Geoffrey felt a lump on his throat. His heart thumped. Still, he needed to respond. "What do you mean? What are you trying to say?" Geoffrey asked.

Serena chanced to peek at Geoffrey's expression but just saw him being confused. She sniffed. She needed to continue.

"Geoffrey… I need to ask for your forgiveness. I have done something abhorrible... and I…"

Geoffrey wanted to tell her he knows. But if he does that, she might realize what he did. Still, he never thought how much it would mean to him for her to try and open up, to attempt to tell him the truth. It showed that she was placing her trust on him and does not wish to just use him. That knowledge was enough. 

He pulled Serena to an embrace. "Serena, just know, that whatever it is, I forgive you. You don't need to tell me if it's difficult to say…" Geoffrey coaxed. He did not know how much he meant those words until he said them. Yes, now he forgives her, but could she forgive him?

Serena shook her head as she chuckled her heart feeling a bit better with his reassurance. "You have not even heard what my sin was…" she said. 

Geoffrey pulled back and thumbed her tears. "Serena, I want you to know that I love you. Whatever happened in the past, is in the past. We can never change it. What we have is now and the future. We're going to have a child, and no matter what sin you may have committed, I will forgive you for I would never abandon you and our child."

In truth, he does not want her to continue. Not because he wanted her to live with the thought bugging her, afraid of when he would find out. But because he wanted her to love him. He does not want her to just feel gratefulness to him, for by gods, he loves her. He loves her too much.

Serena knew that she should tell him still, but now that he said those words, how could she dare continue? She shook her head. she still has to try. "What if I tell you that this child is not yours?" 

Geoffrey chuckled. "Don't be silly. I know what we did that night, and as I told you, I will marry you and take responsibility." He answered simply as he pulled her again to his embrace. "Now, please let me put this ring on your finger. I feel dejected that perhaps you're only trying to reject me."

Serena could only think that Geoffrey was unbelievable. So, that's it? Then again, she should not be surprised. He has always been dense. If not, how could he be so stupid as to not understand that she didn't see him that way for years?

Geoffrey took her left hand. Then, he pushed the ring into her finger. It fitted perfectly.

Serena looked at the 7-carat cushion shaped pink diamond on her finger. This was not the ring he showed her earlier. She looked at him in askance.

"I know. I just wanted you to wear that instead of the one from my mother first. For luck. Political marriage like that of my parents, they turned to become ugly. I don't want that for us." Geoffrey explained.

Serena felt her heart soften. She should be receiving her retribution, her karma. But instead, she got this. "I'm just surprised it fit so perfectly. Thank you, Geoffrey."

"Do you like it?"

Serena looked at it again. Truth was, it was beautiful. Not exactly her preference, but beautiful nonetheless. Perhaps, such was life. She took a deep breath. She may not have told him the truth, but she swore that she would treat him earnestly from that moment on. "Yes, It's beautiful."

Geoffrey smiled. A few months back, he picked the diamond carefully and had the ring crafted to her size. The times he measured her finger while they held hands paid off.

When he was on the way here today, he was apprehensive. He did not know if he could or if he even still loves Serena the same. His love for her has been tainted with qualms and uncertainties. The misgiving that she would lie to him again, that she will run back to Charlton the next instance. It was something that kept him awake at night. But when she tried to tell him the truth, all his hatred, all of his anger, all his doubts, they just dissipated. For despite everything, despite the desperation, Serena remained true to herself. 

"Serena, let's get married." Geoffrey whispered as he embraced her again.

Serena felt tears prickling her eyes. She never thought that marrying Geoffrey would bring her relief and would even make her feel thankful one day. She did not love him still, and she knew that it was unfair to him. But she would try to love him the best that she can. 

She embraced him back. Then she laughed. "Okay." 

--

After they have agreed to get married, there were many things to consider. Well, the most pressing was the date given the circumstance. It cannot be rushed that much though, it was the marriage of the crown prince, the heir apparent, of the kingdom, it was expected that there would be a lot of ceremonies involved.

Anyhow, since they were in the ducal mansion, the first person they informed was Serena's mother. Celine was shocked to say the least. She always felt that Serena did not see Geoffrey that way, but then again, it's not like there was anything to do about it. It was a marriage decreed by the king.

Yet, as she saw the the expression on Serena's face, the relief and joy which has been missing for weeks, she felt happy too. Perhaps, the marriage was a good thing.

What shocked her more though was that they already decided on a date. She wondered what's the rush. They wanted to have it in a month. 

She looked at her daughter skeptically. Was she? Gods, how did she not notice? She can now be awarded with the title, worst mom of the century.

--

TBC

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