Prince Rowan Dongling's confession wasn't exactly clever; Serena Feng understood it perfectly, but she still refused him without hesitation: "I won't marry you."
Prince Rowan's heart tightened, but he still wouldn't give up: "He needs a father. I'll treat him as my own, I can even give up having children myself."
It wasn't surprising for Prince Rowan to say such things. Aside from Simon Sun and the uninvolved Logan Ling, probably everyone knew something had gone wrong between Serena Feng and Ninth Royal Uncle.
Serena Feng had been in Mystic Healer Valley for two months, and Ninth Royal Uncle hadn't asked after her even once. Serena also never mentioned him.
"My child will be just fine without a father." Serena gently stroked her belly, her face full of love, radiating maternal warmth.
Only after becoming a mother did she realize all her previous worries and anxieties were unnecessary; as long as her child was born safe and grew up well, that was happiness enough.
Her child—she would do everything in her power to give him the best of everything.
Prince Rowan's eyes flickered. He sighed softly, "Is it that I’m not good enough, or is no one good enough?"
"No one is." She would never randomly find a father for her child—that would insult both herself and Ninth Royal Uncle...
Although Serena worried that her child's status as an illegitimate child might make life harder, she never considered letting her child call someone else 'father.'
Serena didn't reject Nolan, nor did she respond—she acted as if she couldn't see or hear him, shutting him out of her world entirely.
"Serena, I've come to take you home." Nolan wrapped his arms around her, gently resting his head on her belly. "Serena, come back with me."
His voice carried a plea and a hint of uncertainty that even he didn't notice.
Serena still didn't respond. Nolan thought she was considering his plea, but only when warm tears landed on his face did he realize she was crying.
Nolan quickly looked up and saw Serena's face streaked with tears.
There was no sound, no expression—her tears slid silently down her cheeks.
"Don't cry, Serena." Nolan reached out to wipe her tears, his heart aching with guilt. "This is the last time. I won't let you be hurt again."
He was afraid—truly afraid.
He'd thought he would never lose Serena, that she would always be by his side. But now, he wasn't sure.
"There is no future anymore." Serena closed her eyes, refusing to look at Nolan.
"Nolan Dongling—no, I should call you Lan Jiuqing. Lan Jiuqing, we never truly began; how could there be a future?"
Nolan froze, blurting out, "Serena, I can explain." He couldn't understand how Serena knew he was Lan Jiuqing—none of those who knew would have told her.
"Explain what? Was it fun deceiving me?" Serena opened her eyes, her gaze mocking. Nolan panicked, his legs giving way as he dropped to one knee beside her. "Serena, I never toyed with you."
He'd cared too much, and so hadn't dared speak; the longer it went on, the more he couldn't bring himself to tell her. In the end, he couldn't keep it hidden.
"Didn't you? You had a fiancée—why did you still come after me?" If she'd known Nolan was Lan Jiuqing and engaged, Serena would never have pursued him, no matter how much she liked him.
Serena would never destroy someone else's relationship or marriage in the name of 'true love.' No matter her flaws, she still had that much shame.
"No, it was my own foolishness that made me chase you. But why, when you had so many chances to tell me you were Lan Jiuqing, did you never say it?" Serena sobbed, all her efforts over the past month wasted.
She couldn't control her feelings, couldn't stop the pain, couldn't stop hurting.
But as much as Serena hurt, Nolan felt even worse. He never imagined she'd discover his identity as Lan Jiuqing like this.
He simply couldn't explain these things.
"Serena..." Nolan gently wiped her tears, hugging her close and burying his head against her neck, his voice full of guilt and pleading: "Serena, it's all over now. Please forgive me?"
"No." Serena refused firmly, but Nolan ignored her, stubbornly holding her tighter: "Serena, you can't refuse. You promised me—no matter what happens, you'll always stay by my side. You promised to marry me. Now... I'll offer all of Eastlyn as your bride-price. Marry me. You're not allowed to say no!"
Nolan acted willfully again. After the report of Liancastle's destruction arrived, he delegated state affairs to William Wang Jinling and Felix Fuller: "The situation is stable for now; Eastlyn has no major issues. I'm going out for a while."
Both William Wang and Felix Fuller knew Nolan was going to see his pregnant consort Serena. Plus, with his injuries sometimes worsening, it was reasonable to visit Mystic Healer Valley; neither had any objections.
Right now, Eastlyn's biggest issues were Victor Phoenixfield attacking Southlyn and Nolan ascending the throne. The former wouldn't be resolved in a month or two, and the latter... Nolan refused to hold the coronation until Serena returned. So, to get the coronation over with, they let Nolan go chase his wife.
This time, Nolan didn't go alone—he brought Feng Jin, Ethan Su Wenhang, and even the Snow Wolf.
Feng Jin was thrilled, waving his arms and legs and babbling about seeing his sister. The young emperor—now the Eighth Prince and Feng Jin's friend—wanted to go too, but his unscrupulous uncle Nolan refused.
The Eighth Prince looked aggrieved, but didn't dare argue with Nolan, and could only wait in the capital with his mother for news.
Even Ethan Su Wenhang managed a rare smile. Since Vincent's death, he'd barely smiled, and Nolan couldn't comfort him—he simply didn't know how.
With Feng Jin and Ethan along, Nolan couldn't travel quickly. Even though he was anxious, it took over ten days to reach Mystic Healer Valley.
The Valley Master, Dr. Redwater, and Dr. Marcus Guile were all surprised by Nolan's arrival. But seeing his icy expression, no one dared ask questions; the Valley Master quickly arranged lodging and slipped away.
Dr. Redwater and Dr. Marcus Guile were both clever; each took Feng Jin and Ethan away. Even though they were dying of curiosity, neither would risk their lives by staying.
Left Shore was more perceptive than anyone; seeing Nolan bring Feng Jin and Ethan, he guessed something had happened between Nolan and Serena. Left Shore wisely kept his distance, and took away the clueless Simon Sun and the uninvolved Logan Ling, so they wouldn't get caught up in trouble.
With Nolan arriving in Mystic Healer Valley, Serena couldn't possibly be unaware. She wouldn't pretend not to know, nor hide to avoid seeing him.
She knew this day would come sooner or later. After more than a month, she'd made all the preparations she could; what she couldn't prepare for, she never would. Since they'd have to meet eventually, there was no point in avoiding it.
After everyone else left, Serena sat calmly in her room, waiting for Nolan to arrive.
She didn't have to wait long; Simon Sun had barely left when Nolan arrived.
Dressed in black, travel-worn but still striking as ever—just like when they first met. But this time, Serena was no longer infatuated; she was mocking.
Their eyes met. Unlike Nolan's complex guilt, Serena was terrifyingly calm. After a long silence, since Nolan didn't speak, Serena called out: "Ninth Royal Uncle."
There was no anger, no resentment; Serena's question was so calm it frightened Nolan.
"Serena." His low, husky voice was almost a whisper, full of emotion. Serena acted as if she hadn't heard, pointing to a nearby chair: "Sit."
Nolan didn't sit; instead, he knelt beside Serena. Seeing she didn't object, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief and gently touched her belly: "Serena, our child... is doing well." His words were full of joy—he'd waited for this child for a long time.