A woman's fate is tied to two families in her lifetime: her birth family and her husband's. After marriage, her natal clan's influence matters, but so does the respect she receives from her husband's house. If her husband's family values her, her status will naturally rise.
If Princess Yara can win Prince Adrian's sympathy and attention, with her skills, she could thrive in Eastlyn just as easily. Otherwise... she would be nothing but a hollow princess—famous in name, but powerless in reality.
Seeing how much Prince Adrian cared about the lost child, Prince Terrence decided to help Princess Yara win his sympathy.
Losing the child was also an opportunity. If the child had survived, being conceived before marriage, it might not have earned Prince Adrian’s favor. But now—it’s different. What’s lost is always the most cherished.
Seeing Prince Adrian waver, Prince Terrence pressed on: "Your Highness, we kept Princess Yara’s pregnancy secret from her, afraid she’d overthink it. So she truly didn’t know she was expecting."
"How is that possible? How could she not know she was pregnant?" Prince Adrian was stunned, his anger fading a little.
Women care deeply about their children—it’s the foundation of their standing in their husband’s house. Maybe... Princess Yara really didn’t know.
Prince Adrian chose to believe it. Only this way could he feel a little better. Yara’s ignorance, leading to the loss of the child, was easier to accept than her refusing to bear his child. He couldn’t stand admitting his own failure.
Watching Prince Adrian’s reaction, Prince Terrence knew he’d succeeded. He kept singing Yara’s praises: "Why not? Princess Yara is a royal—how could she know these things? Her attendants manage everything. She did notice her body felt off, but we soothed her with the excuse of the upcoming wedding. She’s been busy learning embroidery, her mind elsewhere."
The more Terrence spoke, the more convincing he sounded. Sitting off to the side, Prince Titus couldn’t help but admire him—if he didn’t know the truth himself, he’d believe Terrence too.
After all, no woman could ever truly be cruel to her own child.
"So Yara really didn't know she was pregnant, and wasn't trying to use the child to frame Serena?" Prince Adrian believed it, but he still had doubts.
Prince Adrian wasn't hopelessly naive—Prince Titus nodded slightly.
No matter how clever he was, it didn't matter. Lyndaria would swear Yara had no idea she was pregnant; otherwise... the entire royal house would be in trouble.
"Your Highness, you should know how much children mean to a woman. Yara is a Lyndarian princess—would she risk her own child and body just to hurt Serena Feng? Right now, Yara's life hangs by a thread. Can you really accuse her of such things?" Prince Terrence played the doting brother to perfection: worry, anger, blame—he hit every note.
Just then, an imperial physician began to shout again, almost on cue. If Prince Titus didn't know he was sent by the Eastlyn Emperor, he'd suspect Terrence had bribed him to exaggerate Yara's condition.
"I..." Prince Adrian couldn't find words to argue, and Terrence didn't give him time to think. He switched tactics, looking guilty: "Your Highness, Yara may not have known, but I did. This is our royal family's fault. If you want to blame someone, blame us for not protecting her. Yara had nothing to do with it. If she learns she lost a child she never knew she had, who knows how devastated she'll be. If you keep blaming her, she might not want to live at all."
"I—I don't blame her. There will be other children." Prince Adrian closed his eyes, hiding his pain.
There will be other children.
"On Yara's behalf, I thank Your Highness for your understanding." A gleam flashed in Terrence's eyes as he sat back, satisfied.
Prince Titus sat there from start to finish, neither helping nor hindering. When Prince Terrence smoothed things over with Prince Adrian, Titus showed no expression. With Adrian's simplicity, it was only a matter of time before Yara and Terrence convinced him.
It looks like this time, Yara is ready to give up on Prince Rowan completely and cling to Prince Adrian.
Women—if you insist on relying on men’s strength, then even as a princess, you’ll end up pitiful. A woman should be like Serena: proud and independent, forging her own brilliant path in this superficial world.
The three men sat outside in silence, waiting for news from the imperial physician. No good news came—only a flustered physician running out to kneel before Prince Adrian.
Your Highness, Your Highness, the princess is in danger. If the child in her womb isn’t removed soon, her life may be at risk.
Then take it out!' Prince Adrian shouted, finally showing some princely authority.
Forgive me, Your Highness. I am powerless—the princess is unconscious and can’t assist. I truly have no way to remove the child.' The physician begged for mercy, dreading such cases but forced to step up.
Prince Adrian was about to curse, but Prince Terrence cut him off: “So what do we do now?”
Your Highness, please summon Serena Feng. Only she can save the princess now. Serena specializes in gynecology—she once single-handedly saved Lady Ning, Heir’s Consort, and her twins by extracting the fetus. If she could save Lady Ning, she can save Princess Yara. Please, send for Serena and ask her to save the princess.
Then hurry and go! Saving the princess comes first.' Prince Terrence ordered, looking so desperate he’d charge into fire if it meant saving Yara.
'Pfft...' Prince Titus spat out his tea.
Well, he’d only suspected the physician was Terrence’s man before, but now he was sure. If they hadn’t coordinated in advance, how could the physician be so “considerate” and push Serena forward so quickly?
Prince Terrence’s reach was long indeed—even the palace physicians were in his pocket. Was the Eastlyn Emperor inviting trouble into his own house?
But... but... I heard today is Serena Feng’s parents’ funeral. Will she even come if we go ask her?' The physician continued to “helpfully” suggest.
A life is at stake. Serena is a doctor—she has a compassionate heart. She’ll definitely come to save Yara. Right, Prince Adrian?' This is Terrence’s cleverness: he makes his idea sound like Adrian’s, forcing him to agree.
Yes, a doctor’s heart is like a parent’s. Serena is so kind—she’d never let someone die if she could help it.' In Adrian’s mind, Serena was always noble, always stopping to help the sick.
He fell right into Terrence’s trap.
Prince Adrian is right—Serena will definitely save Yara. But today is special, so to show respect, we should all go ask Serena together. I’m sure she won’t refuse.
Alright...' Adrian was completely led by Terrence.
Alright, my foot!
Prince Titus wanted to interrupt, to stop Prince Adrian from being duped and even helping Prince Terrence count his money. But he couldn’t—as Yara’s brother, standing up would mean ignoring Yara’s life, showing no sibling affection.
Watching Prince Terrence drag Prince Adrian outside, Prince Titus sighed—Yara’s self-sacrifice finally worked. He just hoped Serena could withstand the pressure; if not, she’d have to endure and help Yara by removing the child.
If Yara really died like this, it wouldn’t be good for anyone.
Prince Terrence and Prince Adrian arrived right on time. Serena had just sent off Prince Nathan of Southlyn and the others when the two burst into Feng Manor, ignoring servants’ attempts to stop them.
Serena! Serena! Help!
Where’s your mistress? Hurry and take us to her.' Prince Terrence stayed calm, grabbing a servant to lead the way.
What happened?' Serena looked tired. Seeing Prince Terrence and Prince Adrian rush in, she guessed it was about Yara, but played dumb.
Serena, a doctor’s heart is like a parent’s. I know your skills and your compassion. I hope you won’t hold a grudge against Yara—she knelt before your parents to apologize today. Please save her.' Prince Terrence’s words made it so that if Serena refused, she’d seem cold-blooded.
As for the earlier drama, he only mentioned what benefited Yara.
Prince Adrian nodded repeatedly: “Serena, Princess Yara miscarried—the fetus is still inside her. If you have a way, please save her.”
After all, she’d once carried his child—of course Prince Adrian would be concerned.
So, you two came to ask me to save Princess Yara?' Serena understood their intent and laughed, asking in return.
Yes, please—Yara’s life is in danger, she’s lost her child. Please save her.' Prince Terrence was clever, playing the sympathy card even better than Yara.
Right now, Yara was in a pitiful position.
Hahaha... Crown Prince Terrence, you’re hilarious! Why should Yara’s life or her lost child concern me? Did I cause her suffering? Is the child mine? Why should I save her?' Had she been too accommodating, making everyone think she’d always repay evil with kindness?
Because you’re a doctor.
Just because I’m a doctor, I have to save her? Are you sure you want me to? Save her? Hmph... Not killing her is kindness enough.
Their eyes met, sparks flying. Prince Terrence stared at Serena provocatively.
Whether Serena saved her or not, he wouldn’t lose. If she saved Yara, it was expected; if not, the Eastlyn and Lyndarian royal families would blame her.
Serena understood this logic, but she resented it—resented being forced to save Yara.