Intercepted, the Ninth Royal Uncle’s Might

Just as Serena Feng expected, Prince Damien of Southlyn and Su Wan were not only listening in on Prince Rowan and Crown Prince Terrence’s conversation—they were deliberately here to make trouble for her.

Damien’s long, fox-like eyes brimmed with mischief as he swept a contemptuous glance at Terrence and Rowan, then smiled at Serena. “Well, isn’t this a coincidence? I didn’t expect to run into you, Terrence, and His Highness the Prince of Luo here. Are you two planning to escort Serena home? That’s not quite proper, is it? Men and women shouldn’t be so familiar—best to avoid scandal. For Serena’s reputation, it’d be much better if Su Wan and I escorted her instead, don’t you think, Serena?”

Damien’s tongue was certainly sharp—his words sounded so dignified, especially that last line. It seemed like a question, but his tone made it clear he expected agreement.

Who does he think he’s talking to? Are we close or something? Left and right, it’s “Serena” this and “Serena” that—who does he think he’s addressing? Serena gritted her teeth, fighting the urge to curse, and forced out a stiff smile: “Thank you for your concern, Crown Prince Terrence, Prince Rowan, and Third Prince Damien. I know the way home, so there’s no need to trouble you, Your Highness.”

Escort me? As if! It’s not like this is my first time leaving the palace. How come none of them ever showed up to escort me before? Today, suddenly, they’re all here falling over themselves to show concern. If you told me there wasn’t something fishy going on, I wouldn’t believe it for a second.

Seriously, every one of them acts all confident and devoted, as if I’ve never met a man before. Do they really think I’ll just do whatever they say if they smile and sweet-talk me? Hmph...

“Why call it trouble? I’ve admired you for ages, Serena. Now that I finally have the chance, please don’t turn me down—let me show you my devotion.” Damien winked at Serena, pointedly reminding her that he’d once declared he’d marry her.

Rowan stepped forward, cutting off Damien: “Serena is an Eastlyn noblewoman. There’s no need for Crown Prince Terrence or Third Prince Damien to trouble themselves—I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”

Terrence was not about to back down. “Prince Rowan, you’re mistaken. Serena may be an Eastlyn noblewoman, but I’ve known her for years. Escorting her home is hardly a burden. Serena, I actually have something I’d like to discuss with you—about what happened at the city gate that day. There are details I think you’d find very interesting.”

To lure Serena onto his carriage, Terrence was willing to go all out—even using the events of her ruined wedding day as bait.

Serena’s calm expression wavered for a moment. She looked up at Crown Prince Terrence, a flicker of struggle passing through her eyes.

She did want to know what really happened that day—and about her maid. Because of her maid’s betrayal, Serena had become deeply guarded against those around her.

She was terrified of being stabbed in the back again by someone she trusted. That feeling of being pushed to the brink was unbearable. At the same time, she desperately wanted to know who had brutally assaulted her maid to death. Betrayal or not, no one had the right to lay hands on her servant.

Terrence pressed his advantage: “Serena, why not let me escort you home? I promise, anything you want to know—I’ll tell you everything, no holding back.”

By now, Ninth Royal Uncle had already investigated most of what happened on Serena’s wedding day. She knew nearly everything she needed to know; whether Terrence said it or not made little difference. If anything, telling her might ease the tension between them.

Besides, even if Serena found out Terrence was responsible, so what? She was just a lone woman—did she really think she could take on him and the entire Lyndarian royal family?

What a joke!

Ruthless!

Damien gave Terrence a thumbs-up. Even this could be turned into leverage—Terrence really was a true strategist. Damien cheerfully withdrew from the contest, stepping aside to watch the show.

Right now, Rowan was most afraid that anyone would mention the events of Serena’s wedding day in front of her. He was deeply involved in what happened. Rowan was frantic, yet couldn’t find a good excuse to refuse Terrence’s offer—saying too much would only make him look guilty, especially since all the evidence now pointed to Terrence, not him.

Just then, reinforcements arrived, letting Rowan breathe a sigh of relief.

The Ninth Prince’s personal guard captain strode over, holding the Ninth Prince Manor’s command token, escorted by palace eunuchs.

“Greetings, Your Highnesses. May you live for a thousand years.” Dressed in crisp military attire, he knelt on one knee before the assembled princes—respectful, but not servile.

“Rise!” Rowan said in a clear voice. He still felt awkward about the rumors involving Ninth Royal Uncle, but seeing someone from Ninth Prince Manor now, he was genuinely glad.

With someone from Ninth Prince Manor stepping in, Terrence could no longer walk out with Serena or bring up the events of her wedding day.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” The guard captain rose and returned the salute, his gaze landing directly on Serena. “Miss, by order of Ninth Royal Uncle, I’ve come to escort you home.”

Note the wording: ‘escort you home’—not ‘invite Miss Feng to Ninth Prince Manor.’

Serena herself didn’t notice, but Rowan and Terrence certainly did. Since Terrence and Damien were outsiders, they signaled Rowan with their eyes to ask for clarification—which residence was ‘home’?

Rowan shot them a glare—when competing for Serena, they hadn’t cared about being outsiders. Still, he asked, “Home? Did Ninth Royal Uncle send you to escort Serena back to her West District courtyard?”

“No, Your Highness,” the guard captain replied. “Ninth Royal Uncle ordered me to escort Miss Serena to Ninth Prince Manor. He’s waiting for her there. If there’s nothing else, I must beg your pardon and take Miss Serena with me.” Like Nolan himself, the guard captain left no room for argument.

Serena hadn’t said a word from start to finish, nor did she intend to refuse. Wedged between the three princes, she was growing more and more frustrated. The Ninth Royal Uncle’s guard might be blunt, but compared to these three, Nolan was at least safer—even if right now, she didn’t exactly want to see him.

“Your Highnesses, I’ll take my leave.”

No matter what, her relationship with Ninth Royal Uncle was anything but ordinary. He wouldn’t turn on her just after getting out of bed. As awkward as today’s meeting was, she couldn’t refuse when he’d sent someone in person.

As long as Nolan didn’t bring it up, she would pretend nothing had happened. Serena wasn’t about to sacrifice her reputation for status or wealth—she wasn’t so desperate as to barter her dignity like a brothel girl.

Love between a man and a woman should be mutual. Nolan had never forced her, and she had no right to demand anything from him.

Serena walked away with poise, leaving the three men looking disgruntled. Damien threw up his hands: “Well, after all that fighting, it’s Nolan who benefits. Judging by Serena’s attitude, if we hadn’t made such a scene, she probably wouldn’t have left with his guard.”

It was true—if Rowan and the others hadn’t put her in an impossible position, Serena wouldn’t have gone with Nolan’s guard today.

No denying it, Nolan’s luck had come through.

“If you ask me, Nolan planned this perfectly. He knew it wouldn’t be easy for Serena to leave the palace, so he sent his guard captain inside.” Terrence glanced at the bundles carried by Serena’s two maids, his tone inscrutable.

Serena entered the palace wearing the Ninth Prince’s Princess Consort formal regalia—Nolan must have known, or he wouldn’t have sent his guard captain to fetch her.

If his sources were correct, Nolan’s guard captain was a third-rank military officer.

Rowan gave a bitter smile and said nothing.

With Nolan’s men protecting her, Serena should be able to leave the palace safely—her ceremonial attire wouldn’t get her in trouble.

In the palace, there are a thousand ways to make trouble for someone…