Whether to Stay Overnight Is a Very Serious Question

"Will you stay the night with me tonight?"

Those words were enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat. Serena Feng almost blurted out 'yes'—but...

Serena thought about the surgery scheduled for the day after tomorrow and stared silently at the ceiling.

Ninth Royal Uncle was no gentle soul. He'd devour her until there was nothing left—would she even have the strength to hold a scalpel when the time came?

Whether or not she stayed the night wasn't the main issue—the real problem was the chain reaction that would follow. This was a serious question, and she needed to think it through.

Ninth Royal Uncle wasn't in a hurry. With a beauty in his arms, what was there to rush for? Once she'd stepped into Ninth Prince Manor, leaving again wouldn't be so easy.

Time slipped quietly by. The study was already dim with its doors and windows shut, making it feel as if night had fallen. Seeing Serena's silence, Nolan spoke again: "Either you stay, or I escort you home myself."

His voice was low and slightly husky. Serena knew this man wouldn't back down.

"I have surgery the day after tomorrow—I'll be treating Victor Yun. I'll need to stand for more than ten hours." Serena didn't say yes or no; she tossed the dilemma back to Nolan.

Can you really bear to see me worn out?

"Tonight, I only care about what's in front of me," Nolan cut Serena off. She jumped in surprise and quickly pushed him away. "Don't get carried away."

"I never get carried away," Nolan replied smoothly, releasing Serena and standing up with her still in his arms. "It's getting late. Whatever you want to discuss, we'll talk after dinner."

Uh... After eating at Ninth Prince Manor, could she really leave? But at this moment, could she refuse?

Serena shot Nolan a resentful look, silently accusing him: You're so inconsiderate.

Nolan pretended not to notice and took Serena's hand, leading her outside.

He had never been the considerate type, nor did he ever inconvenience himself for others' comfort. So Serena could only swallow her pride and go along with him.

Just as Serena suspected, once she'd eaten at Ninth Prince Manor, there was no chance of leaving easily.

After dinner, Nolan went out for a walk, leaving Serena alone. She tried to slip away, but the steward intercepted her—and then...

Led by the maids, she bathed, changed, and got ready for bed.

As usual, the maids escorted Serena only to the courtyard gate, not daring to go further. She knew Nolan didn't allow women near his private quarters, so she didn't mind and went in to bathe alone.

Dragging her damp hair out of the bathroom, Serena found the room empty of servants. Used to being pampered, she had to pick up a dry towel and wring out her long hair herself.

Wringing out her hair was both a skill and a workout. Serena hadn't done it in ages, so it took her quite a while to get it dry. Just as she was about to go to bed, Nolan walked in, looking fresh and clean.

Seeing Serena sitting there in plain clothes, her long hair loose, waiting for him to return, Nolan's expression softened and his steps grew lighter.

Coming back to a living, breathing beauty instead of cold, empty air—there was nothing like it.

"I thought you'd gone home," Nolan said, playing innocent despite getting exactly what he wanted.

Serena wasn't one to back down. She shot right back, "I was just about to leave. Want to escort me?"

Nolan was momentarily stumped, then simply scooped her up by the waist. "It's dangerous out there at night."

"With you around, I'm not afraid," Serena replied, her back to Nolan so he couldn't see her smile.

"If you're not afraid, then I am," Nolan murmured, his lips brushing against Serena's neck. She laughed and dodged, asking, "Seriously, Ninth Royal Uncle, what are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of the dark..."

Nolan held Serena close, his hand sliding under her clothes. "I'm afraid of the dark—stay with me, keep me company."

"No..."

"No isn't an option..."

Nolan scooped Serena up in his arms and strode toward the bed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and when he laid her down, Serena tugged him down on top of her.

Serena kissed Nolan hard, then ordered with a lordly air, "Tonight, you have to serve me well."

"No need to rush, my lady. I promise to serve you to your satisfaction," Nolan replied, fully playing along as his lips met Serena's.

"Who's rushing?" Serena protested, twisting to push Nolan away, but he pinned her down so she couldn't move. Annoyed, she tried to kick him, only for her legs to be trapped by his.

"Alright, alright, my lady isn't rushing—I'm the one who's impatient. If you get anxious, I get anxious too." Nolan was utterly shameless, holding Serena's calves as he moved slowly against her. Soon, her cheeks were flushed again.

"Shameless," Serena grumbled, unable to stay angry.

Serena knew that no matter how bold she was about this, she was no match for this man when it came to intimacy.

"You're absolutely right, my lady. I have to be shameless to live up to your opinion." Nolan, ever shameless, reached out and stripped Serena's clothes off in no time...