Chapitre 53: Over-staged by a Guilty Valedictorian

A few months later, four people were seated in the assembly hall, the four being Emma, Lily, James and Connor.

Emma looked radiant as she chose to keep it simple in a simple blue gown with blue velvet pumps, matching it with the same pendant James had given her months ago that hung from her neck. Many had realized what it was and had taken that as a sign that she was not single.

The rest of the four had worn their finest clothes, dressed to the nines as they all knew how important this day would be. James looked striking in a tuxedo, Lily looking ravishing in a violet gown with a slit down her right leg, while Connor took a page out of James' book and went with a tuxedo as well.

Compared to the three, Emma had chosen to keep it much more simple, but she didn't need any gown as her beauty did all the talking.

Despite the fact that they were in a public location, she and James held hands, displaying many public displays of affection as other girls sitting nearby watched in jealousy.

Lily and Connor sat two seats apart, happy for the couple that was very much in love, before turning their attention to Dean Fleur, who was currently announcing the awards of those who had great achievements throughout the few months ZALE took place on.

Who'd land valedictorian of their classes was a huge debate within the ZALE students. It was always a debate between Emma and James, though everyone knew a small matter like valedictorian couldn't possibly cause friction between the happy couple.

Emma was sure James would be valedictorian, and he believed in her. They were the most well-known couple out there, and fortunately, it hadn't reached any sources outside of ZALE, or that'd be a catastrophe in itself.

All guys knew to stay away from the girl that was taken and happily in love with her boyfriend, Prince James of Amaris, which was why Emma was relieved of the exhausting task of having to chase away or reject suitor after suitor.

Of course, it was also because James had the power to send them to the deepest darkest depths of the Amaris dungeons if anyone messed with him, or his girlfriend, but that was a different matter.

Back to Dean Fleur, who had already awarded Connor the valedictorian award for his class. It was expected that yet another Carrington would snatch the valedictorian award, but what was unexpected to all of them and most of all James was what Dean Fleur said next.

Everyone watched as Dean Fleur read off a list, anticipating who'd be crowned valedictorian.

Dean Fleur delivered, as she finally spoke.

"And for the valedictorian award of ZALE's second class, is Emma Grey," she announced.

The audience were shocked, even though they had already expected either one of the couple to win valedictorian. James was dejected, but he knew his girlfriend deserved it, seeing how hard she had worked during all their study dates had proven how much she wanted it.

Instead of being happy for her great achievement, Emma felt guilty for taking the spotlight away from her boyfriend. She herself knew how much he wanted it, and how he had mentioned his family was filled with valedictorians that had finished ZALE on a good and victorious note.

James kissed Emma on the cheek sweetly.

"Em, go on. You deserve it," he said as Emma looked at him guiltily.

She muttered to herself, "But you deserved it even more. How is this fair?"

Fortunately, or perhaps, unfortunately, James heard her.

"Baby, don't do that to yourself. You deserved it. Much more than I do. This is what you wanted, wasn't it? So go ahead, go and claim what's yours. I'll be fine. I promise," he reassured.

Emma pouted but sighed in defeat as she made her way to the stage.

As she walked up its steps, she took a deep breath.

"This is what you wanted. James said you deserve it, you can do it. It's just going up a stage and receiving the award you wanted from the beginning of your ZALE term," she told herself as she suddenly noticed she had made her way on the auditorium stage.

She noticed Dean Fleur and Professor Celine on stage. Professor Celine was smiling and mouthing the words, 'You deserve it,' to her smartest protege which was returned by a silent mouthing of 'Thank you' in return.

Dean Fleur on the other hand, said nothing as she stuck out her hand to shake hands with Emma as a way to pass time while Professor Celine took a shiny medal from a nearby table.

The medal had the intricate design on ZALE's coat of arms, with the text 'valedictorian' engraved in its middle, and the word, 'ZALE' at the top and centre of its gold base. It was held by fine silk ribbons, and Emma felt a new weight on her neck as she now wore the very same medal her boyfriend desired.

It was required Emma give a speech to the audience, and she did with all the elegance and calmness of a sermon, as she thanked those who had been with her all the way throughout her experience at ZALE. She had also specified how she thought her boyfriend deserved the title much more than her, but she could see how James was staring at her, so she eventually ended the speech with poise, still guilty she was taking something so important away from her significant other.

After a round of her pictures getting taken, receiving well wishes from her other teachers and professors, Emma could finally return to where James had already been waiting for her.

As she took her seat once again, she was greeted from all those sitting near her, all but from her very own boyfriend.

Emma looked at James, tearing up.

"James, I'm sorry," she managed, even more guilty that she had taken this achievement from the very person who worked just as hard as her on this.

James looked at his teary girlfriend.

"Why would you be sorry? You deserve it, and you know that. It's not your fault I didn't win, Emma. Don't blame yourself over it, please," he said, trying to reassure his girlfriend.

"I'm just going to accept that I'm the only Carrington in decades that didn't get the valedictorian award," he muttered to himself, quiet enough for Emma not to hear.

"But I'm taking something you wanted away from you. You should've won," Emma said, guilty as ever as she couldn't bear to look at her boyfriend.

James was looking at Lily, not knowing what to do to comfort his girlfriend who was getting closer to a...much more vulnerable state much faster than he realized.