They say rumors travel a thousand miles without feet, and talk was rampant throughout the Astel domain that Serena’s potential groom had arrived.

The black-haired young noble who appeared today was said to be that very groom and would become the new lord of Astel.

“Why!”

As soon as Serena, having finished dinner, heard the report from Peter, she unleashed her anger towards the crown prince.

“He said he would hide his identity at first, but this makes no sense at all!”

“The people still only know him as a noble knight.”

Anna nodded in agreement with Peter’s words.

“Yes. If they had known His Highness’s identity, the people would not have dared to speak to him in the square or elsewhere today.”

Anna’s words were correct. There were a few vassal families in the Astel duchy, but the rest were all commoners who had never seen royalty before.

“His Highness must have already wandered many places, I don’t understand why he’s doing this even in our Astel.”

Annoyance was plainly visible on Serena’s face.

“Unlike what you think, young lady, if His Highness hasn’t forgotten about the engagement, Astel would probably be the place he’s most curious about.”

Serena’s lips protruded at the unpleasant words.

“The engagement is void. I told him so. It’s been 6 years!”

No matter how much she grumbled, unless Lucas changed his mind, an agreement would be difficult. Moreover, that detestable man said he would stay at the duke’s residence for the time being, which was even more annoying.

“Besides, it’s a busy time preparing for the harvest festival, what are all the women in the village doing gathering in the square?”

“Well… I asked some people directly, and they said just looking at him was enough.”

Huh, Serena let out an incredulous laugh.

“From young girls to married women, even old ladies, they suddenly became lively and said just seeing him once more would be good, so I don’t understand either.”

Unlike Peter, Anna understood those women’s hearts. It was also the situation she had predicted when Lucas came to Astel.

“For now, since His Highness and his party have returned, I will go serve them dinner personally.”

“Alright, please do.”

At Serena’s words, Peter bowed and withdrew.

“Young lady, now you should prepare for bed.”

Today, she was twice as tired as usual because Lucas had kept her occupied since the morning. As Serena, dressed in a white nightgown, sat on the sofa with Anna’s help, Anna carefully brushed her platinum blonde hair.

“Are you very bothered by His Highness’s arrival?”

“You know. Our engagement ceremony was the worst. Of course I hate it.”

“But according to what you said, 6 years have passed and it’s over now, right?”

“I don’t know, he’s just annoying.”

Serena claimed the engagement was void because 6 years had passed, but she spoke as if there was no expiration date for the emotions she felt that day.

“And it’s absurd. Showing up after 6 years and asking for compensation, am I some object?”

What Lucas wanted was marriage to Serena. Even the clever Serena must have known that, but it seemed she just became irritated whenever she had to deal with Lucas.

“His Highness’s gaze when looking at you was very affectionate.”

“Who? No. He’s just being stubborn for no reason.”

If she had known a day like this would come, Serena would have kept her mouth shut at the engagement ceremony and acted like a boring noble lady. Then Lucas would have forgotten about that tedious woman and found a new fiancée.

“But… I was really surprised. He’s become such a strong man, unimaginable from his appearance at the engagement ceremony. No wonder all the women in the square were excited.”

While the fact that he was a noble from outside would have drawn much attention, there was probably another real reason. The moment they saw Lucas’s appearance, this situation was almost inevitable.

“Besides becoming robust, he’s become very handsome.”

“Right. Then he can marry another woman.”

Serena replied with a sharp tone.

Of course, she too had eyes and immediately noticed Lucas’s changes. Even erasing their meeting 6 years ago, he had become a fully-grown man now.

“I dislike the constraints of marriage. If I marry into the imperial family, those constraints would be even more severe. It’s natural for a 6-year-old engagement to be void, and I’m 24, well past marrying age.”

Grumbling sulkily, Serena looked just like someone deliberately making up excuses.

“Compared to that, His Highness is only 20. Yes, he’s grown up impressively, unlike his appearance back then.”

Serena couldn’t have been unaware.

Stronger and taller than any other man, with a broad chest, large hands with calluses that didn’t match his slightly melancholic black hair and eyes, a handsome man… Regardless of status, how could he not stir the hearts of women?

“Young lady, I…”

“No. Anyway, it could be revealed as early as tomorrow that he’s the crown prince. Then the people of the domain won’t dare approach him.”

It was the same when Serena first arrived in the Astel domain. Most of the commoners felt both anxiety and fear when the duke’s daughter, the owner of this domain, arrived.

Especially since the duke with his wanderlust had entrusted the role of acting duke to a mere 20-year-old lady.

“Even though I’m a daughter of Astel, it took over half a year for the people to open their hearts to me.”

When Serena came to Astel, she quietly unpacked and looked over the accumulated official business and correspondence of the domain. She didn’t even gather the people or hold an event to announce the inauguration of the new acting duke.

“It only took half a year. To the people, the duke’s daughter is like someone from heaven.”

Anna smiled faintly.

Whether the people of Astel acknowledged her or not, Serena looked after the lacking areas without discrimination and helped those in need. And just before half a year had passed since her arrival in the Astel domain, an incident occurred.

“There are still many people who talk about your heroic deeds from that time.”

At those words, Serena’s cheeks flushed slightly as if embarrassed.

“Well, that’s nothing much.”

Half a year after Serena had settled in Astel, an unprecedented typhoon struck. It was a disaster unimaginable in Astel, which had always been called a blessed land.

−Gather everyone in the duke’s residence immediately!

At that time, Serena shone like a warrior at the forefront of battle.

−Are the houses near the square the only ones that can withstand the wind? …Tell everyone else to come to the duke’s residence!

Even Anna and Peter found such an idea difficult to accept.

−Whether it’s the main building or annex, as long as they can shelter from the wind! Let anyone in and distribute blankets and whatever food is available.

−I’m sorry, but such supplies…

−If there aren’t enough blankets, tear down the curtains, and if there’s not enough food, reduce the portions for the people of the duke’s residence!

At that time, Serena, finding even her already modest dress uncomfortable, tied up the skirt part above her knees and ran around everywhere.

Because of that, most of the domain people who took refuge in the duke’s residence didn’t even realize she was the duke’s daughter who had arrived not long ago.

−We must send able-bodied men to protect the farmlands. Also…

−No, this is a typhoon!

According to her experience from her past life, it was a natural disaster. The people of Astel, who had lived in mild weather all their lives, couldn’t possibly understand such a terrifying natural disaster.

−No one is safe until the typhoon passes our Astel. If my words lack persuasion, I’ll order it as the acting duke.

Although the concept of a typhoon didn’t exist in Astel at the time, they couldn’t disobey the acting duke’s orders either.

−We must abandon houses and possessions. First, we save people. Make sure everyone stays under a safe roof until this typhoon passes!

There was no way the words of a mere 20-year-old duke’s daughter could reach the people of the domain. They insisted on protecting their own land and homes, believing this mere wind and rain would pass.

−Mobilize the vassals of the Astel ducal family, and if that’s not enough, use the private soldiers!

Serena never backed down, and amidst the raging wind and rain, all sorts of people of different statuses mixed in the duke’s residence, causing chaos.

−Young lady, if it’s just wind and rain that will stop tomorrow…

Even Anna worriedly spoke out of concern for Serena’s position, but Serena was adamant.

−Then we should be grateful that no one was hurt.

That mature and resolute face already held the dignity of an acting duke. And the wind and rain did not stop in a day.

As Serena had worried, the typhoon intensified more than the first day, blowing away the roofs of most houses, rolling huge boulders around, and only after three days could they see the sun.

−My lady, I report!

When the brilliant sun rose in the distance, Astel was almost in a state of complete destruction.

−The farmlands, roads, and major parts of the domain have been devastated.

−What about the people?

With the domain people still crowded in the duke’s residence, she could unintentionally show her true self to everyone.

−No one… Not a single person of the domain was hurt thanks to your ladyship’s orders.

−That’s good enough.

That day, Serena’s smile shining under the truly welcome sunlight was deeply etched in the hearts of all in Astel.

−If everyone is safe, no one needs to worry about the future.

At that time, the 20-year-old Serena looked at many people proudly with a triumphant smile.

−Our Astel will turn this typhoon crisis into an opportunity.

It was unexpected that Serena would take control of Astel, which had been reduced to a blank slate, but it was true that the crisis turned into an opportunity as she had assured.

“More than that, how long does His Highness intend to stay here?”

Serena, who had turned around after the brushing was finished, stared at Anna.

“How would I know?”

Even mentioning royalty was taboo and frightening. Only Serena could treat royalty so rudely.

“Tonight is out of the question, so tomorrow? The day after?”

“It wouldn’t be strange no matter how long he stays.”

At Anna’s words, Serena let out a long sigh. No matter if she was the duke’s daughter and acting duke of Astel, as long as they were under the empire’s rule, there was no way to drive out royalty.

“I’ll wait until the day after tomorrow.”

Her blue eyes sparkled with spirit.

“But if His Highness says he’ll stay longer…”

“There’s a way.”

With a mischievous smile, Serena headed to bed. Anyway, the crown prince would soon leave this land, and naturally, the duke’s daughter who was broken off by the crown prince would be able to live comfortably alone.

Turning crisis into opportunity.

Yes, everything was still going according to plan.