After suffering from a high fever and hearing a mysterious voice, Serena’s head, which had been complicated, was now filled with thoughts of going to Astel. Of course, the tension and excitement of their subtle romantic relationship could not be ignored.

“I wonder if everyone in Astel is doing well. How much have the children grown?”

Seeing Serena humming after Lucas left, Anna thought that it was something to look forward to in a long life.

At first, they were eager to devour each other whenever they met, but now seeing them together looked better than just suiting each other well.

“It should be fine to prepare for the trip in advance, right?”

“Of course.”

Anna also missed Astel terribly. However, what made her even happier was that the Crown Prince had prepared this gift for Serena.

“Did you say that His Highness the Crown Prince is coming again tonight?”

“Yes. A simple supper will do.”

Recently, it was neither rare nor surprising for the two to have meals together. Of course, the fact that they had not secretly consummated their marriage made Anna anxious, but slowly but surely, they were moving towards each other.

“Then, shall we have tea in my office?”

As soon as Serena regained her energy, she designated the large reception room on the first floor as her personal office. And just like before, she was spending a fruitful day finding things to do on her own.

“Tell Lily to bring up the tea, and Anna, come talk to me for a bit.”

“Yes.”

After conveying the order to the young maid Lily, Anna followed Serena to the office and reception room on the first floor. The mahogany desk that had just arrived yesterday, placed right in front of the window, looked quite serious.

“I will bring up the tea.”

Lily, who brought the refreshments on a silver tray, now fully looked the part of an imperial palace maid.

“Yes, you may leave now, and share the remaining refreshments among yourselves as well. Don’t forget to give some to the attendants too.”

“Yes!”

Lily, who was so excited that she raised her voice, unknowingly covered her mouth and quickly paid her respects before leaving.

Thanks to Serena, who had been exceptionally kind since the days at the Astel ducal residence, laughter never ceased in the Crown Princess’ quarters, and Lily’s shoulders were also raised in joy.

“When I see the young maids, I feel proud of them, but they still show signs of being girls, which is adorable.”

“It’s because Your Highness sees them with kind eyes. The children in the Crown Princess’ quarters are lucky.”

“What did I do?”

For a palace servant, the choice of master to serve was a crucial matter that determined their entire life. It was no different for employees of aristocratic houses.

There were children who were beaten by strict head maids, while there were also children who spent a pleasant time sharing sweet snacks in this imperial palace.

“Your Highness has always been generous to those beneath you since long ago.”

“They work hard for me, so it’s good to share anything with them.”

Usually, people of noble status did not think that way. But Serena knew well that the devotion and attention towards her were not a given, so she always tried to be generous to those around her.

“The tea will get cold.”

Serena leisurely sat across from Anna at the table in the office, not at the desk, and took a sip of the tea.

“The investigation… how did it go?”

At the cautious question, Anna showed a slightly troubled smile.

“We still haven’t found any exceptions.”

Anna and Peter had secretly investigated the secrets of the Tern imperial family again after Serena woke up from her high fever, but now even that had reached its limit.

“And I don’t think we can dig any further.”

“Why?”

“First of all, the librarian of the imperial palace library became suspicious.”

At first, they thought that the Crown Princess was borrowing related books to learn about and adapt to the imperial family, but as she persistently requested old records and materials, even the librarian began to have doubts.

To begin with, there was no reason or need for the Crown Princess to know the history of the empire so deeply.

“And when Peter secretly looked around the library yesterday, he saw that there was a separately locked area in the inner archives.”

“If there’s something, could it be there?”

“Even if that’s the case, we can’t access it. In the first place, it was only thanks to Your Highness’ status as the Crown Princess that we could even browse the imperial palace library.”

The imperial palace library was not a warehouse for storing general knowledge. It was a place that contained records exclusively for the Tern imperial family, and by default, only the imperial family members were allowed to access it.

Of course, among the many books, some contained light and educational content suitable for the palace ladies or young imperial family members, so it was not strange for Serena to frequent the library.

“Are there no other ways? There might be other records of the imperial family.”

Anna shook her head. The Tern imperial family was known for having more secrets than the Holy See, so there was no way that could be the case.

“Even if there were such records, I don’t think it would be meaningful to investigate further.”

At those words, a shadow fell over Serena’s face.

“We have already examined all the existing records of the imperial family. And… there were no exceptions. That doesn’t change.”

The more she thought about it, the more complicated it became.

It was not that the imperial family members had deliberately set and followed rules for generations, but was it normal for all bloodlines to naturally maintain a single form?

Serena did not believe in God, but in this case, it did not make sense unless it was truly the will of God.

“Surely, this imperial family has a secret.”

Both the Empress and Lucas had said that. So it meant that it was not Serena’s speculation or imagination, but that a secret definitely existed.

“But if you think about it that way, isn’t it even stranger?”

“That the imperial family knows their own secret?”

“Yes.”

Serena immediately nodded.

“Even the little investigation we did raises so many suspicious points, so if the imperial family already knows the secret, why would they let the princess…”

The Emperor and Empress’ eyes were always filled with love when looking at Luana. However, according to the secret rules of the imperial family, Luana should have died young. What parents would stand by and watch that happen?

“Your Highness, we cannot jump to conclusions.”

It was uncertain how much the Emperor and Empress knew and what they were thinking. It was not something for Serena, who had just joined the imperial family as the Crown Princess, to interfere with.

“What about Elise?”

“Peter entrusted the investigation to someone reliable. After all, it’s not something for someone in the imperial palace to step forward and do.”

“So was there any progress?”

“Yes. It turns out that the younger brother of Marquis Sherwood is indeed recuperating in the territory due to a long-term illness. He has an adopted daughter.”

So far, this was the same as what Lora had said. That adopted daughter would likely be the 17-year-old Elise this year.

“He said he would personally go to the territory to confirm the appearance of Lady Elise and report back in detail, so let’s wait a little.”

“Can we trust him?”

“Yes. Sir Peter said he was an adjutant when he was the commander of the knights. He is still one of the retainers loyal to the Duke of Astel.”

Serena slightly raised an eyebrow.

“Then Father might know about it too.”

“He probably already knows.”

Duke Astel had never had a strong presence to Serena. No matter who she asked, she could only confirm how extraordinary Roger’s wanderlust was. She had only properly met him when he ordered this marriage.

“Indeed, he has no interest in anyone or anything.”

“No. That’s not true.”

Anna said firmly.

“It is true that the Duke’s wanderlust is severe, but he is not someone who lacks discernment.”

In the first place, this world was not a place where a high-ranking aristocrat could easily live only for himself. Especially now, Roger was the only one in the empire with the title of duke, so he held an unrivaled position even among the nobility.

“Although he does not stay in one place, the Duke is loyal to the empire more than anyone else and carries out the orders of His Majesty the Emperor. He is also very astute when it comes to worldly affairs.”

“Then does that mean Father already knows about the things I’m investigating?”

“Of course.”

Serena was momentarily at a loss for words at Anna’s immediate answer. She still couldn’t figure out what kind of person Roger was.

“But he doesn’t offer help, interfere, or even acknowledge it?”

“Could it be that he has implicitly given permission?”

Serena slowly nodded. Knowing everything and yet leaving it alone meant that while he couldn’t offer help, he wouldn’t interfere either.

“That’s why, if the Duke opposes it even once, you must stop the investigation. It would mean that it’s truly dangerous.”

“It’s not yet, so let’s not think about that.”

Just because Serena had realized how special her existence was in this world and had developed her own will, it didn’t mean that Elise would disappear.

Rather, judging from her own case, there was a high possibility that Elise would also act according to her own free will. And there was no guarantee that Elise desired the same world as Serena.

“Ah, another letter came from the Sherwood Marquis family.”

“I guess Lora wants to come to the imperial palace again?”

Serena couldn’t hide her annoyed expression. She had no particular ill feelings towards that dreamy young lady, but their personalities just didn’t match well.

“I’m sorry to say, but it’s an even more bothersome matter.”

“Why?”

“This time, the Marchioness also wants to come along…”

Recalling the Marchioness of Sherwood, whom she had momentarily forgotten, Serena involuntarily frowned.

“Why do I have to see that woman again after coming all the way here?”

Lora could be met a few times to figure out Elise’s whereabouts, but the Marchioness was a separate matter.

“It can’t be helped. After Her Majesty the Empress gave birth to the princess, the Marchioness has been leading the social circles… and now Your Highness the Crown Princess must step into that social circle.”

“Let’s say I’m sick. It’s not a lie. Right now, just thinking about the Marchioness’ face makes my head hurt.”

Serena spoke sincerely without a hint of laughter, but Anna smiled, thinking it was a witty joke.

“It just so happens that they say it’s a visit to celebrate the Crown Princess’ recovery, so the Marchioness is quite skillful.”

Still, Serena couldn’t bring herself to laugh.