Chapter 8: the necklace

Serena was awoken by the knocks of Beatrice as she heard her say,

"M'lady, should I help you in preparing for your dinner with m'lord?"

'What time is it?' Serena thought as she rubbed her head.

"Come in..."

Beatrice came in as she opened the light while Serena looked at the clock. It was already 4 pm.

"I'm sorry to just have awoken you now, you were in deep sleep earlier..."

"It's alright." Serena replied as she stood up and walked to the bathroom to freshen herself. After, Beatrice helped her fix her hair and clothes. She was just about ready when the sound of a doorbell was heard.

"I'll get it m'lady."

Serena nodded her head. When Beatrice went out, she opened her purse. She forgot to check for money earlier. She saw that inside her purse was, a tin can of candy, a handkerchief, a porcelain jar containing rouge, a pocket of tissue, and a thin wallet. Inside the wallet, she found her identification card, an unsigned credit card with her printed name, and some paper bills. Well, it seems like her granddaughter was too lazy to think of having different currency. It is just the same as the one in the modern world.

Curious, she looked at the pouch her mother gave to Beatrice to give out. She asked one from Beatrice earlier to check. When she opened it, she saw a silver ingot and note which says 'thank you, and please continue taking care of my daughter. – Duchess Celine Maxwell'

Serena felt her eyes well with tears. She suddenly felt nostalgic as what the duchess did was like what her mother does when she was in school. In her previous life, her mother used to give gifts and letters to her teachers during Christmas every year. She's quite positive that that was one of the reasons why she became the teacher's pet.

"m'lady, Lord Leonard is already in the lobby waiting."

Serena dabbed her tears with the handkerchief as she put back all her things in her purse.

"I'm ready." She said as she stood up from the vanity.

As the season is changing, the weather is cooler in the evening. Thus, Serena changed her gown to one that has high neckline and long sleeves.

As she went down the stairs with Beatrice in tow, she noticed some of the ladies giggling and whispering.

'What else could they be giggling and whispering about? They must have seen Leonard. No doubt that he must be popular.'

However, it was Charlton that Serena first saw when she entered the lobby. He was wearing eyeglasses this time as he read through a newspaper. It was merely a second, but she felt her heart stutter. At this angle, he looked similar to her late husband in their younger days.

'If I knew that my target will be joining us tonight, I would have worn a better-looking dress' Serena thought as she noticed Leonard approaching her. Beatrice curtsied then left. Meanwhile she saw Kylo sitting on the opposite chair in front of Charlton.

"I'm sorry Serena, but these two insisted on joining us again."

"They should have missed you all summer." Serena said as they walked towards the two.

"Not really, we just want to keep a beautiful lady company!" Kylo interjected as he and Charlton stood up from their sitting position and faced her.

"don't believe him" Charlton spoke.

"That I'm a beautiful lady?" Serena asked Charlton as she raised her left eyebrow while smiling at him.

"N-no... not that, I, I mean... you are very beautiful..." Charlton stuttered as he blushed.

Kylo laughed. His friend was usually smooth with the ladies, but in a span of a few hours, he became a blushing and stuttering besotted fool in front of Leonard's sister.

"Kylo, if you keep on teasing my sister, I would deem it better to leave you behind." Leonard said as he looked at his two friends.

"Just kidding, just kidding. Sorry lady Maxwell. We just haven't met Leonard the whole of summer, and we also wanted to have dinner outside."

"oh... it's alright, however, I wish to look around town as it is my first time here. Would that be fine with you?"

"Yes of course, don't mind us."

"Let's go." Leonard announced as they walked out.

As it is quite a long walk from the dormitory to the gates, the four of them rode separate carriages. Leonard with Serena, Kylo with Charlton.

"What's that about Charlie? You looked like a blushing boy who just hit puberty and saw a girl for the first time."

"I was just caught by surprise." Charlton replied as he tried to hide his red face.

"Oh no... You bloody fancy her!"

"Stop that Kylo, we just met her a few hours ago, and besides, we both know that she is engaged to Geoffrey."

"You better tell yourself that. Geoffrey that fool, whatever was he thinking?"

The reason why the two of them insisted on joining Leonard's outing with his sister was because they failed to find Geoffrey. What if Leonard saw him with another girl unchaperoned? Not that they encourage whatever it was that Geoffrey is doing. But hiding and then ending things peacefully is definitely better than having Leonard Challenge their cousin in a duel.

When they arrived at the school gates, they all went down from their carriages to walk towards town. Serena and Leonard was in front while Kylo and Charlton walked behind them.

Like any other girl, Serena loved shopping. She quickly forgot about the boys and just enjoyed herself looking at the trinkets, clothes, books and whatever it is that the shops have to offer. The three boys followed her around like lost puppies. They on the other hand, never enjoyed shopping.

It was 6:30 in the evening when Leonard, carrying everything Serena shopped, asked her to stop for dinner. Kylo and Charlton were not carrying anything as Leonard insisted on carrying everything himself. It would not be proper to have other men carry his sister's things, he insisted.

They were about to enter the restaurant when Serena saw a Tiffany & Co. jewelry store right beside it. Her eyes widen in surprise as she excitedly said,

"Please go ahead and order for me Brother Leonard. I will just look here first!" She said as she pointed at the store.

Leonard was about to respond when Kylo pulled him inside the restaurant. Kylo recognized Geoffrey with a girl from afar as he signaled Charlton warn him.

Charlton quickly walked away to chase Geoffrey but saw him riding a plain carriage. Hopefully, the next they see him will be at the assembly tomorrow.

Charlton walked back to the restaurant, passing the jewelry store, he saw Serena through the glass window. He noted that her eyes were wide with wonder looking at a Jewelry laid in front of her. The middle aged sales lady was obviously asking her to try it on but she shook her head as she smiled.

The doorbell rang and the sales lady and Serena turned to see Charlton entering.

"Lord Daniel? I'm already done here... let's go?" Serena asked as she smiled at him.

Charlton nodded his head noting the way Serena's eyes lingered on the necklace before they left.

Serena casted one last look at the necklace. She wanted it, but knew that it is too much. Even when she was kinda rich in her last lifetime, she would never be able to afford it. Also, she recalled that it would later be the engagement gift of Geoffrey to Emily as the sign of his unwavering love.

Serena walked with Charlton to the restaurant. When they entered, they saw Kylo and Leonard seated at the corner.

"Lady Maxwell, please go ahead, I will be back shortly."

Serena not wanting to pry, lest he be turned off, nodded her head.

Leonard asked her to sit beside him.

"Why does it look like you're brooding?" Serena asked Leonard who obviously is in a bad mood.

"It's nothing..."

"actually, your brother here is angry that we left you at Tiffany's on your own."

"Though I am glad that you worry about me so, I'm not a child Brother Leonard..."

"That's what I told him! Besides, we are in the safest place in the whole empire. By the way, where's Charlton?"

"He left after he sent me here and said he will come back shortly."

"I see, by the way, I hope you like risotto, I took the liberty of ordering for everyone! It's my treat for tonight." Kylo said with a smug grin.

Meanwhile, Charlton went back to Tiffany's. He wanted to see what Serena was looking at earlier.

Apparently, the jewelry that she seemed to covet was an intricately designed bib necklace inspired by the idea of abstract flower petals made of platinum and inlaid with diamonds. He can already imagine her wearing it. Nobody else will suit the necklace more than her.

The sales lady's face was about to split due to the wide grin that she is sporting.

Charlton can only awkwardly smile back. He can't believe that the first time be buys jewelry, it is for a lady he just met a few hours ago who also already has a fiancé. If you imagine that bad, he doesn't even have any idea on how he will give it to her. Even worse, to ensure that his parents won't find out, it was his own lifetime savings which he used for that necklace. In fact, his savings only amounted to 450 grand. This amount of money is no joke, not many nobles will earn it in their whole lifetime. He still had to pay the balance in installment for a year. It was the most expensive single purchase he ever made in his whole 19 years of life. It costed a whooping 500 grand!

Charlton's hand was shaking as he signed the bill. After this, he will need to live a frugal life for the rest of the year. However, looking at the velvet box containing the necklace, he felt something akin to pride.

"Milord, if the lady doesn't agree to marry you after giving her that, I will!"

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TBC