Chapter 66 - Ashton Was Ignored

"Older brother, he was so rude to Lady Crystal. Why didn't you say anything?" Princess Rose asked while looking at everyone around. She then spotted Arria, who was spectating what was happening around her.

With squinted eyes, she stared at the girl of about the same age as her. Then her eyes widened after remembering the encounter upon their arrival that afternoon.

"It's you! The girl who ran into me this afternoon in the courtyard! No wonder that boy was rude! you all must be related to one another!" Her voice was loud enough for the parents on the other table to hear. 

Prince Edmund put his hand to cover his sister's mouth before profusely apologizing as he dragged his sister away. Crown Prince Philip and Lady Crystal followed right behind them.

It was a good thing that Prince Edmund had dragged her away because Ann and Ashley were about to get up and teach her some manners. Royalty or not, the two mothers would never let anyone insult their children.

=== 

Once the Royal family and Lady Crystal were gone, Ashton finally spoke up. He tried his best to be joyful, but everyone could tell that he was not himself. Although Ava was sitting right next to him, she barely acknowledged him the whole time. When he tried to have a conversation with her, she would just nod or shake her head and would return to playing with her food.

"Guys, how would you all like to go for a walk on the beach? I heard that there's a full moon tonight. I think that's the reason why everyone's edgy. What do you think, Ava?" He wanted to get her attention, and it was the only way he could think of.

Unfortunately, Ava was in no mood for anything. All she wanted was to go back to her room away from everyone's prying eyes.

Pearl wanted to say that she wanted to join him, but as long as no one spoke up to agree, she couldn't say anything. Her parents would disagree for her to go for a walk alone with a boy at night. Especially Ashton.

Akira, Jeffrey, and Arria, who mainly were just spectating and occasionally conversed with one another, all declined to go for a walk. In conclusion, everyone just wanted to have an early night.

The dinner was already ruined, and one by one, the children got up and excused themselves from their parents. Then, they walked out of the dining room looking like the whole world came crashing down on them.

The parents did the same thing as soon as the children left; they all got up and bid each other goodnight and went to their own villas for an early night.

===

Due to the incident at the dinner, Prince Edmund decided to check out of the resort the next day and forget about his plans of hanging around with the other children. Unfortunately, those plans were already ruined by his sister and Lady Crystal. Crown Prince Philip wanted to stick around, but his brother was adamant that they should leave to keep their dignity as Royal family members.

So first thing in the morning, the Royal family was gone when the children went to eat their breakfast. 

James and Ashton both didn't come out to eat breakfast.

Ashton was in the gym training while James was locked up inside his room, staring at the ceiling.

Tanaga came looking for him after dinner last night, and they had a talk. His father reminded him of their agreement, seeing that he started to care for Ava.

After listening to his father's lecture, he was reminded of his error and once again made a promise to his father that he will do everything in his power to stay away from Ava. Another big mistake that he will once again regret later on.

On the other hand, Ashton had made a final decision to just treat Ava as his future sister-in-law.

Although he liked her now, he wasn't sure if it would grow into love someday. They were both still young, especially Ava. Who knew what could happen in the future. He also didn't want to fight with his twin brother over a woman when they got older.

With both brothers thinking of abandoning the pursuit of Ava, she would be free to enjoy her younger years to come.

===

Jeffrey, Akira, Pearl, and Arria were the only ones who had no care in the world. They played around all day, enjoying all the delicious food while Pearl was busy showing all her followers all the things they had been doing around the resort all day.

Pearl and Arria became good friends despite the age difference. Whenever Pearl would do her live stream, Arria would join her as a co-host. As a result, Pearl's followers increased daily, with Arria helping her make her daily blogging fun.

They would constantly corner Ashton wherever he would go or whatever he would do. It became the two girls' daily routine. However, they would always make sure that their faces and Ashton's were never shown. They didn't want to get in trouble with their families.

Ava once in a while would join the fun, but mostly she would stay in her room and play video games, hoping that James would invite her to play solo one day. That day never came.

On the other hand, Akira was so engrossed with her webtoon that it kept her very busy. When Jeffrey learned that she was a webtoon writer, he became a big fan and an advisor. Their parents watched their closeness closely. Although they approved of them being together, they were both still too young to be in a romantic relationship of any sort. 

Unknown to their parents that their fondness with each other was nothing but friendship and nothing more.

===

King Alexander and Queen Alexa, who were on some Royal duties and out of the country for the past few days, were finally back in Stonasia the day before the coming of age gala. 

Alexa invited them all to come to the palace, but they declined because they would be seeing them the next day anyway.

Finally, the most awaited night arrived, the coming of age gala....