The next day, Anna wore a worried expression upon hearing Serena’s plans.

Lora was barely 18 and had taken classes with young ladies in the capital since her youth, widening the age range for gathering information. However, ingenuity didn’t necessarily mean it was a good idea.

“Miss, the Duchess is not ordinary. Moreover, she has an only daughter, so it’s obvious how strictly she must have raised her.”

“Are you telling me to be careful? To make sure my true intentions aren’t discovered.”

“Yes. Even if she is 18, she’s a young lady of substance, and it’s an age when many usually marry.”

Serena, now 24, had missed her marriageable age, so she understood that Lora was also of a suitable age for marriage. There were even opinions that Serena was late when she had her engagement ceremony at 20.

“I glimpsed earlier, it seems the young duchess will be wearing a dress of blue.”

The blue dress had recently become one of Serena’s favorites. The Duchess might subtly want to convey that her own daughter is also like Serena.

“What she wears is irrelevant.”

“Yes. We already have several dresses from Lady Hailey.”

Anna grinned and looked at the dress hanging on the hanger.

The luxurious beige fabric was adorned with delicate embroidery of flowers in gold thread, and the skirt was layered with several sheets of thin fabric, making it look as voluptuous as a luscious bouquet.

“Alright, I’ll wear that one, so let’s skip the jewelry.”

The neckline of the dress was square-cut, but it was already glamorous, so adding anything more might look excessive.

“Yes. Then today I’ll leave your hair down and braid a few strands, decorating them with pins.”

Serena, who had until recently been riding horses and mingling with Yeongmin in Astel, looked more beautiful and dignified than any other young lady.

“You’ll surely look wonderful.”

Anna had discarded all the worries she’d had when leaving Astel. Serena’s status had always been noble, but her lifestyle had not been. After spending just a few days in the capital, she had grown enough to handle the Duchess on her own.

“It’s only possible because everyone is making an effort.”

“No matter how much effort people put in, it wouldn’t work if it weren’t for you, Miss.”

Above all, Lady Hailey’s dress seemed to fit Serena as if it had been hers from the beginning, and Anna couldn’t hide her pride.

Abigail didn’t bat an eye when she heard that Lora had finally attended the class.

The class was filled with tutoring and advice solely for Serena, and Lora was merely following along.

“You’ve worked hard today, Ma’am.”

Abigail smiled at the now very eloquent Serena.

“It’s an honor that someone as exceptional as you is my last student.”

Serena nodded and gave a light curtsy to the lady.

“See you tomorrow.”

Abigail also reciprocated Serena’s curtsy before leaving the entrance hall. Lora gave her a curtsy as well, but since Serena was of higher rank, she did not get a response.

“Duchess, do you have time now?”

“Eh? Ah… Yes! My mother told me yesterday that she would have tea time with me.”

Lora, who was raised in luxury despite her mere 18 years, had been thoroughly ignored and neglected by the strict matron.

Serena felt she might struggle to maintain her composure if she faced the same treatment, yet Lora’s face showed happiness and youthful excitement.

“My mother will likely have prepared tea time in the drawing room that gets the most sunlight in our residence.”

Seeing the normally reticent young lady chatter, Serena was reminded anew of her youth.

“Alright, lead the way.”

Independent of her aversion to Miranda, seeing the excited Lora made Serena smile genuinely for the first time in a while.

Come to think of it, she’d never interacted with another young lady of her age back in Astel. Strictly speaking, today’s tea time was her first interaction between young ladies.

“Can you… can you call me by my name?”
A slight flush rose to Lora’s face.

“I always wished I had a sister. I’d be grateful if you could treat me more comfortably.”

“Alright, Lora.”

Just hearing her name called brought visible delight to Lora, who was still of a young age.

“Here we are.”

Lora took the lead and stopped in front of a door. Nora, the chamberlain to the Duchess, was standing there.

“We have just brought up some warm refreshments. I hope the two of you have a pleasant time.”

Nora’s demeanor, initially disrespectful when they first came to the duchy mansion, had noticeably softened.

Whether it was due to Serena’s recent impressive acts, or that the Duchess’s wishes had been fulfilled by having Lora join her education, was unclear.

“The sunlight comes in well during all seasons.”

The parlor was delicately and beautifully arranged, perhaps to the taste of the Duchess.

Lora slightly bent her knee and gestured for Serena to take her seat first. The white sofa was soft, and the subtle aroma of tea was pleasant.

“Sit down, Lora.”

“Yes.”