"Where are you going?" Charlton asked as he felt Serena disentangle herself from their cuddling position.

"I need to wash my face. I'm never allowing you to do this to me again. EVER." She said pointing at her face.

Charlton chuckled, "alright. I guess, once is enough to last me a lifetime."

Serena was about to stand up when Charlton quickly lifted her up in a princess carry.

"Hey!" she said surprised, hitting his chest playfully.

He carried her to the bathroom, then he place her down in front of the sink.

"Go on, I'll just fill the tub, then we can soak together." He said as he walked towards the tub, opening the twin faucets.

Serena washed her face and brushed her teeth as she saw Charlton's reflection in the mirror testing the waters. She noticed that he had a bruise on his side.

When he stood beside her to brush his teeth, she drew nearer to him for closer inspection.

"Where did this come from?" Serena asked as she traced the bruise with her fingers.

Charlton tried hard not to wince. "Well, just somewhere…"

Serena not liking his answer pressed her fingers to it. "Not telling?"

"ouch… ouch…" he said as he held her hand to stop her, "ok, I'll tell… I wanted to earn some money, so Kylo took me to this place…"

"That Kylo again. What place?"

"Please don't blame him. It was entirely my idea…"

"So, you're trying to defend him now? Ok, spill. Where did you go? And what did you need the money for?"

"Well, we went to this underground arena, I promise not to go there again. It's just that… well, I don't want to rely on just my allowance to, well…"

Serena understood what he meant. Although she should be angry with his foolishness, endangering his life just for some little bit of money, she could not help but feel her heart swell.

"I won't say that I'm not flattered, but you should get income from means other than your…fist?"

"Not my fist but, I used a sword." He smiled, happy that she appreciated his effort.

Serena raised her left brow. "and of course, not use your other sword. Anyway, how much did you even make?"

Charlton chuckled at the inuendo then picked her up and placed her in the tub as he closed the running faucet. "160 grand."

Serena's eyes widened. "That much?" she already had a rough understanding of the prices here.

Charlton joined her in the tub and sat behind her, so that she is now in between his legs.

"Yes, but I only have 120 grand left. I had to give commission and finder's fee to Kylo, pay for this room and the other. If you would not dislike it, I'll hand it over to you…" he said shyly as he lathered soap on her back.

Serena happy with his words, turned to face him, "Alright, I will keep it. Let's use this money as our pot money for our exile fund. Maybe one day we can also start earning from making music and then this pot will grow bigger and bigger" she said excitedly. Well, she has to keep her feet planted on the ground. She knew how important money is in any era.

Charlton nodded smiling, her happiness and excitement infecting him. "By the way, Serena, less than two months for a new song? Do you know where to start yet? If not, then I'll try, but I don't really have the confidence that it would be as good as the one you made."

"don't you have confidence in me?"

"Of course, I do. It's just that I don't want you to put too much pressure on yourself."

"Don't worry, you already gave me the idea earlier. I already have the title in my head and some of the lyrics." She said as she turned around and leaned on him.

Charlton hugged her from behind. "Tell me about it."

"The title will be through the years. Want to hear the lyrics?" she said as she laughed.

"Alright. Let's hear it."

"Okay, don't laugh." She said as she started singing some of the lyrics.

"I can't remember when you weren't there

When I didn't care for anyone but you

I swear we've been through everything there is

Can't imagine anything we've missed

Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the years

You've never let me down

You turned my life around

The sweetest days I've found

I've found with you

Through the years

I've never been afraid

I've loved the life we've made

And I'm so glad I've stayed

Right here with you

Through the years"

She cannot recall the whole song as of now, but she can fill in the blanks later.

Charlton hugged her tighter as she sang. He can feel the song reverberating to his being.

"What do you think?" Serena asked as she turned around to face him again, smirking feeling proud of herself despite just plagiarizing Kenny Roger's work.

"What can you not do?" Charlton asked making her laugh.

"Good?"

"More than good. When Sir Felix hears that, he would be kissing the ground you walk on." He chuckled already having the image in mind.

"I thought he already did that after the first one."

Charlton laughed again and playfully splashed water on Serena.

"What was that for?"

"To wake you up."

Serena splashed water on him in retaliation.

They kept hurling water at each other until only little water was left in the tub. Both of them laughing and just enjoying the moment. Then, Charlton held Serena's hands to stop her movements. They were still full of smiles as he moved to kiss her. Then he pulled back and looked at her straight in the eye.

"Serena, I love you, and like in your song, I wish that I will get to spend my life with you through the years."

Serena felt that he was being serious, so she kissed him, nodded and said "so do I."

--

After cleaning up, they cuddled in the bed naked. Charlton spooning Serena.

"By the way, what did you and Geoffrey talk about during your ride to the church?" She asked, remembering.

Charlton told her everything he and Geoffrey discussed. Of course, he omitted the part where he said the not too flattering words about her.

"I see… anyway, I hope that things between him and Emily work out. For while I'm not a fan of Emily, I do enjoy the life of privilege I'm living now."

Charlton was silenced by her words, contemplating.

Serena noticing his silence asked, "Why are you being silent?"

"Nothing…"

"What nothing? Tell me."

"It's just that, sometimes, I feel a little inadequate. You are giving up your chance to become a queen just to be with me. Everything I can give and offer you, you already have. So, I feel guilty. Aside from that, I see you, and I see no one more deserving of that position."

Serena chuckled, "Don't worry about that, I enjoy being free, doing what I want when I want. I don't like the responsibility that comes with the position." She's not lying. Being a student council member was only temporary, but to be queen, well, that's a role one has to be in for a lifetime. Unless of course, she gets ousted. "Besides, am I not already the queen in your heart?" she sweetly added.

Charlton chortled happily with her words. "Yes, yes, you're not only a queen, but the goddess in my heart. I am utterly and hopelessly devoted to you."

Serena delighted with his words turned to hug him. "You're really sweet with your mouth."

Charlton hugged her tighter and kissed her hair.

They slept that way, in each other's arms that night.

--

The next day, Charlton woke Serena up by kissing her lips.

"Wake up, breakfast is ready."

Serena looked at the time, 7:00 am. She panicked as she stood up from the bed.

"Don't rush. Let's eat first."

She turned away from him, not wanting him to smell her morning breath. "It's 7, I don't even have my uniform. We still need to travel back to school, and I need to shower…"

He chuckled seeing her panic, "Your uniform is here, I asked your coachman to fetch them for you earlier. Your maid is also in the lobby. Thankfully, the hotel did not allow her to come up and had your bag delivered to your room. When no one answered, they brought it here."

Serena nodded her head and let Charlton pull her to the dining table to have breakfast. She can't believe she overslept. She was still having thoughts of using the bathtub for another round of lovemaking, but too bad. They will just have to make do with the shower and leave that for next time.

After having a quick breakfast, the two had the same thing in mind and entered the shower together. Mindful of the time, they just had another quickie.

Thankfully, when they arrived in school on separate carriages, they were just on time.

--

TBC