Torn Between Twin Brothers

*Knock! Knock! Knock* They all heard a knock on the door. 

Then the door burst opened, and the EXODUS road manager came walking in. Right behind him was Sato and his assistants.

"Young and beautiful people!" The road manager said while clapping to get their attention, "Sorry to interrupt your evening. Unfortunately, I have to steal away my boys. We only stopped over for Crown Prince Edward's surprise, but now we have to be on our way." Announced the road manager while ushering every one of the members of EXODUS.

James heaved a sigh of relief that they were interrupted just in time. He was safe and didn't need to answer the question. Instead, he secretly looked in Ava's direction under the guise of standing up so that he could see how she reacted afterward.

Ava was being helped by Ashton to get up. He wanted to bid her goodbye properly and also to clear some misunderstandings. Although she said she was fine, and their parents were no longer pushing her to marry into his family, he still didn't feel comfortable about it.

"Can I have a word with you? It won't take long. I just have something to tell you." Ashton asked while still holding Ava's hands. She couldn't decline after seeing how serious he was. What does she have to lose anyway? She nodded in approval before letting him usher her out of the room towards the garden.

Once they were in the garden away from the prying eyes of everyone, while still holding her hand without realizing, Ashton spoke, "Ava... I know it's not the right time for me to say it since you're still young and probably don't even care about boys and such. But, I don't know when I will see you in person again, so I want you to know that you have a special place in my heart." His voice was so sincere while speaking that Ava's eyes widened.

She knew that Asthon was significantly friendlier to her, more than towards Pearl, and he didn't even pay attention to other girls who surrounded him when they visited the Royal Academy. But, she didn't know that it was to the extent of her having a place in his heart. She was overwhelmed after hearing such words at her age.

All she could say was, "Thank you! I really appreciate that. To be honest with you, although I'm still young, I'm not naive to the point that I don't understand when a person likes someone. I just never encountered it myself. But, I do care for you as a good friend, I feel comfortable talking with you, and I hope that we can continue our friendship even though it's more likely going to be a long-distance one."

She took a breath and continued, "We can keep in touch, and I promise that this time I will answer your texts or calls." She promised with a beautiful smile plastered on her face while looking straight into his eyes.

That's all Ashton needed to hear, and he was satisfied with that answer. At least she didn't flat-out turn his small confession down. He wanted her to keep him in mind for the future, and he succeeded.

"Can I ask for a friendly hug? I want something to remember our friendship with." His request wasn't outrageous, so Ava spread her arms to welcome him into a light embrace. After bidding each other a final goodbye, they headed back to the west wing, where everyone was waiting.

===

As soon as they came inside the west wing, Lady Crystal was on Ashton trying to get his autograph and picture. However, Ashton was wise not to have photos taken with just him and lady Crystal. So instead, he called all his group members to have a picture with them. Of course, that irritated Lady Crystal, but she was too much of a lady to complain.

Since there was not much time left, a couple of pictures were taken with the group and the Royals, then with all the girls, followed by just the boys. James was the only one who didn't join them in the picture, especially with Ashton, which was understandable for his twin.

Then it was time for EXODUS to leave. 

As soon as EXODUS was gone, Prince Edward wanted to continue the party. Since it was his birthday, everyone agreed.

"How about we have a night swimming party instead. The weather is nice and warm. I also requested some food and drinks to be prepared for us. What do you all think?" He was excited while he was telling everyone what he had planned. No one dared decline his invitation.

Then, Arria spoke up, "We don't have bathing suits! How are we going to go swimming?" She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Hahaha! Don't worry, I already sent someone to bring bathing suits and swimming trunks for everyone. However, we could also go skinny-dipping." He bantered while his eyes were roaming around to see the reactions of everyone.

"Eweeee!!!"

"Yikes!!!"

"Gross!!!"

"I'll pass on that!" 

Everyone had a different opinion, but no one got offended knowing that he was only joking. 

"Alright! All was settled then; let's all go to the swimming pool!" He shouted, encouraging everyone to follow him. 

Everyone enjoyed the swimming party. Even Crown Prince Philip enjoyed the company of James, Prince Edward, and Prince Edmund, while Jeffrey hung out with the girls, and he loved getting all the attention being the only male.

When it was time to say goodbye, Princess Rose and Arria had become close with each other. They promised to keep in touch while they also joined Pearl's followers.

Lady Crystal moped the whole time because she was not able to get a picture alone with Ashton. So she sat alone in one corner of the pool and never went for a swim the entire time. Everyone just ignored her, even Prince Philip, who was enjoying himself the whole time.

Ava, Akira, and Jeffrey had so much fun competing with one another, swimming back and forth. While James secretly kept an eye on Ava, making sure no one around him would realize it. 

Prince Edmund was quiet the whole time, a couple of times, he tried to get Ava's attention when he went into the water, but Jeffrey was always quick to intervene and pulled Ava away.

The one that had the most enjoyable time was Prince Edward. His lonely life had suddenly brightened after meeting everyone. Now, he had something to look forward to when he started college in the Imperial Academy...

===

President Daniel and First Lady Andrea were sad to bid their only child goodbye when it was time for them to leave. Pearl was crying her heart out while she was being embraced by her mother.

"Be good and study hard. Don't think we don't know that you're live streaming; just be careful not to divulge your identity. Do you understand?" Reminded Andrea. She was worried that it would get to her daughter's head, and one of these days, she would forget and accidentally spill that she was the First Daughter of the United States Of America. She would be targeted by the media if that ever happened. And they don't want that.

"Yes, mom... I promise! I'm always careful, and of course, Sister Chupsy never lets me forget that. So, don't worry, alright?" Tears were still flowing down her beautiful young face.

Hearing that her daughter respected her secret service like an older sister lessened Andrea's burden. Moreover, it meant she would listen to Chupsy, so she made sure to speak with her before they departed.

Tanaga, Ashley, Jeff, Ann, and Arria only stayed one more day since Eva arrived after her fashion shows in Paris. They spent the whole day in the Palace with Alexa and Alexander, along with the children. It was hard for Arria to say goodbye to everyone when it was time for them to go back home. She promised herself that she would do everything to attend the Royal Academy by next school year.

Then it was time for the children to return to the Royal Academy while James went to his apartment in the city. Prince Edward was allowed to accompany James so he could hang out with him. 

When the children returned to the Royal Academy, they were all so tired that everyone passed out as soon as they laid their bodies on their beds.

===

After the coming of age gala, the whole Royal Academy was buzzing with their own stories to tell. It was the talk of the entire school, and it took a long time before the excitement died down. 

Days passed, and months, then it was the end of the year exam before the Christmas Vacation. All the children were studying hard. 

Akira momentarily put her webtoon on hiatus while Pearl informed her followers that she would be taking a break without telling them why. Ava kept in touch with Ashton; they would video chat once in a while. Ashton would give her all the details of what was happening around him. Their friendship grew as the days passed.

James and Prince Edward became good friends. Prince Edward would spend every weekend in James's apartment, or James would go to the Palace. However, not a day went by that James didn't secretly watch Ava from afar...

Lady Crystal was still jealous of the three girls and always thought of getting them in trouble but without success. She was still hoping that Prince Edmund would pay attention to her, but she always gets ignored instead.

Meanwhile, Prince Edmund could only do his best to befriend all three girls, but he would wait for the right time when they all come of age, and that's when he would choose the one he wanted to be his future princess…