Thank-You Gift and Punishment for a Disobedient Child

"Hm? Did I say something wrong? Does Serena like to do things in the study? If you insist, I suppose this prince could reluctantly oblige you here, just to satisfy your needs."

Prince Nolan bit Serena's earlobe, his large hand sliding lower. Startled, Serena nodded frantically, just about to promise anything for her freedom when the steward's voice sounded at the door: "Your Highness, it's getting late. It's time for the evening meal."

Even though Prince Nolan couldn’t see him, the steward still maintained perfect posture—bowed low, with a respectful yet humble smile, standing calmly at the door. In his heart, he praised himself for being a dutiful steward: knowing his master was angry, he’d deliberately used the excuse of dinner to ease the tension between the two lords.

But he hadn’t expected…

"Get out!" Prince Nolan’s furious roar came from inside. Just as he was about to get Serena’s promise, someone interrupted—no wonder he was so angry.

Uh…

The steward froze at the door, feeling as if a flock of crows flew overhead—he wished he could just die on the spot. Knowing he’d ruined his master’s good moment, he hurried away, but not before shooting a resentful glare at where the hidden guards were stationed. The hidden guard happened to be rolling his eyes skyward.

Serena burst into laughter, collapsing helplessly. While Prince Nolan was fuming, she nimbly jumped down from the desk and escaped his clutches.

Just when the prize was within reach, the mood was ruined. Even if he caught her again, it wouldn’t taste the same—and even if he did, it wouldn’t have that flavor anymore.

Prince Nolan cursed the steward a thousand times in his heart, but his face stayed cold and tight. He stepped forward and scooped up Serena from a short distance away: "Come here."

"I'm hungry." Serena pressed both hands to her chest, looking wary, her eyes darting to the desk behind Prince Nolan—afraid he might try something again. As for doing things on the desk, she doubted she could handle that.

Afraid Prince Nolan wouldn’t believe her, Serena quickly added, "I haven’t eaten all day—I’m really starving."

"Pop." Prince Nolan flicked Serena on the forehead. "What are you thinking? I was only helping you straighten your clothes—why are you so flustered? You’ve only been hungry for a day; I’ve endured more than three months. If you’re truly desperate, I’d be happy to feed you right here."

This was flirting—blatant, shameless flirting, and with a heavy dose of innuendo. But still…

Prince Nolan’s face remained cold, his whole aura screaming restraint—so ascetic it made people afraid to look at him the wrong way.

He was just too bad!

Serena punched Prince Nolan’s chest, but he didn’t budge at all—while she only managed to hurt her own hand.

So unfair, so unfair! She was the doctor—the one who understood the human body—so why was she always the one getting teased? Why was she always the one blushing?

Was Prince Nolan just too much, or was she too conservative? Serena ground her teeth—she had to win back a round, or she’d lose too much face. Once her clothes were in order, she shoved Prince Nolan away and darted to the door, determined to keep her distance from that wolf.

"Come here." Prince Nolan beckoned to Serena; right now, it was inconvenient for him to move.

"No way." Serena smoothed her messy hair—she wasn’t about to serve herself up to the wolf.

"Disobedient children have to be punished." Prince Nolan threatened, but didn’t step forward.

"As if I’m scared of you." Serena tossed her head with pride, then immediately opened the study door, ready to slip away.

A rush of cold wind blew in, making Serena shiver. One foot already out the door, she suddenly paused, turned back with a brilliant smile: "Ninth Uncle, I’ll personally deliver your thank-you gift—just wait~~"

As she finished, her gaze slid suggestively down to Prince Nolan’s lower body.

Perfect—a little tent was pitched!

This man wasn’t all that generous—he was just better at pretending than she was. On this front, they were both beginners; neither was much ahead of the other.

Without the slightest hesitation, Serena strode out, taking a deep breath—sure enough, the air outside was fresher. The air in that study was just too stifling; it had even made her blush.

Prince Nolan watched Serena’s figure recede into the distance, then glanced down at his unruly little brother and sighed. Ignoring it, he snapped his fingers: "Clean up."

He walked out as if nothing had happened.

He really hadn’t meant anything by it just now—he was only teasing Serena in return. But now, he actually did want something.

If he remembered correctly, he’d been abstinent for over three months. That long without relief was bad for the body—no wonder he’d been so irritable talking with the Emperor at the palace today. Turns out he’d just been holding back too long.

Prince Nolan paused beside a tree. "Pass down my order: clear out Jadebrook Pool—everyone not involved, leave. I’ll be using it tonight."

No one answered—only the leaves rustled. After Prince Nolan left, a pale yellow leaf drifted down, floating gently to the ground. Once his figure was out of sight, the leaves fell even faster, branches knocking against each other in the still air…

By the time Prince Nolan arrived, Serena was already eating. She hadn’t noticed how hungry she was until she smelled the food—she hadn’t had a bite since coming into the city last night, and now her stomach was protesting loudly.

The old steward knew he’d messed up badly earlier—ruining his master’s good moment—so now he busied himself serving dishes to Serena, hoping to make up for it.

When Prince Nolan came in, the steward only glanced up briefly and told a nearby servant, "Quick, serve the prince his meal."

Serena was still thinking about the study incident and refused to acknowledge Prince Nolan, sipping her soup in small mouthfuls to warm her stomach.

There weren’t many maids in Prince Nolan’s manor, and even fewer allowed to serve him directly. At this moment, aside from Serena, there wasn’t a single woman in the dining room.

Of course, this was intentional on the steward’s part. Don’t let his age fool you—his eyes were sharp. Right now, flattering Serena was the only way to avoid punishment.

Prince Nolan raised an eyebrow, glancing at Serena, who was eating happily, then fixing his gaze on the steward. The steward shivered, his hand trembling so much he nearly spilled sauce on the table.

"Steward, Uncle, I can do it myself—you don’t need to trouble yourself." Serena really wasn’t used to someone serving her food, but she couldn’t refuse the steward’s earnestness.

But actually, the steward didn’t give her a chance to refuse—he insisted on serving her, so now, finding an opening, Serena hurriedly urged him to go rest.

The steward wouldn’t hear of it. Forcing himself to stay calm, he placed the dish in Serena’s bowl, set down his chopsticks, and stepped back: "Miss Feng, it’s my duty to serve you. If you think I’m clumsy, I’ll fetch a younger servant instead."

"No, that’s not necessary," Serena quickly refused. "I can eat by myself—I’m just not used to having someone serve me."

"It’s fine—after a while, Miss Feng, you’ll get used to it." The steward smiled. If Serena had turned around, she’d have seen he kept his head down, not daring to look at Prince Nolan.

Serena understood the steward’s little schemes without even turning around. But she could barely protect herself—how could she protect him? All she could do was eat quietly, occasionally sneaking glances at Prince Nolan, secretly wishing he’d forget all about that ‘thank-you gift.’