Nolan Drake couldn’t guess what Serena Feng was thinking, but he understood her pride—understood the nobility of a Phoenixfield Heiress, and the meaning of the mark on her back.
If a man is heartless, I’ll simply walk away. Most women can’t do that, but a Phoenixfield Heiress can. She can love someone with everything she has, but if her heart is wounded—even if she still loves him—she’ll let go without hesitation.
As the noble heiress of the Phoenixfield Clan, Serena Feng carries that same pride—even if she doesn’t know her true identity yet. The mark that first appeared on her back was a clear reminder to Nolan: she is a Phoenixfield Heiress.
If Nolan hadn’t reacted instantly and covered Serena’s eyes, she might have started to suspect something. The mark wasn’t dazzling, but it was striking enough to catch anyone’s attention.
The only pity was, when the mark appeared, Nolan was momentarily distracted—he didn’t get a clear look at it.
But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that Nolan understood: now that he had Serena Feng, had the Phoenixfield Heiress, he had to promise her exclusivity. Otherwise, this woman would leave him without looking back, using the sword on her back to cut every emotional tie.
“Serena, there will never be another woman. Never, for as long as I live.” That was his promise—a vow more important than any formal title.
A wife’s title can’t guarantee exclusivity, but this promise does.
Unfortunately, Nolan was utterly sincere, but Serena Feng didn’t believe him—not for a second.
Sweet words are nice to hear, but if you actually believe them, you’re just being foolish.
You actually trust what a man says in bed? What do you think I am—a fool?
Serena didn’t reply; she just let out a muffled laugh, curling up against Nolan like a lazy kitten.
The white cloth around Nolan’s waist was uncomfortable for her, but when he explained it was his training robe, Serena let it go—honestly, she didn’t dare think too much about it.
The room was silent, filled with a rare peace. Serena yawned, snuggled deeper into Nolan’s arms, and—thinking of how serious he usually was—teased him: “Nolan, in your heart, who am I to you?”
She might have lost the battle in bed, but she could at least make things tricky for him with words. Serena wondered if Nolan would spout some cheesy line, like ‘You’re my heart, my soul, the one I hold in my hands and keep on my lips.’
If Nolan were like her—someone who’d transmigrated from the modern world—he might even joke, ‘You’re my Youlemei, so I can hold you in my palm.’
Serena couldn’t help but laugh at the thought. The frustration she’d felt about missing her ‘first time’ faded away. Lying on Nolan’s chest, she didn’t care about the answer—this moment was so perfect, she just wanted to savor it, to remember it forever.
Serena’s question was casual, but Nolan answered with complete seriousness: “You’re my woman. My only woman. Serena, one day, I’ll give you everything you want.”
Nolan hugged Serena tightly, his fingers tracing back and forth on her skin as if sketching something.
He knew Serena still didn’t trust him, but that was fine—there was plenty of time ahead for them.
“Alright, I’ll remember what you said.” Whether it was true or not, Nolan’s answer made Serena genuinely happy. She hadn’t expected him to take her casual question so seriously.
No sweet talk, no coaxing her into bed—just a post-facto promise meant to soothe her anxieties about following him with no official status.
She never forgot that the man beneath her was the Ninth Prince—one step below the Emperor, above ten thousand others. If he wanted a woman, he only had to beckon, and beauties would flock to his bed, not caring about titles.
She felt oddly fortunate that he’d chosen her, and in this moment, was willing to treat her as his only one.
Nolan was so earnest that Serena lost her urge to tease him. Sleepiness washed over her, and she yawned lazily. Half joking, half serious, she said, “Nolan, you’d better remember what you said today. If you ever break your promise, it’s fine—I won’t hate you or get revenge. I’ll just leave, go far away, never see you again, and never give you another chance to hurt me.”
As soon as she finished, Serena fell asleep on Nolan’s chest. No matter how he moved, he couldn’t wake her—she had to enter the palace at dawn, and she was truly exhausted.
Nolan stared wide-eyed at Serena.
This woman, so carefree, could drop such a heavy statement and then just fall asleep. Did she not realize he’d lose sleep over it?
Leave?
Now that she belonged to him, leaving wouldn’t be so easy. The matching marks on their bodies were a natural perfect match—neither could truly escape the other.
Nolan hugged Serena tighter. In the darkness, his calm, deadpan eyes flashed with a cold light.
Serena Feng, no matter what happens, don’t even think about leaving. If death ever comes for you, it’ll be by my hand.
Nolan gently reached out and tapped Serena’s sleep acupoint—her body went limp, and this time she was truly out cold.
“Prepare hot water. I want to bathe. Have someone clean the room.”
In the darkness, several figures moved at once. Nolan rose, expressionless. Dawn was breaking outside; the world was gray and dim, but already visible.
Morning was almost here.