Chapter 375 - 372: Dinner At The Palace II (1/2)
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.