Marriage, A Beauty at His Side Can Only Be Imagined

The truth about Prince Terrence Valen's death was known only to Prince Nolan, Serena, and Dorian Owen. To everyone else, Terrence was simply a coward who ran away.

Adrian Eastlyn and Prince Damien of Southlyn weren’t unwilling to charge into the Miasma Forest and capture Terrence alive, but after losing a large number of men inside, both had to abandon the idea.

Each returned to their own country with Lyndarian prisoners, and neither forgot to spread word that Terrence had abandoned his own troops and fled with only his closest followers.

So, even though neither Adrian nor Damien captured Terrence and the campaign dragged on so long, they escaped major blame—everyone focused their anger on Terrence instead.

A prince who sacrifices his men and runs away alone earns no respect. At this point, even the Emperor of Lyndaria felt lucky he had deposed Terrence early—otherwise, the kingdom’s reputation would have suffered with his.

The happiest of all were the Princess Royal and the Empress of Lyndaria. Even if Terrence survived, his reputation was utterly destroyed. No matter how capable he was, a prince infamous for disgrace could never inherit the throne.

Barring surprises, the only one who could ascend the Lyndarian throne would be the Princess Royal’s unborn son.

The Empress valued the child in the Princess Royal’s womb even more than the Princess Royal herself. In her eyes, this was the child of the man she loved most—Master Ian Reed—and having his son become emperor pleased her more than seeing her own son crowned.

Because of Terrence’s complete defeat, those in Lyndaria who had been undecided now made up their minds. When imperial physicians confirmed the Princess Royal’s child was a boy, over seventy percent of ministers supported him; the remaining thirty percent backed Prince Titus Valen.

It wasn’t that Titus had won these ministers over—rather, they were upright conservatives who saw Titus as the Emperor’s true son and the legitimate heir. Now that Titus could walk again, he was the most qualified to inherit the throne.

Marriage alliances have always been the way princes build ties with the powerful—just look at Holden Cui.

"Titus does plan to marry. Even if he didn't want to, his Empress-mother would never let him off the hook." Prince Nolan looked up from the pile of documents, meeting Serena's gaze.

Honestly, he didn't really need Serena to help him with anything; he just didn't want her too far away from him.

Why couldn't she see it? He'd hinted so obviously—inviting Serena into his study wasn't about needing help with paperwork. What he really wanted was a beauty at his side to sweeten his study.

But this woman actually sat across from him, discussing official business like a strategist.

Prince Nolan felt like crying.

Maybe they'd spent too much time together—was Serena getting bored of him?

"Got any good candidates?" Serena showed zero interest in standing by Nolan's side grinding ink for him.

Red sleeves adding fragrance? That concept never existed in her head. After years in the military, she’d trained herself to resist curiosity and avoid anywhere near paperwork.

"I do." Nolan put away his little schemes and listed the candidates Titus himself had mentioned, plus a few he thought were decent.

Nolan knew the officialdom of every country inside out. The moment Titus’s marriage came up, he’d already had people investigate the families of every official above third rank.

Nolan recited them one by one. Serena listened intently; right now, the two of them were all business—handling affairs, discussing strategy. That 'beauty at his side' fantasy? Nolan could only keep dreaming.

"Civil and military families, sure, but with Titus’s current situation, marrying any official’s daughter won’t help. Even if he wants to, the Empress won’t agree."

Reading Master Ian Reed’s letter, Serena could see the Princess Royal held all the cards—most Lyndarian officials leaned toward her. Even if Titus married some top official’s daughter, it probably wouldn’t help much.

"Oh? So who do you think he should marry?" Nolan set down his pen, genuinely interested now.

Honestly, every candidate he’d named was excellent—yet somehow, none of them felt quite right. The more he thought about it, the harder it was to decide.

"Actually, the best bride for Titus would be Princess Serenity—but…" Serena trailed off.

It’s not just that Princess Serenity is already promised to Northlyn. After Princess Yara’s miscarriage and the resulting backlash from Eastlyn’s imperial family, there’s no way the Emperor would let Serenity marry into Lyndaria—even if she weren’t already engaged.

This chapter isn’t over yet ^.^—click next page to keep reading!

"I’ve considered it. Southlyn doesn’t have a suitable princess, and while Northlyn does, marrying a Northlyn princess is way too risky." Northlyn’s people are fierce, and their women are no exception. If Titus married a Northlyn princess, not only would he get no support, he’d end up subsidizing Northlyn.

Northlyn is just too poor.

"Why didn’t you save Charlotte Chu for Titus back then? She’d be perfect—marrying her is like winning the lottery."

Just look at Prince Jason—he’s gotten nothing but benefits since getting engaged to Charlotte Chu.

"Charlotte Chu won’t work. That woman’s ambition is too great." Nolan was even afraid she’d stir Titus up to rebel against him.

He still had backup plans in Lyndaria, but if he fell out with Titus, it’d cost him more than it was worth.

"You’re right. And if he married the city lord’s daughter, his Empress-mother would never allow it." Serena fell into deep thought.

As for the daughters of Lyndarian officials—even if Titus married one, it wouldn’t do him much good. Not every father is like Lord Harold Chase, willing to risk everything for his daughter. Most great clans don’t mind sacrificing married-out daughters, like the Wang Clan.

The Wang Clan, the Wang Clan…

Serena’s eyes lit up. She said happily, “I’ve got it—I know who he should marry.”

"Who?"

Mini-theater time:

Nolan: Serena, I promise to go with you on clinic visits, shopping trips, morning workouts, and walks every single day. You’ll control all the household money, and me too. If you point east, I’ll never let anyone hit west. Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you the moment you ask. If anyone bullies you, I’ll be the first to fight for you. I swear I’ll never change my heart, never argue, never divorce you… Marry me!

Serena: Not marrying!

Nolan: Why not? What’s wrong with me? I’m dignified in public, fierce in private—where else are you going to find a man this useful?

Serena: Useful…

Nolan: What, not useful enough?

Serena: Useful. Very useful!