Kerttu's Elite - A Sequel

Chaarlie - Chapter 4

"Alright guys! The Halloween Ball, our family's favorite holiday, is coming up! And I want you guys to plan it. I know some of you have an eye for design," I said, catching Adim's glance who then blushed furiously. He was such a nervous little love ball. "But for the rest of you, you can get help from our amazing butlers and maids, especially Lupita and Yaw. They are great. Now who's ready to get to work?"

The boys hooted in response. I had set up the workroom with various color palettes, palace designers, and of course, my Mom. I found it hilarious how nervous the boys were around her. Berry and Chaarlie were on seating arrangements, Adim and Jakob on color, and Shaan and Tyrion on outfits. I headed to Adim and Jakob first.

"Wow, that is the prettiest orange I have ever seen," I admired, eyeing the swatch Adim was holding.

"Then we can use this one!" Adim replied, beaming. Him and Jakob were definitely the most permanently positive of the group. Berry and Chaarlie were much more relaxed, and Tyrion and Shaan had their moments of moodiness. We all did from sometime or another. And I was a bit of an emotional wreck. I could be happy one moment and sad a second after.

"No, we should use purple," Jakob countered. "The last couple of Halloween themes had orange in the mix."

"How do you know that?" I asked, surprised.

"My mom is actually a local representative. You guys invite her to it every year and I somehow got dragged along." He said it with his atypical wide smile, leaning against the tabletop. Now that he said it, I do recall that being on his application.

"Wow, that's so cool! What is that like?"

"Really great. Except for that time I learned the town hall buildings don't have bathrooms. I was six and let's just say I didn't make it to the port a potty."

I covered my mouth with my hand as I died with laughter. "The thing is, I can picture that." I gave Jakob our traditional high five and Adim in a swift hug. I carried myself over to Berry and Chaarlie.

"Your Highness, I do not understand how there can be this many international rivalries in a seating arrangement. It seems impossible," Berry conversed, pulling on his hair.

"Oh yeah, royalty don't play. You are one seat away from war always," I responded. "But you guys are doing great. You put France and Swendway very far apart." After a Swendway boat had sunk in French waters, things between them had been tumultuous.

"We should just remove the tables and put in a huge ball pit. No one can be mad at that," Chaarlie remarked. I laughed at how serious he said it which caused him to smile.

"Do you mind if I borrow Berry for a second?" Chaarlie shook his head, moving to the other side of the table.

Berry looked startled but stayed in his spot. "Is everything alright?"

I smiled. "Everything is fantastic!" I pulled him into a hug and whispered into his ear. "Meet Amberly at two in the third floor, room 5." I released him and knew I had to cover this up for anyone paying moderate attention. "I'll see you then." I moved onto the next group, peeking up at the now jubilant Berry. My sister had picked the right one.

"How are you guys doing?" I asked to the group. My mom was helping Shaan come up with outfit concepts while Tyrion was chatting with the outfit advisors and designers.

My mom perked up at my voice, smiling. "Hey sweetie. I would keep an eye on this one. He does not know a thing about clothes." Mom shook her head, jokingly.

Shaan chuckled. He was probably the calmest around my parents, which I shouldn't be shocked by. He didn't let people shake him, no matter their class. I loved that about him. "You guys are ruining me with all these butlers. I don't even think I will be able to dress up when I leave this place."

He wasn't thinking about leaving was he? That would destroy me. Mom noticed my discomfort, quickly. Aren't moms just the best?

"I wouldn't count on that," she said softly before settling next to Dad. I watched them for a minute, Mom giggling at the chalk on his new suit and Dad staring at her like she was heaven on Earth.

"They're cool," Shaan said.

"Yeah, they are," I whispered. My mom's comment had made us suddenly awkward. "So what concepts did you guys come up with?"

"I said astronaut but she crossed that one out," he stated, holding the notepad up to me. I chuckled. "We are left with old American superheroes, Sherlock Holmes, sports players, famous singers, detectives, nerds. I really like the old American throwback theme."

"Then let's do that."

"Really?" he asked gently before giving me his gorgeous smile. The silence that forbade between us was meaningful. Something in our relationship changed within that space. We become serious. "Thanks."

I didn't say anything else as I went to go hang out with Tyrion but I couldn't help but remember the look in his eyes. I had seen that look before.

The mini designing session ended, Berry excitedly bounding out of the room, and Chaarlie oddly staying behind.

"What can I do for you, Chuck?" I questioned. "Can I call you Chuck?"

"You can call me whatever you want." He said it so deep and vital that I found myself blushing. His calm nature had never before been, sexy. "You said you wanted me to teach how to surf and I finally found the right thing for it. Would you care to join me?"

Miraculously, I said yes.

He took me to his room and a small contraption had been made. It mimicked a surfboard and was placed on a triangle.

"Is that safe?" I asked, smiling.

"It is. I made it with my own two hands. Everything is secure in there."

I found myself blushing again. Does he always say words like this so nonchalantly? I stepped onto the board, immediately almost falling. "Before we start, I should probably tell you how clumsy I am."

He chuckled, the deep baritone reverberating in the room. "I believe in you. Come on." He carefully placed me onto the board, guiding me.

"You're right about your hands."

He slightly tightened them around my waist briefly. "I would never lie to you." He had golden amber eyes with flecks of dark brown in them. I pulled away from his gaze and the surfing lesson began.

I was of course no good but Chaarlie was patient and kind. I had once even tripped into his arms and he took it like quite the gentleman. We concluded the lesson, his light grin on his face.

"Thank you for letting me teach you." He sunk into a bow which caused me to roll my eyes.

"No bowing. I hate it." He returned to his standing position, smiling. "Thank you so much for teaching me."

I left with a wave and worked on my princess duties, all while mulling over the Selection. Shaan and Tyrion were surely the frontrunners of my heart but now even Chaarlie was growing on me. What was happening to me?

**Thoughts on good old Chaarlie?**

**We just got Kerttu's frontrunners...who are yours?**

**Thank you for reading and have an amazing day!!**