At 6:30 in the evening, Geoffrey and Serena went downstairs for dinner. It was the first meal that they will share together in their new home.
Entering the dining room, the plates were set up in a way that Geoffrey would be sitting on the head chair and Serena beside him.
Noticing the confusion in Geoffrey's expression, Serena explained, "I asked for this arrangement. Do you… approve of it?"
Geoffrey could only smile and nod in response. Sometimes, he feels it ironic. That he believes that he loves Serena more than she could ever love him, but minute details such as this always escapes him.
Was it because Serena grew up in a loving family, thus more aware that this was how it should be? Or was it that she loves him more than he gives her credit for?
Before he could contemplate much further, he felt Serena intertwine their hands as she pulled him towards their respective seats, "Come on, let's sit down. I'm famished."
—
"So, I was thinking, if it would be alright with you for me to invite my family over one of these days. I miss them and I also want to show them the place I'm living in." Serena said as she and Geoffrey went through the letters which were sent to them during their wedding.
"You don't need to ask for my permission on matters such as that. This is as much as your home as it is mine." Geoffrey answered.
Serena shook her head, "I should. Though, of course, you need to extend the same courtesy to me in the future."
Geoffrey looked up from the letter he has been reading.
Serena grinned at him.
Geoffrey shook his head as he smiled. Really, Serena's take on their marriage was unconventional, but he did like it. "Alright. When will you invite them over?"
"I will call my mother later and ask if tomorrow dinner would be good. If not, perhaps the day after."
Geoffrey hummed, "Why not the weekend? Dinner might feel too rushed."
"Hmm… you do have a point. Anyway, I have another matter to seek your permission on. Earlier, I tried to go through the bulk of invites in my study. There were a lot, and I was troubled in making a decision on which party to attend. So, I thought that perhaps, since it's just the 1st week of October and the season would last till the end of the month, I can host a party myself."
Geoffrey furrowed his brows, "Won't that be too taxing for you at this time? Planning and executing a party in less than a month would not be easy."
"It won't. Besides, I'm pretty excited to show-off my new home, my excellent husband, and new status as crown princess to everyone." Serena shared.
Geoffrey chuckled, there was a time when he thought that an attention-seeking lady was unpleasant. It was his first impression of Serena, until he realized that he was wrong and fell for her. Now that they're married, he realized that he was not wrong the first time. She's not really attention-seeking per se, for she did command attention, but there's a side to her that loves to gloat and receive praises.
He shook his head, in any case, he only finds it endearing now. "Alright. As long as you promise not to stress yourself."
—
After their conversation, Serena decided it was time to call her mother. Using the telephone in her study, she dialed the number to their ducal estate. After a few rings, a servant answered the telephone.
"Good evening, this is Maxwell ducal estate, how may I help you?"
"Hello? Fin? May I speak to mother?"
"Ah! Milady, sorry, your royal highness! Yes, of course. Please wait a moment." Their butler replied.
After a few minutes, Serena heard her mother from the other line.
"Serena? Is it really you?"
"Yes, mother. It's me."
"Ah! I missed you so much, my baby."
Serena smiled, "Although it's just been 9 days, I missed you too, Ma."
Celine chuckled. "So, how's married life so far?"
"Very pleasant. Geoffrey is wonderful. Ma, I called because Geoffrey and I wanted to invite you, father, and brother Leonard, over for the weekend. Would you be available then?"
"Of course, we will be. I am already looking forward to it."
"That's great. Also, ma, I hope you could make time, but if you can't I also understand. It's just that I wish for some help in hosting a party. I received plenty of invites from other peers but given my position, I thought that rather than offending or showing favor to anyone by choosing to attend their party first, I decided to host one myself."
Celine smiled wistfully. Her daughter was now showing awareness of her position. If there was one thing she did not like about her marriage to Geoffrey, it's that Serena will have no choice but to politicize.
"Alright, I will definitely make time."
—
The next few days were calm and uneventful. Geoffrey and Serena were both slowly settling to their married life. Their routine was, in the morning, Geoffrey would wake up at 4:30 am and do some paperwork. By 6 am, he would return to bed and lie beside Serena. He would try to kiss her awake which was sadly not very effective. Then, they would eat breakfast together.
He would take a bath after, which was his favorite part as with some coaxing Serena would help and join him, get dressed for work which again involves her helping him. By 8 in the morning, they would already be by the main door with her kissing him goodbye.
Geoffrey wanted to spoil Serena rotten, but it seems like it was the other way around. When he comes home, she would be there to welcome him. She would help him undress, and sometimes, she would even give him a massage. It felt like he was living a dream. A dream that he would never want to wake from.
Serena on the other hand enjoys playing housewife. She knew that life would not always be this simple, but for now, she would make every moment last.
—
TBC
