"Welcome back milord." The butler greeted as Leonard entered the mansion.

Leonard gave a nod to the butler then asked. "Where's Serena?" He has been used to her welcoming him back as she always did that even on days when he just returns from the ministry. Also, he wanted to hand her the souvenir she asked for. Although they were not siblings by blood, their relationship was pretty good.

"Lady Serena has not come down from her bedroom yet. Perhaps she's still tired from the ball last night." The butler reported.

Leonard looked at his watch. It was already 1 in the afternoon. He shook his head. "Where's her servant girl Beatrice?"

"She's taken leave the day after you left milord. Currently, the housekeeper, Mildred, is taking over her duties."

"The housekeeper?" Leonard asked as he furrowed his brows. 

"Yes, she said that she has done a similar job before and that she has a lot of time in her hands. Thus, instead of letting some inexperienced servants serve the lady, she volunteered herself." The butler explained.

Leonard felt it a bit strange but then again, the explanation seems reasonable. "Alright. Then instruct Mildred to wake Serena up. It's already late. I haven't had my lunch yet, so tell her that I requested she join me." He instructed before he walked to his chambers to freshen up from his journey.

--

"Milady…" Mildred called as she knocked on Serena's door.

Serena who was not able to sleep much was again jolted awake. She was not usually a light sleeper but that morning, as soon as the birds chirped, she was awakened. She tried to sleep more, her eyes and body were tired plus she knew that she needed to for her health, but her mind was just awake. 

Anyway, she decided to get up and open the door.

"Milady, sorry for disturbing your sleep, but Lord Leonard has arrived, and he requested you join him for a meal." Mildred explained.

"When did he arrive? Is he in the dining room already?" Serena asked feeling a bit guilty. She usually welcomes him when he arrives back, not that it's her duty to, but he's been away for 2 weeks. 

"He just arrived a few minutes ago. Currently, he's in his chambers. Shall I help you in getting ready?" 

Serena nodded and let Mildred in.

--

When Serena arrived in the dining room, Leonard was already seated waiting for her.

"Welcome back, brother Leonard. Sorry to keep you waiting." Serena greeted as she gave him a smile. Trying to act normal despite the turmoil she's feeling.

Leonard smiled back. "It's alright. Come sit down."

Serena sat in front of him. "So, how was your trip?"

"Grueling." Leonard replied. 

Serena giggled. 

Leonard's eyes turned to crescents as he looked at Serena, then as if the lecture her, he asked. "So, what have you been up to since I left? It's already 2:30 and this would only be your first meal."

"Nothing much. Just being lazy here at home." Serena replied as the servant served the soup. Serena took a spoon to feed herself but before she could even put the spoon in her mouth, the smell of pumpkin began to nauseate her. She quickly stood up to head to the comfort room.

Leonard was surprised with Serena suddenly standing up. "Serena?"

Serena ignored him and walked away. When she reached the comfort room, she vomited. Was she sick? No, maybe not. She touched her stomach. Maybe she's truly pregnant? Anyway, she went back to the dining room. 

"What happened?" Leonard asked in concern.

Serena shook her head, "It's nothing." 

Leonard observed Serena. This time, he noticed the redness in her eyes and the slightly darkened circles under them. She was up so late but why did it seem like she didn't sleep at all? "I was informed that you came back home early from the ball with Geoffrey last night. Is there something I need to know?"

Serena was again reminded of what happened last night with Geoffrey. Gods, what would Charlton think? She needs to call him now. She thought absentmindedly.

Leonard stared at Serena who did not respond to him and looked like she was in a world of her own. She was being a bit strange. Then again, maybe she was still tired? Changing the topic, he said, "Never mind. Just eat your meal now." 

Serena heard what Leonard said and started eating. Thankfully, her stomach was able to take the food this time. 

--

After the meal, Leonard handed a shawl made of white fur. He did not know what to buy for her, but seeing the shawl, he knew she would like it. 

Serena took the gift happily. "Thank you, brother Leonard. You're the best!" she said as she hugged him. 

Leonard awkwardly patted her back. Serena was not usually touchy with him but maybe she just liked the gift very much? Anyhow, he excused himself for he was tired from the trip. He went back to his room to rest. 

As Leonard left, Serena quickly went to the telephone. She looked left and right just in case. As if someone will find out what she would be doing. Then, she dialed his number.

"This is Daniel Ducal Mansion. How may I help you?" a woman's voice from the other line spoke.

Serena furrowed her brows, why was a woman answering the phone? Usually, it's a male servant that does so. "Hello, may I speak to Lord Daniel?"

"May I ask who this is?" 

Serena was instantly irritated. "Why are you asking who I am? Why? Are you Lord Daniel's keeper?" she asked.

"I'm sorry Madam if I offended you. I will inform the lord right away."

Serena heard the other line went silent and she waited for Charlton to answer. Then, she realized what she said and how she treated the woman who was probably just a servant doing her job. Gods, maybe it's because she wasn't able to sleep that's why she was having this temper. She was just so irritated, it felt like the woman was staking claims on her man. How dare her?

"I'm sorry madam, milord is still asleep. Would you please kindly leave your name and number so that he could call you back later?"

Serena frowned. Was the woman lying? Or was Charlton keeping some mistress and hiding away from her? No. what was she even thinking? She was about to leave her name but then thought what would people think if they knew she was acting that way? Would they think that she's an evil person? 

Not wanting to leave her name and give a bad impression, she just hanged the phone without answering the question.

--

After 20 minutes, Serena picked up the phone again. Then she dialed the same number.

"This is Daniel Ducal Mansion. How may I help you?" the same woman's voice from the other line spoke.

Serena did not want to reveal that she's the same person, so she deepened her voice. "Good afternoon. May I speak with Lord Daniel? This is Edward Easton. It's important." 

"Please wait a moment."

Serena furrowed her brows, did the bitch just lied to her earlier? Did she wait for 20 minutes but Charlton was awake all along? She's gonna tell him to fire that servant. How dare she do that to her? Just because she was a female caller that servant thought not to tell Charlton she called. Did she want to seduce him? Did she want to climb his bed? 

What if Charlton lets her? What if he lets any girl climb his bed and just not tell her? What more he saw Geoffrey doing that to her? Would he want to replace her already?

Then she started crying again.

No, he won't. She was pregnant with their child. He would never leave her. She smiled again happily.

 --

TBC

AN: Guys, again Serena's now showing some symptoms of withdrawal. Remember she's been drugged for 2 weeks. I did research about the drug that was used on her and people suffer that way bec it affects the Central Nervous System. Some don't even recover from the damage. The recovery period if a person is on rehab would take months. Plus remember, what was done to her is immediate withdrawal making the effect more drastic. If you don't believe you may also read about it. So DON'T TAKE DRUGS AND NEVER ABUSE DRUGS.

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