The servants bowed in unison. "Welcome, Madam."
A young-looking butler stepped forward. "Your Grace, please come inside. I am Abel. From now on, I will be taking care of you."
Serena stepped inside, her eyes widening slightly. The interior was just as marvelous as the exterior—polished marble floors gleamed under soft light, and elegant furnishings filled the space with luxury.
The butler guided Serena through the villa, giving her a thorough tour.
Just as she had imagined, the garden here was unlike the one at the estate. It was breathtaking—lush, vibrant, and alive in a way that felt almost untouched. The surrounding landscape only added to its charm, making it feel more natural, more authentic. Serena stepped closer and bent slightly before a bed of lilacs and hydrangeas. Her fingers hovered just above the petals. She had tried many times to grow hydrangeas herself, yet they had never thrived under her care. Nearby, daisies and sunflowers bloomed brightly, swaying gently in the warm summer breeze.
After a moment, Serena straightened and turned to the butler. "Who takes care of this garden?"
The butler replied promptly, "It is Norman, Your Grace. He is exceptionally skilled. If you wish, I can call him for you."
Serena shook her head softly. "There's no need. I'm sure he's busy tending to the flowers and plants. It is summer, after all."
After taking a bath, Serena slipped into the bed, her body sinking into the soft mattress. The exhaustion drained the little energy she had left.
Nearby, Rika and Dyanne chatted quietly about the day, their voices soft and distant, like a gentle hum in the background.
Serena closed her eyes for a moment. I should send a letter to Lucas soon, she thought.
And then the church.
Her eyes opened slightly, staring at the ceiling. I'll go there tomorrow.
There was no time to waste.
Even though Serena wore a simple hat and plain clothing, the heat of the sun still pressed heavily against her.
The carriage came to a halt before the Church. It stood tall and beautiful, its grand structure gleaming under the sunlight. Priests and priestesses moved about the grounds—some engaged in quiet conversations, others busy with their duties.
Serena stepped down from the carriage and walked forward without hesitation. Dyanne followed closely behind her.
Rika wanted to come too but Serena didn't let her. She had to make up a lot of things to make her stay at home.
Rika's eyes filled with eagerness. "I want to go too…" she said, almost pleading.
Serena shook her head gently. "Not this time. We're only going there to observe. Next time, we'll take you with us."
Rika sniffled softly but nodded in understanding.
A plain-looking man stepped in front of Serena, blocking her path. "Are you here to pray?"
Serena studied him calmly. "Yes. I have come to pray… and to meet High Priest Fenrir."
The man narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You cannot simply meet—"
Before he could finish, Serena lightly placed a pouch of gold in her palm and lifted it just enough for him to see. "Now, now. We wouldn't want to burden the High Priest. But a little assistance would be appreciated."
The man immediately paused. His tone shifted at once. "Oh… of course, dear guests. Please, this way." He quickly stepped aside with a polite bow. "We have had… certain visitors lately who disturb the High Priest's schedule, so we must be careful."
Just then, a young girl approached hurriedly. "Antony! High Priest Leon is looking for you!"
The man flinched. "I-I must go!" he said quickly, bowing awkwardly before rushing away, leaving Serena and Dyanne behind.
The girl turned toward them and bowed politely. "Good day, Duchess. My name is Ilyra."
Her gaze flickered toward the direction Antony had left. "I saw how disrespectfully he treated you. He didn't even offer a proper greeting…"
Then she looked up, recognition dawning in her eyes. "You are the Dowager Duchess Selwyn, right?"Serena nodded. "Yes, I am. But how did you recognize me? This is our first meeting, isn't it?"
Ilyra smiled brightly, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "How could I not recognize you? Your pink hair and pink eyes… they're like jewels."
Her expression softened. "More than that, during the epidemic, you helped my parents. They live in the Selwyn Duchy. They wrote to me many times, always praising you."
A brief pause passed before she continued, her voice quieter. "After I awakened my divine power, I had no choice but to leave my home."
She bowed slightly. "Thank you again, Duchess."
Serena felt a faint warmth settle in her chest. The tension she had been carrying eased just a little.
"Then," Serena said gently, "would you give us a tour of the Church, Ilyra?"
Ilyra immediately brightened, her earlier seriousness replaced with excitement. "Of course!"