"Mary and Gina, how's the progress with the invites and the décor? It's already the 2nd of December, we only have 20 days left. We need to send the invites by next week to give enough time for everyone to prepare." Joan asked, they need to discuss minute details about the ball as it is quickly approaching.

"We're already done with the invites. Now regarding the décor, we decided to go with the midnight blue theme this year. The reason is that it will provide better contrast with the dresses which usually consists of red, white, and green." Gina reported, then Mary enthusiastically interjected.

"We already purchased the materials to be used for decoration. On the day of the ball, the venue, which will be at the assembly hall, will feature jewel-toned pieces with a focus on sparkly golds and deep royal blues. We will dim the lights and turn on the blue and white Christmas lights once the first dance begins. WAHHHH I can already imagine how beautiful it would be!!!"

The boys winced with Mary's excited loud voice.

"Thank you for that. Leonard and Serena, how's the program?" Joan continued.

"We already assigned people for the receiving area and already hired the master of ceremonies for the requisite announcements. By 8 in the evening, we expect that everyone would be inside, the school dignitaries will give some messages as it is also our school's founding anniversary. After that, we can proceed with the first dance." Leonard reported.

"How about the dance card for the ladies?" Joan asked.

"We left that with Diether and Douglas as they were the ones to hire the band." Leonard said. Honestly, he hated balls. Thankfully, his sister did not ask him a lot and let him work on his own. She wanted to take lead on arranging the dances, but he dissuaded her by saying that that responsibility falls on Diether and Douglas.

Serena looked at Leonard with furrowed brows. As she thought, he tricked her! Anyway, she did not really have a lot of time to arrange for a band for she was busy practicing with Charlton. The Maestro's event is only 2 weeks away.

On the other hand, the other girls looked the Diether. If he messes that up, they will grill him. "So? How is it now? How many songs are they playing? Ughhhh just tell us the song arrangement and we will prepare the dance card." Gina who can't stop herself said.

"Yes, we will prepare the dance card, I would hate it if it were not to match with the theme of the ball!" Mary added.

Diether afraid of the girls nodded his head in agreement, "alright, you guys prepare it! Ugh…" then he glared at Leonard who tricked him by passing the hot potato towards him.

Leonard pretended not to see by arranging the papers in front of him.

"I'll also introduce you to the band, so you guys talk to them instead." Diether added for good measure. Might as well pass the responsibility to them.

"Anyway, how about the tables, chairs and other necessary items?" Joan asked.

"everything has been arranged for." Douglas this time said.

"Alright. Now, how about the food? Artemis?"

"ah, we already have arrangements for the separate refreshment room. We have hired Laduree to be our caterer, they will make available tea and coffee, biscuits, cakes, sandwiches, macaroons, and the likes. Only by midnight will champagne and wine be added, that is to ensure that no one would be drunk before then." Artemis stated.

"Alright. Seems like everything is good." Joan said as she nodded for Geoffrey to take over.

"Now we're done with details about the ball, let's talk about how everyone is doing at the orphanage. It has come to my attention that the children are quite diverse. Can everyone share their experience with the ones they're handling? I also wish to ask the seniors to tell us about their plans for the older children."

"From our end, the older children seem to be interested in learning practical skills like blacksmithing, tailoring, cooking and the likes. Thus, we decided to focus on that. Tomorrow, we will be bringing with us a seamstress, a baker, and a blacksmith. They will be there to talk about their occupation and how the children may follow their footstep in the future. As of now, that's the plan." Artemis explained.

"That sounds good." Geoffrey said.

"On my end, the children seem to be interested in learning. They are a curious bunch." Leonard reported.

"We are handling children from ages 4-7, so they're just rowdy. We only play games when we're there." Mary said.

Geoffrey nodded his head. Anyway, the younger children will be easier to handle in the future, their focus were on the older ones.

"I think that the step taken by the seniors is good. So, I have nothing to say nor add. Regarding the fund raising, we can move that after the ball as our hands are quite full."

Everyone nodded their head in agreement.

"Now, we're through with our agenda for today, are there any other concern?"

Serena raised her hand.

Geoffrey looked at her in askance.

"It's nothing much, but I beg to be excused for our next visit on the 17th. I have a very important event to attend to the night before." Serena explained, she had no plans to return the day after. She wanted to stay with Charlton the whole night and well, the day after. It's not everyday that they get to spend the night together.

Geoffrey who was curious about which event she will be attending could only wait for the meeting to end to ask her. Meantime, as he can do nothing about it, he only nodded his head in approval.

"thank you."

Geoffrey asked one more time if they still have any other concern, there being none, he adjourned the meeting.

--

"Serena," Geoffrey called.

"Yes?" Serena replied as she looked at Geoffrey. She was about to leave the room along with Leonard when she heard him call her name.

Leonard on the other hand was surprised. Since when did Geoffrey and Serena been on a first name basis?

"What event are you attending on the 16th?" he asked.

"The golden anniversary of Maestro Ligeti. I will be performing a song then." She explained.

"Ah." He replied, he was not invited on that event. He wondered if he should procure himself an invite.

Serena seeing his expression added for good measure, "Sir Felix will be accompanying me and Lord Daniel, it's an intimate event for the couple, so…"

Geoffrey understood what she meant to say. He should respect the wishes of the old couple. "I see…"

"Is that all?" Serena seeing that he understood asked.

"Do you have an escort for the ball on the 22nd already?" Geoffrey asked with some embarassment.

Serena thought that he was asking her just because of propriety. Everyone will be talking if Geoffrey were to escort another girl aside from her. She recalled that in the novel, Geoffrey escorted Serena despite their relationship. However, she had no plans to follow the same step. So, she nodded her head.

"Yes, I'm going with brother Leonard. We talked about it while we were arranging the program." She replied. Fine, they didn't talk about that and her plans of attending with Charlton was ruined. But that excuse should work.

Leonard at the sideline was surprised. They didn't have that talk. But the most curious thing was Geoffrey asking to escort Serena. Did he just realize how wonderful his sister was? But wasn't his sister seeing Charlton? Just as he thought. What a mess.

Geoffrey looked at Leonard, as if to tell him to change that plan.

Leonard took 3 seconds to think if over. In the end, his brotherly instinct won. Plus, Geoffrey haven't treated Serena that well in the beginning. So, he only shook his head at Geoffrey.

Geoffrey seeing Leonard's expression sighed. He knew he already lost the battle for this round. "Alright. Then, please save a dance for me at the ball."

Serena thought that Geoffrey was only asking because people might start talking if he were to escort Emily and not even dance with his intended. Besides, what else could she do? She could only agree and say, "of course."

--

"I didn't know that you're on friendly terms with Geoffrey." Leonard commented, obviously wanting his sister to explain. Although he never talked to her about her relationship with Charlton, she knew that he knew.

"Well, we're friends now. He did apologize for his earlier rudeness."

"So, what do you plan on doing now?"

Serena knew what he was pertaining to. Just wanting to straight things out, she looked at him as she stopped walking. "I will be honest with you brother Leonard. Please don't blame me for this, but, from the beginning, my heart has been set on Charlton."

Although Leonard usually goes along with what Serena wants, this time he had to give her a sound advice. "Serena, you're engaged to Geoffrey. I know that he has not been nice to you at the beginning, but if you try to spend more time with him and to get to know him better, perhaps you will develop stronger feelings for him. I know I said that I'm keeping my arms crossed, but that was before Geoffrey began showing his interest. You know that our parents and I will always be behind you even when the crime becomes a lese majeste. But before you dive into anything, please show me that at the very least, you've tried. So won't you give Geoffrey and yourself a chance?"

--

TBC