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Felicity's POV.
Despite everything, I smiled. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe again — like maybe things could finally start to make sense.
Penelope sighed beside me, folding her arms dramatically. "Well, that was an emotional earthquake. You okay?"
I nodded faintly. "I think so."
"Good," she said, clapping her hands. "Because, honey, your ex–best friend slash ex–boyfriend just pulled a full-on soap opera redemption arc in our hallway. And if there's one thing I know about Oxford—drama never ends at Act One."
Before I could respond, another knock sounded at the door.
Penelope froze. "Oh no. Don't tell me there's a sequel."
I frowned. "Who could that—"
The door creaked open. And standing there, holding a bouquet of white lilies dusted with snow, was Christopher.
His grey coat glimmered softly in the light, his hair tousled by the wind, cheeks flushed from the cold. But his eyes—his eyes—narrowed the second they landed on Theo leaving down the corridor. And just like that, the air went from cold to freezing.
"Oh, brilliant," Penelope muttered. "Here comes the royal storm cloud."
"Christopher," I said softly. "It's not what—"
But he wasn't looking at me. His jaw flexed. "What is he doing here? I told you to stay away from her, didn't I?"
Theo turned at the sound of his voice, guilt written all over his face. "I was just leaving."
"I can see that," Christopher said coolly. "You've already stayed long enough."
The tension was too loud.
Penelope, bless her chaotic soul, stepped between them like a referee. "Alright, gentlemen, before you two start measuring your heartbreaks, can we remember we're inside a dorm room—and I just vacuumed?"
"Penelope," I hissed, mortified.
She smirked. "What? I'm trying to save lives and furniture."
Theo looked at me one last time. "Goodbye, Felicity."
And then he walked away. The sound of the door closing behind him echoed louder than it should have.
Christopher turned to me. "You didn't tell me he was here."
I rubbed my temples. "I didn't know he was coming! He just—showed up."
He set the bouquet on my desk, his voice quieter but still trembling. "He just showed up? After three days or longer?"
"Chris, please—"
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing. "I'm not mad that he came. I'm mad because I saw the look on his face, Felicity. And I know that look. That's the look of a man who still loves you."
Penelope's head snapped toward him. "And you sound like a man who's about to confess something royal."
He froze, glancing at her, then back at me.
"Penelope—" I sighed.
"No, no, don't mind me," Penelope said, raising her hands innocently. "Just here for the popcorn."
Christopher took a deep breath. "Felicity, I didn't mean to intrude. I came to check on you… and to ask if you'd like to go somewhere later. Somewhere peaceful. Just us."
Penelope arched a brow. "Define 'somewhere.' Because if it's another drama zone, I'm out."
Christopher smiled faintly, his voice softening. "No, Penelope. Somewhere quiet. Stars, hot chocolate… maybe a little firelight."
Penelope gasped dramatically. "Oh, he's planning a date! Alright, you've won me over, royal Romeo."
"Penelope," I groaned again, cheeks pink.
"Oh, don't 'Penelope' me," she said, pointing at Christopher. "You, sir, take her somewhere gorgeous. And you"—she turned to me—"need to change out of that emotional-sad-girl sweater because we're going shopping right now. Winter Ball is coming, and you, my darling, are not showing up looking like heartbreak."
Christopher's smile returned slightly. "She's right. You should go."
Penelope blinked. "Did the prince just agree with me? Wow. Mark the date, people."
Christopher chuckled under his breath, his accent melting into something warm and teasing. "Don't get used to it."
"Oh, I won't," she said, grabbing her purse. "Now come on, Fel. Oxford awaits."
"Atchoo! Ugh—this sneezing! Wait, I'm allergic to white lilies. Do you even know me at all?" I said, rubbing my nose.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Chris said quickly. "Of course I know you. But I don't know your favorite flower. You know what—don't tell me. I'll get it next time."
I gave Christopher a small smile. "I'll see you later?"
He nodded. "I'll text you the details. Seven o'clock?"
"Seven," I said softly.
When we left, Penelope looped her arm through mine. "Girl, I don't know who you're going to end up with, but whichever one wins better send me flowers."
I laughed. "You're insane."
"And fabulous," she said proudly. "Now, let's find you a dress that'll make Chris forget his name."
The Shopping Moment.
Oxford was freezing that morning, but Penelope's energy could melt snow.
"Come on, Paddington!" she sang, dragging me by the arm through the glass doors of Claudia's Boutique, one of the most glamorous dress shops in town. "If we're going to face the Winter Ball, we're doing it in style."
The boutique was breathtaking—glittering chandeliers, polished marble floors, and racks of dresses that shimmered like constellations. I blinked. "Penny, I can't afford to even breathe in here."
She smirked. "Relax. I have a student discount and a dangerously persuasive smile. Now, let's make you unforgettable."
Before I could protest, she was piling my arms with sequins, silk, and sparkles. "Try this one! And this one! Oh, and this one makes you look like a billionaire's scandal."
I groaned. "Penelope, I'm not auditioning for a music video."
"Exactly," she said, twirling a hanger. "You're starring in your own comeback story."
I rolled my eyes but followed her into the fitting area. Dress after dress came and went—too tight, too sparkly, too pink, too everything. Then, as Penelope chatted with the shop assistant, something caught my eye.
It wasn't loud or overly fancy—it was alive.
A deep amethyst dress shimmered from the corner rack, knee-length, sleeveless, with a subtle train that caught the light like twilight rain. When I touched it, the fabric was cool, soft, and almost weightless—like it had been waiting for me.
Penelope noticed my pause. "You found something, didn't you?"
"I—" I hesitated. "It's just… pretty."
She snorted. "Pretty? Felicity, that dress is royalty trapped in fabric."
I laughed. "You're dramatic."
"I'm right," she said, folding her arms. "Try it on before someone else steals your destiny."
I sighed, grabbed the hanger, and stepped into the dressing room. The moment the zipper slid up, I stared at my reflection. The dress hugged me perfectly—not too much, not too little. The color brought warmth to my skin, and when I turned, the lights seemed to follow.
Penelope gasped from outside. "Paddington, if you don't buy that, I swear I'll disown you as a best friend."
I stepped out. She wasn't exaggerating. Even I barely recognized myself.
"It's just a dress," I said softly, but my voice shook.
Penelope smiled knowingly. "No, Felicity. That's not just a dress. That's the one he'll see you in and forget how to breathe."
I laughed, blushing. "You mean Christopher?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Unless you plan on impressing the boutique mannequins."
I rolled my eyes again but couldn't help smiling. For the first time in a while, I felt beautiful—confident, even. Like I could walk into that Winter Ball and not hide from my past…or from him.
Penelope stood behind me as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The purple dress shimmered softly under the boutique lights, catching every movement like starlight.
Penelope grinned. "Well, well, look at you. If beauty had a name, it'd be Felicity Paddington in that dress."
I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself. "Stop it."
She gasped dramatically. "Stop it? Girl, you look like you just stepped out of a royal fairytale. Chris is going to combust."
"Penelope!" I laughed, blushing.
She winked. "I'm just saying. Oxford might need a fire extinguisher."
I turned back to the mirror, smoothing the fabric thoughtfully. "Now… the shoes."
Penelope clapped her hands. "Yes! The shoes! Something elegant, maybe—"
"I know the shoes I'm going to wear," I said with a little smile. "Now your turn, Miss Penny. Your dress, your shoes, and your date. Who's the lucky one?"
Penelope pretended to think, tapping her chin. "Hmm. Let's see… Nah, there's no one out there. I just keep my options open, you know what I mean?"
I laughed. "Oh, bummer. But you have to choose before the Winter Ball."
"I know, I know," she said, waving me off. "First the dress, then the shoes. And don't worry—I'll make the flower crowns myself. They'll be legendary."
I smiled at her reflection beside mine. "You already are."
Penelope grinned. "I know."
>>>>>>>>>>
Christopher's POV.
Later that night, the stars hadn't looked this bright in weeks. I stood in the middle of the college courtyard, bundled up in a wool coat, staring up at the sky as snowflakes drifted down. The world was quiet except for the faint crackle of a small fire pit I'd borrowed — with a bit of royal persuasion — from the campus groundskeeper.
Jake's voice came through my phone. "Mate, are you actually setting up a stargazing picnic in the snow? Are you trying to freeze or fall in love?"
"Bit of both, I suppose," I said with a smirk. "It's for Felicity."
"Oh, of course it is," Jake teased. "Does she know you're half mad?"
"She'll find out soon enough," I said. "I just need tonight to go right, Jake. No interruptions, no Theo—Alex—or whatever his name is, crawling out of the past."
"Ouch. Who's Theo? Wait, is it Alex?" Jake asked.
I tensed. "Yes. The one who broke Felicity's heart in high school. I don't care about him."
"You sound like you care, mate. But anyway, don't break her heart again. You know… the bet."
I sighed, staring at the candles flickering across the table I'd set up under a string of fairy lights. "I just don't want her hurt again. And I hurt her before. Please, Jake—you have to keep the secret. Please."
Jake's tone softened. "Okay, I will. But then don't hurt her again."
"I won't," I said quietly.
I placed the finishing touches — warm blankets, a flask of cocoa, and a small telescope. Everything had to be perfect. Because tonight wasn't just about the stars. It was about us.
The way she laughed, even when life knocked her down. The way she said my name like it meant something more. The way she made me — Prince Christopher, heir to chaos — want to be a man worth loving.
I looked up at the night sky and smiled.
"Alright, Felicity Paddington," I whispered to myself. "Let's make tonight unforgettable.