Christopher would consider doing Leonard this favor if I were to be his mistress? If he even accepts me as a mistress."

What? she must be realistic. At this point, she can't expect herself to become his wife, or any good noble man of his stature for the matter. That aside, Christopher was not a young naïve man who would fall head over heels in love and marry whichever girl he fancies. Not that she knew him that well, but fact was, any man at 30 would have more practicality in him than those hot-blooded young men.

Emily did not feel right about Serena's words. Though she also knows the reality and has been slapped by reality too much through experience, she could not help but wish better for Serena. Well, since it already came to this point, why not aim for more?

"No, it's not too far reaching. If you're going to take this path anyways, why not aim for more? There's nothing left to lose, but everything to gain. Don't you think so, Serena?"

Serena knew that Emily did have a point but what were the chances? "Wouldn't it be too obvious that my purpose on approaching him is my brother? You did approach him first about that. So, me suddenly coming along…"

"Even if he knows, so what? The most important thing here is timing. Serena, you only get to ask him for help regarding Leonard's matter once. If you were to ask too early and he says no, then that's it. End of story. However, if you can slowly integrate yourself to him…"

Serena had to swallow digesting Emily words. If she understood correctly, then it meant that she has to meet Christopher not just once but multiple times. Not that she thought that she can be his mistress in one go. However, if that were the case, then there's only one venue to approach him.

Emily could see that Serena's already connecting the dots. So, not beating around the bush anymore, she just said the words outright. "The Season just begun 2 weeks ago, Serena. I'm not forcing you, but since you're going to do this for Leonard, why not take this chance to do it for yourself too? I will help you."

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TBC