Geoffrey stood in his ceremonial military day dress comprised of a navy-blue double-breasted tailcoat with standing collar faced white with gold edging and gold shoulder boards, a gold laced blue trousers, and a cocked hat, as Serena gave him another once over.
"Seen enough?" Geoffrey asked Serena as he gave her a lopsided smile.
Although Serena should have already been immune to his charms by now, there were days such as this when Geoffrey's pheromones would suddenly take her off-guard. Realizing that she might be blushing like a girl with a crush, Serena slightly lowered her head before slowly reaching out to pull at the edge of Geoffrey's left sleeve adorned with golden stripes. She gently shook her head to indicate no. "I will miss you."
Geoffrey's eyes curved before pulling Serena in an embrace. Although he knew that she was putting on a show for everyone to see, he also understood that she was being true. "I will miss you more, my princess. Now, stop giving me that look unless you want me to carry you inside the vehicle and let the imaginations of the spectating crowd to run wild." He whispered.
Serena blushed to her ears not only because of Geoffrey's words but also because she could feel the hardness of his length as he pressed their body together. In her embarrassment, she could only burrow her head on his chest.
Geoffrey chuckled before pulling back. Looking at Serena with gentleness that can turn any normal lady into a puddle of goo, he tucked some loose strands that escaped her updo to the back of her ear before kissing her forehead. "Serena, I have to go."
Serena at a loss for words could only nod her head in response as she unwrapped her arms holding Geoffrey. Although it was her idea to display their affections in public for her own selfish means, it never fails to astound her whenever Geoffrey would take the reins.
Geoffrey knew that it was really time to go but he couldn't help but give some reminders. "Serena, promise me that you will take care of yourself while I'm away. Don't let mother's words get to you and, well, I guess I don't have to worry about you being bored given the upcoming Season. However, don't tire yourself too much. Attend only those you deem to know you will enjoy, and since I'm not here, you can have your brother, Leonard, escort you to whatever occasion in my stead."
Serena sighed but couldn't help her lips from tilting upwards. Geoffrey was worrying about her when it should be the other way around. "I promise. However, Geoffrey, I will just be here while you, on the other hand, would be the one heading far with a challenging mission ahead. Please, lay your worries at rest, take care of yourself, and focus your attention on your mission for all I can do is pray for your safety and wait for your return."
Geoffrey smiled as he nodded his head. "Alright. Then, wait for my return and I will try to get back in time for the Kensington ball."
"Yes. Now, it's time for you to go, everyone's waiting." Serena finally urged.
Geoffrey gave Serena a look which says, 'I can't believe you', before taking a step back. Then, he tipped his hat towards Serena, before walking towards the waiting vehicle, a black ford model T, which would take him to Torton.
Serena watched Geoffrey about to enter the vehicle's door when suddenly, he turned to look at her. To her confusion, he began trudging back towards her.
Geoffrey felt that he forgot something, so he walked back to Serena. Seeing her perplexed expression, he smirked before grasping her chin. "For luck." He whispered before lowering his head for a kiss.
Serena could only widen her eyes in surprise and shock. The last he kissed her on the lips in public was on their wedding day!
The royals could only frown, the nobles were half-half, while the spectating crowd cheered, some even catcalling.
"Stop worrying over nothing. No one can, nor will ever take your place. I love you, Serena." He whispered before finally pulling back, satisfied. Not waiting for a response, he tipped his hat once more before walking to the car and entering it.
--
After Geoffrey and the rest of his entourage left, Serena knew that it was time to go. Turning around, she was greeted by the sight of the royal family, ehem ehem, Geoffrey and her family, looking at her.
King Edward V, Geoffrey's father, as usual did not seem like he cared so as their eyes met, he just gave her a nod of acknowledgement before turning around to be the first to leave.
Queen Loretta looked at her then her eyes moved to Annalys then back at her again as if telling her that she should get started with what they talked about and agreed on, before following the king towards their shared vehicle.
Queen consort Floresca, the king's second wife, did not show any expression along with her son, third prince Edmond (age 22). Meanwhile her other son, second prince Frederick (age 23) gave her a sarcastic smile. She understood what he meant because to the royal family and the rest of the upper nobility, her real situation was no secret.
She chose to return Frederick's smile with a sweet one of her own. She knew that he, along with his mother and Edmond, hated her for obvious reasons. They were also waiting and finding opportunities to bring her, and hopefully Geoffrey, towards their downfall. Not that she was worried for she has long labeled them as cannon fodders.
Then, there was Princess consort Daniella (28), the third wife of the king, whom she was more friendly with. She smiled at her, while her children princess Danica (8), and Prince Albert (6), waved at her. She gave a more sincere smile in return and waved back at the children.
Since her position was above theirs (since she's crown prince Geoffrey's legal wife), she was given the priority to leave first. On the way, she saw her lady-in-waiting, Annalys, and like usual, instead of letting her follow behind her, she looped their arms together so that they can walk side by side on the way to her waiting vehicle.
--
TBC
Serena sighed after being seated in her car. Finally, she was out of the public's eyes. Although she still revels in the positive attention, there were days when her cheeks would hurt with all her smiling.
"Why are you sighing your highness? Is it because of what his royal highness did earlier?" Annalys being the 'concerned' and cheeky friend that she was portraying herself to be, teased.
Serena, recalling what Geoffrey did a while back, couldn't help but smile again. Geoffrey understood her main agenda for displaying their love to the public, and though he would get over the top at times, it's very reassuring that he supported her.
Anyhow, answering Annalys, she shook her head. "No, it's not that. I just thought that I would miss him these coming days. By the way, why are you addressing me as your highness this moment? It's just the two of us now."
Annalys gently knocked her head with her fist. "Oh yes. Sorry, Serena. It's just that I get confused at times and am afraid I get it wrong in public." She said with laughter in her eyes.
Serena chuckled at Annalys' antics, "The great blunder. Not that I would mind. Annalys, I'm glad that you're here. Without Geoffrey by my side, especially with the upcoming Season next week, I would truly be lonely in my lonesome company."
Annalys looked at Serena unbelievingly. "I highly doubt that. Whenever you show up for any event, everyone would vie for your attention that even I find it hard to breathe with them hovering around you."
Serena shook her head with a smile. "It's different. Anyhow, talking about the upcoming Season, I think that Geoffrey leaving couldn't have come in a more opportune timing."
Annalys cocked her head to her left. Why was that so? she seemed to ask without voicing her question.
Serena grinned. "Well, you're 22 this year. Don't you think it's high time that you start considering marriage?"
Annalys blushed. "That's for my parents to decide…"
"Hmm… though I know that your parents would never decide on a match that won't be good for you, I believe that your input is also just as important. You're the one who will be spending the rest of your life with your prospective husband so don't you think you should also consider your options by yourself?" Serena baited.
"You know who I have always wanted to marry…" Annalys said in a voice only slightly louder than a whisper.
Serena knew that Annalys was pertaining to Charlton and that's why she always stopped venturing on this topic in the past because she did not want to talk about him.
When Annalys first became her lady-in-waiting, there were days when she would want to talk about Charlton because she knew that the two of them worked closely in the music industry in the past.
Sometimes, it's both a blessing and a curse that Annalys did not know. A blessing because if she did, with how obsessed Annalys was which thankfully reduced with time, she doubts that they would have a relationship as good as they had now. A curse, because whenever the name Charlton was mentioned, she could go on and on about how perfect he was in her eyes.
Serena was over Charlton. She admits that she did think of him from time to time, especially that her first pregnancy was his. However, as Celine Dion's song said, 'but you were history with the slamming of the door' in this case, he. Gods, she can't even remember how many times she sang that song in her head as she hoped against hope. However, in the end, her desperation won, and she clung to Geoffrey.
Yes, she did wrong Charlton, and though it was also because she thought he wronged her too, she understood his choices. They fell apart because they could not overcome their situation. So, she already let go of whatever bitter feelings she had for him.
When she learned about his father's death, she felt bad for him but was not able to send her condolences. She has been on bed rest when the news came out and she did not even know of it until she returned to society and even then, she just lost her baby in a miscarriage and so was busy with her own problems.
Aside from that, she was part of the royal family, and she knew that the primary suspect was her father-in-law. Though she highly doubts that he committed anything of sorts because the king, for all his inadequacy, was not that stupid. Also, despite him being a bully to Geoffrey, he was not that evil either. Perhaps it was truly a natural death. She just hoped that Charlton truly let the matter rest like what she has been seeing so far.
In any case, whatever happened to Charlton had nothing to do with her. He lived his own life, and she lived her own. She did not want to think of him, hear of him, talk about him, much more see him for the rest of her life. She hopes that they continue living their lives the way they were doing now. Parallel to each other, never intersecting again. Fortunately, though nothing in the original novel ended the way they did on her end, Charlton did not return to the royal capital. Hopefully, it would remain that way till the end of their days.
Now, back to Annalys. Though she did not want to continue the conversation especially that Charlton was a topic they would inevitably touch, she had to face it. In all actuality, it's not that she didn't like Annalys to have her happy ending with Charlton.
Ok, so maybe she really did not. However, though there's some personal reason intermixed, it's largely because if the union were to happen, the combined military forces of the Daniels and the Cross family would become large enough to compete with the military forces of the royal family. Perhaps it would have been alright initially, but given everything that happened to Charlton, from his father being sent to prison, then dying in prison, she wouldn't take it against anyone to think of the possibilities.
By the way, that's also why she began having a newfound respect for the king. Looking back, it was when he saw Duke Argent Cross approaching Charlton that he tried to pair Charlton with Emily during the 88th Charlotte's ball. She did not understand his reasons then, but being part of the royal family, she could only think that he was king for a reason.
--
TBC
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