When Serena first saw Geoffrey from afar, she thought him way too pretentious for her taste. She never did pay attention to his looks given how bad her impression of him was based on the novel. This time standing in front of him, she would be a hypocrite if she were to say that she didn't feel her heart stutter.

His eyes were of vivid blue and his hair was black as ebony. He gave of a serious and cold aura, but it truly suited him. If one were to compare, Charlton was like the sun, while Geoffrey was like the moon. His title of Male lead was well deserved.

When Geoffrey entered the room, it was her back that he first saw. She was just standing there not moving. As he was about to ask her to move, she suddenly stomped her feet moving forward quickly, as if angry, and not 3 steps after, he saw her about to fall, and so, he moved instinctively.

Her soft waist was so small that when he wrapped his arm around it, he could not help himself from noting how perfectly it fit in his hand. And when he hoisted her up, he was assaulted by the smell of roses. He only regained his senses to let her go when he recalled Leonard's shout only to realize that this girl was his fiancé.

"Thank you, your highness." Serena said as she curtsied.

Geoffrey didn't know how to reply, as if a cat got his tongue. This time, with her facing him upfront, he fully saw his fiancé for the first time. It was no lie to say that she was a sight to behold. However, he can't help but notice how scandalous the dress she wears was, such that when she gave him a curtsy, he was given a full view of her cleavage. He didn't know if he should be angry or mortified because he did check her out. Thankfully, Leonard arrived before he can say anything.

"Thank you, Geoffrey for saving my sister. Serena, are you alright?" Leonard asked as he helped her up. She has not stood from her curtsy yet.

"Yes, I am, thanks to his highness." Serena replied looking innocently at Leonard.

When Leonard fully saw Serena, he couldn't help himself but exclaim, "What is wrong with you? Please do look where you're going. And what is this you're wearing?" He quickly removed his coat and forced her to wear it.

Serena wanted to bang her head somewhere. It seems like nothing is going her way this day.

"Brother Leonard, that was an accident... and... what is wrong with my dress?" Serena replied as she saw Charlton and Kylo approaching behind Leonard.

Leonard didn't know how to respond. One can't say that the dress is too revealing for if it were any other girl wearing it, it would even appear normal. However, the color of the dress brought out the suppleness of her skin, while the fitting delicately suited her figure.

Serena, not hearing Leonard's response and meeting Charlton's eyes as he reached her with Kylo, thought that there is no way that she's letting this chance go.

"Lord Daniel, do you think that my dress is inappropriate?" Serena sultry asked as she removed Leonard's coat from her shoulders making it fall on the floor.

Her question and action made the atmosphere so awkwardly silent that one may even hear a pin drop.

Only when no one answered, talked or even dared breath, did it dawn to Serena what she just did with all these people present. 'that got to be the most awkward 5 seconds of my life.'

Serena pretended to chuckle, her shoulders heaving, while deep inside she just wanted to bury herself in a hole.

"No need to answer that, I was just kidding. Anyway, thank you brother Leonard, and again your highness for saving me earlier. By the way, I am Serena Lilianne Maxwell." Serena introduced herself as she faced her brother, then Geoffrey.

Geoffrey was the first to recover, with his eyebrows furrowed he replied by saying "Please conduct yourself with dignity, Miss Maxwell." After, he walked away from her, passing by his friends. Despite her beauty, she was still the girl his father wanted him to marry, and that did not sit well with him. Aside from that, her demeanor and etiquette were sorely lacking in comparison to the girl he was invested in. He saw Emily, who has been avoiding him since the assembly, in front and so he chose to sit near to where she was.

Meanwhile, Leonard was so shocked of what Serena said that he could not even deign himself to get offended by what Geoffrey did. Has his sister always been like this? Not only did she ask another man about her attire, she even boldly introduced herself.

Kylo was also speechless. He can only widen his eyes, gape, and shake his head. He himself will not even know what he'll do if he were in Geoffrey's shoes.

Serena was not surprised. She already expected Geoffrey's response to her introduction as it is also what happened in the novel. Serena introduced herself and he said the same line.

Perhaps the only one offended for her was Charlton. What can one say? His eyes have long been hooded by the rose-tinted color of love.

"Hey Serena, so you're here already. Wow, you're so pretty today! Where did you get that dress? I am so getting one like that too! Gizel and Via will be meeting us here. Let's go sit together and save one for each of them!" Milly said as she hooked her arm with Serena's.

"Oh, okay sure. Brother, we'll just sit here at the back. You go sit with your friends." Serena said as she already saw his things on the table in front.

"Alright. I'm sorry for what I said earlier. Please don't take it to heart. I'm just worried about you." Leonard sincerely said. He wanted to ask her to sit with him, or him with her but with what happened earlier, he thinks that his sister must want to save some face.

Kylo wanted to say something but chose not to as, if he were to ask to sit with her together with Charlton, it might cause a misunderstanding with Geoffrey.

As the three moved to leave, Charlton, our ever so reasonable 2nd male lead turned and walked back towards Serena. Serena's eyes suddenly lit up with so much anticipation.

"I apologize for my cousin's behavior Lady Maxwell, it is unbecoming of him. Also, regarding your dress, I do think it suits you beautifully, but it is indeed a tad too pleasing." Charlton said as he smiled at her. "I will go ahead."

This time, it was Serena who was struck speechless as she felt the heat creep up her cheeks. Her heart was beating so fast that she was afraid she might faint.

"Come on Serena, let's sit down." Milly said, smiling at her knowingly. "I don't know what's going on, but I am now raising my white flag. I can certainly say that my crush is already enamored. That girl earlier, whatever her name was, well, she can go drown in the pool of her own tears. No hard feelings here though. As I can also see that you my friend, are equally smitten."

"Do you think so too?" Serena asked, not even having the decency to deny it.

"I know so. By the way aren't you still engaged?"

"don't tell it to anyone, but I am so hoping that it will get broken."

"Well, I can't blame you. I kinda overheard what the jerk said earlier. He's not even that handsome."

Serena giggled as she said "I agree. He is not as handsome as MY Charlton and he is indeed a jerk." Well, what more can she say, there's nothing bad in placing her claim as she thought 'No matter how much he denies it, he's already mine, it's just a matter of time.'

--