The peaceful week passed by quickly.

Thanks to not forgetting Madam Abigail’s teachings, Serena quickly adapted to life in the imperial palace, and Lucas made time to have meals face-to-face with Serena every day while reorganizing the Crown Prince’s residence.

“What kind of flowers will bloom on this tree?”

As Serena asked as if talking to herself while leisurely strolling through the garden, Becca quickly lowered her head and answered.

“In spring, beautiful pink cherry blossoms will bloom. His Highness the Crown Prince ordered to transplant it before the wedding.”

“Is that so?”

It was a tree she had never seen in Astel, but hearing that made her look forward to spring.

“Yes. Originally, His Highness the Crown Prince planted two trees side by side and admired them in his childhood, but he sent them as a gift while renovating the Crown Princess’ palace.”

As Sia added an explanation, Serena shyly averted her gaze and walked along the path in the garden.

Perhaps thanks to the thorough education they received in the imperial palace, the two new young maids naturally blended into Serena’s daily life.

“The wind is chilly. Let’s go inside for today.”

At Anna’s words, the young maids also nodded their heads. Lily, who was brought from the ducal residence, was already close with the other two and looked very cute standing in the same clothes.

“Yes, it’s time for a snack.”

The girls usually strictly followed etiquette, but they always got excited at the mention of snack time, which delighted Serena.

Serena didn’t usually enjoy sweets or snacks often, but in the imperial palace, they had tea time several times a day and elaborate snacks were served, so the rest was all for the young maids.

“Winter is coming soon.”

Serena newly felt the season as she entered the palace. Usually around this time in Astel, they were very busy preparing for winter, and she wondered if everyone was doing well.

“Your Highness, a few letters have arrived, so why don’t you read them while having tea.”

At Anna’s words, Serena nodded her head delightedly and took a seat in the reception room on the first floor. When the letters were placed on a silver tray, Serena’s eyes quickly searched for the familiar seal.

“Hmm…”

However, the Astel coat of arms that Serena was waiting for was not seen today either. Well, what could she expect from her father who hadn’t sent a single letter so far?

“This is…”

Instead, a not-so-pleasant coat of arms was seen. It was the coat of arms of the Sherwood Marquis family. Although annoying, she was curious about the contents, so her hand went there first.

“The Marquis’ daughter sent a letter.”

“Oh my, I thought it was from the former lady.”

“She probably thought this would be more natural.”

Anna nodded her head. Miranda, the Marquis’ wife, gave off a very clever impression, so she must have had a plan for everything.

“The Marquis’ daughter’s name was… Laura, right?”

“Yes.”

Serena’s blue eyes read Laura’s neat handwriting.

“There’s a lot of flattery, but the main point is that she wants to be invited here.”

“Well… it’s every young lady’s dream to meet Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

It was still vivid how Laura deliberately drew attention by offering words of blessing at the banquet after the wedding. Whether it was something the Marquis’ wife ordered or Laura volunteered, wasn’t the intention too transparent?

“However, since it hasn’t been long since you entered the palace, they won’t be able to say anything even if you refuse.”

“Refuse? No, there’s no need for that.”

There was no need to see Laura, but the situation of Elise, who became her cousin, was a matter to keep watching. At least as long as Elise was the real protagonist of this story.

“Reply to enter the palace for tea time tomorrow.”

“Really?”

Anna made a puzzled expression. For Anna, who knew Serena’s personality better than anyone else, it was simply strange for her to show favor to the Marquis’ wife.

“I really hate both high society and people like the Marquis’ wife, but now that I’ve become the Crown Princess, I can’t completely ignore them either.”

Anna nodded her head at the reasonable words. It was surprising when Serena had such thoughts, but she was the intelligent one who had brought about many reforms in the Astel territory for 6 years, so it was believable.

“You thought well.”

“If there’s an annoying enemy, it’s better to keep them in front of my eyes.”

The Duke of Astel had a nobler status and longer history than any other aristocrat in this empire, but due to his own wanderlust, he had no interaction with other aristocrats at all.

“My father might forget everything and leave, but I’m different.”

However, that was possible for Roger because he was the Duke himself, but the situation was different for Serena, who was already married and became the Crown Princess.

Moreover, the Crown Princess had the justification and responsibility to unite and govern the noble ladies by the side of the Empress.

“Originally, thanks to my father not interacting with the aristocrats at all, I was also able to spend leisurely. It was good then, but now it also means I have no connections in high society at all.”

If, as in the original work she remembered, she took the position of Empress in the future, that responsibility would fall solely on Serena.

“Yes. Just as His Highness the Crown Prince has a duty to assist His Majesty the Emperor, Your Highness the Crown Princess must also govern the noble ladies.”

When the current Empress Adeline had her royal wedding, she was already the object of admiration with a promising future in high society and was naturally able to become the center of noble ladies.

However, Serena’s reputation in high society now was either not knowing at all or that she grew up like a colt in the rural Astel territory.

“The Marquis’ wife is someone I don’t like. But she’s also the most influential person in high society right now.”

The Duke of Astel must have entrusted the wedding preparations to her just because she was a cousin, but with that choice, Serena unintentionally formed a connection with a big shot in high society.

Of course, it also came with a clue about Elise, the real protagonist of this story, which was most important.

“Lily, take the rest of the snacks and share them among yourselves.”

“Yes! It’s an honor.”

The back of the young maids quickly taking the snacks was adorable.

“Anna, is Peter outside?”

“Yes. I’ll call him now.”

Soon Peter came and greeted. Peter had always respectfully served Serena before, but the degree of that increased even more after coming to the imperial palace.

“You two, do you remember what I ordered about Elise at the Marquis’ residence?”

“Pardon? Yes, of course.”

At that time, the royal wedding was right around the corner, so even after hearing the clues, they couldn’t act. But now that they had somewhat adapted to life in the imperial palace, it was time to resume the investigation.

“I still can’t tell you the reason for finding Elise, but consider it one of the most important things to me.”

Anna and Peter solemnly nodded their heads. Especially for Anna, it was inwardly strange and admirable to see Serena, who had been young and lovely, showing such a dignified appearance as a proper Crown Princess.

“According to Marquis’ daughter Laura, Elise is her 6th cousin sister. But after losing her parents at a young age, at the end of a family meeting, she was adopted by a sickly uncle and became a 4th cousin.”

Everyone closed their mouths and waited for Serena’s next words.

“She said Elise is a year younger than her, so she’ll probably be… 17 years old now. And Laura said Elise would be nursing her sickly uncle who is recuperating.”

It was common in this era, but Elise’s fate was also quite ill-fated.

To be summoned to a family meeting at the young age of 10 and be burdened with nursing a sickly uncle who had difficulty moving. In modern times, this would be child abuse.

“So that’s why we couldn’t find her no matter how much we searched the capital.”

Peter opened his mouth.

“Yes. Not only is she not in the capital, but Laura doesn’t even know her recent situation well since she’s in a remote place nursing her uncle… There’s no way we could have found her in the capital.”

It was still unknown what thoughts Elise had about her harsh life. But if she was someone who could be reasoned with, perhaps this story could be changed in a different direction.

Especially now, Serena had the power to dramatically change a young lady’s life.

“Secretly continue searching for Elise.”

“Yes.”

Peter nodded his head without further questions. He was a truly reliable and trustworthy aide.

“Then, I will find a way to discreetly investigate after leaving.”

“Okay.”

With Serena’s permission, Peter bowed and left the room.

“Anna, sit for a moment.”

“Yes.”

As Anna sat across from her and picked up her teacup, Serena gave a bright smile.

“You think it’s strange, right?”

“Yes. But I believe there’s a reason for everything.”

The honest answer was always empowering to Serena. For Anna, there was no way she could understand Serena’s actions of going through with the wedding and then searching for a young lady she didn’t even know while avoiding the bridal chamber, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t follow her.

“Thank you. It’s thanks to everyone’s faith that I was able to become strong.”

With those words, all of Anna’s hardships were washed away.

“Hmm… Since we’re inviting a guest from outside tomorrow, should we pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress first today?”

Serena’s quick thinking was still remarkable.

“That’s a great idea. Shall I send a message?”

“Yes. Let’s go after tidying up a bit.”

Although she was the Empress and mother-in-law, apart from that, Adeline’s impression was very gentle and beautiful, so she felt favorably toward her.

Her eyes also shone with spirit, but unlike the Marquis’ wife, there was no hint of flaunting it or using it cunningly, making it stand out even more.

“If we’re lucky, we might be able to see the adorable princess too.”

Anna nodded her head. Luana was currently the most loved one in the imperial palace. She was also the youngest and only daughter of the Emperor and Empress, but Serena also fell for her cute waddling appearance in the banquet hall.

“If we become close, I wonder if I can pinch those white and chubby cheeks once?”

“Not yet.”

Hmm, Serena sighed regretfully and stood up from her seat. The princess probably already had all the treasures in the world, so she decided not to make the mistake of preparing a gift. It was a wise decision.