Schemes and the History Written by Victors

Winning over Felix Fuller went surprisingly smoothly. Once the Emperor Star was mentioned, it became the final straw that broke the camel’s back—Felix was now completely convinced of Ninth Royal Uncle’s destiny.

Anyone at Ninth Royal Uncle’s side who could spot the Emperor Star appearing would naturally also see that his fate star is the Purple Tenuity—an omen of imperial destiny.

After Felix left, Ninth Royal Uncle remained seated, replaying the moment he watched the stars with Serena. He was certain Serena knew something at that instant—otherwise, how could she have pointed out the Emperor Star to him at exactly the right time?

Serena truly was his lucky star.

Thinking of Serena, the corners of Nolan’s mouth lifted unconsciously, a tenderness in his eyes he himself hadn’t noticed.

After sitting quietly in the study for a while, Nolan rose and walked out. In the bedroom, Serena was leaning against the bed, reading.

No one knew when Serena picked up this bad habit—she didn’t like reading in the study, preferring to read on the bed. Sometimes, she’d end up dozing off sideways as she read.

"You’re back." Hearing the door open, Serena looked up, then set her book aside, rising naturally to greet Nolan.

Seeing the sparkle in Serena’s eyes, Nolan couldn’t help himself—he bent down and kissed her eyelid. "I’m home," he said.

Serena gave a faint smile, helped Nolan out of his outer robe, and brought him a cloth and water to wash—just like an ordinary married couple.

"Aren’t you curious why Felix came looking for me?" Nolan asked, drying his hands.

Serena laughed, answering without hesitation: "Isn’t it obvious? Felix sneaking over at midnight—it’s a pledge of loyalty. With two princes vying for the throne and the Emperor’s health failing, Felix has to pick a new master. If he doesn’t choose a side now, he’ll be left with nothing when things settle."

Felix isn’t like those old families who’ve spent decades building their power in Eastlyn. All his authority comes from the Emperor. If the Emperor says the word, or if something happens and a new ruler takes over, Felix could lose everything overnight. He has no choice but to take a stand.

"You’re almost exactly right. Felix’s ambitions are huge—his sights aren’t set just on Eastlyn," Nolan said openly, taking Serena’s hand and leading her toward the bed.

He used to think talking in bed was improper, but if it meant keeping Serena close, what did propriety matter?

Serena understood Nolan’s little schemes, but she didn’t call him out—sometimes, indulging this man’s tricks was oddly satisfying.

Climbing onto the bed with Nolan, Serena nestled into his arms and lazily asked, "So? Does Felix want the whole realm? Is he trying to restore House Fuller’s former glory?"

"Mm." Nolan rubbed his chin against Serena’s hair. He realized he was addicted to her warmth—holding her felt so good, so comforting.

"His ambition is big, but from Felix’s perspective, it makes sense. House Fuller’s been exiled for centuries—they dream of coming back. It’d be even more ‘interesting’ if descendants of the Lan clan and the Phoenixfield clan appeared together with him," Serena teased. Nolan, looking serious, asked, "What would be so interesting?"

"Lovers who both love and kill each other," Serena answered reflexively. Realizing what she’d said, she explained, "Think about it—the Lan clan was master over both House Fuller and the Phoenixfield clan. Both served Lan loyally, but in the end, the three split apart."

House Fuller tried to put divine power above imperial authority, but in the end, Lan and Phoenixfield joined forces to drive them out of the Nine Provinces. The Phoenixfield clan was pushed to the brink by Lan, and then the Lan dynasty itself was destroyed because of Phoenixfield.

Lan, Phoenixfield, and Fuller—these three clans have irreconcilable grudges. If they all reappeared together, there’d be chaos for sure. But in my view, for the sake of profit, they’d eventually unite against a common enemy." Serena counted on her fingers, analyzing as an outsider, enjoying the discussion.

Nolan nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Who do you think was right or wrong among them?"

Really, Nolan wanted to ask Serena: If you were Phoenixfield, would you stand against Lan and become their enemy?

"There’s no right or wrong in power struggles—only winners and losers. All three clans lost in the last round. If you want to get philosophical, call it fate: you reap what you sow. More realistically, it’s just human greed—everyone wants too much." Serena continued, analyzing each clan from a historian’s perspective.

If House Fuller hadn’t tried to rise above imperial control, Lan wouldn’t have driven them out.

If the Phoenixfield clan hadn’t grown too powerful and failed to restrain themselves, Lan wouldn’t have struck at their heiress or tried to exterminate them.

If Lan hadn’t gone so hard against Phoenixfield, their dynasty wouldn’t have been overthrown.

It’s not about who was right or wrong—it’s all just a battle for power. Everyone wants to be the only one standing, but the world needs balance. Break that balance, and everything changes.

"Of course, this is just my personal take—not the actual truth of history. I’m just talking for fun." Serena added, undercutting her own earlier grandeur.

Nolan blinked, hiding his shock, and replied calmly, "According to the records, the hatred between Lan and Phoenixfield wasn’t about power, but about the Phoenixfield heiress. The former dynasty’s emperor fell for her, seized her by force, and triggered Phoenixfield’s revenge." At least, that’s what history says.

"Love? Even I don’t believe that—why tell me? Emperors don’t have real love; it’s just a pretext for seizing power. Phoenixfield used it as an excuse to strike back at Lan. Both sides thought they’d won, but in the end, they ruined each other." Serena scoffed at the official story.

"To believe all of history is worse than having no history. The records say the previous dynasty fell because of the emperor’s folly—the historians have already decided the verdict." Nolan’s voice was dark and heavy, burdened with unspoken weight.

Serena disliked the mood, frowning unconsciously, but didn’t press. She simply said, "History is written by the victors. Only by painting the previous emperor as absurd and incompetent could the rulers of the four kingdoms justify their own rule—not as usurpers, but as heroes who overthrew a tyrant and gave the people a better life."

"What you said… makes sense." Nolan’s expression stayed calm, but inside, his thoughts churned—he’d never considered this angle before.

He’d always assumed things were just as they appeared, that the historians missed the deeper truth. Now, he realized the four kingdoms must have rewritten history as soon as they took power…