Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Persuading Charlton VII

Charlton understood what Christopher was implying. However, despite the temptation, knowing that he can also use that reason to rattle Serena, he didn't want to lead Annalys on since he knew that she has some inexplicable romantic feelings for him.

If he uses Annalys, an innocent bystander, as means in his vendetta against Serena, then that would make him no better than his ex-lover.

Thus, he replied, "Christopher, I understand your predicament. However, as I mentioned before, I have certain priorities right now, and it doesn't include marriage. If I were to help your sister with this by pressing my suit, then it would do more damage than good. Not only would I be leading her on, but I could be preventing her from making an excellent match."

Christopher shook his head, good thing he already expected that response and came prepared. "No, we're not pertaining to marriage here. In fact, my sister and the rest of my family already accepted the fact that you're not inclined to marry her given that you already turned down our offer thrice."

Charlton flushed. Has he been too presumptuous?

Hugo began laughing, not really sure if it was because of the knowledge that Charlton rejected the Cross family three times, or that Charlton didn't see that one coming, or maybe both. After his laughter died, he commented, "Now, that's a good one."

Charlton just smiled like a good sport after he recovered from the embarrassment. Then he said, "I apologize, that was uncalled for. Then, if that's the case, how could I help?"

"It's alright, we have given you enough reasons to assume as much. Anyway, the solution we have in mind of isn't far from what you said." Christopher replied.

Hugo raised both his eyebrows. "Oh? Do enlighten us what you mean by that."

Charlton, curious, also waited for Christopher to explain.

Christopher knew that what he was about to say was a bit fantastical but well, it's not like they had a lot of options. "Leonard, save for his humble birth, is undoubtably the best amongst all my sister's current suitors in our kingdom. Though it is true that she has the option to marry a foreign prince, she's the only daughter of my parents and they don't want her to marry somewhere far. That's why if Leonard were to press his suit with his family's blessings or urgings, then it would be difficult and unreasonable for us to disagree. So, when my sister approached me, she already had a solution in mind.

I know this might sound fantastical, because when I first heard it, it did sound that way to me too. However, as I thought about it more, it's quite sensible. First, the only reasonable way we could reject lord Leonard if he does press his suit is if my sister has a suitor with similar or even better standing than him. Of course, we don't want it to come to that point. So, before that idea could fester in his or the crown princess' mind, my sister thought that we should nip it in the bud.

So, my sister's suggestion was, perhaps you, Charlton, could help her by at least pretending to be interested in her."

Hugo sputtered. "What??? I bet my money that your sister only wants to fulfill her fantasies and hopes to use this opportunity as her last-ditch effort to lure Charlton in!!!!"

Christopher shook his head, from the corner of his eyes, he assessed Charlton's reaction. Thankfully, he was still listening and have not shoot down the idea at once.

"I won't completely refute you on that Hugo because we're all entitled to our opinion, but I would like to believe that, as her brother for 22 years, I know my sister's character better and she's not like that. Aside from that, even if that were the case, do you think that my family would easily agree to her ridiculous plan when Charlton already rejected our offer thrice? If this situation wasn't deperate enough, then I won't even come here and mention it in the first place."

Charlton wanted to correct the term rejected to gently turned down but felt like it would be a bit too hypocritical. Besides, Christopher's words made him feel conscience stricken because if he simply rejected their offer from the very start instead of giving gentle but valid excuses to refuse, then it wouldn't have come to them proposing three times. That's not even considering the second time where he took longer than he should have to give his reply.

"I understand what you're trying to say Christopher, but won't this cause a misunderstanding in the future?" Charlton asked.

Christopher tried his best to keep a straight face. He was positive that this time, his appeal to Charlton's conscience worked. Now, he just needed a little more push to convince him.

"Charlton, before I came here, my family already talked about this issue. The solution as I have said came from my sister and though my parents and I were reluctant to agree, we know that it's the best option we've got. Thus, if you decide to lend us a hand, we know that everything would just be for show. Of course, if you develop feelings for Annalys along the way, it would be for the best. But that is never our main purpose. We only wish to take this opportunity to look for a good match for my sister, so that by the end of the season, we can have her engaged and eventually married to a man of our choosing."

Hugo coughed. Well, he never knew Christopher could be so dramatic for his sister's sake. Was he for real?

Anyhow, his purpose was to persuade Charlton back to the capital and Christopher's words were convincing enough. "Charlton, though I don't always see eye to eye with Christopher, do take pity on the bloke and just say yes. Besides, don't you think you should start appearing in high society one of these days? You're 26 this year and though it shouldn't necessary be with Christopher's sister, you should start looking for a match yourself."

'So that's the catch.' Charlton thought. He's been wondering why his uncle sent Hugo along with Christopher to invite him to the capital this time. He could understand Hugo because he's a good friend of his and a staunch monarchist, but Christopher? His uncle must be testing him.

Still, the offer was too good to turn down. At the very least, it would create the possibility of Serena approaching him first. Aside from that, he knew that if he still doesn't agree to help, given that Christopher took the lengths to humble himself this much, then he would not simply forget about it. As said, he's going to need his help all too soon.

"If that were the case, then Christopher, I would be glad to be of service. I just hope that at the end of the day, this would not change our friendship." Charlton finally uttered.

Christopher smiled. "Of course, Charlton. In this regard, I would like to extend my and my family's great appreciation in advance. We would never forget this favor and shall forever be in your debt." Then, he offered his hand for a handshake.

Charlton smiled back and took his hand. "No need to thank me, Christopher, and besides, who knows? I might be collecting all too soon."

"Then, when that day comes, we'll be prepared to repay our debt of gratitude.." Christopher replied. He was easy to comprehend what Charlton was alluding to and if he were not mistaken, it would have something to do with his father's death. Now, that's two birds in one stone.

Hugo did not really understand the need for all that friggin' niceties. However, he did understand one thing. "You mean Charlton, you're coming back to the capital with us!?"

Though Charlton already had the intention in the first place, he couldn't help but be affected by Hugo's genuine enthusiasm. Thus, he gave him a lopsided smile, his left dimple showing, before asking, "What do you think?"

Although Hugo was sent by the king on this mission to persuade Charlton back, it was also true that he wanted Charlton to come to the capital himself. Thus, when Charlton gave that rhetorical question, he could not contain his joy.

"Fuck yeah!" he exclaimed. Then jokingly, he added, "May I advise all the ladies in the capital to hold on to your knickers just in case they start dropping, for the real golden boy is coming back to town!"

TBC