Prince Nolan chose to meet Serena in the study—partly because he was too busy to leave, and partly because the study was a good place: every time they’d had a falling out, they’d resolved it here.
When Serena arrived, Prince Nolan was still busy. He only looked up and said, "Sit," then went back to his paperwork. Serena didn’t mind, picked a seat at random, and poured herself a glass of water.
Plain boiled water, still a bit warm—it looked like Prince Nolan had specifically asked someone to prepare it.
Fortunately, Prince Nolan knew Serena was here. He quickly finished his paperwork and set down his pen: "Serena, I’ve been busy lately. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It’s fine. You have official duties to attend to. Waiting a bit is only proper," Serena replied, though she was still angry.
It wasn’t her coming to see Prince Nolan—it was him summoning her. Yet he hadn’t bothered to check the time, leaving her to wait here for ages. Was this supposed to put her in her place?
"I really am busy," Prince Nolan sighed, sensing Serena’s displeasure and stressing his point again.
Serena nodded sincerely. "I know. Are you done now? If not, I can wait a bit longer." See? She was being so cooperative.
"The rest isn’t important. Serena, wait here a moment—I’ll take these documents out myself." Prince Nolan didn’t want anyone else coming in, so he personally carried the finished paperwork outside and handed it to one of his secret guards to deliver.
The secret guard was startled, inwardly relieved he hadn’t been caught eavesdropping at the door like his predecessor. He took the documents and dashed away.
Prince Nolan returned to the study and saw Serena, still looking so calm. He felt a wave of helplessness and took the initiative: "Serena, let’s talk."
"What does Your Highness want to say?" Serena greeted him with a smile, extremely cooperative.
"Let’s talk about the accident that day. Is your hand better?" Prince Nolan didn’t avoid the topic—he knew Serena cared about it, and honestly, so did he.
"Much better. Since Your Highness says it was an accident, there’s nothing to talk about. Just an accident. I won’t dwell on it." If one day she had an ‘accident’ and shot Prince Nolan, would that count as an accident too?
"Serena, you know that’s not what I meant." Prince Nolan was a little annoyed. Serena was so calm it actually made him angry.
Shouldn’t a woman get angry and cry or shout? Why was Serena not reacting at all?
"Let me check your body." Since Prince Nolan had softened, Serena didn’t hold back.
She really was worried about Prince Nolan’s health.
Prince Nolan was a bit resistant, but finally gave in: "Fine, let’s go to the inner room."
The study was large, with a small resting room inside. There was a low couch for two to sit; Prince Nolan rarely used it.
Once inside the inner room, they sat down. Prince Nolan held out his hand, and Serena, without hesitation, activated her Smart Med-Pack to examine him, then took out a set of instruments to draw his blood for testing.
Prince Nolan had always known Serena’s tools were miraculous, but seeing her operate the Smart Med-Pack up close again, he couldn’t help being amazed.
The thing in Serena’s hands was truly defying the natural order.
"Serena, you must never let anyone else find out." Prince Nolan couldn’t help but warn her again.
If anyone else discovered Serena’s secret, she wouldn’t even be allowed a clean death.
"I’ll be careful," Serena replied, looking up and meeting Prince Nolan’s gaze. Their eyes locked, and she saw the worry and tenderness in his eyes—she couldn’t look away.
This man had a thousand flaws, but his heart held her. Most importantly, she loved him—loved him enough to risk everything.
It had taken two lifetimes to find a man like this. How could she not care, not cherish him? Serena’s eyes grew misty; noticing her own reaction, she quickly looked away.
"The results will take a bit longer. I’ll draw your blood first." Serena lowered her head to hide her flustered feelings. Prince Nolan’s eyes were full of amusement as he offered his hand again.
Serena took a deep breath, not daring to look at Prince Nolan. She quickly drew two tubes of blood, packed everything back into the Smart Med-Pack, and checked the results.
She had to keep herself busy—only then could she resist Prince Nolan’s charm. He affected her too much.
Serena stared at the test results for a long time without saying anything. Prince Nolan couldn’t help but ask, "Serena, what’s wrong?"
"Um... everything’s normal." Serena looked up, awkward and embarrassed.
"Isn’t everything being normal a good thing?" Prince Nolan teased. Under his gaze, Serena was at a loss for words and could only nod blankly: "Yes, of course it’s good."
Good, my ass. If everything’s normal, then she was just overthinking, jumping at shadows. But clearly...
Annoyed, Serena tugged at her own hair. She really felt something was wrong with Prince Nolan, but she just couldn’t find it.
"What’s wrong? Why are you pulling your own hair like that?" Prince Nolan grabbed Serena’s hands to stop her from hurting herself.
Even though Prince Nolan was quick, Serena still managed to yank out a handful of hair. He wanted to scold her, but seeing her puffed-up anger, he couldn’t help pinching her nose: "You... Even if you’re angry, don’t take it out on your hair. I wouldn’t blame you, you know."
Prince Nolan said magnanimously, but it only made Serena angrier. "What do you mean, you wouldn’t blame me? If anyone’s not blaming, it’s me not blaming you. Don’t forget, you hurt me. Am I not allowed to overthink it?"
"Alright, alright, it’s my fault. All my fault, okay? I know you’re worried about me, Serena. You’re right—I’m not someone who loses control easily."
Afterwards, I thought about it too—losing control like that was really unusual. I’ve already written to the Valley Master and asked him to meet us in Jiangnan. We’ll stay there for two days so he can examine me. Will that put your mind at ease?" Prince Nolan did this purely to reassure Serena; he didn’t want her dwelling on the incident.
"Are you serious?" Serena’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected Prince Nolan to say he didn’t believe her, but actually trust her words.
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" Prince Nolan pulled Serena into his arms.
If he wasn’t serious, William Wang Jinling might end up keeping Serena for sunrise and sunset both.
"So when are we leaving?" Serena knew the matter with Master Wenyuan was settled. There was nothing left that required Prince Nolan’s involvement—House Zhan wouldn’t trouble him anymore, and William would handle the rest.
"Three days. Once House Zhan leaves, we’ll go." Prince Nolan buried his head against Serena’s neck—not to steal a kiss, but because he was just too tired.
"What about Princess Vivian?" That was a problem—she definitely couldn’t bring the princess to Jiangnan.
"Don’t worry. Someone will come for Princess Vivian tomorrow." Prince Nolan, distracted by Serena’s scent, grew restless and lowered his head to bite her collarbone.
"Ah—!" Serena yelped, forgetting to ask who would pick up Princess Vivian, and hurriedly pushed Prince Nolan away. "Not now."
"Why not? It’s already dark." Prince Nolan retorted, perfectly serious. He wasn’t committing daytime impropriety.
Serena’s face flushed red. She grabbed Prince Nolan’s hand and bit him hard: "Master Wenyuan’s bones aren’t even cold yet, and you’re already thinking of this..."
"Whether Master Wenyuan’s bones are cold or not has nothing to do with me," Prince Nolan said through gritted teeth.
Master Wenyuan disliked him while alive, and now, even dead, was still causing trouble!