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chapter 34
The Two Faces of the Marquess of Sherwood
After sipping tea with the Empress, Marquess Miranda carefully set down her cup.
“So, Lady Marquess of Sherwood will be assisting with Astelle’s state wedding preparations?”
“Yes, it is an immensely honorable duty. Though I am but humble, I will do my utmost.”
Miranda’s delicate smile made her appear far younger than her years, and her eyes shone with intelligence.
“The Marquess is a model of our imperial social circles, so she is indeed well-suited for preparing the state wedding.”
“You flatter me. Unfortunately, Lady Astelle lost her mother early, and since the Astelle Dukedom and our house are related, it has fallen to me to take on this responsibility.”
Adeline nodded and took another sip of tea. Unlike Miranda’s overly humble and polite tone, her crimson lips and jeweled necklace were strikingly lavish.
“You are always excessively modest, Marquess.”
“I merely uphold my duties as Your Majesty has taught me.”
True to her reputation in high society, Miranda’s speech was composed and graceful.
“There is no need to praise, really.”
Originally, it had been Empress Adeline herself who led the noblewomen, but after giving birth to Princess Luana later in life, Miranda had taken over that role.
“Your Majesty has always been kind and gentle, so naturally…”
“Let us not exchange empty compliments.”
Adeline cut the conversation gently, unwilling to dredge up the tedious feelings she had once experienced while leading society events.
“It has been some time since the engagement, so preparations for this state wedding must be expedited.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“The state wedding has been scheduled for the first day of next month, in coordination with the Papal office. Will Lady Astelle be ready by then?”
With roughly two weeks remaining, Miranda could surely accomplish it.
“Yes, I will ensure everything is prepared. Lady Astelle should be arriving at the estate shortly.”
“Excellent.”
The crown prince’s wedding was a national affair, treated as a state wedding, much like the emperor’s own nuptials.
Naturally, the Ministry of Etiquette handled most matters, while the Empress’s role was supervisory, leaving little for the bride herself to arrange.
“The emperor opposes an extravagant wedding. Given your family’s close ties to the Astelle Dukedom, no dowry or bridal goods are required.”
This was also a practical way to speed up the preparations. Strict adherence to all imperial protocols could have delayed the wedding by an entire year.
“I heard the same from Duke Astelle. Only a few of Lady Astelle’s personal belongings have been sent with the luggage, which I will inspect thoroughly.”
Normally, this would have been Serena’s mother’s role, but she passed away shortly after giving birth. Miranda had no choice but to step in.
“Most importantly, pay attention to the health and mindset of the young lady who will become crown princess.”
“I will bear it in mind.”
Miranda’s compliant response brought a smile to Adeline’s face. Both remembered the chaos of the engagement, but with the state wedding now set, they could only hope for smooth proceedings.
For the first time, Serena experienced motion sickness on a carriage. In Astelle, she usually rode horses, and even occasional carriage rides on flat roads had never troubled her—but the journey to the capital was not easy.
“Please… can’t we ride horses to the capital and just pretend we took the carriage from there?”
She begged repeatedly, but both Anna and Peter insisted it was impossible.
“I feel like I’m dying… I’m so queasy… I want to get down…”
If the schedule had been flexible, they could have rested mid-way, but now they had to arrive at the Marquess’s estate promptly to begin wedding preparations.
“Lady, please endure a little longer. We’re almost there.”
“How many times have you said that already! If the schedule is tight, why don’t we ride horses and save everyone this suffering… ugh.”
Even brief five-minute breaks were all they could manage, which drove Serena nearly mad.
“You cannot ride horses for the sake of the young lady’s dignity. Besides, this journey is for the state wedding, so you must not leave the carriage.”
Anna rubbed Serena’s back, but it did little to ease her discomfort.
“This is probably how the rest of my life will feel.”
Trapped in a lavish carriage bearing the Astelle crest, unable to act freely, and forced to endure time passively.
“Oh, don’t say that. We’re almost there, really.”
“No… I don’t want this.”
Merely imagining a life of such misery made Serena shiver. She also knew the true protagonist of this story was someone else; she only understood her role within it.
“Lady Marquess of Sherwood is renowned in society. She will surely take good care of you and assist you.”
Serena paid no attention. Her wishes would have no bearing on preparations for the crown princess, just as she had already seen at the engagement.
“Lady, look… there! That must be the Marquess’s estate!”
This time, Anna was correct. Beyond the window, a mansion gleamed brightly, even in the middle of the night.
“Such a magnificent, luxurious place, isn’t it?”
“I don’t care, as long as I can get out of this carriage.”
Fortunately, Serena’s wish was soon fulfilled. Following Anna’s words, they arrived at the grand estate, where a group of people had come forward, having received Peter’s instructions, to welcome her.
“Welcome.”
Unlike the hurriedly descending Serena, the Marquess greeted her calmly.
“It is an honor to welcome Lady Astelle of the Astelle Dukedom. I am Miranda, Marquess of Sherwood.”
Miranda lifted the layers of her dress elegantly. Behind her, attendants and the young lady-in-waiting also bowed.
“Lady Astelle, I am pleased to meet you.”
Serena, having leapt from the carriage without assistance, seemed almost wild in comparison.
“…Yes.”
She responded tersely with a light bow. Though she had traveled long hours, Miranda internally sighed at the disheveled hair and wrinkled dress.
“Unfortunately, my husband is absent today, so I cannot properly greet you. Instead, allow me to introduce my daughter and the head maid who will assist you for the time being.”
Serena wanted nothing more than to collapse anywhere, but this refined woman left no opening.
“Laura?”
Upon hearing her name, a youthful girl approached and bowed politely.
“Lady Astelle, I am Laura, daughter of the Marquess of Sherwood. It is a great honor to meet you.”
Having clearly learned proper etiquette from her mother, Laura’s conduct was exemplary. Serena nodded in acknowledgment, and then the head maid stepped forward.
“I am Nora, head maid of the Sherwood household. I will assist you as best I can during your stay.”
There were no more introductions. Miranda stepped forward again, offering a gentle smile.
“You must be tired from the long journey. We have already prepared accommodations, so please rest well tonight.”
“Yes, that would be perfect.”
Serena breathed in the crisp autumn air, stretching and relieving her stiff, cramped body after being confined in the carriage.
“Where should I go now?”
Everyone was momentarily speechless at the young lady’s casualness, yet she asked brightly, oblivious to the reaction.
“Nora, please guide the young lady.”
Miranda, regaining her composure, instructed the head maid, who led Serena inside.
“The rest may leave.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
With everyone else gone, Miranda was left alone at the entrance with her daughter, frowning.
“Goodness, she’s even worse than I imagined.”
Her whispered voice dripped with disdain and disbelief.
“Laura, never let such a sight enter your mind or memory.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Eighteen-year-old Laura, honey-blonde with sharp navy-blue eyes like her mother, responded gracefully.
Indeed, this was a masterpiece crafted with Miranda’s life experience, and the earlier rudeness of Serena was momentarily forgotten.
“No wonder the engagement was such a disaster…”
Tsk, Miranda clicked her tongue. Had the young lady known shame, she might have been mortified to the point of refusing to eat or drink.
“Truly, there is nothing I can do.”
Today, Serena seemed relaxed and even enjoying herself, utterly ignoring the humiliation she had caused at the engagement.
Her strikingly tall stature, which had shocked everyone then, remained as imposing as ever.
“Mother, it’s chilly. Let’s go inside. You must be tired from visiting the palace today.”
Hearing Laura’s gentle voice, Miranda smiled. Fortunately, her daughter was the opposite of Serena in every way. She had raised her well, and it showed.
“Yes, my daughter.”
Miranda embraced Laura’s shoulder as they entered the mansion. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a grueling schedule.
“Huh… she may be a handful, but I’ll make sure she follows my lead, even if only by her heels.”
Though prepared for some mischief since the engagement, today’s display by Serena demanded a greater readiness. Of course, Serena had no inkling of this.
