Three more days had passed.

Mrs. Hailey and her assistants had worked overnight, filling the wardrobe with their remarkable creations. Thanks to Abigail’s strict guidance, Serena had progressed to a decent imitation of palace etiquette.

“Ah, I’m tired… I was already annoyed thinking about the wedding, but living like this, it might be better to just have the wedding.”

Contrary to Anna’s intent, her spirits lifted slightly hearing Serena would choose the wedding.

“Still no news?”

Lying on the bed, Serena sat up and directed the question at Anna.

“Huh?”

“I mean Elize.”

Even though it was just the two of them, Serena lowered her voice. Anna grew curious about who Elize could be and why she mattered, but there was no room for more dialogue at this point.

“First, she’s not in the noble district of this monastery.”

“That’s what you said on the first day. We need to search more broadly.”

“You’re aware of how competent Peter is, right?”

Serena nodded weakly. Both Peter and Anna were overly competent to merely serve a young duchess.

“Peter has discreetly contacted informants, and I tried to gather information from ladies and maids.”

“I see… you both are making efforts.”

“But the name Elize didn’t come up anywhere. No such lady or duchess exists. Even today, I checked among the servants, but still nothing.”

If Peter and Anna had diligently searched for three days and found nothing, Elize was either truly a mysterious entity or not yet present in this place.

“Still not here, huh.”

Elize being the protagonist made the latter more plausible. Considering discussions about Serena’s abdication began upon Elize’s appearance, maybe they had found her too early.

“Let’s continue searching while we’re here. Even if we don’t get results, we should have Peter wait for when Elize appears.”

Anna generally avoided unnecessary questions, but seeing Serena so seriously hung up on this unfamiliar name, she had to ask.

“My lady, just who is Elize that you are searching for her so diligently?”

If Elize was an important character, Anna could obviously understand. But Serena didn’t even know her background, which was quite suspicious.

“Is she that important a woman?”

“Perhaps… no, definitely important.”

Elize was the protagonist of this story. Her gravity was naturally different from Serena’s, and considering the narrative changed according to the protagonist’s actions, the future was uncertain.

“Sorry, I can’t tell anyone else.”

Serena cut off decisively.

It was impossible to tell others that she originally came from another world, or that she was now in a strange narrative where Elize was the protagonist.

In any case, it would have been laughable to try to explain this to Anna now.

“All I can say is, I must find Elize. That’s all. I know it’s difficult, but please understand.”

This was the best Serena could say. Fortunately, Anna nodded without further questions. Peter would also nod silently if he heard this.

“You do know that preparing for the national soul is a priority, right?”

“Yes.”

“Thanks to Mrs. Hailey’s all-night work, we’ve managed to secure dresses for the national soul ceremony.”

The decision came after the Marchioness had practically scoffed at the clothes Serena originally brought, but once Serena wore the dresses Mrs. Hailey had prepared, she realized that clothes and appearance mattered too.

“The rest can be adjusted at the palace.”

“More…?”

Anna had already ordered thirty sets of dresses, and now more were needed?

“Dresses are a woman’s weapon. The same goes for hats, shoes, and fans.”

There was no fault in that statement, so no room for argument.
Dressed differently from when she roamed the Astel domain, the elegant and refined dress highlighted Serena’s slim and pure beauty. It was a great help in Lady Abigail’s etiquette lessons.

“I need to call the jeweler tomorrow. Peter has finally managed to make an appointment with a trustworthy craftsman after a lot of inquiry.”

Lucas had said it was enough if only Serena came, but minimal preparation was necessary even if the formalities for the crown prince’s wedding were simplified.

“I’d like to keep the jewelry and accessories minimal.”

“Yes. First, I will process the jewels given by the Duke of Astel when he left and order a few more that are not too flashy.”

“Mm. Showing off too much as soon as I enter the palace wouldn’t be good.”

“Yes. All eyes will be on the crown princess, so you should present an elegant and dignified appearance. That’s why you’re working so hard to prepare.”

It was a national marriage, even more significant than a noble’s marriage.

The Duke of Astel knew that and entrusted it to the Sheurd Duchy, where a meticulous duchess was available. Of course, it had completely backfired.

“I will bring the tea. Go to sleep for today. Lady Abigail will come again tomorrow.”

Serena pouted at the words, but she had no choice. Moreover, she realized how disgraceful it would have been to enter the palace ignorant of all this etiquette.

“Oh dear.”