Chapter 26: Leaving for Torton VII

"So… I saw that you've been laughing by yourself in the drawing room earlier. Anything in particular that I should be worried about?" Geoffrey asked in a roundabout manner. Although he saw Serena grinning and giggling earlier, he still could not forget the sadness he saw in her as she sang and played the piano. He suspected that his mother must have said something more upsetting than usual to make Serena act that way. However, asking about it directly would be futile.

Serena thought of whether she should share the matter with Geoffrey or not. Although she trusted him and his love for her, there was still her inexplicable fear and anxiety that Geoffrey would someday change his mind. That perhaps his love for her was only resolute because she hasn't met her match in his eyes yet. That if someone better comes along, he might leave her. She knew that she was being unreasonable, but she couldn't help it.

If asked, she would never admit to it. But in the shadows of her mind, she has always thought of that figure as Annalys. Annalys who was so sweet, beautiful, and innocent. Unmarred by the ugliness of the world, so much unlike herself. That's why when queen mother mentioned her name, she couldn't vocalize it in front of Geoffrey. She feared that if she does, Geoffrey would have the idea and though not immediately, it might fester on his mind.

Serena bit her lip. Then again, it might also work in her favor this time. Geoffrey is leaving and will be gone for a while. She can take this opportunity to tell him, and he won't be able to think much of Annalys because his mind will be too busy with his mission.

"What do you think of me, matchmaking Annalys to my brother, Leonard?" Serena asked. Testing the waters.

Geoffrey furrowed his brows first. So that's what has been bothering her. Annalys. He already had a hunch about it but dared not mention her name because he knew that it was a touchy subject.

From the beginning, he dissuaded Serena from getting Annalys as her lady-in-waiting because his mother has tried to betroth him to her once upon a time. However, Serena said that she trusted him and that they both knew that the Cross family has control to a large military power which would be helpful for him in the future.

Geoffrey was not convinced but it was an uphill battle. Serena was determined and if he contradicted her still, she might only take it as proof that he was uncomfortable with Annalys which might cause her to become unnecessarily…well… jealous. Admittedly, as a man, it strokes his ego whenever Serena acted jealous. However, he would never intentionally make her so when he could avoid it.

Now, the match between Leonard and Annalys doesn't seem to have a potential of becoming a match made in heaven, especially knowing how prideful and snobbish the Cross family was. However, he could not really share his real opinion in case Serena takes it the wrong way. Moreover, Serena must have already considered that, and for her to still think about the possibility, then the issue should not be as simple as it seems.

"I don't think that Leonard is seeing anyone at the moment, so I don't see why not. However, what made you come up with the idea of that match now?" Geoffrey still asked.

"Well, brother Leonard is 26 this year while Annalys is 22. They're both at the age when people should be married on average, but they're still single. Besides, you know that I already had this idea in the past. Aside from the political advantage of the match, Annalys is already like family to me. So, won't it be good if we can become real family this way? If all works out, then the outcome would be all good." Serena answered enthusiastically.

Though Geoffrey could see the truth in her words, he was still skeptical. He suspected that she was not saying all that there was to it. He was about to ask but Serena beat him to it.

"And that… well, queen mother mentioned that duchess Cross (Annalys' mother) has been quite taken with the idea of her daughter becoming your second wife." Serena finally confided. There she said it. From that point on, Geoffrey would never be able to blame her. He would not find out the truth from anyone else because she told him herself. So, in the future, he would never be able to use it against her if ever things turn south.

Geoffrey felt unbelievable. Was that the reason behind Serena's forlorn appearance earlier? "Serena, I have never and would never even consider the possibility."

Serena smiled at him wistfully. "I know…" she answered, and indeed she knew. She believed Geoffrey's words because she knew he meant them. However, she also understood that time and circumstances can change anyone.

Geoffrey closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. He already knew that there's the 'but' in Serena's words. He wanted to explain but he already did that several times and it always led to nowhere. He even went so far as to proclaim that if she can't bear him a son, then so be it. He can appoint his youngest brother, Prince Albert who was only 6 now as his successor later.

However, Serena, reasonable as she always was, still had a rebuttal. Though he loves Serena for all that she was, there were times when he just wished that she was a little bit less witty and practical.

Serena, as he began to understand her more, was someone who would always think of the possible future scenarios. For example, in the case of Prince Albert, she reasoned that although appointing young Albert later was plausible, the problem was the current circumstance. His position was still just that of a crown prince, so he still doesn't get the final say. Though she did not explicitly say the next words, he knew what she meant. He was still not the king himself.

Then, there was also the time when he told her that, if worse comes to worst, he'll just abdicate. To which, she just gave him an eyeroll before telling him to quit fooling around. They both knew that that was also not an option because; First, he has been preparing to take the position king all his life; Second, no one is a better fit for the position king than him; And last, well, if he takes that route, more probably than not, he'll be dead all too soon.

Though he could disagree on the first two, the third one was too true that he would be lying if he were to deny the possibility. Realistically, if he were to completely abandon his position, many would take that opportunity to try to get rid of him. You know, for insurance. Lest he suddenly changes his mind and fight for his birthright.

Thus, leading them back to square one.

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TBC