Chapter 145 - 143: Spring Ball I (2/2)

Serena thought that she had no way to escape this situation, so o with it Besides, if she leaves with him now, then perhaps they can arrive earlier to the ball than Charlton does

"Okay" She replied

Geoffrey sht"

Serena did not reply and just gave hi froain, Serena thought things through Perhaps having Geoffrey as her partner was better than Leonard At the very least, he can't control her dance card

She felt annoyed but then again, she thought that this ht be her opportunity to tell hi her escort without her permission? Anyhen they arrived, Geoffrey excused hi after, he came back with their dance cards Serena received hers and tied the cord to her dress

"Should we plot our cards now or should we enter the hall first?" he asked

Wanting to have the least audience seeing theo in first

--

Charlton arrived early for the ball Not because of anything but just so that he won't look like so without a partner

He still laments the fact that his last talk with Serena did not end well A part of him wanted her to understand that it's not that he doesn't love her, but it's that he loves her too o But how could he say those words to her? Also, he would be a hypocrite if he were to say that he didn't consider the repercussions their relationshi+p will entail As a man who used to pride himself as someone ould not let his emotions rule him, he actually made a list so that he could convince hih he was not afraid to go head-to-head with Geoffrey for Serena's hand, it would destroy her family On his side, it would be a disaster, but he knew that his uncle, the king, would not do anything excessive because of his mother But what of Serena's? He did not know exactly how the engagement came to be, but he knew that it was a royal decree ordained by the king If Geoffrey were the one to break it, then that's fine But if Serena were to break it, ill happen to her fa now, Geoffrey would not stand quietly at the side if he were to find out that he and his fiancée were having an affair He was not afraid for hily She would be the one to take the brunt of things and it ine how she would take it if the world were to point their fingers at her He knew that she was strong, but he knew her well enough to know that she cares for the iht not say it, she would even deny it But she particularly likes to gloat, so there's that

Third, this may just be a minor selfish reason, but it still counts A part of hiuilty towards Geoffrey It's not like he was soer Geoffrey was his cousin He was his family and his friend Yes, he ad, he became Serena's lover behind his back But that tiht ht However, it was different now If he were still to continue his affair with Serena while knowing how Geoffrey feels for her, then could he still be considered as someone with a conscience?

Lastly, and it's the reason he hated to admit to himself the most, he knew that if he were to stay, he would only just be in her way Serena deserves to be on the highest pedestal, and he knew he could not give it to her He was nothing but a stuht future

Yet, despite telling himself all these, when he looked at the dance card and saw the song before the interlude, he had to at least admit to himself that it made him happy

--

TBC