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chapter 19
An Uneasy Accompaniment
Contrary to the worries of the ducal household, Serena and the Crown Prince’s luncheon passed smoothly. The two ate quietly, sharing little conversation, enjoying food made from fresh ingredients produced in Astel. Dessert was skipped.
“A meal that isn’t extravagant, yet full of care.”
Lucas wiped his mouth with a napkin as he spoke. Coming from royalty, it was high praise.
“All ingredients are sourced from Astel. Rather than flashy dishes, Astel values nourishment and warmth.”
When Serena replied proudly, Lucas—rarely—nodded in agreement.
“Banquets at the imperial palace are all show and no substance. But I can’t say meals on the battlefield or during my travels were any better.”
“So you’re saying Astel is preferable, at least.”
If he meant to compliment her, he should have stopped there. With the satisfying meal finished, their gazes clashed once again.
“Shall we see what a day in the life of Astel’s acting duchess is like?”
Serena rose first and gave a polite bow.
“It may feel rather busy for Your Highness.”
“Busier than the battlefield?”
With tensions already like this, there was little chance the day would pass peacefully.
“Excuse me, but I’ll change clothes before we head out.”
“Why?”
“I’ll be riding a horse. This dress isn’t suitable.”
Lucas looked mildly surprised at her calm reply.
“You ride yourself?”
“Yes. It’s faster and more convenient than a carriage. Managing Astel is demanding—I have to save time however I can.”
Before Lucas could say more, Serena lifted her skirt slightly in farewell and left the dining room.
“She always leaves first, just like that.”
Left alone, Lucas muttered in displeasure.
He hadn’t come all this way seeking royal treatment, but he was accustomed to others bowing and asking permission before departing. Serena’s behavior felt rather audacious.
“Well, she never welcomed me in the first place.”
Had court etiquette or highborn ladies of society witnessed this, they would have foamed at the mouth in outrage. Even to Lucas—who had traveled widely and seen much—her conduct was unfamiliar.
“Still… it can’t be helped.”
His low voice echoed to himself.
“I want it this way.”
Had he never known Serena, he might have married a gentle, obedient noblewoman who followed etiquette to the letter.
But from the engagement ceremony—where Serena talked back to him and often ignored him—he had grown fascinated. Now that he’d met her again, her image lingered in his mind.
“There’s no other choice now.”
Lucas’s dark eyes burned with desire and possessiveness. Though Serena still tended to see him as immature, he now stood before her as a fully grown man.
The six years he spent training without sending even a single letter—afraid his resolve might waver—had clearly not been wasted.
“It was worth the wait.”
Lucas had matured into a man, and Serena had become far more slender and refined than she was on their engagement day. There was no doubt—only Serena could now stand beside him.
With the Crown Prince’s arrival, the ducal household became bustling with activity.
In the kitchen, one woman wept with joy after hearing the Crown Prince praised the luncheon. Peter carried out the special task entrusted to him, while the other servants performed their duties with more care than usual.
“Miss, do you truly have to ride today?”
“The Crown Prince asked to see my daily life. Of course I must.”
As Serena answered, Anna continued working, neatly gathering her hair into a single high tie in preparation for riding.
“Otherwise, it would be disloyal.”
Serena added the last part casually, her expression still mischievous and childlike.
“Anna, I have something for you to do.”
“Anything.”
“Once I leave the estate with His Highness, let those with loose tongues know his true status.”
Lucas being the Crown Prince was still a secret within the estate. He had maintained the guise of a noble wandering knight—but Serena intended to shatter that.
“Miss, if people find out the Crown Prince is here, it’ll only invite trouble.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
Only then did Anna understand Serena’s plan. Once neighboring lords learned the Crown Prince was present, they would flock to Astel to curry favor. Even he would soon grow weary and leave.
“And make sure that news reaches Archduke Parel as well. He’s already planted plenty of scouts here—no need to try hard.”
To Serena, the archduke’s relentless proposals were nothing more than a nuisance.
Recently, she had even put his scouts to work helping with farming and chores—if someone was bothersome anyway, she might as well make use of them.
“If His Highness and the Archduke were to clash…”
“That would be perfect.”
Serena smiled confidently. In her past life, she’d had no luck with men—but seeing two men clash over her now would be entertaining.
Only briefly, of course. Her real aim was to have them both leave Astel at odds.
“If I can drive both of them out, I come out ahead.”
“Please don’t provoke him too much. Don’t forget—he is the Crown Prince.”
At Anna’s warning, Serena nodded reassuringly. If it were only her own affairs, Anna would worry, but Astel’s safety was at stake—Serena knew where to draw the line.
Two horses waited before the mansion entrance. One was the large black horse Lucas had ridden in on; the other was Serena’s favored white horse.
“Your Highness, are you certain I shouldn’t accompany you?”
“What danger could there be in such a peaceful domain? Just see to the task I gave you.”
“Yes.”
Cedric bowed and stepped back. Soon after, Serena arrived—and both Lucas and Cedric were visibly surprised by her changed appearance.
“My apologies for the delay.”
She wore a far simpler, more practical dress than before, having removed her restrictive gloves.
Though the fabric and tailoring were fine, from afar she looked little different from a commoner girl.
With her platinum-blond hair tied up neatly, she resembled the legendary female knights said to exist in distant lands.
“Well then… shall we go?”
Lucas mounted his horse, pretending calm while repeatedly glancing sideways at Serena’s unfamiliar attire.
Serena mounted as well—without help, swiftly and effortlessly—which impressed him more than he expected.
“First, we’ll inspect the farmlands and hear the farm overseer’s report. Then we’ll meet the person in charge of Astel berry production, inspect the site, and check on the construction of the distillery.”
It was an extremely tight schedule. Watching Serena list it off so smoothly from horseback, Lucas realized this wasn’t a routine fabricated for his sake.
“After that, we’ll go to the school to finalize teacher selections, then examine sites for new windmills.”
And that wasn’t all.
“With the Harvest Festival approaching, crowds could cause injuries, so we’ll also inspect the festival grounds. You’ll meet the Astel knight order then.”
It was nearly as demanding as the emperor’s official duties. Only then did Lucas understand why Serena wasn’t dressed like a refined noblewoman on horseback.
This wasn’t a lady’s pastime—it was the day of a diligent ruling lord.
“Of course, if Your Highness grows bored or tired, you’re free to return anytime.”
“No. I’m already looking forward to everything.”
“And Sir Cedric will, of course, attend you? I don’t have anyone assigned solely to assist you during my schedule.”
“If you can manage it, I can manage on my own.”
Their gazes locked again—then broke as Serena flicked her reins.
“You’re unfamiliar with Astel’s terrain, Your Highness, so I’ll take the lead.”
When Lucas nodded indulgently, Serena immediately urged her horse forward. The smaller white horse swiftly passed through the mansion gates, carried by the autumn wind.
“Is the schedule the young lady mentioned accurate?”
Cedric asked Peter, who was also seeing them off.
“Yes. With the Harvest Festival near, she’s even busier than usual.”
Dust rose along the path as the two disappeared. Cedric and Peter, though exchanging only a few words, already felt a sense of kinship.
“I hope today passes without incident…”
Cedric murmured, recalling Lucas’s stubborn nature.
“Indeed.”
Peter agreed.
“You must have your hands full, Sir Cedric. Would you care for some tea?”
“I’d be honored. I hear you were once captain of the Astel knights?”
“That’s all in the past.”
“I would very much like to hear about it.”
The schemes their masters had devised seemed likely to unfold naturally, without effort.
Watching from inside the entrance hall, Anna smiled faintly before heading off to fulfill her task. By now, the talkative women from the kitchen would surely be gathering.
A few words from Anna would spread through the domain faster than the horses that had just departed.
