Strong and Unyielding, She Must Marry Me

Prince Nolan did not travel together with Serena, but that didn't mean their paths wouldn't cross. It was just that...

Some things aren’t up to Prince Nolan’s wishes. He wanted to spend more time with Serena, hoping to reconcile and earn her forgiveness, but fate simply wouldn’t allow it.

On the fifth day after they left Mystic Healer Valley, Felix Fuller’s urgent letter arrived in William Wang’s hands, urging both Prince Nolan and William to hurry back—this was a matter only Nolan could resolve.

Seeing Prince Nolan hesitate, William Wang immediately cut him off: “Only you can handle this. You must return to the Capital.”

Prince Nolan glanced at the carriage ahead, then finally nodded. “Alright. I’ll leave in a quarter hour.”

Such a small request—William Wang wouldn’t refuse it. He wasn’t that petty. Besides, from Serena’s perspective, William still hoped she and Prince Nolan could reconcile; dragging things out like this only hurt their relationship.

It wasn’t that William favored Prince Nolan; he simply didn’t know what had happened at Destiny Cliff. Now that Serena was carrying Nolan’s child, and Nolan had already lowered himself enough, if the only issue left was his identity as Lance Quinn, William felt that—with Bella Qin missing—this was no longer a real problem.

Of course, if Serena didn’t want to reconcile, William wouldn’t push. Whatever choice Serena made, he would stand by her.

Prince Nolan halted the carriage and ordered everyone out—even Little Feng Jin wasn’t spared. Serena sighed softly and waited for Nolan to come in.

“Serena, the Deposed Emperor—my imperial elder brother—has passed away. I have to return to the Capital ahead of you.” Prince Nolan’s expression was grim. Serena looked up at him, nodded lightly, and indicated she understood.

For the Taishang Emperor, death was a kind of release.

"The Deposed Emperor was murdered," Prince Nolan added. That was the real reason he was rushing back.

Rumors were already swirling in the Capital, subtly accusing Nolan of killing the Deposed Emperor. Naturally, Felix Fuller dared not take the blame for this.

“Oh...” The Taishang Emperor was already dead; how he died no longer mattered to Serena. Either way, it wouldn’t change anything for Prince Nolan.

“I have to go ahead. Take good care of yourself on the road. If you’re tired or unwell, don’t push yourself. I’ll instruct every post station and local authority along the way...” Prince Nolan turned into a nagging nurse, rattling off a long list of reminders.

Serena wasn’t impatient, nor was she particularly moved. She simply listened as Prince Nolan spoke, feeling a faint ache inside, though her face betrayed nothing. The more he talked, the more powerless he felt, until he finally switched back to political matters.

“I can handle the fallout from the Deposed Emperor’s death—Eastlyn won’t fall into chaos. Don’t worry about returning to the Capital. After escaping Destiny Cliff, Lady Min went straight to find Clara Phoenixfield and Jason Lan’s child. She’s now brought them together with Ezra Phoenixfield on the frontier grasslands.” This was Phoenixfield clan business; Prince Nolan wouldn’t dare keep Serena in the dark.

“You arranged this?” Serena raised an eyebrow, but quickly understood.

“It was their own choice.” Prince Nolan didn’t bother to explain. He intended to strangle all threats in the cradle—it was time to strike first.

“If that’s the case, why ask me?” If Prince Nolan dared act, he must already have his precautions. Serena was no naïve girl; she had already done everything she could for Ezra and Clara Phoenixfield. If they still weren’t satisfied, she wouldn’t hesitate to kill them herself.

"Have you made any arrangements around Ezra Phoenixfield?" Prince Nolan didn’t believe Serena would trust Ezra completely.

"I have." Serena nodded, and before Prince Nolan could speak, she added, "I’ll handle Ezra Phoenixfield myself. As for Clara Phoenixfield and your mother, you deal with them."

No matter what happened, Serena would never personally kill Prince Nolan’s mother.

"Alright." Seeing Serena’s strictly businesslike attitude, Prince Nolan felt awful, but couldn’t bring himself to let go.

Since there was still time, he started talking about Northlyn’s attack on Eastlyn, but this time Serena just listened in silence, leaving Prince Nolan discouraged.

As the quarter hour approached, Prince Nolan, at a complete loss, sighed helplessly. "Serena, stab me once—whether I live or die, I’ll accept it."

One sword strike, and everything would be forgiven. But Serena refused again: "Regicide isn’t something I’ll do." If she ever did strike, she wouldn’t hold back.

"Be rational. That’s what you always told me, so now I’m telling you. Prince Nolan, be rational—your world is vast, you don’t need to stop for me. I have no interest in being the femme fatale blamed for ruining an emperor’s future." Serena was warning him not to use his coronation as a threat; whether he became emperor or not had nothing to do with her.

"Serena, you don’t understand. Whatever I set my mind to, I will achieve—including marrying you." Weakness was useless now, and with their separation imminent, Prince Nolan’s anxiety made him revert to his old hardness and coldness.

"Serena, my time is limited. I know you feel wronged and resentful, and I understand. I can’t change the past, I can only promise you the future. As for Destiny Cliff, I don’t regret what I did there—even if I lived it again, I’d make the same choice."

The Lance Quinn identity was long dead, and Bella Qin would never return. That wasn’t the issue between us. I admit I lied to you, but my feelings for you were never false. Whether you accept it or not, once I ascend the throne, I’ll immediately hold the Empress Investiture ceremony."

Prince Nolan timed his words perfectly. When he finished, he didn’t wait for Serena’s reply—he simply got out of the carriage, leaving her alone to ponder his words...

No regrets?

Has Prince Nolan ever regretted anything he’s done?

Emperor of Eastlyn, the supreme ruler—whatever he wanted to do, who could stop him?

She didn’t regret what happened at Destiny Cliff, either. Her only sorrow was failing to save Vincent Su. If only Vincent Su hadn’t died...

Serena looked up at the carriage roof, blinking back tears so she wouldn’t alarm Feng Jin and Ethan Su Wenhang.

But no matter how hard Serena tried, Feng Jin and Ethan Su Wenhang were still frightened. As soon as they entered, they could tell Serena’s mood was off.

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Feng Jin didn’t really understand, but seeing Serena so withdrawn, he clung to her hand and nestled close, calling her 'Big Sister' over and over to distract her.

Ethan Su Wenhang was old enough to understand a little about what was happening between Serena and Prince Nolan, though like everyone else, he didn’t know the whole truth.

"Big Sister Serena." Ethan Su Wenhang tugged at her hand and asked tentatively, "Are you and Prince Nolan separating because of my brother’s death?"

"No." Serena stroked Ethan Su Wenhang’s head, her face full of affection.

Ethan Su Wenhang breathed a sigh of relief. "I’m glad it’s not because of that. My brother wouldn’t want to see you unhappy because of him." Mentioning Vincent Su made Ethan’s mood sink as well; he’d wanted to comfort Serena, but ended up needing comfort himself.

Sun Sixing sat in the corner, not knowing what to do. He could only stare at Feng Jin, hoping Feng Jin would be clever enough to cheer up Serena and Ethan.

Unfortunately, little Feng Jin couldn’t understand the adult world at all. Faced with Sun Sixing’s silent plea, Feng Jin just blinked his big eyes, looking from Serena to Ethan, utterly confused and adorably clueless. Serena and Ethan both ended up staring at him.

"Ah..." Feng Jin had no idea why everyone was looking at him, so he kept his eyes wide and played innocent. Serena smiled, pulled Feng Jin onto her lap, and pressed her forehead to his. "Thank goodness you’re here with us. Seeing you helps us get through any sorrow."

Feng Jin burst out laughing, his giggles lightening the sadness inside the carriage...