Geoffrey noticing Serena's pale complexion felt that he was being too forward, so he quickly added "Emily is also coming along. She also wishes to buy gifts for the children."

Serena breathed in relief. "I would love to. However, I still have to prepare for the event. Although I have some time in my hand, it would be a little tiring because I don't know how long the party will last. Please send my regards to the children and that I will be sending my gifts to them on another day." 

 "Alright. Then, how about my offer to send you to the venue?" 

"that too would be lovely, but I'm not sure about the schedule and I don't wish to impede too much of your time. Buying gifts for the 20 children we're handling should take quite a while. Also, the carriage to send me will also be the one I will be using to get back tomorrow. The Maestro asked us to stay the night, and it would be too troublesome if I were to ask Lord Daniel if I can hitch a ride." Serena explained.

Geoffrey felt like she did have a point, so he can only reluctantly agree. 

--

Serena felt confused. Does Geoffrey like her? or does he not? Should she reject him? But he hasn't confessed anything. Besides, he still mentioned Emily earlier. Would he be shopping with Emily alone if she's not his girlfriend? Unless he's into polygamy like many men in history, which she doubts.

Anyway, like last time, she put her thoughts about that matter at the back of her mind. Besides, there's no use thinking of something that may only be existing in her imagination.

--

At 3 in the afternoon, Beatrice informed Serena that Felix and Charlton sent a message to inform her that they were already waiting at the lobby.

Since she was ready, she asked Beatrice to carry bring her bag to the carriage. 

"Milady, should I not accompany you to the event?"

"No need, I'm just a guest and it would be improper if I were to bring you along." Serena replied. 

Beatrice nodded and carried her bag. Serena was dressed simply. She will get changed in the Duke's palace later, as to not ruin it during the ride.

--

When Serena reached the lobby, she noticed that Charlton had the same mind as her. 

"Good afternoon Sir Felix, Charlton, I hope I did not keep the two of you waiting for too long?"

"Not at all. Anyway, the journey will be about an hour and a half, so we must go." Felix said.

Serena nodded in response.

Felix walked in front while Serena and Charlton walked together. When Felix entered the first carriage, Charlton helped Serena to her own.

"you alright?" Charlton asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"You look a little pale."

Serena shook her head "I'm fine, I'll try to get some sleep in the carriage."

"should I ride with you? Although I'm hard as rock, I can still make for a good pillow." He joked.

Serena laughed, "People might see."

Charlton looked left and right. Seeing that Felix's carriage was ahead, and no one was looking at them, he winked at his coachman, Jack, and quickly joined Serena inside.

"How about my coachman? He doesn't know."

"I'll think about that later. For now, just sleep." 

Charlton said as he closed the curtains and wrapped his arm around Serena, making her snuggle to his chest.

--

"Don't you think that your cousin and your fiancée are awfully close?" Emily bluntly asked as she and Geoffrey were selecting gifts for the children. 

"What are you talking about?" Geoffrey questioned in return; his brows furrowed. 

"Aren't they spending too much time together? 

"Please never spout such nonsense again. It I didn't know any better, I would think that you're trying to sow discord amongst us." 

Emily felt her face flush. Honestly speaking, that was her purpose, however, it was not like what she said had no basis. Not wanting to offend Geoffrey, she decided to change the topic.

"Do you have a partner to the ball next week?"

At first, Geoffrey planned to ask her after Serena rejected him. However, he thought about how it would look if he did. He was not deaf not to hear about the gossip circulating in school. 

"Yes, as the co-head of the organizing committee, I'm attending with Joan."

"Oh, I see…" Emily answered then turned around pretending to look at something interesting at the corner of the shop. She felt tears starting to prickle her eyes, but she knew she had no right. 

Geoffrey understood Emily's purpose for asking him and he also saw her glazed eyes. However, he decided not to point it out nor discuss anything further so as not to give her any false hope and expectation.

--

After about an hour in the carriage, Charlton estimated that they were nearing the Duke's palace.

Serena felt Charlton moving and saw him looking at his watch. 

"Are we near?" she said, a little groggy.

"I'm not sure but it's been more than an hour, so I estimate that we are."

"how are you going down?"

"Ask your coachman to make a stop first."

Serena nodded then knocked on the wood in front of her and opened the small window slightly.

"Bernard, please stop the carriage."

Bernard, hearing his mistress' request slowly pulled the horses to a halt. 

Before the carriage could stop completely, Charlton held Serena's cheeks, kissed her, opened the door then jumped.

Serena almost screamed out of shock. 

Charlton managed to steady himself, his legs bent but managing to keep his knees from touching the ground.

"Milady, what happened?" Bernard asked after the carriage was in full stop.

Serena looked outside and saw Charlton walking to his carriage looking like he was completely fine. He even turned to her, and mock saluted.

"Nothing. Let's continue the journey, I changed my mind." She instructed.

--

When the carriage stopped for the second time it was about 4:30 pm and they have arrived at Maestro Ligeti's ducal palace. Serena pushed the curtain and saw through her window the sprawling manicured lawn. Then her door was opened, and a footman helped her alight her carriage.

"Welcome to my humble abode!" Maestro Ligeti greeted her and beside him were Felix and an old woman, who she assumed must be his wife, Duchess Ligeti.

Serena smiled and curtsied to the couple, "Your grace."

Then she felt Charlton who just walked over after alighting his carriage stand beside her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw him giving a slight bow.

"No need to be so formal. I wish to thank the both of you for coming here earlier. By the way, may I introduce you both to my lovely wife, Duchess Lolita Ligeti. My sweet, as I told you about, these are Serena Maxwell and Charlton Daniel."

The duchess smiled at the two, "I thank the two of you in advance, my husband has told me much about you. I would love to spend more time getting to know the both of you, but the time is not early anymore. Perhaps, we can do that tomorrow. So come, let us guide you to your respective rooms so that you can rest a little before the event."

Serena and Charlton smiled and nodded at the duchess in understanding as they walked through the palace.

At the ground floor while passing the main lobby to climb the stairs, the Duke pointed that the grand ballroom where the event will be held was straight ahead.

"Ah, just a heads up, our golden anniversary celebration's guestlist became longer than expected. Initially we planned to invite just our relatives, but news leaked out and some of our close friends heard about you two coming over. As not to make them feel bad, we decided to extend our invites to them too. Although the number is not large, the increase is still significant than the initial 120. Our grand ballroom will host about 200 guests." The Maestro shared as he laughed.

"It's alright Maestro, this is your event. So please don't think of us too much." Serena said.

Hearing her words, the Maestro smiled at her gratefully.

--

Serena, Charlton, and Felix were escorted by the ducal couple and their butler to their respective rooms. Serena's room was situated at the far right, while Felix and Charlton's room were at the far left just parallel to each other.

"The event will begin at 6 in the evening. We'll see you all then." The Maestro said as they said their goodbyes. 

Serena went back to her room, and after a while, she heard a knock. When she opened the door, she was greeted by Charlton smiling down at her. 

"Aren't you going to get changed? What are you doing here?" Serena said as she pulled Charlton in.

"I just wanted to see you and our room for the night first." He said jokingly as he hugged her and kissed her hair.

Serena hugged him back. Then they started looking around the room. The room was well appointed. It had a balcony overlooking the lawn and more importantly, the warm natural light of the golden hour filtering through the window of the comfort room made the circular bathtub dazzle under its spotlight.

Charlton and Serena looked at each other and grinned.

--

TBC

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