Chapter 376 - 373: Dinner At The Palace III (1/2)

”I'm sorry, father, for my negligence. This is my wife, Serena. Serena, please pardon my misgivings.” Geoffrey said as he looked at her and gave her a small smile.

Serena suddenly felt that it was difficult for her to breathe. She felt suffocated, not for herself but for Geoffrey. Was this how his family treated him? Was this the environment he grew up in? She has always seen him as a proud and prideful character. Yet, when his father demeaned him, he did not even flinch and even asked for forgiveness immediately, which signals that this kind of event was a normal happening in his life.

She wanted to rebuke the king on his behalf and defend him, but she was not that gutsy. Like honestly, she was not stupid enough to be antagonistic to their sovereign during their first dinner. Anyhow, she could just wait for him to die so that Geoffrey can take over the throne.

Was she only over analyzing? Seeing the smirk on Frederick's face tells her that she probably was not.

Given this, the question was, how does she act now? Oh well, since she can't go for direct confrontation, might as well disgust them with her shamelessness.

Serena gave an understanding smile to Geoffrey before turning towards the king's direction, acting all shy and grateful like a woman so deeply in love, she answered, ”Thank you your majesty… I am ever grateful for your graciousness of letting me marry your most excellent son.”

Serena thought that the King would feel disgusted, but instead, he just laughed and nodded his head. Ok, so maybe he's not totally evil. But his parenting skill must really suck.

Anyhow, dinner began when the servants came in to serve each of them the hors d'oeuvre. When eating with the King, one must take note of his actions. One may only start eating when he does, and more agonizing was that one must also stop when he does. Now, it's not so bad considering that the meal has 12 courses.

As the 2nd course came in, which was the amuse-bouche, the king started addressing Geoffrey again. Serena who was not being talked to can only listen on the sidelines.

”You just wasted resources and instead of making the people grateful to us, you made it so that their impression was that we owe them the improvement of their welfare. What good have you done since I approved your pet project ministry? Even Charles' son did better than you. As we sit here, people can still see his contributions from the ministry of works, everything is tangible and the citizens all benefit. On the other hand, no one would even remember yours. All you do is destroy the social norms and what? Provide for the poor and the needy? Charity works would suffice. Why am I even surprised? Such a disappointment.”

Geoffrey did not speak nor explain. He only let his father talk as he continued eating.

On the other hand, Serena was more affected than he was. She was annoyed. Although it was true that more tangible projects, especially those of technological advances, were flashier, easier to the eyes, and the benefits instantaneous, the king should not discount what Geoffrey was doing. It was very unfair to compare the two.