Second Life's Revenge

Chapter 80: Sacrifice To Protect

This event happened while Laura was still in the underground market, which was also the day Erwin was pierced with a sword.

A wealthy-looking carriage stopped in front of the shop called Jaded Tailor. Jaded Tailor was a store owned by the Smythe family who is a family who was known to make beautiful dresses. 

"Your Highness, we've arrived," The coachmen announced before opening the door.

"Come back in the afternoon," Prince Winston ordered, wearing his white gloves as he got off the carriage.

The doorbell chimed as the door opened and entered Prince Winston who was greeted by the store manager. It was unusual for Prince Winston to visit the shop because he could have called Scott to the palace. However, he had a different motive, which is why he ended up going to Jaded Tailor.

"Your Highness, please come follow me," The store manager said.

"It's alright. You look busy I'll go there alone," Prince Winston said, smiling as he made his way up to the second floor.

As he reached the second floor he made a turn and unexpectedly bumped into Serena. It was truly his lucky day, the girl who he has been wanting to see for such a long time was now in front of him. Her face slightly turned pink and shock was written on her face as she saw him.

It was nice seeing her face before the disaster will happen. It was sad that he'll need to separate with her though they weren't in any kind of relationship before that aside from being friends.

"I-it's been a while," Serena started as her eyes filled with anticipation. After all, the person she was talking to was the guy she liked.

"It's been a while, Serena," Prince Winston greeted back and smiled.

It has been a while since the two have met this close. Though they saw each other in celebrations they weren't able to converse with one other. That's because they didn't want rumors to spread around. The society is already bad as it is.

"Are you here for my brother? I'll call him now," Serena said but stopped when she felt a hand grabbing her wrist.

"I'm not here for Scott. I'm here to talk to you."

Serena blinked twice before his words processed in her head. She gasped and immediately covered her mouth. Did she perhaps do something wrong? She couldn't remember doing anything that offended him.

Is it something related back to when they were children? When Serena secretly plucked a strand of hair from Prince Winston?

Out of nowhere, Prince Winston laughed uponseeing the troubled expressing Serena made. She was utterly confused and still kept thinking about what she had done wrong.

"There's no need for you to be so tense," Prince Winston said, placing a hand on her head. "Let's talk about this privately."

"Of course"

Nervous because she didn't know what to do Serena stood up, walking back and forwards on the empty space beside the small couch.

"Don't be nervous. It's not like we don't know each other," Prince Winston said while Serena flinched, hesitating to sit down.

"It's alright. I can stand," Serena insisted.

Prince Winston sighed, surrendering not to fight back because he knew he would lose. Instead, he stood up and walked behind her, asking Serena not to move. Did he not know she was nervous because his body was close to her?

Serena felt a cold sensation surrounding her neck and she touched to feel what it was. It was an emerald necklace and one of the excessive gemstones in the world, enough to but an estate or a palace.

She admired the emerald necklace but at the same time, she was still confused with this sudden generous gift.

"Do you like it?" Prince Winston asked as he stood in front of Serena to see her reaction.

"It's gorgeous. But this is too much for me," Serena frowned though she liked it.

"It is most certainly not. It suits you just like what I imagined," Prince Winston said.

Surprised she was she looked at Prince Winston's eyes and looked away after. Can she be happy with him? She liked him since they were children it was just that they were separated because her parents didn't want rumors to raise.

But then Serena didn't want to give him away especially to that fake angle. She liked him or rather loved him.

There were many things going on in her head but she managed to compose herself and stood strong. This necklace was too much for her.

"I can't accept it," Serena said.

Prince Winston shook his head, denying that she needed to accept it. Does she know what it means when a man of her age gives a gift to her? It means that he's interested in her and wants to court her.

Of course, Serena didn't forget about that however what about Tine? Will Tine try and kill her for stealing Prince Winston away?

Serena is a strong woman but she is weak in these kinds of situations. After all, the man who stood before her was her first love.

"Please keep it," Prince Winston said in a pained tone. "Just keep it. I thought this would make you happy but it made you feel troubled."

"No!" Serena unintentionally yelled. "B-because what about Tine?"

His face clearly states that he didn't want further talk about it but it felt childlike ignore her question and instead he answered, "She has nothing to do with me. Nothing."

"Then if she tries threatening me what will you do?" Serena asked, catching his attention.

"She what? Is she threatening you?" Prince Winston roared and held onto Serena's shoulders.

These past few days, many letters have been sent to Serena, threatening to take her life if she involves herself further with Prince Winston. That's because his attention wasn't on that particular person but rather on Serena.

Serena nodded her head and lowered it at the same time. She planned to keep this for herself but because he was here it's best to tell him about the letter.

"Though I'm not sure if it came from her," Serena stated.

"Do you have the letter with you?"

"It's not with me," Serena shook her head.

"I'll do something about don't worry," Prince Winston said, storming out of the room.

"Winston! Where are you going?" Serena called but was ignored.

It was the wrong decision to tell him because he couldn't think straight at all. But Serena couldn't do anything because Prince Winston isn't the type to listen.

She touched the emerald that touched her skin and hoped that he wouldn't do anything stupid or rash. Let's just say that things didn't go well that day.

When Prince Winston rushed to the Alvarado estate, he immediately went to find Tine but when he arrived there she was not there but rather in the palace being an audience of the emperor.

The door to the throne opened without the page announcing his presence. There a blonde girl looked at him with an uncomfortable smile. He glared at her and greeted his father before speaking to the girl.

"Greetings to the sun, The Emperor. May you be forever prosperous. This might be sudden but may I have a talk with this lady?" Prince Winston asked with his brows furrowed.

"You may."

Prince Winston walked out of the throne room and followed the blonde girl who might know why he was angry. He dismissed the page who stood by the door and crossed his arms together still, glaring at her.

"What is that you want from me, Your Highness?" Tine smirked as she bowed.

"Stop acting and get to the topic. What do you want from me?"

"Your Highness, I don't need anything from you. It's just that you rejected me because of that," Tine emphasized the last word.

"And you're here to threaten my father?" Prince Winston scowled.

"I'm smart enough not to do that. All I did was to propose something."

"And that is?"

"To be engaged with you. Think about it I won't hurt your precious girl and I won't bring that topic up. Plus I have an influence on the empire."

It was true that Tine had an influence within the empire. She was the priestess, a child of Septus and the royal family cannot dodge the opportunity to make their power stronger.

Earlier in the throne room, Tine brought the topic of being engaged with Prince Winston or Prince Elijah. Of course, Tine had a target and it was Prince Winston. There was no way she would give him away especially to Serena.

"If you don't agree then I might just kill her off?" Tine titled her head as she smirked.

"I told you if yo-"

"I wonder what will happen if I say that Prince Elijah doesn't have mana," Tine threatened. "Isn't that a shame?"

"Don't call my brother a disgrace," Prince Winston clenched his fist.

"So? Do you agree or not?" Tine touched her lips. "If you try killing me I have someone who will spread it for me."

"You're no angel but a demon."

"Myyou're welcome," Tine laughed out loud.

Prince Winston didn't have a choice but to agree because he had someone to protect. For sure if Serena hears this news she will breakdown. It's sad but what can he do if he wants to protect the secret of the family?

The story of Prince Elijah will come soon. The childhood.