Charlton was about to decline again, but Edward stopped him.
"Charlton, you have a talent, and I know even Serena will push you forward for this. Anyway, you don't have to answer now, you can think about it first and give it some consideration."
"Even if I do consider this, I'm not sure if I will have the time. After I graduate from school, I would be granted my family's hereditary title of Marquis and will have to work and join the house of lords."
"You are still in your 2nd year now, right? Then, you can work with me even just on weekends at least until you graduate. Just try it out, later when you get used to it, you can even keep it as a hobby while doing your job as the Marquis. Look at Duke Ligeti. He's doing what he's passionate about aside from being the Duke. Besides, this will give you opportunity to widen your connections. Believe me, there are more nobles wanting to enter this field than you think."
Charlton nodded his head in understanding. "I can't give a definite answer now, but I'll give it some thought."
"Alright. Now, let's talk about the accounts earlier…"
The two of them started computing the accounts for the event. When they finished, it was already 10:30 in the evening. In the end, the concert made a profit of 360 grand.
"By the way, you know, I saw Serena look at you after she sang that song earlier… I know I should not ask as it's none of my business, but I already had a feeling when I saw the two of you dance at Duke Ligeti's golden anniversary. If I'm not mistaken, the two of you are or were in a relationship?"
Charlton sighed. "Please keep those words to yourself. No one can know about it."
Edward laughed. "Well, I guess I'm just more sensitive about things like that. You know, the girl I loved married my older brother because of a written agreement between our families. Until now, I still regret not fighting for her. Anyway, you want a drink?"
Charlton looked at the time, it was getting late, but he knew that he won't be getting sleep anyway, so he nodded his head.
Edward got a bottle Dalmore whiskey and poured themselves a glass each.
"you want to talk about it?" Edward asked.
Charlton picked up the glass and started drinking.
"To be honest, I'm torn. I love her, but I know that I should not."
Edward listened and poured him another glass.
"I've been in that kind of position once, so I get what you mean. But you know what, I wish I was not such a coward back then. Sometimes, I still think that if I just manned up, she would be here with me now, enjoying all this success I am experiencing. To think that I was just the spare. But look at me now. I think that soon, my net worth will be even higher than my brother's."
Charlton chuckled as he drank another glass. "My situation is different from yours. In our case, it's not about money, but who we were born as. In the end, no matter how much I try, I won't be able to give her what he can."
"does she know? Based on the song earlier, it seems like you never told her."
"That?" he asked in confusion. He could already feel the effects of the alcohol making him a little tipsy.
"That you love her still."
Charlton laughed as tears started blurring his eyes "Actually, come to think of it, I almost did. If she did not step in earlier, I would have sung the song I have written for her out of desperation. But you know, when I saw her sitting there, singing to save me from the humiliation, instead of giving me more courage to be with her, it made me feel the more that I'm undeserving."
"you wrote her a song? What's it about?" Edward asked as he drank another glass.
"Do you have a guitar?"
"Yeah, sure, wait here." Edward said. Although he was already on his 4th glass, he had high alcohol tolerance. He walked towards the curtain and looked through the area where they kept their recording equipment. He saw a guitar at the side. Then, he saw a blank disc which was an extra they did not use from the recording earlier. Thinking of doing Charlton and Serena a favor, he placed the blank disc on the equipment and started the recording.
When he returned, he handed the guitar to Charlton. "Here you go. I didn't know you can play the guitar."
Charlton just smiled and tested the strings of the guitar.
"Why won't you just tell her that you love her still?" Edward asked.
Charlton did not give him an answer, instead he started playing the guitar and sang.
--
When Charlton gained consciousness, he was already back in his room at the school's dorm. He doesn't remember how he got back, but he can vaguely recall talking and having a drink with Edward. What did they talk about again? There were a lot. From him offering him to be a recording producer, to the accounts of the event. Where was the money by the way? Anyway, Edward must have taken care of it first as he was too intoxicated to keep it safe.
Then, he recollected that they also talked about his feelings for Serena, while Edward shared his experience with his lover that became his brother's wife. He can't remember anything much after that. Anyway, he would like to think that whatever he said or did after should not have been excessive.
He rubbed his temples trying to soothe his headache. Then he looked at the time. It was 5 in the morning. Thankfully, he still had time to sleep and hope that this bad hangover will be gone by the time he wakes up. He reminded himself not to drink that much again.
--
TBC