Serena had stayed in her room all day, claiming she felt under the weather due to the night wind. Surprisingly, upon hearing this, the Crown Prince also let it pass without complaint.

It was as if they had coordinated their excuses and attitudes. Those unaware of the conversation Serena and Lucas had shared by the window the previous night, and why Serena had tossed and turned under her blanket, would find it quite strange.

“Miss, how are you feeling? I’ve made some ginger tea.”

In truth, Serena was perfectly fine. She simply didn’t know how to face Lucas and had therefore stayed in bed under the guise of an excuse.

“I’m fine.”

“Since you’ve decided to take a break, rest well.”

Anna gently said as she set down the tea by the bedside.

“By the way, Peter mentioned that another papal seal-bearing letter has arrived.”

“Do we know what it’s about?”

“No.”

At this point, the only hope left was Serena’s unpredictable father, Roger. Even if he were to be contacted, there was no guarantee that he would side with the Crown Prince.

“Has it been three years since my father last sent a letter?”

“Yes. His Highness praised you highly for leading Astel as its acting duke.”

Roger was inherently a free-spirited man. He could be a fine nobleman but whether he was a good ruler for his subjects was debatable.

While he wasn’t as bad as other tyrannical lords who exploited their subjects with heavy taxation or extreme labor, he generally seemed indifferent toward his domain, giving the impression that Astel was largely ungoverned.

“He would have heard of your accomplishments wherever he went. He must be proud.”

“No, my father is happy that, thanks to my competence as acting duke, he can wander without criticism or responsibility.”

Serena’s analysis was spot-on. Anna inwardly agreed.

“My father is a good man, but he’s not fit to be a ruler. If I were gone, he would be the one most inconvenienced.”

“So, you believe the Duke would consider this engagement null and void?”

“I think so.”

Anna nodded. Astel already had too many projects initiated by Serena. In an Astel now reformed and prospering, a ruler was needed.

But if that ruler were to become the Crown Princess and leave for the royal palace, what would become of Roger’s freedom?

“Nothing will change anyway. The Crown Prince is just a passing storm.”

While being treated like a natural disaster by his lifelong fiancée could be a little pitiable for Lucas, Anna was still on Serena’s side.

“Besides, this isn’t the first time I’ve received a persistent proposal.”

Serena chuckled mischievously.

“The two are different.”

Anna pinpointed the precise issue. At that, a slight blush appeared on Serena’s cheeks, which had been free of fever.

Despite receiving years of persistent proposals from Duke Farell, her mind had never wavered. But since Lucas’s arrival, trivial things about him filled her thoughts from morning to night.

“Now that Duke Farell knows that the guest who came to Astel is the Crown Prince here for me as his bride, I’m concerned.”

“It is concerning. Given the Duke’s fiery temperament, any indiscretion could lead to a major issue.”

“Hmm,” Serena emitted an ambiguous sound. Her slightly raised lips revealed a youthful mischievousness and innocence.

“You’re not doing this intentionally, are you?”

“Rumors spread anyway. And you know what they say about keeping your enemies closer.”

“The two aren’t your enemies but suitors.”

Serena shrugged and put on a face of ignorance, indicating that this was a calculated move.

“Miss.”

Anna sat on the bed and looked at Serena.

“While the Crown Prince cherishes you and won’t harm you, Duke Farell is different.”

Duke Farell’s nation wasn’t part of the empire but a vassal state. Politically and socially, there was nothing to gain from either man facing off.
The Crown Prince suddenly showed up to survey my territory and judge me at will. He didn’t even give me any notice.

Even if the evaluation turned out well, Serena was not pleased. Would he have felt the same if Serena had been a more potent or a cruel ruler? Unlikely.

“I hate being judged by others.”

The Crown Prince’s ardent courtship had been always met with her cold refusal, for she had her reasons. If Lucas had properly sent a letter to arrange a meeting, she wouldn’t have been so put off in the first place.

“So, I will test the Crown Prince. Isn’t that fair?”

Fair. Serena was perhaps the only one who could say that when it came to the Crown Prince.

“If he can’t even handle a mere Duke of Parel, then there won’t be the free married life he promised me.”

“Huh? The Crown Prince promised you a free married life? When?”

Oops.

As Anna asked with sparkling eyes, Serena felt her cheeks flush inexplicably.

“He… just mentioned it in that tone. Anyway!”

Serena forcefully slapped her knee, fixing a resolute expression on her face.

“He judged me at his leisure, so I just want to check his abilities too.”

Ideally, both men would tire of this situation and lose interest in Serena. However, both Lucas and the Duke of Parel were not so easily put off.

“Oh my.”