Disclaimers: I do not own anything out of Resident Evil. All of the contents belongs to Capcom.

Chapter XIX: Clarity

'I think I know well enough what it means.' - Jake Wesker

Raccoonia Castle, Morning

The first thing that he greeted with when he was awake was all the normalcy - bathtub full of warm water and breakfast served on his table - which Jake will not be expecting them since his personal servant whom will get this job done had fallen ill since last night. Jake dragged the the sheets away from his hips, it was at that moment Sherry emerged carrying a bucket filled with warm water.

"Good morning, your Highness." She chirped, a smile adorned on her face.

How couldn't he had not heard her?

He stared at her disapprovingly, the slight reddish color on her nose and the extra coat indicated that Sherry had not fully recovered from her cold.

"You should get ready early today, your Highness. The King had exempted you from training with General Redfield," She sneezed, "his Majesty will be hosting an event to celebrate the arrival of Lord Simmons this evening."

"Simmons?" He quoted, Jake vaguely remembered the name, but he was sure he had always heard it back when he was a lot younger. Until the day when Albert presented Tall Oaks to the House of Simmons, the real Lord Simmons' visit to King Wesker decreased steadily.

Although Simmons kept in touch by sending people to the kingdom, like Ashley, in this case.

Derek Simmons last visit? Thirteen years ago.

Groaning, the Prince staggered his way to the young stewardess and snatched the empty bucket from her. "What about you? Don't tell me you're coming along for this shit."

Sherry blinked several times, "Why not? I am your stewardess." Sneeze. "It is my duty to stand by you for your command." The reply made Jake huffed, this woman was being too much of a goody two-shoe. On second thoughts, maybe not really... He remembered well on how she had sneaked out with him one particular night. "Yeah. I know. But you're sick! Look at you, you can barely talk to me without-" Cough from Sherry, "See? You're having a cold. You need the rest."

In return, Sherry could only laugh it off while retrieving her bucket from Jake, "I'm fine, your Highness. I promise that I'll be there with you during the ball." And she stopped abruptly, her smile sullen, "Your Highness shouldn't worry too much about me. I am just a servant after all."

Perhaps he had noticed the change in her that made Jake's lips thinned. Sherry felt the tension in him and she quickly turned her heels and excused herself.

Until Jake called her back, halting her on her track.

"...Yes?" She croaked.

She could tell that he was hesitating by the way he kept rubbing the back of his very short hair, "What happened?" His question was not referring to the sudden change in her, she knew it; he meant yesterday.

"...Nothing."

"Nothing?" Jake didn't fail to notice how she took a long time to answer. One thing for sure, she considered for an answer, which will surely vary the possibility of what the actual event might be. That further reinforced Sheva's statement on how Ashley started it off. His brow aroused, "...Really?"

She sighed, "...Yes. Nothing happened, it was an accident. I just slipped."

Prince Wesker huffed, deciding that it would probably better for Sherry if she would be given her own space, "If you say so, then I will believe you." He purposely left the edge on the end of his note. "But if you are feeling not okay, you know where to find me."

She nodded stiffly and turned to leave again.

Servants Quarters, Morning

Sherry volunteered to join the rest of the women in preparing for the ball hosted by his Majesty later in the evening. Albert Wesker permitted that Sherry was allowed to help, since he needed all the help that he could get for this important ball tonight, despite that Jake was still reluctant to let her off his sight - not after the drowning incident happened. She reassured him that she will only be with her friends for the day and she promised that she will be joining him again before the ball begin for his own preparation.

Furthermore, she really need the time alone. She had been with the Prince too much lately that she had forgotten her priorities. And she was reminded of that by Ashley Graham, in which she had none the word, nor the status to retort any of her accusation.

No, Graham was stating fact.

She was with Ashley Graham, where she followed obediently the Lady to the courtyard where a woman stood there waiting for them. Emily, whom Ashley said that she was not feeling well for the day. Sherry laid no suspicion on them, as she had forgotten clean that Emily was ill.

They had reached the lake side, very close to where the concrete stair descending to the water. And stopped.

Sherry didn't have a single idea what was going on at that moment.

"You have gotten really kinky with his Highness, aren't you?"

Innocently and shocked, Sherry lifted her head to meet with Ashley's dark glare. Both the Lady's hand were on her hips and Emily took her position behind Sherry, leaving the latter very limited space. It made her felt trapped.

"W-What do you mean, my Lady?"

The mentioned now crossed her arms onto her chest, irritated with the small woman in front of her, "You think I hadn't seen it? C'mon, Sherry," She spat the stewardess' name like a vile word, "I saw what you did with the Prince, when you and him crept back into the castle through the back. But I knew well of what the case was..."

'Oh, no. She knew.'

"I-"

A harsh slap was stung on Sherry's pale cheek, the action was unexpected but Sherry handled the pain. However, the tears were pooling around her eyes without her command. "You are one bad influence to the Prince. Sneaking out with him in the midnight and not letting anyone noticed? Sherry, Sherry, Sherry... Who do you think you are?"

No answer. Ashley wasn't sure if Sherry was still too shock to react or if she had not the courage to counter her. Either way, Ashley knew that she was not getting one anyway.

"You are just a lowly servant. Your only upside was that you are his servant. And that is all."

'I know I am his servant... I know I am, but I...'

"From what I've heard, you had been with the Prince for less than six months. But you are the only one that he will only listen to and he never listen to anyone. My, he'd even fought against his Majesty verbally because you told him so! Why you?"

'I don't know... Why did he?'

"Don't you ever have the intention to ever win his heart, little woman. Much less falling in love..."

'No! I didn't... Did I?' Flashes of when the Prince held her ever so closely in his arms and kissed her plaguing, '...Didn't I?'

"Heed my word well, Sherry. He is the Prince of Raccoonia who will soon to ascend to be the ruler of this land. And you- you are just a lowly servant who had no hope to look down from where he will be."

'She is right. I am just a lowly servant... Who am I to—'

"It's time that I teach you a lesson."

Her train of thought were only interrupt by a hard tap to her shoulder. Sherry was close to jump off her feet by the surprise, as it was a close reminisce to how Ashley had threw her off her feet to the...

"Day-dreaming already? The Prince ain't it?" A cheery pat on Sherry's back by the two most cheerful maid on the castle. Sheva had a huge grin on her face and Deborah had a stupid one intact, carrying a broom and a bucketful of water respectively. The younger blonde smiled weakly to her friends, her hand retrieved the rag dropped to the floor due to the scare.

They didn't get a reply from the sulken Sherry, so Deborah groaned at her, "Why is everyone so moody today? Alyssa... Oh, she's moody all the time. But sis is being so uptight too!" Eyebrows knitted, "Although I could understand why."

"Helena? Is something up with her-"

"No, no. We want to talk about you for now!" Sheva shove her way in between Deborah and Sherry, her wide girly grin was still there. Deborah recovered and joined Sheva soon enough, both ladies surrounded Sherry side-by-side as they dragged her to a quieter corner of the quarter, "So... are you and the Prince are now... you know?"

Sherry's jaws dropped, exasperated, "Debbie! What made you think like that?!"

"Heh, woman's instincts. Anyone could see it! I mean, you know, when you were drowned yesterday, it was the Prince who saved you! And he... he resuscitated you, pumping your chest and even mouth-to-mouth—"

The twenty-one had meant to scream Sheva's name, but she dropped the idea as soon as Sheva mentioned of the Prince... rescued her. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation? It made her heart flutter."I knew they were, Debbie! See? Sherry freaking blushed!" The roar of Sheva's laughter made Sherry had to punch her arm playfully in retaliation. Merciful Deborah spared the latter of another fit of laughter, tapped Sherry on her back and ushered her to take her leave before Sheva rained Sherry with another barrage of questios.

Well, to return her favor, Sherry opted to go looking out for Helena instead.

King's Study, Afternoon

"Hello, your Majesty! What fine day is it for us two to meet again."

Derek. C. Simmons, patron of Tall Oaks as well as the master of the very influential and powerful House of Simmons. On the side note, he was also Ashley Graham's godfather. Forgoing the formalities like Ada did, Simmons went right up ahead to the desk filled with documents where the King was sitting onto. The hand that was touching his goatee extended to Albert, as if he was expecting a friendly handshake from the later.

Albert only huffed indiscriminately, his face stoic and he decline the gesture. Shrugging, Simmons dropped his hand and walked off the desk.

"Simmons..." he began, "and I thought the last meeting we had was our last. Why am I today to see you again?"

Simmons ignored him, pouring himself a stemmed glass of wine from the cabinet and signaled for Ada to come closer to him. Then he simply took a seat onto the nearest couch and Ada only stood beside him, wearing an indifferent smile on her face. The lord of Simmons took a sip, "How is young Ashley doing by the way?"

"Very well. However, my son appeared to have shown no interest to your foster daughter company. You might as well persuade Lady Graham to submit herself before my son had to do it his own." A hidden smirk grew on Albert's face when he delivered the bad news to Simmons.

The dark man was not faltered, instead he let out a small chuckled as he took another sip of his beverage, "My daughter? With the prince?" He laughed, "My, my, that young woman is sure like her late mother: ambitious and only seek for the best. But of course I didn't allow her to come to Raccoonia to court the Prince, your Majesty! Although it would be... beneficial for us both if we were to become... Family?"

"Get to the point, Simmons." Albert almost growled.

"Of course," He switched his attention to Ada whom he tapped his lap onto. To Wesker's surprise, Ada Wong sat onto where Simmons had dictated and she wound on arm behind Simmons's neck.

So Ada was not just Simmons's envoy?

"Surely you knew Miss Wong as my representative the previous day, your Majesty. Dearest Ada, did you inform the King of my two surprise I provided him?"

The lady in red shook her head and smiled, saying that she will save the best only to him.

"You see, your Majesty. The first surprise is, Miss Wong here is not only a servant of mine. This beautiful angel here will be betrothed to me soon."

That particular surprised brought a smile to Albert's face immediately. Ada Wong as his wife? Surely the God was watching over him.

Simmons croaked out a sinister laugh again, "And the second surprise might not be a good kind of surprise for you, your Majesty... But it is very simple, all I need is your word and your signature for one decree. And that was the main reason why I ordered Ada to send the message: of me wanting your Majesty to host a ball for all nobility."

"Which will be?"

Two pair of dark eyes met, one of greed and one of wits.

"I want Edonia." Empty wine glass met with the coffee table with force. And Albert now came to a stand, bending his body forward with an arched brow. He had guessed correctly: Simmons did want something from him but of all things, he demanded a piece of land, not just any piece of land.

Edonia was where he had his military forces focused onto, and of sentimental value - where Albert Wesker met his wife Gabrielle.

Sensing the fury radiating from Albert's being, Simmons assured the King that he will give him time to think until the ball which will commence this evening, "Don't take to long, your Majesty. This evening you will give your answer."

"Are you blackmailing me?"

"I wouldn't dare to, of course." He answered with another refill of his glass, "But your Majesty knew better I did it only for your sake. Certainly the people will not be happy if their King..." the trail off made Albert hissed to Simmons, but the latter fearlessly waved it off with a drink of his wine.

Just then, Ada winked to the King.

"Then Edonia shall be yours."

Servants Quarters, Afternoon

"Simmons was whom threw me and Deborah out of our homeland."

Sherry had met with Helena in a discreet spot of the quarter where Helena isolated herself to. She refused to prepare for the ball, refused to contribute any effort to welcome the man, refused to work for his entertainment. Helena was particularly good in finding this hiding spot, even Sherry had trouble finding her before Helena called out to Sherry.

Well hidden behind stacks of crates at a rather lonely place behind the quarters, Sherry and Helena squatted side by side as the former listened closely to her close friend.

"Debbie and I lived in Tall Oaks, but our parents died on our juvenile. So, we both were accepted into the House of Simmons as slaves for twelve years long. And not a single day was a better day than yesterday, we were bullied and beaten daily. And Simmons' late wife is a bitch. At least that Ashley Graham spared us the mercy of dry ears, all she did was whining to us."

"Debbie was happier than I am, she see things differently. She always told me that they should be lucky that they were still alive and together. I agree with her, I love my sister to death." Helena confessed with a smile, "But one day when we were nineteen, it changed. Everything changed for the good and bad when one day, Debbie suggested that we will clean Simmons's study."

"What happened?" Sherry timidly asked.

"We needed the extra money. And my sister suggested if we made Simmons's happy, chances might be that pig will spare us more pennies if we help him clean his room. So, we were piling up papers on the desk, took the things out from the drawers And Simmons came back the moment I took out a torn envelope. And he started yelling at us. The first thing he asked was if I had read the document. I denied it and he shooed us out of his study angrily. Then at night when we were all asleep. He..."

Helena paused suddenly rubbing her head like a splitting headache.

"He sent assassins to eliminate us quietly."

Sherry's jaw dropped. What man could do that to Helena and Deborah? Just for a torn letter?

"Maybe it was the content of the letter that he didn't want anyone to see. So he needed us killed. We escaped before they could find us. And the first place we ran to was Raccoonia. And.. the rest is what you're seeing now."

Jaw clenched.

"He is the reason that we couldn't go home."

"Helena," Sherry touched her shoulder gently, gripping it firmly to show her condolence to her, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be, it was not your fault. If there was anyone to be blame, it's that bastard. And Sherry?" The mentioned tilted her head to Helena. "The torn letter, it was from the royal family. The red wax belonged to the King's symbol. And the next day soon after my escape, the King announced that Tall Oaks will be presented to Simmons."

At that, Sherry couldn't help but to shudder. One letter from the King and the whole land was given to Simmons as a reward? What kind of secret these politicians had? Somehow she felt that she shouldn't give a thought about it anymore. It didn't concern her anywhere nor anyway. She was just a lowly servant in the castle, why would she bother about politics?

But why did she felt worried for Jake so suddenly? Why did the secret between Simmons and the King bothered her?

Raccoonia Castle, Evening

Sherry had returned to the Prince's side before the party as promised. As Claire had instructed her earlier before she went her way back to Jake, Sherry dressed herself more formally and appropriately for this evening. She didn't want to embarrass the Prince now for her usual shabby everyday dresses, damn when she happened to stumbled across Excella just now, she was as eye-catching like a peacock! (Piers' word of choice) The King's stewardess was dressing like a Queen herself!

Although the 'real' Queen will not be attending the party tonight due to her deteriorating health.

She didn't opted for something extravagant, just a simple light blue gown with white laces that ended above her ankle, her chest was slightly exposed by the valley but nothing to revealing to be considered as 'someone who worked in a brothel'. She donned on some make-up and a lone piece of jewelry - the only one she had - the golden pendant of her mother's.

Certainly she didn't want to overdress like Excella did.

As soon as she was done, she knocked on the chamber next door where the Prince had been. There was no answer from him at first, but later, she heard the distinct, "Come on in, Supergirl!" and she permitted herself to enter.

Jake Wesker had his white tunic and a sleeveless red jacket on, complementing the set was his black trimmed long coat ending right below his breeches. And tie-up boots! Hung loosely over his wrist was his gold and black mantle. Who could have known that the Prince - always donning in old shirts and pants - could be looking so good in his formal attire?

'No, Sherry. Just don't. Remember yourself.'

"Jesus, Sherry..." Jake didn't miss the chance to gawk, but not ogling, "You look... fantastic."

"Why, thank you, your Highness. You look great too." She giggled girlishly, "I didn't know that you have these clothes in your arsenal."

Jake shrugged, flipping the mantle neat and attached it to his back, it hang directly on his ankle and not touching the ground. Now he looked perfect. But Jake was not thinking the same thing as she was, he kept smoothing the crumple on his waistcoat whenever he twist or he would waved the mantle on his back; creating small gust of air. "God, I hate dressing up like this. Why the heck dad would drag me into this?"

She didn't answer back, her hands folded neatly on her lap like she usually would.

"Is your cold, okay? You sure you wanted to go?"

"Y-Yes, sir" She swallowed back a cough, "Well? Shall we go now, sir?"

"Not quite yet."

He extended a hand to the woman, in which Sherry stared back at the hand perplexedly. She had not a single clue of what he was trying to do with an extended hand.

"I thought everyone knew this? A man was supposed to greet a woman by kissing the back of her hand. And since we are here, you shall be the first one I will greet tonight."

The exhibition made Sherry shook her head slightly, "No, sir. You shouldn't. I am not anyone of significant and I am just your—"

"Yeah, sure. But you are still a woman. So give me your hand already." He whined.

So, hesitantly, she raised her hand to his only to the point that she was lightly touching his palm. Jake boldly folded his fingers to her slender ones, and bowed. He knew that Sherry would protest when he did so, so he lowered himself for his lips to reach her fair skin. The hot contact made Sherry flinched, but she did the best to hold her own composure. Until Jake sniffed her hand, "You smell like rose. Is it perfume?"

She shuddered, hand suddenly felt stiff, way stiffer than she offered her hand to him, "Y-Yes."

"I could tell it is. Because you smell floral naturally. Very charming."

And he grinned boyishly, returning her hand to her sides and nodded down to her. He was trying to gauge her reaction, but he found none in her face - she wasn't exactly enjoying it, and neither was she tormented. At least he could tell that it leaned more to the 'enjoy' side. She just blushed while her hand he kissed look... rigid.

Silently hoping that it was not a rejection, Jake gestured to the door and led her the way out.

'Was she angry that I did that?'

Main Hall, Night

Silver chandeliers and wine, nobility of all kind accumulated inside the spacious hall of the royal family. After all, this ball was hosted by the King of Raccoonia, his Majesty himself. Who would miss the party? One by one subjects went to the King for a greeting. Albert dressed in a all black and gold attire, while Excella was mostly lavender with hints of other colors as well (Jake agreed with Piers and Sherry about the statement, peacock). Simmons and Ada were by the King's side. And Ada literally outshine Excella in terms of dressing up 'properly' and elegantly.

Ada Wong wore a simply low cut red dress with very minimum makeup. Yet she easily beaten Excella by miles.

There were a few more nobles that Jake remembered, there was the Lord Osmund from the House of Saddler and the midget Lord Ramon from the House of Salazar, both originated from far west. While the former was more superior than the latter.

The knights were excluded of this particular evening to provide security to the guest and the royal family, in which Chris, Leon and Krauser along with other lower ranking knights (Piers, David and Kevin) stood by all around the hall. The ones exempted also include Queen Gabrielle Muller Wesker and Jill Valentine.

Jake Wesker didn't roam away elsewhere from where he was from the beginning, not that he possibly could. Highrise women and young maidens all over Raccoonia whirling around him in every corner. And all he could do was to smile and nod.

Sherry's eyes couldn't keep still, from time to time, her eyes hovered to where the King and Simmons. And Helena was not one of any of the servers, she concluded that the woman might have hidden herself away just so Simmons wouldn't see her, and so did Deborah was no where to be found.

Of all things, her eyes keep returning back to Jake Wesker for some reasons.

She felt sorry for him actually, the line of females at the back still stretches far for him to greet.

"Prince Jake."

It was familiar to Jake, and so did to the rest of the line of women waiting for the leading man. Sherry suddenly realized just how powerful the House of Simmons was, since Lord Derek had no children of his own, Ashley Graham became his daughter. And to see the other maidens from various Houses all over Raccoonia; to retreat themselves just so they can make way for Lady Graham, it looked like the rest of the women were of minority.

It surprised Sherry to see that Ashley Graham was a woman of simplicity too, simple silk orange dress to complement with her blonde hair - nothing too over the top that was telling people that she was trying too hard. But she still looked impressive nonetheless.

She came up to Jake and lifted the hilt of her dress by a little, Jake bowed back and kissed her hand.

"Looks good on you, Princ- Lady Graham." He coughed.

"Thank you, it felt honorable to be coming from you."

'For Christ sake, she was purring.' Jake cleared his throat awkwardly, "Uh, yeah. I guess."

"...You are not angry for yesterday?" She inquired as her gaze switched to Sherry's.

The Prince shook her head, "Why would I? Sherry said it was an accident."

Graham's eyes widen out of disbelief, perhaps it was expected that Sherry would report on her, "Accident?"

"Yeah, she said she slipped. And I will believe her."

"Oh."

Later on, as the music played slowly, guests began scuttled away to searched for their loved ones for a dance. The King did not participate, as his Queen was not present and he refused Excella's offer for a dance. The light dimmed and in no time, people began swaying gently in the middle of the spacious hall.

Jake raised a brow to Ashley, "Aren't you going to dance with your father?"

"No, my father had already had his company."

True enough, Simmons was with Ada. And he seemed to enjoy her company. While Ada looked like she was only humoring him. Jake had guessed why Ashley was lingering around before coming up to him. Of course, she was expecting that he would dance with her.

But he didn't really wanted to dance.

"You should dance with her, your Highness." A whisper suddenly came behind his shoulder and he saw a wink. It was from Sherry, "Go on, I'll be waiting."

So, reluctantly, Jake offered one of his hand to Lady Graham which she obliged instantly.

Sherry was now alone at the corner, silently watching and listening to the slow music playing as dim candles lighting the pairs as they danced slowly. One pair caught her attention in particular: one tall red-head and one gorgeous blonde. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially the female while Jake only stared at his partner silently. Her back leaned against the wall as she quietly sighed, somewhere at the edge of the hall, King Albert Wesker was watching Simmons keenly too.

She now wished that Sheva or maybe Deborah would come along whom both were absent.

"What's up, Sher?"

She turned her heels and surprised to find Piers with a wine glass and a stupid grin plastered. The knight was still in his uniform and his sword was still sheathed by his waist, "Piers? What are you doing here? Aren't you on duty?"

"Nuh-uh, now's not my shift. We knights do have our family too, see there?" He pointed his index finger to where General Kennedy was with his wife Claire, "In case you haven't noticed, some of the guys there are knights too. Although General Chris would prefer remain in his position... He's been upset lately."

"I know why. Jill, wasn't is?"

"Yes. Ever since the whole castle knew of the Queen's health, General Chris had been trying to talk to Jill but she refused to see him." His gaze followed of where Sherry was, and he finally saw the Prince together with Ashley, which made him chuckled up, "Damn, the Prince left you alone to court Lady Graham?"

She didn't reply him, only watching half-heartedly to the dancing pair. Jake's height matched Ashley's smaller figure perfectly, although Sherry knew that the lady were of the same height as she was. And to know that Jake was the prince and Ashley was the daughter of the most powerful Family in Raccoonia. Speaking of which, they looked so good together...

"Sher? Sherry?" She jolted when Piers came up in front of him and interrupt her longing gaze, "Are you... crying?"

It shook her then, she finally realized how moisture began pooling on her eyelids, how her eyes heated. Using her wrist, she quickly wiped the tears away and shook her head in denial.

Nivans knew better than to believe her, "...Was it the Prince?"

"No. Of course not." The young stewardess wondered why everyone could read her so easily.

"Yes you are, Sher. Forgive me if I sounded to methodical, but I had been watching you for some time. Your eyes were on them all of the time, and the gaze you held had the same melancholy like General Chris whenever he saw miss Valentine." He stopped, "You long for him, don't you?

Piers' words genuinely astonished her. Her breath hitched as she turned away to hid her now free-flowing tears from the guests. She couldn't understand why she was acting this way; and she couldn't understand why Piers' words had so much impact on her.

And she couldn't understand why the sight of Jake holding another woman so closely made her heart ache like never before.

Unable to find her reply, all she could do was to spin her heels and leave the scene. She couldn't bear another second to watch Jake Wesker anymore, especially now when he was so happy with Ashley.

The young knight didn't stop her. Instead, he could only heave a sigh of pity for Sherry.

To say that Jake Wesker was too absorbed into the dance was an understatement.

He wasn't actually at all focused onto the dance, his eyes peeked to the crowd of guests whenever he swayed to a certain direction. The moment he saw Sherry ran off from the hall, his movements automatically stopped. His eyes directed to where she had disappeared onto. Then to Piers who was shaking his head and retreated to a corner alone. "Prince? Is something matter?" He had forgotten about his dancing partner he was holding by her waist, so much that he retracted his hands away quickly as if he had done something wrong.

He ignored the questioning gaze made by Ashley, "I'm sorry. But I gotta go."

With that, he pushed past several other couples who were dancing away, his ears deaf of their annoyed mutters. Heading straight towards where his peer had located, the first thing Jake did was to shove his hand to Piers' collar and confronted the man, whom he assumed that made Sherry cried.

"Your Highness?!" Piers choked against the grip, the tremor made his drink on the glass spilled the floor beneath him.

"Did I saw you just pissed Sherry off?" He demanded, "Did Sherry just ran off crying?"

Piers struggled underneath the Prince's grip, easily freeing himself with a powerful wrench. He smoothed his collar and looked back at Jake calmly, "If that's what you think, your Highness. Then you are definitely wrong. I didn't make her cry." His jaw bent upwards then lowered in the next instant, "You did."

'Me? I made Sherry cry?'

"All along she was watching you enjoying your time with Lady Graham... you know what, Prince? That was what made her cry."

Jake narrowed his eyebrows. 'She was angry when we were on my room, but why did she—'

"I asked her about you, and she ran off. Know what that means, your Highness?"

Stunned, Jake's immobile legs suddenly shifted as he circuited himself to his back. He didn't need any clarification, and he too sprinted off to where the blond had flee to; chasing after her.

The clarity was clear enough for him to see.

'I think I know well enough what it means.'

A.N: Phew! Finally I've got this one done! One full week for an update, that's the slowest record I've ever been! Five days being runner-up! :( I fear the next one might take as long as this one too...

Okay, enough of the sad news. So how was this? A little Jake/Sherry bits for this one and some answers to Ashley's act of drowning Sherry.

Next chapter might be a little... sensitive. I hope all of you are anticipated for it.

RFF! :)