After the song 'waltz of the flowers' ended, Charlton led Serena back to the table where the rest of the ladies were. Some of Serena's former classmates approached, engaging her in small talks.
Looking at her dance card, Serena saw that her next scheduled dance was the Quadrille with Christopher but that's the 14th song for the evening and was slated as the 2nd song after the interlude. Calculating the time, she approximately has an hour at least before that. She looked around and saw Geoffrey who was on the dancefloor occupied. If she slips out of the ballroom now, he won't notice.
She looked at Charlton who was talking to some noblemen. Their eyes met. She blinked once and looked away. She smiled as she excused herself from the other ladies.
Charlton knew that Serena just slipped out of the ballroom. He looked around the room and saw Geoffrey still dancing with the daughter of Marquess Ligeti. He excused himself from the gentlemen to follow.
Geoffrey of course was not unaware. He saw the two exiting the ballroom one after another. He was angry, but he was the one who gave them the opportunity. Then, he wondered, how should he go about this?
--
Serena was a bit familiar with the palace as she had been there before. Not wanting anyone to see them, she chose to head out to the garden where she knew a labyrinth (outdoor garden maze or hedge maze) was. The area was dimly lit by lamp posts that were situated far between. However, the sky was clear and the full moon and stars bright enough providing additional lighting.
Before entering the labyrinth, she turned to look at the door leading back to the palace which was about 30 meters away. Finally, she saw his figure exiting the door. Careful so that no one else would accidentally see them entering one after the other, she quickly entered the labyrinth.
--
Charlton who just exited the ballroom saw Serena's silhouette taking a turn to the right at the far end of the hall. As he has been there before, he knew that she should be heading to the gardens.
He was about to walk and follow her briskly, but before he could, someone called him. "Lord Daniel!"
Charlton wanted to pretend not to hear but the person who called him was directly behind him. Also, he just exited the door of the ballroom and people from inside can still see. Thus, he had no choice but to turn.
"Good evening, Lord Daniel!" Lady Annalys this time greeted more demurely as she gave him a curtsy.
"Lady Cross." He greeted back. "What can I do for you?" he asked.
Annalys blushed as she shifted her weight from left to right. Normally, she's very confident in front of other people, but since Charlton was the love of her life who saw something shameful about her last time with Emily, she felt a bit embarrassed. Also, she felt shy about the words she wanted to say.
Charlton did not have time for this. "If it's nothing, then I need to excuse myself."
Annalys looked at him again with widened eyes. Tears started to pool in her eyes. "I'm sorry… but…"
Charlton took a deep breath feeling irritated but at the same time a bit guilty. Giving more patience considering that the lady was 4 years his junior, and the younger sister of his colleague he apologized. "I apologize Lady Annalys for my callousness. But what is it you wanted to tell me?"
Lady Annalys felt her breath hitch. Charlton was so nice, he even apologized to her even though she's the one who was kinda annoying. Taking courage, she took a deep breath and finally said, "Lord Daniel, the next song, you signed your name beside it in my dance card. So…" She said to remind him. When she saw him about to exit the room as the song before theirs was about to end, she decided to follow him immediately.
Charlton winced. Right. Still, he wanted to give an excuse, but before he could, someone came to interject in their conversation.
"Lady Annalys, I'm sure that there's no need to remind Lord Daniel. As a gentleman, he would not leave his number with you unclaimed. Am I right Charlton?" Geoffrey asked in a cheerful manner. Well, he was actually feeling a bit jovial.
When the song he was dancing to ended, he immediately decided to exit the ballroom to follow Serena and Charlton. He didn't know what his plan was other than finding them to see what they would be up to. He had a man stationed just by the exit so he would know where Charlton and Serena were.
Coincidentally, as walked nearer to the exit, he saw that Charlton was just by the door talking to Lady Annalys. When he reached them, he was just in time to hear her words.
Immediately, another idea came to mind. Why not he finds Serena instead? Wouldn't it be funnier to see her surprised face that instead of her lover it's him that she would meet?
Also, he was sure that Charlton would look for her too later. Why not let him see them in a compromising position?
Charlton had no choice but to acquiesce. Besides, with Geoffrey staring at him, how could he still go find Serena that instance? He could only hope that she won't be angry at him arriving late.
"Yes, indeed." Charlton said to reply to Geoffrey's question. Then, he turned to look at Lady Annalys again. He smiled as he asked for her hand. "Lady Cross, shall we?"
Lady Annalys' face bloomed like a flower. "Of course, Lord Daniel." She said as she placed her hand in his, then she looked at Geoffrey to give him a curtsy, "your highness. Thank you. Please, excuse us."
Geoffrey gave them his permission with a nod.
When the two walked away, he walked outside. When he was out of view from the people inside the ballroom, a man approached him to report. "Your highness, the lady took a right at the end of the hall."
--
TBC