The worries of the nobles proved groundless as Serena and the Crown Prince’s luncheon went smoothly. The two dined without much conversation, enjoying a meal made from fresh ingredients produced in Astel, and skipped dessert.

“A meal that is not extravagant, yet heartfelt.”

Lucas, wiping his mouth with a napkin, made the comment. For a royal, it was perhaps the highest form of praise.

“All the ingredients are sourced from Astel. We value nutrition and warmth over ostentation,”

Serena proudly replied, to which Lucas unusually nodded in agreement.

“The royal feasts are all show with no substance. Not that the food is any better on the battlefield or during travels.”

“You’re saying Astel is somewhat better then.”

They shouldn’t have added qualifiers to their compliments, yet their eyes locked again at the end of a satisfying meal.

“Shall we take a look at the daily life of Astel’s acting duke?”

Serena first rose from her seat and gestured her agreement with a nod.

“The day might feel a bit hectic for Your Highness.”

“More so than the battlefield?”

The chances for the day to pass peacefully were slim, given the tension already between them.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll change before we go out.”

“Why?”

“This dress is not suitable for horseback riding.”

Lucas looked somewhat surprised at Serena’s composed answer.

“Your Grace rides herself?”

“Yes. It’s faster and more convenient than a carriage. Astel has too many responsibilities, so I need to save time however I can.”

Before Lucas could say more, Serena lightly lifted her dress, gestured her approval, and left the dining room.

“Always disappearing like this.”

Lucas was left muttering discontentedly alone.

He wasn’t here for royal treatment, but he was accustomed to others standing only after he had given permission, so Serena’s audacity felt rather brazen.

“Even from the beginning, she never welcomed me.”

The court ladies and nobles would’ve been foaming at the mouth had they seen this behavior. It was unfamiliar even to Lucas, who had traveled widely and seen much.

“But it doesn’t matter.”

His muttered words reverberated softly.

“Because I want it that way.”

If he had never known Serena, he would’ve married some obedient, well-mannered princess.

However, from their engagement, he had longed for Serena who not only talked back to him but often ignored him, and now, he had only one answer.

“It has to be her now.”

Lucas’s dark eyes glowed hot with possession and desire. Serena might still underestimate him as a youth, but he was already a full-grown man standing before her.

The past six years, which he had endured without sending even a single letter for fear his feelings would turn to mist, were now meaningful.

“It was worth the wait.”

In the meantime, Lucas had grown into a man, and Serena had become a woman more slender and elegant than on their engagement day. In short, the only one who could be Lucas’s companion was now Serena.

The arrival of the Crown Prince had everyone in the Duke’s house bustling.

In the kitchen, a woman wept with joy because the Crown Prince had praised the carefully prepared luncheon, while Peter and the other servants were more meticulous than usual in performing their roles.

“Miss, do you really have to go riding today?”

“When His Highness asked to see my daily life, of course I have to.”

Naturally, Anna, who was tying Serena’s hair up high and finely, didn’t stop her hands.

“Otherwise, it would be disloyal.”

Serena, who still had a childlike, mischievous, and innocent side, added nonchalantly.

“Anna, I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything.”

“When I leave with the Crown Prince, let slip to some talkative people about his status.”
The fact that Lucas was the crown prince was still a secret known only to the ducal household. He had insisted on posing as a wandering knight of noble birth. But Serena was about to shatter that illusion.

“Miss, if people knew His Highness the Crown Prince was here, wouldn’t we be overwhelmed with bothersome matters?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Only now did Anna understand Serena’s intention. If neighboring lords found out the crown prince was here, they would come to curry favor, and he would quickly grow tired and leave. Serena seemed intent on encouraging this.

“And let Duke Farell hear of it as well. After all, we’ve planted enough spies in our own territory that there’s no need to go out of our way.”

To Serena, even the duke’s persistent proposals were nothing but a nuisance.

For some time now, she had been having the scouts he sent do farm work or menial tasks, if they were bothersome enough to merit such treatment.

“If His Highness the Crown Prince and His Excellency the Duke were to confront each other…”

“Perfect.”

Serena wore a confident smile. She’d had no luck with men in her previous life, but it would be fun to watch two men fight over her now.

Of course, the joy would be short-lived; her aim was to have both leave the Astel territory on bad terms.

“If we can chase both of them out of Astel because of this, I’d consider it a win.”