I Will Wait for You as Long as You Remain Unmarried

House Cui was moved; Sean Xuan's face was deathly pale. Ninth Royal Uncle had reaped a bountiful harvest this trip—his aims achieved, he saw no reason to linger. Dusting off the memorials at his waist, Prince Nolan rose to his feet.

"It's getting late. I won't disturb Young Master Holden's recovery any longer."

At last, this living Buddha was leaving—Serena nearly wanted to jump for joy, hurrying forward to escort him out.

Damn, Ninth Royal Uncle was a walking bomb—terrifying. If he stayed any longer, Serena really feared even Simon Sun wouldn't escape his grasp. This man was born a schemer, a master of manipulation; he'd sell you off and you'd still help him count the money.

Serena's eagerness to send him off clearly irked Prince Nolan. He paused mid-step, then turned to ask her, "What is it? You can't bear to see me go?"

Of course not...

Serena nearly blurted it out, but when she met Prince Nolan's icy gaze, she shivered and forcibly swallowed the words.

She managed a stiff smile and, gritting her teeth, said, "I still have to go to the Free Clinic later. I wonder if Ninth Royal Uncle would care to accompany me?"

Fine, you won't leave? Then come down to the grassroots with me. I want to see what tricks you can pull in front of so many people at the Free Clinic.

Alright, Serena had found Prince Nolan's soft spot. With his current status, going to the Free Clinic was inappropriate; not only would the Emperor be wary, but the common folk would gossip, which would harm his future plans.

At last, the girl had grown clever. Prince Nolan looked at Serena with genuine satisfaction. "Since you invite me so warmly, of course I’ll accompany you…"

Wait—he’s really going?

Serena shook her head frantically, staring at Prince Nolan in alarm and taking three steps back. Surely he knew what it meant to show up at the Free Clinic now—was he out of his mind?

Ahem, as it turns out, Prince Nolan never loses his mind. So...

Serena's worries were completely unnecessary. With a sudden shift in tone, Prince Nolan refused, saying he didn't want to trouble the refugees or the soldiers.

Serena let out a huge sigh of relief. That devil—he'd die if he didn't scare people half to death.

Grinding her teeth, Serena stopped talking to Prince Nolan and diligently escorted him out. Only when his entourage was far away did she finally relax, leaning against the doorpost and gasping for breath, as if she'd just fought a war.

Sean Xuan stood quietly to the side, took out a handkerchief, and handed it to Serena. She accepted it with a word of thanks. After wiping her sweat, she was about to return it, but seeing it was dirty, she felt a bit embarrassed and kept it back. "I'll wash it and give it back to you later."

"It's fine, just a handkerchief. The doorway's chilly—let's go inside." Sean Xuan seemed to have recovered from Prince Nolan's pressure, his expression back to normal. Serena glanced at him, nodded, and headed in.

Good, as long as you're alright!

All the way, neither of them spoke. Both were thinking about what Prince Nolan had said to Master Marcus Wynn in the sickroom.

Prince Nolan might not have told the whole story, but he definitely spoke the truth. He had no reason to lie about this. And saying it in front of Sean Xuan wasn’t to show off or humiliate him.

What Prince Nolan said to Master Marcus Wynn in the sickroom was partly to probe House Cui, but mostly to warn Sean Xuan, to pressure him and make him uneasy.

After all, if a normal person hears their opponent openly declare, right to their face, that they’ve united a bunch of forces to attack them, of course they’d be angry and anxious—scrambling to mobilize troops and prepare for the assault.

Prince Nolan was trying to throw Sean Xuan off his game—he wanted to break him.

This wasn’t some secret plot—it was an open scheme, a trap you’d jump into even knowing it’s a trap. Serena worried Sean Xuan couldn’t handle the pressure, but now it seemed she’d overthought it.

Ahem... Serena hadn’t overthought it—Sean Xuan was just masking it too well. With that kind of bombshell dropped, how could he not be worried? If he weren’t, he wouldn’t be human.

Sean Xuan had always hidden his feelings well. If he hadn’t acted strangely by walking into the courtyard, Serena never would’ve noticed he was distracted.

Usually, after escorting Serena to the courtyard gate, Sean Xuan would stop and watch her go in. But today, he didn’t stop—he kept walking forward.

Sigh...

Serena sighed. "Young Palace Lord, if you're worried, you should return to Skyvault Palace."

"Huh?" Sean Xuan stopped in his tracks, looking a little lost. When he took in his surroundings, his gaze cleared. "Sorry, that was rude of me."

Without another word, Sean Xuan turned to leave. He ignored Serena’s protests and insisted on walking by her side. The two had an unspoken rule: he couldn’t disturb Serena, couldn’t cross any lines—he would simply protect her like a guard.

Only this way could Serena barely accept his presence. So when Sean Xuan realized he’d gone too far, he immediately stepped back. But if Serena just watched him leave, she’d be truly heartless.

Serena hurried over and blocked Sean Xuan’s path. "Young Palace Lord, what Prince Nolan said today is absolutely true. If you want to save Skyvault Palace, you have to act."

Sigh, is this the price Sean Xuan pays for protecting her all this time?

From what Prince Nolan said today, Serena understood that if not for Sean Xuan’s status as her fiancé, with Prince Nolan, William Wang Jinling, and Prince Terrence Valen joining forces, Skyvault Palace would already be history.

Don’t doubt it—when Prince Nolan and Prince Terrence join forces, it’s basically two nations allied. Add William to the mix, and that power is anything but ordinary.

"Even if I do nothing, Skyvault Palace will still exist." Obviously, Sean Xuan knew this too. But that was exactly what made him furious.

It’s charity!

Prince Nolan and the Grand Heir’s so-called charity—did they really think he couldn’t defend Skyvault Palace himself?

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"But that’s not what you want, Young Palace Lord. Go back—don’t waste your time and energy on me. It’s not worth it." Serena had said this countless times, but Sean Xuan just wouldn’t listen.

Kingdom and beauty—first the kingdom, then the beauty. Without a kingdom, how can you protect the one you love? Serena was sure this time she could convince Sean Xuan.

Sean Xuan had his pride too. He would never rely on anyone else to protect Skyvault Palace. Serena believed he’d never just sit and wait for Prince Nolan and the Grand Heir to hand him whatever was left after their victory.

"You’re worth it! You’re worth it!" Clearly, Serena had underestimated Sean Xuan. He did want to return and take charge of Skyvault, but he couldn’t let go of her—so he’d been distracted just now.

"No, I’m not." Serena shook her head. Seeing Sean Xuan’s stubborn denial, she continued, "Young Palace Lord, there’s no way for us. I’ll never marry you—and I’ll never marry anyone else, either."

Never marry, not just not marry you—Serena’s decision was absolute.

"Why?" Serena had said this before—Sean Xuan had just let it go. But this time, he asked again, startled by the gravity and determination in her eyes.

"Because…" Serena bit her lip, a flash of embarrassment in her eyes. Did she really have to say it? She didn’t care that much, but saying it out loud still felt awkward.

As Serena struggled, Sean Xuan considerately took a step back. "If you don’t want to say it, then don’t. It’s alright."

"It’s nothing—I just don’t know how to say it right now." Serena released her lip and forced a smile. "Young Palace Lord, have you heard the rumors about me losing my chastity before marriage?"

"I’ve heard them." Sean Xuan’s heart clenched—could the rumors be true?

"They’re true." Serena closed her eyes and said it calmly.

Her heart ached.

Sean Xuan stepped back, face pale, pupils contracting sharply. He never imagined the rumors were true. He felt moved and heartbroken for the woman before him.

Voice choked, Sean Xuan said, "Serena, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care. Let the past stay in the past—everything will be alright."

Sean Xuan was frustrated and full of self-blame, aching for Serena—and secretly hated himself for coming too late.

"Young Palace Lord, it’s not what you think." Serena didn’t open her eyes, but she knew Sean Xuan’s expression. That’s why she didn’t know how to begin. But if she didn’t speak, Sean Xuan would never give up. Before, it didn’t matter, but now it did—she couldn’t keep dragging him along.

Serena took a deep breath and said again, "Young Palace Lord, it was my own choice. I have someone I love—someone I truly love."

Hoo...

Hearing Serena say that, Sean Xuan felt a little better. Willingly was better than by force, though he still felt a pang of disappointment. Thinking of that man’s expression, Sean Xuan asked, "Is that person Prince Nolan?"

"Yes." Serena’s answer was firm, telling Sean Xuan she didn’t regret it.

No wonder... No wonder that man had so forcefully declared his claim, no wonder he never saw Sean Xuan as a rival—so that’s why...

He’d already won Serena’s heart.

So unwilling!

"Serena, he can’t marry you." Sean Xuan wasn’t slandering Prince Nolan—he was stating a fact. If Prince Nolan could marry Serena, things wouldn’t be like this between them.

"I know. That’s why I said I’ll never marry anyone." Because the one she most wanted to marry never would.

After Serena said that, what could Sean Xuan do? All his bitterness and unwillingness had to be swallowed—he’d set his sights on Serena early, but still arrived too late.

But could he just give up like this?