It’s Not Night - Chapter 180.2

Her daily routine generally went as follows:

After breakfast, she would take a light walk and then help her father, Albert, with family matters. After lunch, she either took a nap or studied areas of interest. The rest of the time was spent reading, tending to the garden with the servants, or occasionally going on picnics far away.

Sometimes, she would attend social events in the East and socialize with people she had met there. She was also introduced to a capable doctor and received regular sleep therapy. In the evenings, she would either learn to cook and prepare meals herself or host small gatherings, and at night, she would gaze at the stars with her third brother, Ian.

Thus, time passed swiftly, and a year went by.

Today, Albert and Andra were seated across from each other, handling various family affairs.

“It seems like you’ve settled in well. The Emperor seems to have a good impression of the Prince.”

“That’s because the Princess is an excellent businesswoman, but the Prince also has quite a discerning eye.”

Over the past year, the Empire had made significant achievements exploring the unknown continent. This success fueled a push for various new ventures.

In reality, this progress was largely due to the efforts of the Princess and the Prince, who had actively participated in the exploration. Their contributions had expedited operations and made collaboration easier.

A month ago, the Emperor had summoned them to the capital, praised their accomplishments, and held a grand banquet. At that event, the Emperor announced his successor, and as some had anticipated, the position went to Princess Viola.

In return, the Emperor had granted Jonathan full authority over the forthcoming ventures. Consequently, Jonathan was once again immersed in work on the unknown continent.

“Do you have any regrets?”

Albert suddenly asked Andra.

At the banquet a month ago, Andra had formally rejected the Prince’s proposal. Jonathan, who had somewhat expected her decision, had thanked her for her honesty.

Instead, he had made another proposal: whether she would consider joining him on the unknown continent.

“I don’t regret either choice. For now, I’m satisfied with where I am.”

“If that’s your decision, I’m glad.”

“I’m the one who should thank you for respecting my choice, Father.”

“My dear, Father only wishes for your happiness.”

Albert smiled gently. His weathered hand firmly grasped Andra’s. She smiled back at him.

As Andra finished her tea with Albert and picked up her hat to leave through the front door, the nanny hurriedly asked.

“Miss, where are you going?”

“Just out for a bit. I plan to take a ride around the estate.”

“Oh dear, it looks like it might rain this evening…”

Rain? Andra looked up at the sky. It was a clear, cloudless day. However, since the nanny’s weather predictions had been accurate in the past, she decided to put her hat back down. She had no intention of riding in the rain.

“I was hoping to get out for a bit today.”

Having recently returned from the capital for the banquet and busy unpacking, Andra had only now found a moment of leisure. She had planned to take a ride around the estate for the first time in a while, but…

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Seeing Andra’s willingness to give up, the nanny offered an alternative with a gentle smile.

“Why don’t you ride tomorrow and spend today planting freesias with the children? We just got new seedlings.”

“Hmm, sounds good.”

Andra readily agreed to the nanny’s suggestion.

“Miss, I think yellow freesias would look lovely there.”

“Ah, Jean, I was thinking the same thing.”

Andra, along with the maids, gathered in the greenhouse to plant flowers and chat. During their conversation, one of the maids brought up an interesting piece of news.

“I’ve heard that a knight has been seen under that tree every day lately.”

“A knight?”

As Andra was interested, another maid joined in the conversation.

“Yes. They say he’s really tall and impressive.”

“Jane says it looks like he’s waiting for someone. I wonder who he could be waiting for?”

Andra continued to plant the freesias and answered the maid’s question.

“So, you’re saying there’s a knight who has been seen under that tree every day lately? It seems he’s waiting for someone?”

The tree in question was clearly the largest old tree in the area. The surrounding area was remote and only farmland, but Andra liked to visit it once or twice a month.

In fact, she had been planning to go there today but had given up after the nanny’s warning about the rain.