As Geoffrey was seated inside his car about to leave the palace, he saw through the window that Charlton's mother, Princess Georgina, alighted her car. He furrowed his brows. What could she be doing there? He wondered. She rarely ever visits. 

He shook his head as he scoffed. He would find out soon enough. Although he still somewhat respects his father despite what he does to him, he was not that stupid not to have spies on his end. Heuseff, the king's groom of the stool was already one of his men.

--

Geoffrey arrived at the gates of Maxwell's ducal mansion at 2 in the afternoon. It was a change from always coming in the dark of the night. 

He and his men were welcomed formally as he sent his card ahead of time. It was something he contemplated on, whether he should just go and catch Serena off guard, or should he send a card first to observe propriety. In the end, he decided that it's better to just send one so he could see what Serena would do in preparation to receive him.

As he went down his car after his footman opened the door, the servants in Serena's mansion all greeted him with them down on one knee. "Your highness."

Geoffrey was used to such welcome, and just looked straight to the mansion's porch. Standing there was Serena. Despite seeing her every night, the past 5 days, he still found himself entranced. For a second, he almost thought that she's there to truly welcome him.

He walked towards her and when he finally reached her, she did a curtsy. He recalled that every time he visited after he graduated, she would give him a curtsy and greet him with a "your highness." He would always laugh it off and tell her to call him by his name.

This time was no different. Although it somehow irritated him, he let the matter go and just smiled at her. Putting in place the façade of normalcy.

"Serena, just call me Geoffrey, we will be wed soon." He said, mentioning their marriage casually, trying to see how she would react.

Serena's eyes widened by a fraction but tried not to show it. It was the first time that Geoffrey mentioned it so casually. Not wanting him to notice, she gave him a nod as she tried to change the topic by asking him to come inside.

Geoffrey noted Serena's expression of surprise though how miniscule it was. She was too easy to read. Was he too blind before that's why he never noticed? Or was it just like this because he already knew what she was hiding? Somehow, he was feeling some entertainment with what he's doing. Did they feel this way whenever they thought they played him well? He must admit, the feeling was exhilarating, the knowledge that instead of being the one played, he was now the one in control of the game.

Serena guided them to the drawing room, and she made Geoffrey sit on the couch.

Geoffrey smiled and took the single seat. Making Serena sit on the three-seater couch beside it. 

Two servants were in the room, and she asked one to bring in the tea.

"So… why did you visit today?" Serena asked, trying to sound welcoming.

"I wanted to see you. Aren't you happy to see me?" He said with a smile on his face.

'Gods, why was Geoffrey being like this again?' She thought. She just wanted to tell him off, but she can't do that now. Just a little more and Charlton would be able to ask for her hand. She must not alert Geoffrey especially that Leonard already gave her a warning.

Serena tried to smile back and nod her head.

Geoffrey's eyes mooned; he could totally see that she was doing so reluctantly. But it was a good start. It means that she really has no idea what he's been doing to her, nor does she and Charlton have any clue that he already knows.

The servant with the tea came back and placed the tea set on the coffee table. Then she bowed and went to stand on her original position earlier.

Serena personally poured a cup for Geoffrey and one for herself.

Geoffrey took the cup as he observed her drinking from her own. She looked a bit jittery and nervous. Was it because of his presence? Was it because she was guilty? Or was it because she was just afraid that he'll figure out what she's doing behind his back?

Geoffrey smirked. He wondered how far he can push her. Wanting to test it himself, he looked at the servants with furrowed brows. The servants, understanding the meaning of that excused themselves as they closed the doors of the drawing room, leaving the two of them alone.

Serena looked at Geoffrey in askance. Although it's not the first time they have been alone with each other, it just felt strange that he did that without her permission.

Geoffrey just smiled, then, he stood up from his seat to sit beside her.

Serena tried not to act like she was reluctant to be near him. They have attended balls together, they have sat by side by side before, he held her hand, he danced with her, he embraced her, and there were also times when he kissed her. Just a mere touching of the lips and nothing much though. He always got away with it because despite all those, he still kept some propriety. Besides, if she didn't let him, she was afraid that he'll marry her right after graduation. She needed to buy time.

Geoffrey took her right hand on his left and intertwined their fingers. "I missed you." he said.

Serena backed away a little when he started to lean in. "Geoffrey, I think this is…"

Geoffrey wanted to laugh sarcastically at her reaction. If he didn't know better, he would think that she's just not used to the intimacy and was an innocent to the ways of how lovers interact. But he knew better.

--

TBC

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