And all the more so since the wandering Duke had entrusted the regency to a mere twentyyearold.

“Even though I’m the Duke’s daughter, it took me more than half a year to open the hearts of the commoners.”

Serena had quietly settled into Astel, dealing with the domain’s accumulated administrative affairs and correspondence. She had not assembled the commoners or held a ceremony to announce her taking over as acting Duke.

“It only took half a year, Your Grace. To the commoners, you’re like the sky.”

Anna gave a faint smile.

Serena had taken care of the deficiencies and helped those in need, whether the people of Astel accepted her or not. And just before she had been there for half a year, an incident occurred.

“Many people still talk about Miss’s brave act at that time.”

At those words, Serena blushed slightly.

“Well, something like that.”

Half a year after Serena had nested in Astel, an unprecedented typhoon struck. It was a disaster that no one had ever imagined in Astel, a land always considered blessed.

“[DASH]Gather all the people of the Duke’s mansion immediately!”

Then, Serena shone like a warrior on the front lines of battle.

“[DASH]Is the square nearby the only place with houses that can withstand the wind? ……Tell the rest to come to the Duke’s mansion!”

Neither Anna nor Peter could grasp such an idea.

“[DASH]Whether it’s the main or the side building, just find shelter from the wind! Let anyone in and distribute blankets and food as much as possible.”

“[DASH]I regret to say that such materials are…….”

“[DASH]If there are no blankets, tear the curtains; if there’s no food, reduce the portions of the Duke’s people!”

Then Serena, already complaining about her simple dress being uncomfortable, tied her skirt above her knees and ran around everywhere.

Because of that, most of the commoners who took refuge in the Duke’s mansion didn’t even realize that she was the young Duke’s daughter who had come just a short time ago.

“[DASH]Send the knights to protect the farmland. Also…….”

“[DASH]No, this is a typhoon!”

According to her previous life’s experience, it was a natural disaster. A terrifying natural disaster that the people of Astel, who had lived in a gentle climate all their lives, could never know.

“[DASH]No one is safe until the typhoon passes over our Astel. If my words don’t convince you, I will command you as the acting Duke.”

Although there was no concept of a typhoon in Astel at the time, they couldn’t refuse the acting Duke’s order either.

“[DASH]You have to abandon all houses and belongings. First, save the people. Make sure everyone can stay under a safe roof until this typhoon passes!”

It was unlikely that the words of a mere twentyyearold Duke would have reached the commoners. They stubbornly insisted on protecting their land and homes, believing that this little storm would pass.

“[DASH]Mobilize the nobles of the Astel Ducal House, and use soldiers if you have to!”

Serena did not bend her will, and in the midst of the storm, the Duke’s mansion was in chaos with people of all classes mingling.

“[DASH]Miss, if it’s just a storm that will pass by tomorrow…….”

Anna also worriedly spoke, considering Serena’s position, but Serena was resolute.

“[DASH]Then we’ll have to be thankful that no one was hurt.”
그 의젓하고 결연한 얼굴엔 이미 공작 대리의 위엄이 있었다. 그리고 비바람은 하루에 그치지 않았다.

Serena’s worries were justified; the typhoon became even more fierce than on the first day, roofs of ordinary houses were blown away, large boulders rolled around, and only after three days were they able to see the sun.

[Dash]Your Grace, I report to you!

When the brilliant sun rose, Astel was almost in ruins.

[Dash]The farmland and roads, including the main parts of the territory, have been devastated.

[Dash]What about the people?

The Ducal Palace was still filled with the territory’s people, so Serena was able to unintentionally show everyone her true leadership.

[Dash]No one…… not even a single territory resident was harmed, thanks to Your Grace’s command.

[Dash]That’s enough then.

That day, Serena’s smile, shining under the truly welcome sunlight, was deeply engraved in everyone’s hearts in Astel.

[Dash]If they are safe, no one needs to worry about the future.

At that time, twentyyearold Serena looked at many people with a confident smile.

[Dash]We, Astel, will turn this typhoon crisis into an opportunity.

Although it was unexpected that Serena would take over Astel, which had completely reverted to a blank state, her guarantee that the crisis would turn into an opportunity became a reality.

“How long does His Highness the Crown Prince intend to stay here?”

Having finished combing, Serena looked back at Anna inquiringly.

“How should I know?”

It was taboo and fearful to even speak about royalty. Only Serena could have treated such royalty this way.

“Tonight is wrong, what about tomorrow? The day after?”

“It wouldn’t be strange no matter how long he stays.”

At Anna’s words, Serena sighed deeply. Regardless of being the Ducal Lady and regent of Astel, as long as they were under the empire’s control, they could not drive the royalty away.

“I’ll wait until the day after tomorrow.”

Her blue eyes sparkled with determination.

“If His Highness the Crown Prince stays longer…”

“There’s a way.”

With a sly, mischievous smile, Serena headed towards the bed. The Crown Prince would soon leave this land, and naturally, the Ducal Lady who was divorced by the Crown Prince would live comfortably alone.

Turning a crisis into an opportunity.

Yes, everything was still going according to plan.