It was Sunday. Geoffrey was sitting inside his car as he stared at the ring he was holding. It was the heirloom which was passed down from one generation to the next to be given to the crown princess and future queen of their kingdom. 

He sighed. Then, he placed the ring back in his pocket. Although he has longed for this moment, there was a little sourness with the knowledge that Serena would only choose to be with him because Charlton abandoned her.

He shook his head. He was the architect and the engineer of everything that happened, and there's no point pondering on what he could have done instead. He knew that Serena would only marry him because she has been pushed to a corner, but a part of him still hoped that she would grow to love him in the end.

Truly, he was mad. That he knew that she would just use him, but he was more than willing. While at the same time, that after all he did to her, he was still hoping that everything can still turn to be that of a fairytale. 

He was shaken out of his reverie when the door was opened. They have arrived at the Maxwell ducal mansion.

--

Serena has anticipated Geoffrey's visit and thus opted to wait in the drawing room. She has thought of it a hundred times or more. What she would do, what step to take. So many possibilities, but all just led to a dead end. 

The butler opened the door and Geoffrey entered. Serena immediately stood to welcome him. 

Geoffrey noted that Serena seems tense. He smiled at her as he approached. He held her hands which felt cold and clammy. "Serena, please, no need to stand in ceremony." 

Serena awkwardly smiled back as she nodded her head. She felt nervous. How could she not be? She knew that Geoffrey was her lifeline, and she doesn't know if he'll take her when he finds out the truth. Could she really tell him?

The two of them sat. 

"So how have you been these days? I heard that you have been attending parties more often. I apologize for not being able to accompany you." Geoffrey began.

"I am doing better. It's alright, my mother was with me during those events." Serena answered. Then, she bit her lower lip as she looked away from him. She wanted to tell him but did not know where to start. She rarely initiated their conversations. She realized just how little she knew of Geoffrey. He has always been there, but she never took the time to really know him. 

Geoffrey seeing her bite her lower lip placed his hand on her cheek as he brushed her lip with his thumb. "Don't do that, unless you're tempting me to kiss you."

Serena's eyes widened. Gods, how does she tell him when he's being like this again. 

Geoffrey chuckled, "Anyhow, you seem nervous. Is there something you wish to tell me?" he asked gently.

Serena took a deep breath. There's no point prolonging this. "Geoffrey… I think… no, I'm quite positive that… I'm pregnant." She finally said as she closed her eyes. 

Geoffrey stared at Serena whose eyes were closed. As if afraid of what his response would be. To be honest, he did not know if he should be happy or disappointed. That she shared this news to him, he did not know her purpose. Was it so that they would rush their marriage? He shook his head. It does not matter. Either way, he would marry her.

Serena did not know what to expect. Would he doubt her now? Truth was, they only had sex once and how likely was it that she would get pregnant immediately? Would he doubt the paternity of the child?

"Serena, open your eyes." He said in a low voice akin to a whisper.

Serena slowly opened her eyes and when she saw what he was doing, her vision blurred. Geoffrey was kneeling before her, presenting the ring she saw his mother wore. It was the engagement ring given to the crown princess of the kingdom. 

"Serena, I know that we've been engaged for years, but I wanted to propose before we walk down the aisle. Now that you're pregnant with our child, I guess you would definitely say yes, and it would be a double celebration for me. But still, let me ask, will you marry me?" Geoffrey asked, his eyes in crescents. The words he uttered, he dreamed of saying them to her so many times. When he found out the truth, he was so angry, and his heart was full of hatred. Now, he can only see the hypocrisy in him. What question? He would never ask the question without the assurance that she would say yes. 

Serena let her tears fall. Could she do it to Geoffrey? She knew that she fooled him for 3 years, but that was a different case. She always thought that she would marry Charlton and just make it up to him in some way someday. But now, it has come to this. She needed to marry Geoffrey… but how could she let him marry someone like her? Someone who has not only fooled him but was even… a damaged good. She was carrying a child, and she was not even sure if it's his or Charlton's.

Geoffrey saw Serena's tears fall and it made him nervous. Would she still choose Charlton despite everything? Would she still reject him? "Serena?" he called her name.

Serena pulled him up to sit beside her. When he was back on his seat, she began talking, her lips trembling, as her tears fell continuously.

"Geoffrey… I… it's not you who needs to ask if I would marry you, but rather me who needs to ask. I know you told me that you loved me many times, and I hope that it still rings true. Please, do not be angry, no, you can be angry with me, blame me all you want, but please, my only request is for you not blame my family for they were completely innocent on this matter. It was all me… "

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TBC

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