The humiliation experienced in the morning was just the beginning.

The marchioness said that the dresses Serena brought were not up to standard and ordered them all to be put away, then told her to wear the marchioness’s daughter’s dress for etiquette lessons for the time being.

However, there was no way Laura’s clothes, which made her look so frail she could barely walk, would fit Serena’s build.

“I don’t understand.”

Serena muttered, looking at Laura’s dress that seemed like baby clothes.

“I know… It’s obvious it won’t fit just by looking at it.”

Anna said carefully. After suffering from a high fever right after her engagement ceremony in the past, Serena had gained confidence in her proud body, but during puberty, she was very ashamed of her larger build compared to others.

“The marchioness’s daughter was too thin. Plus, she’s short and only 18 years old.”

“Anna, I’m not upset about that, so don’t worry.”

Serena smiled, and Anna nodded in relief.

Though it’s all in the past now, Serena had once collapsed from skipping meals when the imperial family sent a ceremonial robe worn by the former empress for her engagement ceremony.

After that, she barely survived a high fever, so for Anna, it was something that should never happen again.

“What I can’t understand is the marchioness’s strangely aggressive attitude.”

Anna sympathized with that too.

“The royal marriage has been decided, and I will become the crown princess. It’s all a foregone conclusion, and I have less than two weeks left here.”

Two weeks was far too short a time to turn someone into a different person. So the marchioness’s strictness under the guise of educational zeal was just an excuse.

“I understand she might feel pressured since she’s Astel’s cousin and has an important role in the royal marriage, but how much can I change in just two weeks?”

It was all true.

“The marchioness seemed intelligent. Someone like that couldn’t possibly not know what even I know.”

The appearance of the marchioness and her daughter yesterday was the very image of textbook noble ladies pursued in high society.

Especially Laura, who displayed such calm and elegant manners that it was hard to believe she was only 18 years old. All of it must have been carefully taught one by one by the marchioness.

“The imperial etiquette might be different, so maybe that’s why she’s concerned.”

“Anna, don’t say things you don’t mean. After raising her daughter like that, does she really believe anything will change in two weeks?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“She might look at me with contempt, thinking I’m pathetic.”

Serena’s prediction was accurate.

“Surely not. That shouldn’t happen.”

Kind Anna shook her head as if it couldn’t be true, but Serena recalled Miranda’s strangely pleased face as she looked at her.

“Then who was it that mocked my appearance at the engagement ceremony?”

“My lady, don’t listen to what those people say.”

“I know. I’ve been living that way already.”

Serena refused to forcibly squeeze her body into small clothes and wore clothes tailored to fit her tall and slender body.

As a result, her waist that had been hunched from fear of looking ridiculous and her bent back all became straight and proud. When her appearance in the mirror changed, a change in her heart naturally followed.

“The children of our Astel always tell me. That they want to grow tall and strong like me someday.”

Why hadn’t she realized it in her past life? It wasn’t the clothes that didn’t fit her, but the thoughts and mindset that forced them upon her.

Moreover, what tormented her most wasn’t the gazes or pointing fingers of others, but her own critical eyes looking at herself in the mirror.

“I like myself that way. I even felt proud sometimes when the children said such things.”

Serena showed her first genuine smile since coming to this mansion. Remembering the energetic and innocent support of Astel’s children gave her strength.

“Right… I can’t lose to someone like the marchioness.”

It’s not something to boast about, but Serena had fought against many things so far. Of course, considering her indifferent father and noble status, she was also very lucky. In her past life, she didn’t even receive such benefits.

“According to the etiquette the marchioness is so fond of, I’m of higher status, aren’t I?”

“Of course. You’re already as good as the crown princess, so even the marchioness should show respect.”

“Even aside from status, I don’t need to be scolded by that lady.”

Status was certainly important in this world.

However, the confidence to reject the persistent Duke Farel’s proposal and even dare to rebuff the crown prince came from the self-esteem she had found on her own.

It was an emotion she came to know not just as a tall young lady, but as someone who became useful to people.

“There’s no reason to fall for such ridiculous attempts at establishing dominance.”

No matter how she thought about it, the marchioness’s attitude was far from a kind smile. It felt like an attempt to break Serena’s spirit and tame her before she entered high society as the future crown princess.

“I need to take back the initiative.”

Serena muttered, glaring at Laura’s tiny dress. When she left Astel, she had been thinking about the battle she would face with the crown prince, but unexpectedly, the path to Lucas was not easy.

She must have mistakenly thought the whole world would be easy because he had disregarded protocol and come to Astel territory to endure her kicks.

“Now, I need to get my head on straight.”

This place was not Astel, filled with people favorable to Serena, nor were there people like Duke Farel or the crown prince who generously understood her unusual behavior.

“First, tell them to take back these rags.”

“Yes!”

Anna responded energetically, seeing Serena regain her spirit.

“If they say anything…”

“I’ll respond. If I’m sure of your feelings, I can do anything.”

Fortunately, there were still those who believed in and supported her unconditionally.

“What about Peter?”

“Of course he’s here. We agreed he would enter the palace with us, remember?”

“Good. With the head servant here too, there’s nothing I can’t handle on my own. Even if it’s a royal marriage, I’m the bride.”

Of course, she didn’t want to acknowledge that fact even if it killed her, but she couldn’t just keep being pushed around by the marchioness either. If it was a foregone conclusion anyway, it was better to use it for her own benefit.

“Tell Peter to find the best tailor in the capital and have them come to fit me for clothes immediately, no matter what it takes.”

“Yes, that’s a great idea! The best in the capital would be Madame Hailey. She’s the best in both skill and fashion.”

“Then, let’s go with that lady. Money?”

“We have enough with what we received from the duke.”

Serena smiled with satisfaction for the first time in a while. If she forcibly squeezed herself into ridiculously small clothes today, she would have to conform to that mold tomorrow and the day after as well.

“It’s foolish to try to fit my body to the clothes.”

Moreover, people like the marchioness would continue to come in droves in the future. So if she backed down now, she would have to keep backing down in the future.

“I need to make clothes that fit me.”

Now it was necessary to let the capital know what kind of person Serena was. Whether it was at Sherwood Marquis’s mansion or the imperial palace, Serena would not conform herself to others’ standards.

The marchioness greeted the elderly lady from the imperial palace with a beaming face.

“Welcome, madam. It’s an honor for our marquis family that the imperial palace has sent you personally.”

“You’re too kind. I trust the marchioness has been well?”

Abigail, the elderly lady sent by the imperial palace to educate the future crown princess, was a long-retired former head maid and considered the dream etiquette teacher by noble ladies with daughters.

“Of course. I’ve been entrusted with a most honorable duty this time.”

“Yes. The royal marriage is a joyous occasion for the empire. Of course, no one could handle it better than the marchioness.”

Miranda couldn’t hide her genuine pleasure at those words.

Though she had once been merely the daughter of a poor baron’s family, she had achieved the feat of becoming today’s marchioness by catching the eye of the marquis, but she was still not satisfied.

“Where is the duke’s daughter?”

“Ah, that… Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see the duke’s daughter today.”

Miranda furrowed her brows as if truly regretful.

“I should have contacted you in advance, but the duke’s daughter informed us so suddenly… I’m embarrassed to say, but we don’t have a dress befitting her status. None that fit her size either.”

She lowered her voice at the end as if it were a secret, but if she truly wanted to keep it confidential, she would have made a different excuse.

“Well, the duke’s daughter has had a long journey, so she probably needs a day of rest due to fatigue.”

Indeed, perhaps due to her long experience as head maid, Abigail skillfully summed it up.

“Since you’ve made this precious visit, I’d like to at least offer you some tea. Would you please accept my sincerity?”

Miranda held onto Abigail’s steps.

“Please.”

Abigail nodded, unable to refuse further. And as expected, in the reception room the marchioness led her to, the 18-year-old marchioness’s daughter greeted her with utmost tension and courtesy.

“It’s an honor to meet you, madam. I am Laura, daughter of Marquis Sherwood.”

Miranda smiled contentedly at Laura’s impeccable demeanor.

“My inadequate daughter is a source of embarrassment.”

“Not at all… She’s a very well-mannered young lady.”

“You flatter us. Though she’s still inexperienced, I’ll have my daughter serve the tea today.”

Abigail narrowed her eyes and smiled. The marchioness’s intention was very clear.

Since the future crown princess had kicked away this precious opportunity, she intended to showcase her own daughter and seek even a single lesson.

“Well then… Shall we ask the marchioness’s daughter?”

Abigail smiled kindly, but her eyes were watching Laura’s every move as sharply as a bird of prey.

“I humbly ask for your guidance. Then…”

Laura managed to lift the teapot on the table without trembling, despite her nervousness. Miranda watched with an even more tense expression.

It was a golden opportunity given by the utterly pathetic duke’s daughter.