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chapter 33
Farewell, Astelle
Roger did not allow much time. Even Serena’s request to stay just long enough to see Astelle’s harvest festival was denied. It was decided that Anna, Lily, and Peter would accompany Serena on her departure.
“You always end up helping me, don’t you?”
Late at night, Roger summoned Peter to his quarters and offered him wine. Normally, Peter would have politely declined, but on this night, with parting imminent, he accepted.
“I am merely fulfilling my duty. I cannot forget the grace of the late duke who saved my fallen family and me.”
“Hasn’t that grace already been repaid to me? How could I ever measure your accomplishments as Captain of the Astelle Knights?”
Peter smiled sheepishly and bowed his head in acknowledgment.
“When my father passed and I ascended as duke, it was your loyalty that kept the knights disciplined. That allowed me to live freely….”
“It’s hardly thanks to me alone. The dignity of the Astelle dukedom supports all of this.”
The Astelle dukedom was a venerable and noble house, on par with the history of the Tern imperial family. Thanks to this legacy, Duke Roger could pursue freedom and adventure while maintaining his authority.
“Still, I am forever in your debt. Even after retiring as captain and laying down your sword, you volunteered to serve as steward of our dukedom.”
Like palace officials of the imperial family, the steward of a house as powerful as Astelle held a respected and influential position.
“Because you managed the Astelle estate, I could live freely. And now, I make yet another shameless request.”
Once Serena became crown princess, she would move into the imperial palace. Even her indifferent father could not help but be preoccupied with her future and the future of the dukedom.
“Peter, I have not been a good father. You, more than I, have been a father figure to Serena, haven’t you?”
“Not at all, Your Grace.”
Roger was not shameless enough to suddenly try to act as a father. Since losing his wife, he had never been attentive to family or dukedom—and he accepted that.
“The crown princess needs someone trustworthy. Especially someone like Serena, unpredictable as she is.”
At twenty-four, Serena was considered a “spinster” by noble standards, but to her father, she was still a child.
“Lady Anna will already be accompanying a young maid to the palace.”
It was customary for a young noblewoman to bring her nurse-maid when marrying, so this was not unusual.
“However, given Serena’s temper, that alone isn’t enough. My original request was for you to accompany her to the Marquess of Sherwood… but now…”
Finally, Roger revealed his true intent.
“You want me to accompany her to the palace?”
Peter asked immediately. Since the groom was the crown prince, having her steward follow was not excessive at all.
“If Your Grace permits, I would like to accompany the young lady.”
“Truly? That would reassure both Serena and me.”
Peter nodded. Even if Roger had not asked, he would have offered to follow Serena himself.
“I was going to request it anyway. I am older now, and aside from serving her to the end, I have nothing else left to do.”
He could not claim the role of Serena’s father, but to a man without a family, she was already more precious than anything.
“Thank you, Peter.”
Roger set down his wine and grasped Peter’s hand firmly.
“Take care of Serena…”
Though indifferent and irresponsible as a father, his love for Serena—born of the woman he had devoted his life to—was deep.
“She is strong and spirited. Few noblemen could match her, but His Royal Highness the crown prince will be capable.”
Roger loved Serena in his own way—a selfish way only Peter understood—but the two shared the same concern and care for her.
At the duke’s command, Anna and the young maid busied themselves packing, and with everyone’s help at the manor, the preparations to depart for the capital were complete two days later.
“Do we really have to go now? Next week is the harvest festival. Can’t we stay just for that?”
Serena protested until the last moment, but her father’s answer was absolute.
“Do not worry about Astelle. The real duke has returned; you can leave it in my hands.”
It was frustratingly true. For six years, Roger had left the estate entirely to Serena, showing no interest. Now, she had to leave without even seeing the harvest festival she had helped establish—a bitter reality.
“Now, your concern should not be this estate, but how to conduct the state wedding and become a proper crown princess.”
No matter how many times she protested, Roger remained unmoved, and Serena gave up arguing. Yet her blue eyes still glared at him.
“The Marquess of Sherwood’s wife will handle the wedding preparations. You must get along with her, as one day you will lead the imperial social circles.”
Roger’s words, considering a time when Serena might be empress, only made the reality of the engagement more maddening.
“Fine. Father, you are always right. But can’t we at least attend the harvest festival? It might be our last chance.”
The harvest festival was Serena’s own creation in Astelle, and missing this year—her most successful year—was painful.
“Leave the estate to me.”
Roger said firmly, ignoring her disappointment. As crown princess, she could not cling to petty attachments.
“Come, depart quickly, or you will be late.”
The carriages, one grand and one smaller for attendants, were ready, emblazoned with the Astelle crest.
“See you at the wedding.”
Roger offered a casual farewell to Serena as she stood heavily by the carriage.
“Yes.”
She bowed briefly and climbed in, resigned. Leaving Astelle, the place she had poured six years of her life into, felt surreal, but there was no alternative. The real duke had returned, and no answer could be found here.
“Lady, the journey is long. Please, sit comfortably.”
Anna’s suggestion was ignored; Serena pressed herself to the window, determined to take in every detail.
“When else will I see Astelle?”
As the carriage moved, she watched intently, passing through the square where a crowd of villagers and retainers waved her off.
“Anna, look outside!”
Faces waving flags and cloths, each silently wishing for her happiness, left a lasting impression.
“They all wish for your happiness, my lady.”
She had thought no one would notice, but these people shared the same regret at her departure.
“Mm…”
Serena felt no regret for the six years she had devoted to Astelle. The faces of those seeing her off were a testament to her efforts, her pride.
“Do not cry. No one wishes to see you cry.”
Biting her lip, she opened the window and waved. Though she could not attend the harvest festival or personally greet everyone, their shared feelings were enough.
“Farewell.”
As the carriage left the familiar square behind, Serena whispered quietly to herself. Alone, with no one to hear, it was her private goodbye.
“Farewell, my beloved Astelle. Farewell.”
She shed no tears—simply bid farewell in her heart, again and again.
Empress Adeline combed Luana’s hair, which was growing fuller like her mother’s, softly humming a lullaby. Luana dozed atop her mother’s lap, nodding gently.
“Your Majesty.”
Isabel, the head lady-in-waiting, approached cautiously so as not to disturb their precious moment.
“Lady Marquess of Sherwood has arrived and waits in the reception room.”
“Very well. It’s also Luana’s nap time.”
“Shall I call Lady Aubrey?”
Adeline nodded, reluctant to remove the warm, small child from her lap, but aware of the crown prince’s wedding preparations.
“Your Majesty, shall I bring the princess?”
Aubrey, speaking softly to avoid waking the child, stepped forward.
The empress entrusted the sleepy Luana to Aubrey and straightened her dress.
“Which reception room is the marquess in?”
“First floor. I will guide you.”
Following Isabel, they arrived at the reception room, where the steward bowed and opened the door.
“The Empress approaches!”
Hearing the solemn announcement, Lady Miranda rose and knelt in greeting.
“Your Majesty.”
Adeline quickly appraised her—dignified yet elegant—and smiled warmly.
“Rise, Lady Marquess of Sherwood.”
“Your Majesty.”
Miranda returned the gesture politely, then slowly sat down as Adeline gestured.
“It is an honor to meet the Empress up close.”
Miranda exemplified the perfect noblewoman, and Adeline could only smile subtly in response.
