Banquet Invitation, House Lewis Grows Anxious

Anyone caught up in imperial power struggles must be both ruthless and vigilant. Even though Prince Nolan and Prince Titus of Lyndaria started out as true friends, with no hint of politics between them, as they grew older, their relationship became tangled with interests far beyond mere friendship.

Ever since Prince Titus’s legs healed, he’s never mentioned the promise they made as boys. When the topic comes up, he brushes it aside so smoothly that Prince Nolan can’t help but suspect Titus is tempted by the throne—and honestly, he has every reason to doubt.

It’s not just Prince Nolan who doesn’t trust him—Serena can’t fully trust Prince Titus either. Never talk about honor with princes or politicians. When it comes to that seat of power, people can kill their own brothers and fathers; a debt of gratitude means nothing in the face of the throne.

Serena braced herself for the worst and asked, “If it really comes to that, what will you do?”

Right now, Prince Titus is still decent, but who can guarantee that one day, when he holds real power, he won’t want the throne? He’s getting closer and closer, and even without Prince Nolan’s help, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to take that final step.

“I won’t do anything special. I never bet everything on a single person. If Titus wants the throne, it won’t be easy for him.” If things ever reach that point, Nolan won’t hesitate to break with him.

He saved Titus’s life; he had Serena heal Titus’s crippled legs; every step of Titus’s rise was secretly planned by him. If the day ever comes, Nolan wouldn’t hesitate to destroy Titus himself.

“You have to plan for things like this early. Wealth blinds people; power corrupts their hearts. People always change.” At this, Serena couldn’t help but think of Prince Nathan of Southlyn.

Honestly, Nathan turned out better than most. But... there are still regrets.

But commoners and princes are worlds apart. Ordinary people don’t even think about the throne, but princes do—they’re just one step away. If they take that step, they become king and never have to bow to anyone again.

No one can really resist the allure of power—the thrill of holding someone’s fate in your hands is simply irresistible…

Being at the top not only brings supreme authority and honor, it lets you slip outside the rules—enjoying freedoms ordinary people can only dream of.

In Eastmont, even though Prince Nolan doesn’t hold military or political power, his status alone makes him the most honored man in the province.

All Prince Nolan had to do was mention celebrating Serena’s birthday, and the entire province sprang into action. He didn’t even need to ask—the Governor-General’s Lady personally came to Blossom Garden, saying that since Nolan arrived without household managers, she’d like to volunteer and help however she could.

With free help on offer, how could Nolan and Serena refuse? They handed everything over to the Governor-General’s Lady—after all, when it comes to organizing a birthday banquet, women know best.

The preparations went off without a hitch. Nolan made the announcement, the Governor-General’s Lady handled the details—who in Eastmont would dare refuse them? House Lewis knew this was their chance to repair relations, and they wanted to use the banquet to clear up past misunderstandings.

But House Lewis is clever—they didn’t approach Nolan directly. Instead, they supported the Governor-General’s Lady. She assists Nolan and Serena, and they assist her, sparing no expense to make Serena’s banquet perfect so Nolan will see their sincerity.

“It’s just a birthday banquet—do we really have to go this far?” Serena looked at the extravagance of Blossom Garden and couldn’t help but speak up.

Just one birthday banquet, and it’s going to cost tens of thousands of taels. Are they trying to make up for all the birthdays she missed over the years?

“You don’t have to worry about a thing. Just show up for the banquet.” As Serena’s birthday approached, Blossom Garden was buzzing with activity, while she herself just lounged in the pavilion, drinking tea and reading—enjoying the most leisurely days she’d had in ages.

“It just feels pointless. All this fuss just to test House Lewis—everyone in Eastmont is busy with my birthday, the whole city is talking about it. If word gets back to the capital, they’ll say you’re bleeding the people dry for me.” It’s not a coming-of-age or a milestone year, and Serena truly felt it was a waste.

“To the royal clan, this is nothing.” For a legitimate daughter of House Feng, such a birthday banquet is actually rather shabby; never mind Eastmont, Serena could have the whole empire celebrating and it would be deserved.

“But I…”

“You are.” Nolan knew what Serena was about to say and interrupted her: “Serena, your status is higher than anyone else’s in this world. You deserve it. Frankly, holding your birthday banquet in Eastmont feels like an injustice to you.”

“You call this injustice? Your standards are really high.” Nolan was completely sincere, but Serena didn’t take it seriously—she just thought he was seeing her through rose-colored glasses; no matter what, she was perfect in his eyes.

Still, it was Nolan’s heartfelt gesture. Even if Serena thought it was all a bit much, she didn’t have the heart to say anything more.

Nolan saw Serena wasn’t taking his words to heart and was about to say more, but just then a servant approached, so he held his tongue for now.

“Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Miss Feng. Your Highness, the Governor-General requests an audience.” The servant bowed respectfully as he spoke.

The Governor-General? That was fast.

A hint of mockery flashed in Nolan’s eyes. He stood up and said, “Bring him to the study.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The servant answered quickly, not daring to linger. He turned and left, tense and serious.

Only when he was out of Nolan’s sight did the servant relax, patting his chest and thinking to himself: Royal nobles really are different. In front of His Highness, you barely dare to breathe.

“The Governor-General coming now—could it be about House Lewis?” Serena stood up too, lips curling in a fox-like smile.

“I hope not, but odds are it is. House Lewis really is impatient.” With no outsiders around, Nolan made no effort to hide his sarcasm.

These past few days, House Lewis has been eager to help. Nolan didn’t turn them away—so many people want to curry favor, if he refused them all, he’d never get anything done.

But to House Lewis, Nolan’s tacit acceptance was a sign of goodwill. Their arrogant young heirs have been strutting around, mocking the Chen family, convinced that Nolan’s acceptance of Blossom Garden means he’ll support them—and that the estate itself is just a minor asset to him.

In Eastmont, House Lewis dominates. Facing their mockery, the Chen family can only keep their heads down—these days, they haven’t left the house, just to avoid open or hidden ridicule.

Even so, they don’t dare do anything; all they can do is silently pray that Nolan will see their loyalty and sincerity. They would never turn and bite the hand that feeds them, the way House Lewis would if flattery failed…