Cold War, Self-Inflicted Wounds Do Not Move Me

Who was the traitor?

Not only Prince Nolan, but William Wang Jinling wanted to know the answer to this question. Unfortunately...

Precisely because both of them wanted to know, Holden Cui had no intention of telling: "Prince Nolan, Young Master William, this isn't the Cui clan's responsibility."

Although none of the three mentioned a trade outright, all understood that once Holden Cui revealed the Skyvault Palace Master’s Wife and her origins, he would be entitled to take Elaine Lane away.

"You may take her now." Not wanting to force the issue, Prince Nolan didn’t press further. Although it’s difficult to investigate events that happened at sea forty years ago...

Holden Cui had already laid things out so clearly—if Nolan still couldn’t find the answer, then his subordinates might as well not exist.

"Prince Nolan is as decisive as ever." Holden had expected him to pay a small price for this information, but to his surprise, Nolan didn’t mention it at all.

Prince Nolan raised an indifferent eyebrow: "The Cui clan is as stingy as ever." The meaning behind his words wasn’t just about this transaction; what he referred to, the Cui clan would have to figure out themselves.

Holden Cui smiled, not replying to Prince Nolan. As he prepared to leave with Elaine Lane, Holden finally saw Serena: "I thought something had happened to you."

Seeing Serena safe and sound, Holden was a bit surprised. The information he’d received had said Serena was injured.

It seems the intel wasn’t very accurate. Looks like I’ll have to retrain them when I get back.

"Thank you for your concern. I’m fine. Is she... the one you’re supposed to marry?" Serena, now aware of the Cui clan’s ambition, kept a measured distance from Holden Cui.

If nothing unexpected happens, they might become enemies in the future.

"You mean Miss Lane?" Holden Cui raised an eyebrow in surprise—since when did Serena care about a stranger?

"Yes." She felt for Elaine Lane—just an ordinary girl, too young to bear all this. The Cui clan was far too complicated.

Holden Cui shook his head. "No, she’s not marrying me. The future head of the Cui clan will never marry a Lan-clan descendant."

With these words, Holden revealed not only the Cui clan’s policy, but also his own future status. He’d never say this much to anyone but Serena.

The Cui patriarch always puts the clan’s interests first. The family will never allow their future head to have children with a Lan-clan descendant. Even the slightest risk must be crushed before it begins.

"Oh..." Serena acknowledged with a bitter smile.

It makes sense—the Cui clan would never let the future patriarch marry a Lan-clan descendant. If he fell for her, they’d lose both the bride and their advantage.

"You know her?" Holden Cui’s eyes grew serious. Even if Serena knew Elaine Lane’s identity, she shouldn’t know her, much less worry about her.

This was Elaine Lane’s first time leaving the Cui clan. Until now, she’d lived in that small courtyard, never meeting outsiders.

"I don’t know her. I just think she’s pitiful." Yes, truly pitiful. Had she been born a century earlier or later, she might have been a princess, not a pawn.

"Pitiful? Maybe..." Holden Cui was noncommittal. Compared to the rest of the Lan clan, Elaine Lane was lucky—at least she survived.

"Since you pity her, I’ll tell the servants to take good care of her." Holden Cui didn’t want to say more, but since Serena asked, he didn’t mind giving her this courtesy.

Holden Cui had seen Serena’s medical skills—someone like her might be useful someday.

"Thank you."

"It’s nothing." Holden Cui cupped his hands politely and left with graceful composure.

Serena stood there, watching Holden Cui and Elaine Lane leave, silently wishing Elaine good luck.

Only when they were out of sight did Serena turn around—only to find Prince Nolan standing behind her like a ghost. Serena froze for a moment, then stepped back and bowed slightly. "Prince Nolan."

That bow, that greeting—on the surface, nothing had changed. But the distance between them was clear. With one step back, they were just friends.

"Walk with me." Prince Nolan gestured outside the courtyard. Afraid Serena would refuse, he added, "It’s about your mother."

Serena really didn’t want to go, but Nolan’s last words changed her mind. She nodded, motioned for him to lead, then followed half a step behind.

William Wang Jinling stood off to the side, watching the two leave one after the other, a faint smile on his lips as he turned back inside.

He hoped that when Serena and Prince Nolan returned, things would be back to normal. This tension was hard on all three of them.

Prince Nolan slowed his pace several times, but Serena matched him, making it clear she didn’t want to walk side by side.

This was Serena’s way of telling Prince Nolan she was taking back her boldness, returning to her proper place. She’d behave and stay in her lane.

Prince Nolan had no choice but to speak. "Serena, it’s over now."

"Mm." Serena replied.

"You said you wouldn’t hold it against me this time." In other words, you promised not to keep fighting with him.

"Yes."

"Serena..."

"Mm."

"There won’t be a next time." Prince Nolan stopped and turned to Serena. As if she’d expected it, she stopped too, keeping a step between them. "I understand."

"So, shouldn’t we make up now?" Prince Nolan asked, almost pleading. Even half a day of coldness felt unbearable—Serena’s indifference made him feel shut out, as if getting close to her was impossible.

Serena laughed coldly, meeting his gaze, her eyes icy. "Prince Nolan, if I stabbed you, then healed you, would that mean I never stabbed you at all?"

The incident was over, but the hurt remained. She was human, not a god. She said she’d act like nothing happened, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

She could let go of their scheming, but not their lack of trust.

She acted like nothing happened because she still wanted this relationship. But the pain was real, and for now, she couldn’t go back to how things were. She wasn’t that heartless.

"If hurting me is what it takes for you to move on, then do it." At some point, a dagger appeared in Prince Nolan’s hand, which he offered to Serena.

Serena glanced at the dagger—it was sharp enough to draw blood with the slightest touch. But what did that matter to her?

She didn’t take the dagger. Instead, her voice dripped with sarcasm: "Prince Nolan, playing the victim won’t work on me. Don’t bother with these tricks. Now—tell me about my mother. If you don’t want to, forget it. I’m tired. I’m going back."

With that, Serena turned and walked away, leaving Prince Nolan standing alone.

Some people need a lesson, or they really think they’re gods. But even gods mean nothing to her if she refuses to believe.