“Isn’t that something Your Highness should think about?”

“I have other things to ponder. Two heads are better than one, so let’s each think of our own strategies.”

Once again, Cedric earnestly nodded. As always, this straightforward man followed Lucas’s words without question for the past six years.

Two days later, Serena was nearly exhausted. The energy she had even while managing her domain in Astel was useless in performing empty formalities.

“I really don’t feel like doing this.”

“My lady… Please hold on a little longer.”

“A little longer? Until when? Until the wedding ceremony? And then?”

Serena, sprawled on her bed, fired off a barrage of resentful questions. She had always thought her strength and stamina were unmatched, but she had been too arrogant.

After all, she had thought it strange that she had the energy to perform these useless actions.

“How does Lady Abigail maintain such a rigid posture at her age?”

Serena had always been confident in her physical abilities, as a former athlete and now as a noble wielding physical power.

But the elderly Abigail taught Serena to use her body in a completely different way.

“I didn’t feel this much pain in my thighs and back even when I rode a horse all day.”

Would things have been different if she had continued gymnastics, which she had given up due to her rapidly growing limbs during her childhood? Well, regardless, since she had taken over Serena’s body, she had to learn new physical skills.

The Astel Duke’s family had a history of producing strong warriors, so she adapted more quickly than most.

“Do I really have to get the angle right every time I bow? It’s just a greeting.”

The thought of repeating this act tomorrow already made her cringe. The progress had stalled just at the act of bowing.

That was because Abigail had interfered, instructing her in detail on how much to bend her knees and straighten her back.

“That’s probably how everyone does it in the palace.”

“Really? Everyone?”

“At least if they’re courtiers. Even more so if they’re nobles.”

Ugh, the future seemed even darker if this was actually necessary.

“Even Crown Prince Lucas?”

Lucas had once been a wild-eyed, troublesome child and recently gave the impression of a bandit who had barged into the dukedom.

“Of course. Even though he roamed around for a long time, he was born in the palace and stayed there until he was sixteen. He probably knows the formalities even better than Lady Abigail.”

“Huh? …I can’t imagine that.”

Thinking of the little boy who had suddenly grown taller than her and become a full-fledged man was still astonishing, let alone him being more knowledgeable in etiquette than today’s strict elderly lady.

“He is the Crown Prince, after all.”

Serena recalled kicking his shins back then. Lucas had briefly yelled, but neither got angry nor seemed too surprised. He looked at her and smiled.

She had felt they were of the same kind back then, but the Lucas that Anna was describing now seemed too far away.

“Ah, it seems Peter has arrived.”
Anna rose from her seat at the sound of a knock, exiting the room. Serena tried to get up reluctantly from the bed and sit on a chair. However, it wasn’t Peter who entered the room.

“……Who are you?”

The man, dressed as a servant and wearing a hood, was much larger and more robust than Peter. Yes, almost like… Lucas, whom she had seen not too long ago.

“It’s me.”

Shutting the door and tossing his hood aside, Lucas approached with long strides. Seeing Serena’s surprised face, he grinned.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t kick me today; my shins still have bruises.”

No words came out to ask how he had managed to disguise himself as a servant and come here.

His eyes, as mocking as they had been in the Astel territory, were a welcome sight in this strange world.

“If you’ve come to run away with me, you’re welcome to.”

Serena always said things that were wholly unexpected. And Lucas liked that about her.

“Do you miss Astel?”

“Yes. And this place is driving me insane.”

Serena, now dressed in a dress far less modest than what she wore in Astel, appeared anew like a different woman.

“The new dress suits you.”

“Will a new life suit me as well?”

Serena wasn’t smiling.

“His Highness said he would let me live freely, whether I disguise myself as a man or whatever I do.”

“……Yes.”

“But, all day I’m learning how deeply to curtsy when I’m wearing a dress I didn’t even ask for.”

In her blue eyes, there was a protest against him.

“Do you think I’ve ruined your life?”

“It seems that way now.”

Her days in Astel had been fulfilling and loyal. However, ever since the problematic fiancé appeared, that daily life vanished like smoke.

“It’s not too late. I’m neither suitable to be the Crown Princess nor happy in that position. This marriage is a mistake.”

If not now, she could only see him at the wedding ceremony. So she had to correct his mistake in any way possible.

If only the Crown Prince changed his mind, there would be no reason to force the 24-year-old Serena to become the Crown Princess.

“Your Highness, we can still correct this mistake.”

Her blue eyes looked up at him seriously.