The next morning, rumors spread throughout the imperial palace that the newlywed crown prince and his wife had only shared a cup of tea at night before parting ways. Naturally, the news also reached the ears of Empress Adeline, who was in charge of the internal affairs of the palace.

“Is that so? The crown prince must be very busy, so it can’t be helped.”

Adeline replied nonchalantly. She had also spent a passionate honeymoon, but there were times when she couldn’t fully devote herself to a single night due to various official duties.

Occasionally, she thought it wasn’t strange when she remembered Richard carefully leaving the bedchamber at dawn, worried that she might wake up.

“But it’s important that he spends time with the crown princess.”

“That’s… the problem is that the time they spent together was too short to even be considered spending time together.”

Adeline, who was leisurely savoring her tea, furrowed her beautiful eyebrows.

“Why? Didn’t he visit the crown princess’s residence?”

The head court lady nodded her head with an ambiguous expression.

“Yes. However… His Highness the Crown Prince went to the crown princess’s residence after 10 p.m. due to council meetings and schedules, but he left just 10 minutes later.”

“Hmm…”

Even for newlyweds, 10 minutes was too short to write a history of love. Moreover, no matter how busy the crown prince was after just returning, there were no official duties that required him to stay up all night.

“Don’t make a fuss about it yet.”

The head court lady nodded, but since the news had already reached the empress’s ears, it was likely that rumors had spread throughout the entire inner palace. Especially since there was immense interest in the newlywed crown prince and his wife.

“The crown princess looked to be in poor health, perhaps due to exhaustion from the royal wedding and entering the palace.”

That couldn’t be true. Serena was lively and energetic as always. However, the head court lady perfectly understood the empress’s intentions.

“Then the empress’s palace should provide assistance, right?”

“Yes. It seems she has caught a cold after just entering the palace. The empress’s palace will specially select and send items that are good for rejuvenation.”

“Alright.”

It meant that the empress would handle the matter before more rumors spread about last night’s incident. Since it was the first time such a thing happened, if the empress took care of the crown princess’s health, everyone would likely let it pass.

“I am humbly worried, Your Majesty the Empress…”

Isabelle carefully said. She had been with Adeline for almost her entire life and knew the affairs of the imperial palace better than anyone.

“They are still newlyweds. Above all, she is the woman Lucas loves.”

“However, if Your Majesty the Empress directly covers for Her Highness the Crown Princess right now, it may cause problems later.”

“What problems? What’s wrong with me providing help since the crown princess’s health has deteriorated?”

That was Adeline’s one-sided opinion. It was also an action that forced that opinion on the entire imperial palace.

“His Majesty the Emperor hesitated about this royal marriage because of concerns about producing an heir.”

Adeline was well aware of that fact. Getting married at the age of twenty-four was considered late by anyone’s standards. Most of the nobles’ concerns were also based on the bride’s age being too old.

“I gave birth to Luana three years ago.”

“However… you were twenty-two years old when you gave birth to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

When Adeline held Lucas in her arms, the entire imperial family and nobility were relieved. Even with a twenty-two-year-old empress, worries about an heir never ceased, and Adeline vividly remembered feeling secretly anxious.

“Furthermore, most royal marriages are held around the age of eighteen. Your Majesty went through a long courtship before holding the royal wedding at the age of twenty.”

Even at that time, there was strong opposition from the nobles due to Adeline’s age.

Of course, when Lucas got engaged to a twenty-year-old lady, voices of concern also emerged. However, with Adeline’s precedent and everyone expecting the marriage to take place immediately, there were no major issues.

“I know Lucas’s marriage was late. I didn’t expect him to continue the engagement that had already lasted six years. But… the crown princess is healthy by anyone’s standards, and they have only been married for a short while.”

No one could deny the fact that Serena was healthy. Especially in the imperial palace, where they were used to seeing delicate empresses and noble ladies, everyone was amazed to see such a lively and energetic woman for a change.

“I can’t put pressure on that child already, over a single night.”

Adeline rarely showed stubbornness. She had also experienced heartache from unexpectedly becoming a woman of the imperial palace. Although Serena’s case was different, Adeline didn’t want to give her the same pressure she had experienced.

“Right now, it’s important not to make a fuss and turn it into a problem.”

Adeline stated firmly.

“So before His Majesty worries, quickly send items for rejuvenation to the crown princess’s residence and tell her to rest well.”

“Yes.”

Isabelle reluctantly nodded and withdrew. With this much justification, last night’s incident could be easily covered up. Of course, there would be no situation where the emperor would be concerned about this matter.

“I hope it doesn’t really become a problem.”

A small murmur was filled with concern. Isabelle, who had watched Lucas since he was born, knew that there was no way he would spend his honeymoon with the woman he passionately wanted in this manner.

Putting aside Lucas, what kind of man would leave the woman he loves after barely obtaining her, in less than 10 minutes?

“Could it be…”

Isabelle was about to have doubts but shook her head. Rash speculations could be poison in the imperial palace. Moreover, it was ridiculous to doubt the relationship between the two when the bride was someone Lucas had wanted so much.

Little did she know that the couple had not even consummated their marriage on the wedding night, and such a day might not come at all.

Even in the afternoon, Serena didn’t know she would get out of bed. When the empress’s palace sent a few items out of concern for her health, it became even better to use as an excuse.

“Your Highness, will you continue to stay in bed?”

Anna asked carefully, coming to the head of the bed, looking worried. Yesterday, the crown prince’s expression was very stiff as he left the bedchamber, and as soon as Serena heard the news that he had returned, she immediately headed to bed, which was unusual.

“It’s not like I have anything to do anyway.”

Serena said lifelessly.

“How can that be? Even in this pavilion, there are people waiting for the crown princess…”

“That’s because it’s their job. But I don’t actually have anything to do.”

Anna tried to respond, but she couldn’t find the words to reach Serena’s current feelings.

“Taking a bath, wearing a dress, taking a walk in the garden, drinking tea… I can’t really call those things work.”

“You’re spending a peaceful daily routine.”

“They’re all meaningless things. In fact, even if I lie in bed all day today, there’s no problem, right?”

It was something unimaginable in Astel. From the moment Serena opened her eyes every day, she looked for things to do, and everyone needed her help and instructions.

“No matter how many people there are in the imperial palace… what can I actually order? What to eat for snacks today? What to serve for the evening meal?”

Last night, when she heard Lucas proudly talking about how he had spent the whole day presenting his aspirations at the council meeting, she couldn’t control her expression.

Moreover, he had to use Astel’s example and say he would use that method. What was Serena supposed to say?

“It’s better this way. Tell Her Majesty the Empress that I am grateful for her concern about my illness. It would be even better if you, Anna, go and tell her directly.”

“But…”

“I’m tired too. From coming to the capital from a distant territory, holding the royal wedding again, and entering the palace. It wouldn’t be strange at all if I suffer from a cold for a while.”

There was no sign of illness on Serena’s face, but there was also no radiant vitality as usual.

“And you can tell His Highness the Crown Prince the same. That I am ill for the time being and cannot meet him.”

In Astel, no matter how sick or on the verge of collapsing from fatigue, Serena couldn’t turn away from her duties.

But now that the empress had openly given her an excuse for being sick, she wanted to forget everything for a while. Above all, weren’t there no tasks here that only Serena could do?

“You must be very tired. I understand too. However… His Highness the Crown Prince may think differently.”

“Why? Isn’t this the kind of appearance he wanted?”

Lucas had achieved everything he wanted. At the engagement ceremony, he rejected his large-built fiancée and wandered for six years to train himself. Then he arbitrarily came to find Serena again and eventually took her as his wife.

“I was foolish. The promise to set me free has no meaning in this imperial palace. Unless it’s the freedom to decide the menu for the evening meal.”

Serena’s sharp words left her mouth on their own. This was the life of a woman defined by this world, but she couldn’t help but resent Lucas, who didn’t leave her alone and finally came to find her.

“As always, Your Highness will find your place.”

“Here? There’s no need for that.”

When Serena flatly said that, Anna showed a stern expression. Now was the time to inform Serena of reality, not to appease her.

“You may think that way now. …For now.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Everyone must fulfill their role according to their position. Just like how Your Highness fully carried out your duties when you were acting as the duchy’s proxy.”

Right now, Serena was taking the position of crown princess too lightly.

“You said there’s nothing to do here?”

“Yes. Whether I’m here or not, what difference does it make what they decide for that measly tea time or evening meal?”

“It can make a difference.”

Anna calmly said.

“For a while, many people will be concerned about Your Highness’s health, but they will gradually forget one by one. Then the evening meals will disappear too. The court ladies who arrange the tea time will also leave.”

Serena glared at Anna with an absurd expression and sat up. However, Anna still looked at Serena squarely with a composed expression.