Chapter 312 - 309: The Calm Before The Storm IV (1/2)

It was 7:40 in the evening when Geoffrey arrived in the ducal mansion of Maxwell in the capital. Since he was visiting incognito, he only brought 5 men as escorts to not draw attention.

Although his visit was unannounced, he was welcomed by the employees in the ducal mansion as they all recognized him.

Upon entering the mansion, the butler first greeted him.

”Your highness.”

”At ease.” Geoffrey replied.

”I shall announce your arrival to the lady. Please, wait a moment.”

”No need. Where is she?”

The butler was not sure, but then, another servant came in to say that the lady was in the drawing room. The butler wanted to lead Geoffrey there, but again, Geoffrey declined.

The butler no longer insisted lest he earns the ire of the crown prince. Anyway, him and their lady has been alone in a room a couple of times already. So, he just thought, propriety be damned.

As Geoffrey walked to the drawing room, he made a stop in front of the servant who interrupted earlier.

”Did it take effect?” he asked.

”Yes, your highness, the lady is now asleep in the drawing room.”

--

After Leonard left, Serena went back to her room to idle around. At 6:30 in the evening, Beatrice called her for dinner. Everything seemed to be moving normally. After dinner, she lounged in their drawing room reading some novels and just waiting for Charlton's call.

Earlier, she thought of Leonard's advise and tried to call him. However, when she called, she was told that he went out in town with his mother.

Anyway, thinking that she can tell him another time, she decided not to think too much of it. While reading, she suddenly felt drowsy. Thinking that she could just nap while waiting for Charlton's call, she placed the book she has been reading on the table and lied down on the sofa. In less than a minute, she fell asleep.

--

Geoffrey entered the drawing room, and as expected, he saw Serena's sleeping form. The doors were shut, and he walked towards her. Then, he sat on the coffee table in front of the Sofa.

For a few minutes, he just observed her peaceful features as she slept. Vaguely, he realized that it was the first time he saw her with such vulnerability.

He used his right hand to brush some of her stray hair away from her face. Then, he stared at her in contemplation.

For almost 3 years, he has considered her as his light. When things were rough, it was always her face that he thought of. She served as his motivation and inspiration. That whatever comes his way, he would pave through them as waiting for him in the finish line, was her.

He loved her with all of him and perhaps even more. She was his treasure, his world, his everything. And perhaps, it was a mistake on his part to do that for she never did say that she felt the same. However, they were engaged, and she has been promised to him by the decree of the king himself.

He placed his hand on her cheek as he used his thumb to caress her lips. Then, he leaned forward to kiss her forehead. Silently, he said a little prayer in hopes that all his doubts and suspicions were only just that.

Every single person he cared for and held dear to his heart has already betrayed him.