After the song 'moon river' came to an end, the interlude for the ball followed.

Geoffrey led Serena to the refreshment area and nobles specially those allied to Geoffrey knew not to intrude. However, there were some people who just wanted to seek attention, and one such was Emily. 

Since Charlton was her partner, he had to send her to the refreshment area before he can leave, but since she chose to approach Geoffrey and Serena, he felt compelled to accompany her. In fact, he thought that it was good she chose to do that, at least that way, Serena won't be left alone with Geoffrey for long.

"Your highness, Lady Serena, it has been a while. I hope we're not intruding?" Emily said as she curtsied and greeted them.

Charlton who now stood beside her also gave a polite greeting to Geoffrey and Serena.

Serena though feeling some irrational jealousy, for the first time felt that Emily was very pleasing to the eyes. Whatever to save her from some alone time with Geoffrey. Thus, she smiled and greeted the two politely. "Ms. Emily, Lord Daniel. Indeed, it has been a while."

Geoffrey, although did not really like the two joining them, had to be polite. Anyway, in a bout of genius because he knew that Serena thought that he had an affair with Emily before, which was true, while at the same time there was an irrational part of him jealous about how she looks at Charlton, he decided to pair them up. "Ms. Evans, Charlton. Your dance earlier was an eye opener. You two make a handsome pair. Should I be expecting wedding bells soon?" 

Emily blushed, "your highness… that is…"

Serena tried not to choke on her own saliva. What the hell?

Charlton cleared his throat. He knew he should not, but Geoffrey's words scratched him the wrong way. "Ms. Emily and I are just friends, please do not mention such matter so offhandedly Geoffrey." he said.

Geoffrey frowned. Charlton's head was really becoming too big. Although they were cousins and friends, he was still the crown prince, yet he mentioned his name so casually and even dared to rebut him. All this in front of his own fiancée. If it were just the two of them, then it would have been fine, however they were in a society ball.

Aside from that, there was some feeling of enmity after he declined his olive branch.

Serena felt the change in atmosphere and knew that Charlton made a mistake. She looked at Geoffrey who has his eyebrows furrowed. She took a deep breath, just a few more months. She told herself.

"Geoffrey?" she called.

Geoffrey who unconsciously clenched his fist unclenched it hearing her voice. Her turned to face her and smiled.

"Yes?"

Serena gave him a smile as she shook her head, "I think that you should not mention marriage so casually. Lord Daniel and Ms. Emily just shared one dance."

Geoffrey nodded in agreement, then he faced the two, "I apologize, I believe I just got winded with the thought of marriage lately. As you two know, Serena and I have long been engaged and I am hoping that we will marry soon."

Serena's smile faltered. Ok, that did not go in a way she wanted it to go.

Charlton tried to keep a straight face.

Emily giggled, "Then I believe felicities are in order. Congratulations, your highness, Lady Serena. I hope when the day comes, you won't forget to send me an invite, for old times' sake."

Thankfully, before the conversation move further on that direction, Leonard came to Serena's rescue.

"Your highness, Ms. Evans, Charlton, I hate to intrude on this reunion, but my parents are calling for Serena to introduce her to their friends. I hope you don't mind."

Serena finally found her salvation and was quick to walk towards her brother's side.

Geoffrey tried not to show how displeased he was. What was wrong with these people? It was rare for him and Serena to spend time together, and now that they did, these pests were coming from all directions.

However, it was Serena's family, so he can only give a small smile and nod his head as Leonard whisked her away.

In the end, he was left with Emily and Charlton. Not in the mood to spend time with the two, he simply excused himself and left.

Still, that encounter left a deep impression on him.

Since the time of Serena's graduation, when Charlton declined supporting him, he already felt that he was up to something. What, he did not know.

Thus, he ordered his men to find out his coming and goings. However, in the past 10 days, they have found nothing. 

Charlton's transactions were clean. There was not even a single speck of dirt on him. However, Geoffrey was not completely convinced. He knew Charlton's influence was not weak, and he just felt that he's hiding something. It was of no consequence if Charlton was on his side, but again, he said no to him, and it left a sour taste on his mouth.

Then earlier, Charlton's action was out of the ordinary. He saw that his cousin was baring his fangs. 

--

When the night has ended, and Geoffrey was back inside his room, one of his men came to report.

"Were you able to do as I instructed?" Geoffrey asked. 

"Yes, your highness, we have successfully recruited a person from the telephone company."

"Did you find anything new?"

"According to the man, they can only retreive the call log for up to 3 days. From the other day and yesterday, we noticed that he gave and received calls from the same line."

"Did you find out where the call was coming from?"

"It was from the ducal house of Maxwell, your highness."

Geoffrey closed his eyes as he felt his heart thundering on his chest. Was it just Leonard and Charlton corresponding or was there a conspiracy going on? He wondered and he knew he would not be able to sleep until he finds out.

"Is there a way to record the conversations or at least listen to them?" he asked.

"I apologize your highness. I would need to verify that from the man."

Geoffrey nodded his head, "Then return once you do."

--

TBC

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