Lucas was by her side, and Serena thought it would be difficult to fall asleep easily, but perhaps due to the fatigue from the wedding or because he was unexpectedly comfortable, she was able to fall into a deep sleep just holding his hand.

He also fell into a deep slumber while firmly grasping Serena’s hand. It was amazing how even in such a deep sleep, the strength in his grasping hand did not falter at all.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

However, unfortunately, the sweet sleep could not last long due to the sound coming from outside the door. It was not long after dawn, but there were a few more knocks on the bedroom door and Anna carefully approached.

“My deepest apologies.”

Only then did the sensitive Lucas wake up first and gently shook Serena’s shoulder.

“Mmm…”

When the two were seen rising from the curtained bed, Anna bowed deeply once more.

“Congratulations on your first night together.”

Lucas rubbed his eyes and asked in a low, still sleepy voice.

“Is it morning already?”

“My apologies, but yes, it is.”

Yesterday was more exhausting than any battlefield. Although it did not involve physical labor, just smiling all day while attending to the guests was enough to drain all the energy from the body.

“Since today is your first morning together, I came early according to the protocols, so please forgive the disturbance.”

“Mmm… It’s alright, Anna.”

Serena replied, making an effort to shake off the drowsiness.

“After I leave the bedroom, His Highness the Crown Prince can finish preparing and return to his quarters. Then, after completing the procedures, you will go together to pay respects to Their Majesties in the morning.”

“Understood.”

After Anna closed the door and left, Lucas had a slightly flustered expression.

“If they find out that nothing happened after I left…”

“It’s okay. Anna is my person and I have already… talked to her.”

Although it was frustrating how meticulously Serena planned this part, he could not fault her any further since he had agreed to it first.

“The head maid will check the sheets alone and burn them on the roof, then officially our marriage will be… considered consummated.”

Lucas had also heard about that custom. Additionally, it was not suspicious at all for the bride to ensure only the head maid could see it out of embarrassment.

“…It’s regrettable for me though.”

Serena shook her head with a smile on her lips. It seemed she needed to quickly send Lucas out before her eyes closed again.

“You should go now.”

“See you later.”

He rose from the bed, his body dripping with reluctance, put on the clothes he had roughly taken off and tossed aside yesterday, gave Serena a farewell glance, and left the bedroom.

“Phew…”

Even though absolutely nothing happened, Serena unconsciously let out a long sigh as if she had gone through a very extraordinary night.

Perhaps because the wedding was so exhausting or because he no longer felt like a stranger, she unknowingly fell into a deep sleep.

“I hope I wasn’t snoring or grinding my teeth.”

Normally, she would not have cared about such things, but it was quite concerning and curious, which weighed heavily on her mind. Especially since she was usually a heavy sleeper, it was frustrating not knowing if Lucas had also snored or ground his teeth.

“Mmm…”

While Serena stretched her groggy body, Anna knocked and entered again.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Yes, Anna.”

Judging by her calm expression, Serena’s plan seemed to have worked.

“I need to take the sheets. It would be best to hurry.”

“Ah… Right.”

As Serena got out of bed and sat on the sofa, Anna swiftly gathered the sheets from the first night and neatly folded them. The white sheets, devoid of any traces contrary to everyone’s expectations, would soon be burned and disappear on the roof.

“I will go burn the sheets, so I’ll have Lily bring in breakfast.”

“Okay. Please take care of it.”

If the evidence of clean sheets was not eliminated, Serena’s position would be in jeopardy and she would have to prepare to face countless criticisms. However, since the party involved, Lucas, had agreed to it, she did not feel much remorse.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess, I will bring in breakfast.”

After Anna left, Lily’s familiar voice was heard. However, the breakfast she would receive was of a lavish and elegant scale she had never seen before. The food on the silver cart and the fragrant tea were already stimulating her sense of smell.

“If you allow, I will draw the curtains.”

“I brought your robe. Where shall I set the breakfast?”

The two young maids of the imperial palace who followed behind Lily did their job quite skillfully. At Serena’s gesture, Becca drew the curtains, letting in the dazzling sunlight, and Sia placed the breakfast on the table in front of the sofa where Serena was sitting and poured the tea.

“You have time, so please enjoy it slowly. Afterwards, I will assist with your bath.”

Had she ever lived so luxuriously? Serena was astonished and impressed that Lucas, who was born and raised in such a place all his life, had immediately left for the battlefield.

“If it were me, I might have run away at once…”

Serena, sipping the fragrant tea, had a somewhat complex expression. She had thought he was just thoughtless and self-centered, but now he seemed like a very mature man.

“No, it’s just my mood.”

Serena brushed off her thoughts with a murmur and took a bite of the well-baked croissant. The bread alone, the most flavorful she had ever eaten in her life, made her want to like this place.

Anna successfully destroyed the evidence and diligently assisted with Serena’s preparation.

Thanks to Mrs. Haley quickly making the dress, a look suitable for the first meeting was soon put together, and her hair, adorned with delicately crafted hairpins by the jeweler, shone in an elegant style.

“Are you nervous?”

Lucas, standing side by side in front of the audience chamber door, asked subtly.

“A little.”

The imperial palace she had just entered yesterday was enough to make Serena realize how narrow her perspective had been. The scale of all the buildings and facilities was completely different from what she had imagined, and among them, the solemn and massive door of the audience chamber was especially impressive.

“So you do get nervous.”

At the slightly teasing remark, Serena ignored him and just looked straight ahead. Soon, the chief attendant approached the two and nodded.

“Speak.”

“Yes.”

The chief attendant, receiving Lucas’ order, slightly opened the door, entered, and announced in a clear voice.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress. Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are now requesting an audience.”

The sound of someone speaking was heard from a distance, and then the door of the audience chamber opened wide.

The carpet in the audience chamber was longer than the chapel where the wedding was held, and there was a throne on a quite high platform, naturally making one look up at it.

“It’s alright, take it slow.”

Perhaps sensing Serena’s nervousness, Lucas kindly held her hand and slowly stayed by her side. And as the two reached the end of the stairs, he indicated with his eyes to pay respects.

“We greet Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress.”

The two spoke almost the same words at a similar pace and bowed their waists. The Emperor, who had been watching them with satisfaction, looked at the Empress and then gestured for the two to rise.

“Raise your heads. Let’s see… Yes, you look very well together.”

Lucas’ rebellious growth period had always been a headache for the Emperor. Now that such a son had returned, gotten married, and obtained a wife, he could not help but be pleased.

“Even if I don’t say it, you must know the duties of a married couple and the laws of this imperial family.”

In fact, she had no idea, but Serena just gave a faint smile.

“Finally, with the Crown Prince’s marriage consummated, it is truly a joyous occasion and a celebration.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Lucas replied brazenly as if he had done something extraordinary last night.

“It will take some time for the Crown Princess to adapt to the imperial palace, but as a daughter of the noble Astel ducal family, I believe she will do well.”

The beautiful Empress spoke to Serena with encouragement. Serena lightly bent her knees to express her gratitude.

“There is plenty of time, so adapt gradually, and when you have some leisure, come to the Empress’ Palace to meet the imperial princess. Already, she is chattering about having an elder sister…”

“Yes, I am deeply honored.”

For the young Luana, it must have been exciting to suddenly have an elder brother and then a slender and beautiful elder sister appearing in succession.

Serena also wanted to quickly meet the small and lovely girl who had caused a little commotion in the banquet hall.

“Lucas, it has been a long time since you returned to the imperial palace, so I will give you about a week. After that, join me in attending the council and sharing official duties.”

“Yes.”

The Emperor seemed to want to say more, but when the Empress sitting next to him gently grasped his arm with a gentle gesture, he nodded.

“You must be tired, so both of you may leave.”

“Yes.”

The parents’ expressions were affectionate as they watched the newlywed couple gracefully pay their respects and turn to leave. And as soon as the door of the audience chamber closed, the two faced each other.

“Our son has truly become an adult.”

No one doubted what had happened last night.

“We also had such a day.”

“Oh my… Do you still remember?”

“Of course. How could I forget?”

Naturally, it was also an unforgettable night for Adeline. And the very special imperial couple firmly believed that their son and daughter-in-law must have spent such a night.

“It would be nice to see an heir soon.”

“Your Majesty, they got married yesterday.”

“That’s why they should put more effort into it.”

Adeline lightly hit her husband’s arm, not enough to hurt, as he made a brazen remark.

“They just got married, so the bride must be having a hard time. We should quietly watch over their adaptation.”

“Judging by the look in Lucas’ eyes, I don’t think we need to worry.”

“Well… That’s true.”

They say you can’t hide love and a cough, and the way Lucas was treating his wife now was exactly like that.

Therefore, no one could have even a shred of doubt about last night. It was the perfect crime, possible because they were newlyweds.