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chapter 37
A New Dress
According to Anna, Madame Hailey in the capital was a dressmaker so renowned that any mansion or palace would wait years just to book her services.
“My goodness, Madame Hailey is really coming…”
“Are you that excited?”
“Of course! Madame Hailey is the best. She’s the perfect person for you, my lady.”
Even the ever-busy Hailey had dropped everything to come to the Marquess’ residence when she learned she would have the chance to create a gown for the most talked-about future crown princess in the world.
“If Anna approves, I will too.”
From the moment Serena had been ridiculed for her tall figure after becoming the young lady of the estate to today, Anna had cared for her with the warmth of a mother and the trust of a father.
“Madame Hailey is famous for making dresses that fit their owners perfectly. Since you are beautiful, the dress will become a true work of art.”
Although Anna had never had a family of her own in her previous life, she had taught Serena what familial love felt like.
“But it’s extraordinary. The Marquess actually let me use the third floor as I wish?”
“Yes. I confirmed it with Madame Nora. Since the dress is being tailored, she even prepared various arrangements and called musicians to play along with the tapestry display.”
Serena hadn’t expected such grand preparations, but she didn’t dislike Miranda’s cooperation. Of course, Miranda’s gestures were never purely selfless.
“Seems like she’s thrilled to have my etiquette teacher taken away,” Serena said with a sly smile. Anna couldn’t hide her laughter either.
“Abigail has long been retired due to her age. She doesn’t teach any young ladies now.”
“Really?”
“Yes. She only came because of her previous connection serving Her Majesty the Empress, otherwise… the Marquess’ daughter would never have met her.”
Anna was incredibly kind and warm to Serena, but that wasn’t true for everyone.
Her rational and keen observations sometimes even impressed Serena. And she hid that sharpness behind a gentle smile with remarkable skill.
The Marquess had secretly looked down on Anna for coming from the rural Astelle estate, but had she known Anna had been head maid for the Duchess of Astelle, she would have behaved much more cautiously.
“However, Abigail has a reputation for her discernment, so starting tomorrow she will devote her full attention to your education.”
“Hmm… I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad.”
“I liked seeing you freely active in Astelle. But here, in the capital and the palace… there are many like the Marquess.”
Serena nodded, acknowledging the truth in Anna’s words.
“If you don’t want to give them an opening, it’s best to learn what you can.”
Anna’s advice was always for Serena’s benefit.
“I know. I… hate it, but I think I should at least learn.”
She could not forget the mocking voices from the engagement.
“I’m already tired of being ridiculed by people like the Marquess.”
If she displayed any shortcomings at the state wedding, the criticism would be far worse. If she could overcome it by learning, there was no reason to refuse.
“Not everyone is like the Marquess. To me, she seems like someone with deep insecurities.”
“Why? Isn’t she supposed to lead the social scene?”
“Now she is.”
The Sherwood Marquess had enormous influence among the capital’s nobles, essentially covering the duties of the often-absent Duke of Astelle.
“But originally, she came from a minor baronial family. By marrying the only heir of the Sherwood Marquess, she rose spectacularly.”
Serena could somewhat understand Miranda’s attitude. The nobles who had mocked the crown prince’s fiancée would naturally scorn Miranda, who came from a humble family and became a Marquess.
“The current Marquess… she achieved her position only through immense effort.”
Indeed, Miranda now was the epitome of a leading socialite and highly regarded enough to prepare for the bride’s side of the state wedding.
“From her perspective, I must seem utterly pitiful.”
Anna neither confirmed nor denied it. But to Miranda, who had clawed her way from a modest background to the pinnacle of society, Serena’s effortless possession of everything from birth might indeed seem pathetic.
“Still, that’s not the right attitude.”
“Yes, you are correct, my lady.”
The six years Serena spent in Astelle had brought tremendous growth.
Those in the capital, unaware of that, could easily dismiss the girl embarrassed at the engagement as someone who had wasted her youth in the countryside. But that was only the folly of those who couldn’t see the inner self.
“However, correcting the Marquess’ attitude can wait until after the dress is tailored.”
“Mm.”
Serena had initially considered dress fittings and accessories trivial, but seeing Miranda judge by appearances made it impossible to ignore.
“Come on, let’s go. The empire’s finest dressmaker is waiting.”
Anna pulled Serena’s hand with excitement. She had always regretted that Serena, tall and beautiful, wore only simple designs, but today that would change.
Serena didn’t know it yet, but Anna had requested 25 outfits from Madame Hailey—including hats, gloves, shoes, and fans—so it would be a long day.
After the Marquess’ guest, Abigail, had tea and exchanged a few pleasantries, she rose from her seat.
“Madam… I would like your opinion on our Laura.”
Abigail, however, didn’t comment on Laura and headed to the entrance, leaving Miranda flustered.
“The tea was fragrant. Thank you.”
Abigail repeated words similar to before.
“Does Laura have any shortcomings? Even with strict education, can there be a teacher better than you? Since the Duke’s daughter is here, it would be helpful if they studied together…”
“Marquess.”
Contrary to her gentle smile, Miranda’s voice interrupted firmly.
“I am old now and here only to give advice to the future crown princess due to my ties with Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Of course. But the Duke’s daughter is inexperienced in etiquette, so studying alongside Laura would help her…”
Miranda only had Laura as a child, and unlike in the past, Laura now deserved the best education and refinement. Especially if it became known she studied etiquette with the future crown princess, the prestige of the engagement would rise.
“Madam, I… the Duke’s daughter…”
“Oh dear. Time already.”
Abigail ignored the desperately pleading Marquess and looked at the setting sun.
“It’s difficult to stand for long as an old woman.”
A polite refusal.
“Once the Duchess of Astelle is ready, contact me again. That will be all.”
Miranda, frustrated but unable to insist, forced a smile as she saw Abigail off.
“They say it’s like putting pearls on a pig.”
Miranda sneered as she looked up at the third floor. To think that, only two weeks before the state wedding, the Duke’s daughter would only now be having her dress made—ridiculous!
Back at the palace, Lucas could not sit still. He had been sixteen when he left the palace and now was twenty, having acquired everything he needed outside these walls.
“Cedric, has the palace always been this dull?”
“Probably… yes.”
Cedric answered honestly despite the sarcasm.
“Am I supposed to live in this place forever?”
“Yes.”
Lucas sighed deeply. When he first left the palace, it had been with a noble purpose—to face the empire’s battlefield.
It was a duty for a successor to the throne, and the engagement was part of that, making his departure easier.
“I understand her feelings now.”
“Excuse me?”
Though the Emperor and Empress repeatedly urged him to return, Lucas’ wandering ended only after six years. He would not be leaving again anytime soon.
“My fiancée, Serena.”
Lucas recalled Serena’s lively, vibrant self in Astelle and remembered the promise he had made—to protect her freedom. Could he keep that promise by his own will?
“She was beautiful running freely in Astelle. I… promised her I would protect that.”
“Then shouldn’t you just keep that promise?”
Cedric, simple and honest to a fault, occasionally spoke the truth.
“Yes.”
Lucas, who had been lying listlessly, suddenly sat upright at that word.
“I just need to keep my promise.”
With Serena by his side, even this palace would inevitably change. For Lucas, who had to live here for the rest of his life, that fact felt like a lifeline.
“Even if she must become the crown princess… if it’s what she wants, I’ll let her do anything freely…”
“Excuse me? That’s impossible.”
Again, Cedric spoke the truth.
“Not by normal means, of course.”
Lucas’ dark eyes glinted with a dangerous light.
“Your Highness, whatever scheme you’re planning, do not cause trouble before the state wedding. I…”
“Yes! It’s still before the state wedding!”
Contrary to Cedric’s intention, inspiration struck Lucas.
“She is not yet the crown princess—she is Serena Astelle.”
A sly smile spread across Lucas’ lips. His expression promised mischief, but Cedric could do nothing to stop him.
