Three more days passed.

The masterpieces created by Mrs. Hailey and her assistants through overnight work gradually filled the hangers, and thanks to Abigail’s strict guidance, Serena developed to a level where she could adequately imitate imperial court etiquette.

“Ah, I’m tired… I was annoyed just thinking about the wedding, but if I have to live like this, it would be much better to just have the wedding.”

Contrary to Anna’s intention, she felt somewhat relieved that at least Serena would choose to have the wedding.

“By the way, still no news?”

Serena, who had been lying on the bed, suddenly sat up and asked Anna.

“Pardon?”

“About Elise.”

Seeing Serena lower her voice even though it was just the two of them, Anna became curious about who Elise was and what significance she held, but for now, there was no room for further conversation.

“For now, she’s not in the noble district of this capital.”

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

“You know how excellent Peter is, don’t you, young lady?”

Serena nodded weakly. Both Peter and Anna were too capable to simply serve as attendants to a duke’s daughter.

“Peter secretly contacted informants, and I tried to get information from ladies and maids.”

“I know… that both of you are working hard.”

“However, the name Elise didn’t come up anywhere. There’s no such lady or young lady. Today, I even checked among the employees just in case, but still nothing.”

If Peter and Anna had searched their best for three days and found nothing, it meant that this person was either living in great secrecy or did not yet exist here.

“Not yet, then.”

Since Elise was the protagonist, the latter seemed more plausible. Especially considering that when she appeared, Serena’s dethronement was being discussed, so perhaps they were searching too early.

“For now, let’s keep looking while we’re here. And even if there are no results, I’ll have to ask Peter to periodically wait for the moment when a person named Elise appears here.”

Usually, Anna didn’t ask unnecessary questions, but seeing Serena so seriously fixated on an unfamiliar name, she couldn’t help but ask.

“Young lady, who exactly is Elise that you’re searching for her so earnestly?”

If Elise were an important figure, it would have been understandable. However, Serena knew nothing about Elise’s status or origin apart from her name, which was quite suspicious.

“Is she such an important woman?”

“Maybe… No, definitely important.”

Elise is the protagonist of this story. Her significance was entirely different from Serena, who was mentioned only a few times, and considering that the story changes according to the protagonist’s actions, the future was uncertain.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell anyone more than this.”

Serena cut off firmly.

It was impossible to tell others that she was originally from a different world or that she had entered a strange story and Elise was its protagonist.

Even if she tried to tell Anna now, it was obvious she would only end up looking foolish with her mouth gaping.

“All I can say is that we must find Elise. I can’t say anything else. It’s difficult, but please understand.”

This was the best Serena could say. And fortunately, Anna nodded without asking further. Peter would also silently nod if he heard this message.

“But you know that preparing for the royal marriage takes priority, right?”

“Yes.”

“Fortunately, thanks to Mrs. Hailey’s overnight work, we’ve managed to secure enough dresses until the royal wedding.”

It was a decision made because the marchioness treated the clothes Serena originally brought as almost rags, but when she actually wore the dresses Mrs. Hailey completed, she realized that clothes and appearance were indeed important.

“You can have more fitted at the imperial palace, I suppose.”

“More…?”

Anna had already ordered thirty dresses, so what more could be needed?

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

That statement wasn’t entirely wrong, so Serena couldn’t refute it.

Unlike the clothes she wore while roaming the Astel territory, the elegant and noble dresses with decorations accentuated Serena’s slender and pure beauty and were of great help in Abigail’s etiquette lessons.

“More importantly, we need to call a jeweler tomorrow. Peter managed to make an appointment with the most skilled and trustworthy craftsman after much inquiry.”

Lucas had said that only Serena needed to come, but even if the formalities were simplified, some minimum preparation was necessary for the crown prince’s wedding.

“I’d like to keep jewelry and accessories to a minimum if possible.”

“Yes. First, we’ll process the jewels that Duke Astel gave you when he left, and order a few more that aren’t too extravagant.”

“Okay. I don’t think it’s good to appear too flashy right after entering the palace.”

“Yes. You are wise, young lady. Everyone’s attention will be on the crown princess’s debut, so you should show an elegant and dignified appearance. That’s why we’re preparing so hard like this.”

Even a marriage between nobles was a big event, let alone a royal marriage.

Duke Astel knew this, which is why he entrusted Serena to the Sherwood marquis family, where there was a lady who would look after her carefully. Of course, that completely backfired.

“I’ll bring some tea. Please rest for today. Abigail will be coming again tomorrow.”

At those words, Serena pouted, but there was no helping it. Moreover, the more she learned about etiquette, the more she realized how embarrassing it would have been if she had entered the palace without knowing all this.

“Oh my.”

Anna, who was about to leave the room, stopped at the sound of a knock and looked at Serena’s face. There was no one expected to visit at this hour, but Serena nodded first.

“The marchioness is here to see you.”

Anna lightly bowed to the unexpected guest who didn’t suit this hour at all.

“I have an urgent matter to discuss with the duke’s daughter…”

It was a truly abrupt request, but Serena’s expression remained calm.

“I was just about to have tea, so please join me.”

As soon as Serena gave permission, Anna quickly prepared tea for two and tactfully withdrew.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to pay much attention to you, given the rushed schedule and the many preparations needed.”

The marchioness said something that didn’t make sense after taking a sip of tea, but Serena only maintained a faint smile with dignity, as she had learned from Abigail.

“Actually, my husband, the marquis, is so busy that he’s often away from the mansion… and I’ve been struggling to manage the entire mansion alone, unable to be refined or leisurely.”

Listening to Miranda’s detestable self-reproach, Serena felt like her elegant smile was about to twist, but she had something in mind.

“It’s rather I who should be sorry and grateful for you preparing for the royal marriage on behalf of me, who lost my mother early.”

The new marchioness was Miranda. And later, it’s her daughter Laura whom she pushes as a candidate for empress. By that point, the protagonist Elise will surely have appeared and will use that ambition.

“I heard by chance that you recommended Laura to take Abigail’s lessons with me?”

The intention was too obvious. In fact, there was no need to come see Serena at this hour and act so detestably if not for this reason.

“Ah, that…”

As soon as the main point came up, a smile naturally formed on Miranda’s lips.

“Laura is still young and doesn’t know much.”

Miranda savored another sip of tea.

“But since she’s already had her debutante, I thought she might be of help to the duke’s daughter.”

It was a ridiculous story, but Serena didn’t want to hear it for long.

“By taking etiquette lessons with me?”

“Yes. Originally, young ladies from noble families in the capital learn etiquette together with their peers by calling in teachers from a very young age. There are things they learn by observing each other, you see.”

Miranda’s words were true. However, it didn’t fit this situation at all.

How could the basic etiquette lessons for young ladies be the same as the intensive education solely for Serena, who was soon to become the crown princess? Moreover, the teacher was already a retired legendary head maid.

“That story, how interesting.”

“…Pardon?”

Serena smiled gently.

“I was just thinking it would be nice to have someone to learn with. As you said, we could learn by observing each other…”

“Isn’t that right? Since the duke’s daughter is so intelligent, having one more student will increase the learning tenfold.”

Who knew the marchioness could smile so kindly?

Well, considering Miranda’s future actions, her most important goal in life was to properly educate Laura and make her the empress.

She wouldn’t miss this opportunity to receive guidance from Abigail.

“Hearing your words makes me regret not having started together from the beginning.”

“Then… how about starting with Laura from tomorrow?”

Serena nodded at Miranda’s eager eyes. Miranda’s face was already full of joy.

“If the marquis’s daughter doesn’t mind, I’d like to request it myself.”

It had only been a few days since arriving in the imperial capital, but lies and social skills were growing quickly.

“For the sake of the duke’s daughter, Laura should do her best too. I, and the entire Sherwood marquis family, are only waiting for the duke’s daughter’s royal marriage.”

“Alright.”

There was a separate reason for going along with such a transparent lie.

“After Abigail leaves, I’d like to have a tea time alone with Laura for practice… would that be okay?”

“Of course. It’s an honor for Laura to be a practice partner for the duke’s daughter.”

Peter had searched through all sorts of informants in the capital, and Anna had listened to all the women’s stories, but they couldn’t find Elise.

However, there was still one area left unexplored. A girl who hadn’t yet gone out into the world and could hardly be called a woman… namely, Laura.