Serena did not know that she would feel this way after everything. That she could still feel this way at all. After all, she has been with Charlton for 3 years and have loved him wholeheartedly. So, at first, she thought that being with Geoffrey would be difficult. How could she love again? As if doing so would be a crime. However, human emotions can be a funny thing.

She knew that a part of her still loves Charlton, perhaps, always will. He was her first great love, one can say. They shared their dreams together, they had a wonderful plan for their future, it was almost perfect, and they were happy. It was the fairytale all the girls dreamed of. However, the end has been ugly. At first, she hated him, she was a scorned lover left behind.

Yet, as days turned into weeks, her anger dissipated. From the beginning their relationship was wrong. It was a mistake. She was the one who pulled him into the cocoon and web of lies, making him betray even his own cousin.

So, for him to leave her and choose his family, it was justified. In fact, even without the lies and betrayal, it was justified for him to choose them. Not to say that it didn't hurt. So, does she regret it? Her relationship with him? She can't really say yes, but she can't say no either. Anyhow, life must move on. She just hopes never to encounter him again in this lifetime.

Now, here's Geoffrey. For the longest time, he was just there. She never really considered him because all the while, her eyes were on Charlton. She did not expect that at the end of the day, he would be her knight in the shining armor. Initially, she felt guilty and thought that what she felt for him were all gratefulness. That he stood beside her through this.

However, again, human emotion, it's a funny thing. Perhaps, human beings were just programmed this way. For despite her own apprehension, with how her heart was shattered into pieces after what happened with Charlton, she has fallen in love with Geoffrey. What was most surprising was that it happened in such a short period of time.

At The Outset, one might say that Geoffrey was like her rebound. It was only natural for her to feel that way after being abandoned. She first thought that way too. But she knew herself. There's no use denying it. True that him being her savior helped, but she knew that it was real.

The days after they agreed to get married, he has been so good to her. He visited her daily, he touched her tummy, they talked about their wedding, where they would live, what they would name their child. It was wonderful.

They looked at brochures with baby clothes, all those things. He was so nice and perfect. Well, not all was good, he brought her to meet his mother, who was not so nice by the way, but the more she knew him, the more beautiful she could envision their future.

Then, there was the way he looked at her. As if she was all that matters. That she was all he ever needed. It used to frighten her, but now she revels in it.

She looked forward to his visits, she was happy in his company. It was only 10 days after they agreed to marry when he proposed to her during that ball in front of the crowd, but she happily said yes. Not out of relief or that because she had no choice, but because she wanted to marry him.

"Serena? Have you finished with the list of those you wish to invite?" Celine asked as she approached her daughter who was absent mindedly looking into space as she held the pen in her hand.

Serena smiled at her mother, "almost done. Mother, do you have people you wish to invite? Geoffrey told me not to worry about the numbers. He said that if I wish it to, we can even accommodate all the people in the kingdom." She said while laughing. Yes, Geoffrey she figured, was the type to spoil. Sometimes, she could not believe how good he was to her. How could she not have seen him sooner?

Celine always worried that when this day comes, her daughter would be devastated for she would not be marrying out of love but because of something political. But now, seeing her with joy, like that of maiden looking forward to her marriage, she felt like a thorn was taken out of her heart.

Celine smiled at Serena and sat beside her. They looked at the guestlist and she enthusiastically added the names she wanted to invite. Ha! All the other nobles would envy them to death.

--

When Leonard was informed that Serena was marrying Geoffrey, he felt it strange. He knew how stubborn Serena was and how much she loved Charlton, so it was truly a curious matter. Her sudden change of heart. Vaguely, he recalled what Charlton said that day. At first, he didn't really try to look into what he said because he was too angry with him then. But with Serena acting stranger and as if devoid of life the coming days, he began to snoop.

He realized that all these began after the day he left. The only change in his sister's life then was the change in servant. Mildred. So, he had spies look into her. However, he came up with nothing. She's not acting strange and everything about her was normal. But that's the problem, she was too normal.

Then, another was that the day after he left, Geoffrey visited according to the butler, but he did not see him leave. He wanted to ask Serena about this, but looking at her now, huddled together with their mother in the drawing room, laughing and happily discussing her upcoming nuptials, he shook his head.

What for?

Whatever happened then, it's not like he can do anything about it anymore. What's important was the now. Serena seems happy, and from the beginning he already knew it. Even though Charlton was his long-time friend, he would still choose his sister.

--

TBC