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nSerena smiled as her mother looked around her room. After she and Geoffrey welcomed them to their house, they proceeded to have tea. Pleasantries has been exchanged, conversation topics, well, her parents were awkward to talk to Geoffrey like they were his parents-in-law and give advice about their marriage even though Geoffrey was very polite and respectful, so she took lead and began talking about their honeymoon destination. She told them about Wiltshire palace, how beautiful it was, and how she enjoyed their time there.

nThen, after teatime, they gave her family a tour of the house. They began with the rooms downstairs, then they went to the ballroom, the guestrooms, and the gardens. When they were through with that, Geoffrey, like Serena instructed the night before, talked about polo and horses as his hobby. Simoun and Leonard being men who liked polo were drawn to the topic of conversation. Geoffrey then took the opportunity to invite them to the stable to see and appreciate the horses.

nLike scripted, Geoffrey asked Serena and Celine to join, but Serena declined saying that the gentlemen should enjoy the horses while she and her mother would take a rest first. Thus, that way, they parted and agreed would see each other again during dinner.

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"So… what do you think Mother?

" Serena asked when her mother was done inspecting the room..

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"Of the room?

" Celine asked jokingly.

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"Ma!

" Serena exclaimed with some exaggeration like that of a spoilt girl.

nCeline laughed. Then, she held Serena's hand to pull her in for a seat. The two of them sat on one of the sofas in her room.

"Ok, so let's start from the beginning. When we were on the way here, your father and I were expecting to be ushered to the waiting room. To be welcomed by his royal highness and you did not even cross our minds. To see that you two did, it was very heart warming. However, Serena, you are the crown princess now. You should understand…

"

nSerena shook her head.

"Mother, it is only right that I welcome you that way. You are my parents, besides, not only is it my duty to honor you as your daughter, but I wanted to.

"

nCeline felt her nose sour but she still shook her head,

"Serena, to know that you have those intentions, for me and your father, they are enough. Now, you shouldn't make Geoffrey do those with you. I know that he loves and adores you, but do not forget his identity. He is still the crown prince. For you to make him do that…

"

n

"Ma… I know my place and would never ask Geoffrey to do that just to show and prove that he's been hand pecked. To be honest, Geoffrey was the one who suggested that we welcome you that way.

" Serena explained.

n

"Are you sure that you're not making that up just so I would stop giving you a lecture?

" Celine asked as she pinched Serena's cheek.

n

"Ouch ouch! Ma! Of course not! Why would I tell you something like that?

" Serena said exaggeratedly as she began to laugh.

nCeline tsked as she shook her head.

"Just less than 2 weeks ago, you said you'll always be my daughter, now, you're already inventing stuff just so to make your husband look better.

"

nSerena continued to laugh,

"I'm not ma! Geoffrey was really the one who insisted.

"

nCeline sighed melodramatically.

"Alright. But still, listen to mother. Geoffrey and you are still at a honeymoon stage. Right now, he might be willing to spoil you so much, but when more time has come to pass, you should not demand too much from him. Remember, when we love someone, we should love them as they are, not as we wish them to be.

"

nSerena smiled,

"I understand mother. Thank you. Anyhow, ma, let's talk about that which I asked you last time.

"

nCeline nodded remembering about the party her daughter wished to host.

"I think the 28th of October, a Friday evening would an optimal timing. But Serena, do tell me honestly, do you have another purpose for hosting this ball?

"

nSerena looked at her mother, well, she needs to tell the truth and be frank about it. It's no good to be playing mind games with one of her truest ally.

"Mother, you said so yourself. I am the crown princess now.

"

nCeline exhaled. She knew it.

"Sometimes, I still lament that we have caused you to be in this situation… politics is an ugly thing and…

"

n

"Ma, please don't think that way. To be the kingdom's crown princess is an honor and a privilege, it just so happens that it comes with a price.

"

nCeline took a deep breath.

"Alright. Just know that whatever you do, me, your father, and Leonard would always be behind you. Anyway, what then are you planning to do on that party?

"

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"I was hoping to form allies. In truth, I am not very sure how to go about this. As of now, I do know that there's a battle for the throne that would later unfold. I am confident that Geoffrey is ahead of his brothers, but one can never be too sure. My main concern is the political reality. I was hoping to ask brother Leonard about it, but I fear that he might tell Geoffrey that I am involving myself. Geoffrey doesn't seem like he wants me to be involved. But mother, how could I stand aside? We are partners now. Whatever his fate, would also be my fate. Aside from that… I just want to be of help to him.

" Serena explained.

n

"I agree with you except for the part of you keeping this from Geoffrey. You should tell him those words later yourself. The most fundamental part of a relationship is trust. But I also understand that it may not happen as soon as now. Anyhow, on the political reality, I can also tell you about it. Currently, the main concern is not on the princes fighting for the throne as the princes are still young. The closest to Geoffrey's age is Prince Frederick who not only is still in school, but also a bit underwhelming in comparison to Geoffrey.

"

nSerena nodded, she surmised as much.

"How about the radicals and the rebels?

"

n

"Now before your impending wedding to Geoffrey was announced, that one has been on the hot topic. The rebels were starting to make movements, but nowadays they have been very silent. Though I am sure they're just waiting for a better timing.

"

nSerena thought that it was no wonder for them to halt their movements at this time. The monarch's popularity was in all time high what with the royal wedding, but what could their motivations be?

"Mother, what are they fighting for exactly?

"

n

"They want to change the current regime from an absolute monarchy to a republic through a revolution. But Serena, I have no idea how you would involve yourself in that.

"

nSerena hummed, if it's fighting the rebels and radicals, what Geoffrey would need now should be military power. Hmm… she could only guess what their motivations were. Absolute monarchy should be stifling. A revolution? Then they should be trying to convince the other citizens through some propaganda to join their cause.

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"Mother, do you know what their motivations are?

"

nCeline shook her head. That's the most of what she learned from Simoun and Leonard's conversations. Serena is thinking so much further ahead. The questions she asked were all direct to the point, in fact she wouldn't know what to tell her if she didn't ask what she wanted to know.

nSerena pursed her lips.

nCurious at Serena's expression, Celine asked,

"What are you thinking?

"

n

"If that were the case then the royal family should be unified right now. But…

" but she can't let the other princes have the upper hand. Then again, it was too early to presume anything. The most she can do now as a crown princess is find some allies and make Geoffrey more lovable to the public. She sighed. She also needs to know who Geoffrey's allies were. Recruiting the same people was a waste of time and resource, also, she wouldn't want to recruit the wrong sort.

n

"But?

"

n

"you're right mother. I have to talk with Geoffrey regarding this. Though it's good that I have a picture of what's happening in my head now. This way he might be more inclined to talk.

"

n

"You don't need to rush. For now, I suggest you just involve yourself with charity work and some of your duties as the crown princess.

"

nSerena smiled and nodded her head.

n--

nTBC

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