Chapter 318 - 315: While She Was Sleeping V (1/2)

As Geoffrey was seated inside his car about to leave the palace, he saw through the window that Charlton's mother, Princess Georgina, alighted her car. He furrowed his brows. What could she be doing there? He wondered. She rarely ever visits.

He shook his head as he scoffed. He would find out soon enough. Although he still somewhat respects his father despite what he does to him, he was not that stupid not to have spies on his end. Heuseff, the king's groom of the stool was already one of his men.

--

Geoffrey arrived at the gates of Maxwell's ducal mansion at 2 in the afternoon. It was a change from always coming in the dark of the night.

He and his men were welcomed formally as he sent his card ahead of time. It was something he contemplated on, whether he should just go and catch Serena off guard, or should he send a card first to observe propriety. In the end, he decided that it's better to just send one so he could see what Serena would do in preparation to receive him.

As he went down his car after his footman opened the door, the servants in Serena's mansion all greeted him with them down on one knee. ”Your highness.”

Geoffrey was used to such welcome, and just looked straight to the mansion's porch. Standing there was Serena. Despite seeing her every night, the past 5 days, he still found himself entranced. For a second, he almost thought that she's there to truly welcome him.

He walked towards her and when he finally reached her, she did a curtsy. He recalled that every time he visited after he graduated, she would give him a curtsy and greet him with a ”your highness.” He would always laugh it off and tell her to call him by his name.

This time was no different. Although it somehow irritated him, he let the matter go and just smiled at her. Putting in place the façade of normalcy.

”Serena, just call me Geoffrey, we will be wed soon.” He said, mentioning their marriage casually, trying to see how she would react.

Serena's eyes widened by a fraction but tried not to show it. It was the first time that Geoffrey mentioned it so casually. Not wanting him to notice, she gave him a nod as she tried to change the topic by asking him to come inside.

Geoffrey noted Serena's expression of surprise though how miniscule it was. She was too easy to read. Was he too blind before that's why he never noticed? Or was it just like this because he already knew what she was hiding? Somehow, he was feeling some entertainment with what he's doing. Did they feel this way whenever they thought they played him well? He must admit, the feeling was exhilarating, the knowledge that instead of being the one played, he was now the one in control of the game.

Serena guided them to the drawing room, and she made Geoffrey sit on the couch.

Geoffrey smiled and took the single seat. Making Serena sit on the three-seater couch beside it.

Two servants were in the room, and she asked one to bring in the tea.

”So… why did you visit today?” Serena asked, trying to sound welcoming.