Blood, Enter the Tiger’s Den to Catch the Tiger

Although Moonwatch Nunnery isn't particularly famous, its rose fields are truly remarkable. Every year, quite a few people come here for them—but only a select few know about this place, since it's spread by word of mouth. Besides, the Third Prince would never want too many visitors.

Moonwatch Nunnery is the Third Prince’s carefully designed stronghold. It’s never so deserted as to draw attention, nor so popular that it becomes suspicious. Among hundreds of temples, Moonwatch Nunnery is so ordinary that you’d never notice anything special about it.

Its roses are so prized that Moonwatch Nunnery is famous among the noblewomen’s circles. The fields here aren’t just vibrant—they’re abundant. Whether in variety or sheer number, these roses are unmatched anywhere in the Capital.

Standing outside the flower fields, unable to see their edges, Serena took a deep breath. The scent of roses filled the air, and she couldn’t help but break into a radiant smile. “It’s beautiful.”

How long had it been since she’d felt this relaxed?

“As long as you like it.” Prince Nolan stood behind Serena, keeping a full ten feet between himself and the roses. He watched as she walked toward the flower fields, making no move to follow.

Even though he’d taken his allergy medicine in advance, Prince Nolan still had no intention of approaching. He wasn’t interested in the flowers—he’d brought Serena to admire them, but he was content to admire her instead.

“Mm, I really do like it. It’s gorgeous here.” Serena didn’t get too close to the flowers either. She worried about pollen clinging to her, which might make Prince Nolan uncomfortable if they stood too near each other.

Prince Nolan stood smiling, his eyes following Serena. The hard lines of his face softened noticeably. In the shadows, the hidden watchers observing this scene finally breathed a little easier.

From the look of Prince Nolan and Serena, it really did seem like they’d come just to admire the flowers…

Serena walked a few steps around the flower fields before quickly losing interest. Just as Prince Nolan had said, she wasn’t someone who cared much for flowers and plants. Flower viewing was just a novelty for her. If Nolan was with her, it would be different, but wandering alone—even in a sea of blossoms—couldn’t hold her attention.

"I'm hungry. Let’s go back." Serena brushed off her clothes and started heading back.

She was worried about getting pollen on herself—Nolan would be uncomfortable if that happened.

“You’re done looking? Did you see which one was the most beautiful?” Prince Nolan hadn’t forgotten what Serena said before—he’d promised to pick a rose for her with his own hands.

“Any rose you pick for me will be the most beautiful.” The roses here were stunning, especially the red ones—so vivid and dazzling, every single bloom was beautiful.

“Alright, just wait here.” Prince Nolan didn’t say anything more. With a light push off his toes, he flew straight toward the center of the flower field.

His movements were light and graceful, like a startled swan—within the blink of an eye, he was standing atop the sea of flowers.

So handsome.

That’s what ‘as graceful as a startled swan, as fluid as a dragon’ really means.

Serena’s eyes sparkled, her heart and mind filled with Nolan. She wished she could capture this moment forever.

Prince Nolan was always perceptive—he couldn’t possibly miss the heat in Serena’s gaze. While choosing a flower, he turned and flashed her a brilliant smile…

Buzz—Serena felt her mind go completely blank, staring at Nolan as if nothing else existed in the world.

How could a man possibly look this good?

Bathed in sunlight, standing atop a sea of red blooms, with roses covering the entire hillside—Serena was at a loss for words. Her heart raced wildly; she wanted nothing more than to rush into Nolan’s arms before someone else could steal him away.

Unfortunately, the moment passed in a flash. Nolan leaned down, balancing lightly on the flowers, and bent to pick the rose he’d chosen.

The rose had thorns. Even though Nolan was careful, he couldn’t avoid getting pricked—a bead of blood welled up from his finger and fell into the soil, disappearing almost instantly.

Nolan stared thoughtfully at the rose in his hand, then turned and headed back.

He walked across the flowers without damaging a single petal. He might not care for flowers, but he still cherished them.

“For you.” Nolan was quite pleased by the look of utter fascination on Serena’s face. He handed her the rose, and couldn’t resist brushing a quick kiss across her lips.

To be kissed by Nolan in public—Serena blushed bright red. But she couldn’t bring herself to scold him. She accepted the flower, her clear eyes shy and inviting, her whole face sweet with happiness.

"I really like it." The vivid red rose made Serena look even more radiant than the flower itself. Dew still clung to the petals, and when she brought it close, a faint fragrance lingered in the air. Looking at the rose in her hand, Serena’s heart brimmed with happiness—except…

"Why is this rose so red?" Earlier, seeing the whole field from a distance, she’d thought they were bright, but up close, the one in her hand seemed almost unnaturally vivid.

"Maybe it’s because it grew in the center. The ones in the middle are always brighter and more intense than those at the edges." Even though it was just a moment, Nolan had seen clearly enough.

"I see…" For some reason, Serena felt uneasy about the flower. She remembered the saying that roses watered with human blood bloom more brightly, and half-joking, half-serious, she shared it with Nolan.

As soon as Nolan heard that, he snatched the rose from Serena’s hand and flung it back into the flower field.

“Don’t keep this one. I’ll find you better flowers in the future.”

"Huh? Is there something wrong with it?" Serena was startled, but also relieved—Nolan had already removed the thorns, or she would’ve pricked her own finger.

"Maybe you’re right—maybe it really was watered with human blood to make it so vivid and beautiful. Either way, don’t keep it." Nolan’s face returned to its cold, frosty mask, even harsher than before.

Serena knew Nolan wasn’t joking. She lost all interest in flowers and asked seriously, “Are you saying there’s something wrong with Moonwatch Nunnery?”

"Yes." If there wasn’t, why would I bring you here?

"Ah… no wonder. I was wondering why you’d suddenly take me out." Serena’s good mood vanished, once again feeling like her life was a bit of a tragedy.

Loving a man so devoted to his work was just like this—his career would always come first, and being second in his heart was already a miracle.

"Don’t be upset. Once this is all over, I’ll take you to the villa for a getaway. The lotus flowers there are about to bloom." Compared to roses, Nolan thought plum blossoms suited Serena better. He’d given her plum blossoms before, but she’d never seemed this happy.

He really couldn’t understand what was so special about roses—so many thorns, and so gaudy.

"The villa?" Serena pictured Nolan drifting toward her in a little boat, surrounded by endless lotus blossoms.

It was a beautiful scene—except for the part where Nolan tapped her on the head with his flute, which wasn’t so lovely…

Smack—"What are you thinking about?" Seeing Serena lost in thought, Nolan tapped her head to snap her out of it. Moonwatch Nunnery was full of danger; she couldn’t afford to be distracted.

"Don’t hit my head—I’ll get stupid!" Serena shot Nolan a playful glare, half joking, half genuinely complaining: "It’s your fault I’m so dumb now. You sold me out and made me count the money for you!"

Nolan understood Serena was talking about Moonwatch Nunnery and felt a bit awkward as he explained, "When did I ever sell you out? I just didn’t want you to worry."

He could never bear to sell Serena out. It was just convenient—otherwise, coming to Moonwatch Nunnery alone would make his third brother suspicious. As for now…

His third brother was probably restless and indecisive by now. After all, this trick was perfect for confusing the enemy—his third brother would never suspect that Nolan would knowingly walk into danger.