"Does your family members always treat you that way?" Serena could not help but ask when their car started moving.
Geoffrey shook his head. "Today was an exception, do not pay it mind Serena."
"I doubt that today's an exception as you say. Also, how could I pay it no mind? Geoffrey, I'm your wife. When someone says or does something hurtful to you, it is also agonizing for me. Even if it comes from your family. Especially so that it came from your family."
Geoffrey held her hand, "It's alright Serena. No need to be angry over it."
Serena sighed. He has a point though, she can get angry all she wants, but what could her anger do? Those were still his family. Also, the biggest bully was his father who was the sovereign of their kingdom.
"How do you even put up with all those craps?" she asked.
Geoffrey smiled at her gently as he said, "Well, for one, in time, you just get used to it."
"But no one should get used to something like that… I'm sorry that I could not speak for nor defend you earlier." Serena said as she frowned.
Geoffrey intertwined their fingers as he chuckled, "I think you did plenty enough. What were your exact words to describe me again? Most gratifying and most excellent?"
Serena blushed then playfully hit him with the hand he was not holding. "Don't repeat them, I still feel embarrassed for saying those words out loud. But really, if your father was not the king, I would have rebuked and contradicted everything he said to you."
Geoffrey smiled as he looked at Serena, "then pray tell, what would you have told him?", honestly, he did feel hurt by his father's words earlier. Not because he felt that they rang true, but rather because Serena, his wife, was sitting next to him and can hear all his words. The most agonizing part was when he compared him to Charlton.
His father did always compare him to Charlton, especially when he became his favorite with all the new technological advancement and infrastructure he has been introducing. Not that he was jealous of it. Charlton and himself were each following a path of their own. He knew the value and merit of what he was doing, and he didn't need extra assurance to know that they were good. Though of course it would be nice to get a pat at the back at times.
Charlton. He has never been jealous, nor have he ever tried to pull him down. He has even been happy for him. But what did he do? He betrayed him, he seduced his fiancée and… he paused. It's all in the past now, he was done with his revenge, and he should continue living his life with the woman he loves.
"First, I would tell him that my husband does not have a social inaptitude but was only showing respect to the sovereign which he definitely did not deserve. Second, I would tell him how short-sighted he was. Although the bills my husband pushed for may seem underappreciated at the moment, people in the future would look back, and be thankful that he has created a better society for them. Third, was that I know my husband would be a far better king than he was or will ever be." Serena said passionately.
Geoffrey could not help but feel warm in his heart. Truth was, it doesn't matter what his father said. He holds more power than him now, even everyone in the royal family were moving under his palm, they just didn't know it. However, seeing Serena so passionately speaking for him, to console and cheer for him, there's this indescribable bubble of happiness inside him. "Are you sure you're not just babbling nonsense to console me?"
Serena shook her head. "Geoffrey, do not let his words make you feel like what you're doing is not good nor good enough. I am not saying this just because you're my husband, but because it's the truth. I may have never told you before, but I feel proud of the things that you did, and I know will do. And, why are you looking at me like that?"
Geoffrey smiled as he shook his head. "Nothing." He replied.
"You think I'm funny?"
"No, it's just that it's been a while since I saw you talk so passionately. I'm also not used to hearing you speak and cheer for me."
Serena suddenly recalled the times she ignored him, the times she only ever cheered for Charlton, that she always wanted Charlton to best him. She always thought that Geoffrey had it all anyway. He was the crown prince, he has a kazillion of supporters. He was the son of the King, everyone trying to please him. That, and she just didn't care.
How could she have been so selfish and callous to this man who was most kind? She felt ashamed of herself. He's the man who deserves all the love in this world. But what did he get? A horrible family and a horrible fiancée, now wife, such as herself. Suddenly, tears blurred her vision.
Geoffrey seeing her in tears became worried. He used his thumb to dry them, "why are you crying?"
Serena shook her head, "I'm sorry too."
"What for?"
"That I have been so callous to you before. Looking back, I was no better than them."
"Serena, I never felt that way. For me then, your presence was enough. Besides, I have you here by my side now. What else could I ask for?" Geoffrey said, and despite all that happened, it was the unabashed truth.
Serena had to ask herself again, what good has she ever done to deserve someone like Geoffrey?
Her nose felt sour again, gods, why was she being so dramatic? Tears were never her style before, but now they just kept on coming. Then she felt his left arm wrapping around her shoulders.
"I should be the one comforting you, how did it turn out this way?" she asked, laughing while in tears.
Geoffrey smiled as he kissed her forehead. "I love you, Serena."
Serena wrapped her arms around his waist, "I love you too."
—
TBC
