Frederick's eyebrow twitched. What was he to say in response to that? He has never encountered a woman more shameless. Disgusted, he just decided to shut up and look the other way. What use was there to squabble with such a woman?

Serena tried not to laugh at Frederick's reaction. Although he has obvious distaste towards Geoffrey, he seems too stupid to be his match.

Anyhow, after a few minutes the 3rd wife, princess consort Daniella arrived. She was still young at 24, and quite a beauty to boot. She was a brunette with hazel eyes and pale skin. A pity for her to be married as the 3rd wife of a king 25 years her senior. Then again, it was better than marrying an older degenerate without a nobler title. Come to think of it, the king was not bad looking himself, so maybe not that bad of a deal for her?

The brothers did not bother with her and just pointedly ignored her. Without their father in the room, they all outranked her anyway as her title was only princess consort. Aside from that, it was fairly weird for them to call her mother or princess consort. She was not that old compared to them. In fact, she would pass as their older sister literally, what with her being only 2 years older than Geoffrey.

Serena whose eyes met with Daniella nodded towards her direction and gave a friendly smile. What use was there to prove superiority to a woman already pitiful enough? She also seemed nice.

Princess consort Daniella also smiled at her direction, acting friendly.

Frederick who saw the exchange snorted. Geoffrey's wife was stupid. Daniella might seem harmless but really, which woman would marry the king at that age if she wasn't ambitious enough?

Then, Queen Loretta and Queen consort Floresca arrived almost at the same time. The consort curtsied and then gave way and let the Queen enter first. Seeing her, Geoffrey greeted with a "Mother" cordially. The other two princes gave her a somewhat forced bow, while Daniella curtseyed.

Serena was about to curtsy and also greet her as "Mother" but the queen stopped her.

"No need to curtsy to me, we are family." The queen said only to her as the queen consort entered the room.

Serena felt the queen strange, last time she was so cold, but now she was acting warm. But then, she saw the queen consort entered, and the Queen gave her a look which for Serena looked somewhat like a provocation. She now understood why the queen did not make her curtsy to her, it was so that she won't curtsy to the queen consort.

The queen consort, a woman in who was 3 years the queen's junior,  was calm and did not mind the queen. She even smiled at Serena and welcomed her to the family.

Serena smiled back and greeted the queen consort politely which caused the queen to frown and give her the eye like she betrayed her.

Serena saw the queen's expression from the corner of her eye.

'Okay… was this like… a palace battle, women fighting for the king's affection while at the same time rearing their sons to have something akin to a battle for the crown? What for? Why would anyone want the responsibility when they can just become degenerates and spend money like it was dirt? Geoffrey was already the established crown prince, so what's the hold up?' Serena thought.

She looked at Geoffrey in askance.

Geoffrey just shook his head, as if telling her that they were not worth her time so she can just ignore them.

Serena has confidence in Geoffrey, so she decided not to bother with these people's antics.

After a few minutes, the king's gentleman of the chamber announced his arrival, and the king entered the room. Everyone in the room either bowed or curtsied. The king walked straight to the head chair which has already been pulled out for him to sit on.

When the king was finally seated, everyone approached their designated seats on the table.

The king was seating on the head chair, the queen at the opposite. Then, on the king's right was Geoffrey's seat as the crown prince, beside him was Serena followed by Frederick. On the king's left was the Queen consort beside her was Prince Frederick followed by consort Daniella.

Serena felt the atmosphere almost stifling. Somehow, she wanted to endear herself to Geoffrey's parents because they were the ones who gave birth to him, but she knew that she can't talk to them without them talking to her first.

Guess what? Being married to the crown prince was apparently a bit discomfiting given that your in-laws are the sovereign of your kingdom. Anyhow, Serena decided that the best way to act was to act shy.

"Geoffrey, even married you're still the same. Geoffrey's wife, you must overlook my son's social inaptitude. Perhaps, you should influence him in a positive light given your geniality to the general masses. Anyhow, welcome to the family." The king said.

Serena did not know how to take his words at first. He rebuked his son in front of his wife, but then, he was partially correct given that Geoffrey should have introduced her to everyone and made her feel comfortable and welcomed. But then she realized that that thinking would be stupid. If this were a normal family, or even some other noble family then yes, that should be the case. However, Geoffrey's was the royal family, his father, the king.

Geoffrey can't possibly talk before his father does. He was the sovereign of their kingdom before he was his father. To suddenly introduce Serena and lead the conversation was wrong, and even if they have a good father and son relationship, to show that attitude to Serena who's joining in for the first time, would be a greater blunder and show of disrespect.

Meanwhile, on him introducing her to his family, seeing firsthand how everyone was, she understood why he acted the way he did.

Ah, the relationship between royal family members is complicated. 

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TBC       

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