After finalizing the details with William Wang Jinling in the warm room, Serena felt utterly drained. Even the exquisite scenery inside couldn’t lift her spirits.
Compared to these princes and noble heirs who have been steeped in intrigue since childhood, she really is too inexperienced—so she always ends up battered and bruised.
Ninth Royal Uncle once said that in the face of absolute strength, all schemes are meaningless. But when set against the centuries of resources accumulated by the royal family and great houses, what right does Serena have to speak of absolute strength, or to ignore all their plots?
Serena has no family backing—she can rely only on herself. Her own hands, a Smart Med‑Pack from the modern world, and a will that never bends. If not for Holden Cui’s illness, she wouldn’t even have the right for the Cui Clan to mention her name.
Serena looked up at the gray sky, a lonely smile appearing on her face. She suddenly felt very alone, guarding her secret from the modern world all by herself—it was exhausting.
William hated parting from Serena so soon, but seeing her thin frame and the dark circles under her eyes, he couldn’t bear to be selfish and keep her with him. Besides, even if he could keep Serena by his side, he could never hold onto her heart.
With Ninth Royal Uncle still imprisoned, Serena couldn’t feel at ease. For her sake, William was determined to help get Nolan out.
Since they were cooperating with the Cui Clan, they might as well make the most of it.
Looking at Serena standing among the flowers—more beautiful than any bloom—William picked a red peony, walked over, and tucked it into her hair.
Serena quickly dodged, raising a hand to block him. “William, stop messing around. This is silly.” She had no intention of parading through the streets with a big flower in her hair—she wasn’t a flowerpot.