"Wow Serena! I must say that you outdid yourself again! Prince Geoffrey's eyes would surely pop out when he sees you!" Gizel exclaimed when she saw Serena went out of her bathroom.

Milly quickly nodded in agreement, "Gizel is right. You look wonderful!"

Serena could feel herself blush with the praise. She wanted to tell them that she was not doing this for Geoffrey but decided not to. She didn't want them to stop her from what she plans on doing.

"thank you." She replied as she opened her drawer containing the velvet box with the necklace.

--

When it was 7 in the evening, just like last time, she and the girls went to the lobby and separated to find their escorts.

Serena tried to look for Leonard but did not see him. Where was he? Before she can ponder further, she heard someone chuckling behind her. She turned around to see who it was, then her eyes widened like saucers. What the hell?

"Surprised to see me?" Geoffrey said as he handed her a bouquet of tulips.

"What are you doing here? Where's Leonard?" she asked.

Geoffrey grinned. "Well"

Serena furrowed her brows.

"don't blame him. I was the one who insisted on escorting you. Aren't you happy to see me?" he said smiling.

Serena wanted to curse and tell him that she'd rather go shotgun, but she could feel the eyes of other people staring. If she does that, it will really embarrass the both of them. Thus, she could only sigh and shake her head. "I'll place this in my room first."

Geoffrey felt that Serena's reaction was a little downer, but she still accepted the flowers, so perhaps she was just pretending not like what he did.

"You can do that later, just leave it to the receptionist first." He said in response.

Serena thought that she had no way to escape this situation, so might as well just go with it. Besides, if she leaves with him now, then perhaps they can arrive earlier to the ball than Charlton does.

"Okay." She replied.

Geoffrey smiled, "by the way, you look wonderful tonight."

Serena did not reply and just gave him a forced smile.

--

While walking from her dorm to the assembly hall which was their venue again, Serena thought things through. Perhaps having Geoffrey as her partner was better than Leonard. At the very least, he can't control her dance card.

She felt annoyed but then again, she thought that this might be her opportunity to tell him off later. Who asked him to force his way on becoming her escort without her permission? Anyway, when they arrived, Geoffrey excused himself from her to handle their registration. Not long after, he came back with their dance cards. Serena received hers and tied the cord to her dress.

"Should we plot our cards now or should we enter the hall first?" he asked.

Wanting to have the least audience seeing them enter, Serena opted to go in first.

--

Charlton arrived early for the ball. Not because of anything but just so that he won't look like some lonely boy arriving without a partner.

He still laments the fact that his last talk with Serena did not end well. A part of him wanted her to understand that it's not that he doesn't love her, but it's that he loves her too much that he was willing to let her go. But how could he say those words to her? Also, he would be a hypocrite if he were to say that he didn't consider the repercussions their relationship will entail. As a man who used to pride himself as someone who would not let his emotions rule him, he actually made a list so that he could convince himself not to approach her any longer.

First, although he was not afraid to go head-to-head with Geoffrey for Serena's hand, it would destroy her family. On his side, it would be a disaster, but he knew that his uncle, the king, would not do anything excessive because of his mother. But what of Serena's? He did not know exactly how the engagement came to be, but he knew that it was a royal decree ordained by the king. If Geoffrey were the one to break it, then that's fine. But if Serena were to break it, what will happen to her family?

Second, based on how things were going now, Geoffrey would not stand quietly at the side if he were to find out that he and his fiance were having an affair. He was not afraid for himself, but what of Serena? Things would go ugly. She would be the one to take the brunt of things and it may even cause her ruin. He could not imagine how she would take it if the world were to point their fingers at her. He knew that she was strong, but he knew her well enough to know that she cares for the image she projects to everyone else very much. She might not say it, she would even deny it. But she particularly likes to gloat, so there's that.

Third, this may just be a minor selfish reason, but it still counts. A part of him felt guilty towards Geoffrey. It's not like he was some stranger. Geoffrey was his cousin. He was his family and his friend. Yes, he admits that what he did from the start was wrong, he became Serena's lover behind his back. But that time was different. Geoffrey was with another girl so that thought made him sleep at night. However, it was different now. If he were still to continue his affair with Serena while knowing how Geoffrey feels for her, then could he still be considered as someone with a conscience?

Lastly, and it's the reason he hated to admit to himself the most, he knew that if he were to stay, he would only just be in her way. Serena deserves to be on the highest pedestal, and he knew he could not give it to her. He was nothing but a stumbling block towards her bright future.

Yet, despite telling himself all these, when he looked at the dance card and saw the song before the interlude, he had to at least admit to himself that it made him happy.

--

TBC