After leaving Sutton Manor, Prince Nolan stood on the street, momentarily unsure where to go...
In front of Su Wenqing, Prince Nolan showed not a trace of anger at being betrayed, but in truth, he felt deeply unsettled inside.
Liancastle meant something different to him. Back then, surviving in Eastlyn had depended greatly on the people of Liancastle. He held a special affection for it, always believing it was his mother-consort’s legacy to him—a symbol of her care. Only now did he realize it was all a joke.
Liancastle had never truly been under his control. Its people were never truly loyal to him; they simply followed someone else’s orders and assisted him as a matter of duty.
To the Lan-line Old Guard, he was always an outsider. Their true Young Master was Jason Lan, never Eastlyn’s Prince Nolan.
Prince Nolan wandered the streets alone, directionless. In the darkness, no one could see his expression—only the cold aura that kept everyone at arm’s length.
Finally, he stopped in front of a manor. Looking up, he saw the words ‘Feng Manor’ on the gate. Prince Nolan smiled faintly: even his legs knew the way—wandering aimlessly, he had ended up at Feng Manor.
Since he was already at Feng Manor, Prince Nolan had no intention of turning back. He made a hand gesture to those following him to stay outside, then gathered his breath and vaulted over the wall into the estate.
The guards at Feng Manor were diligent, still patrolling late at night. But faced with Prince Nolan—a master of martial arts and intimately familiar with the estate’s defenses—they were little more than decoration.
Beanie and Left Shore did spot Prince Nolan’s shadow. Beanie nearly drew his sword, but Left Shore reacted quickly, grabbing Beanie: “If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you.”
Beanie rubbed his nose, reluctantly pulling his hand back.
It wasn’t easy to finally catch a legitimate chance to lecture Prince Nolan, and now it’s gone… So unfair, right?
Prince Nolan, familiar with the estate, made his way to Serena’s quiet courtyard, tapping lightly on the door before entering without waiting for a reply.
“Who’s there?” Serena woke, startled but not afraid—after all, anyone who knocked wouldn’t be an assassin.
“It’s me.” Prince Nolan answered as he closed the door.
“Prince Nolan? Why are you here?” Serena threw on a robe and got out of bed, about to light the lamp, but Prince Nolan stopped her: “Don’t turn on the light.”
His voice carried a hint of fragility. Serena frowned, carefully asking, “Prince Nolan, what’s wrong?” Something about his voice sounded off, almost hurt.
“It’s nothing. Just let me hold you.” Prince Nolan hugged Serena, burying his head at her neck, greedily absorbing her warmth.
Serena didn’t know what had happened, so she could only gently pat Prince Nolan’s back, comforting him like a child.
It seemed to work—soon, Prince Nolan’s emotions calmed. Leaning close to Serena’s ear, he whispered, “Did I bother you?”
“What do you think?” Serena didn’t answer directly, instead turning the question back.
Prince Nolan chuckled softly, pressing his forehead to Serena’s, their noses touching. “Since you’re awake, come walk with me.”
They were so close that Serena’s eyes widened, staring at Prince Nolan. The atmosphere was perfect—until he spoke, his breath tickling her face, making her squirm. Serena tried to turn away, but Prince Nolan held her still: “Don’t move.”
“That tickles, stop messing with me.” Serena pushed Prince Nolan away. “Didn’t you say we’d go for a walk? Wait for me, I need to change.”
“I don’t feel like going out anymore.” Prince Nolan pulled Serena closer with a subtle move, making her fall against him.
Serena was skilled, but no match for Prince Nolan. With a gentle tug, she lost her balance and ended up half-lying shamelessly in his arms.
“What are you doing?” Serena rolled over, showing her face.
“I’m in a bad mood, can’t you tell?” Prince Nolan looked serious, sincerely seeking comfort.
“I know. That’s why I’m taking you out for some air.” Serena patted Prince Nolan’s arm. “Good boy, let me change and we’ll go.”
Prince Nolan choked on the words “good boy.” Serena took the chance to escape his arms, grabbed her clothes, dressed in the dark, and quickly tied up her hair.
“Let’s go.” Serena took Prince Nolan’s hand and started toward the door. Prince Nolan wanted to pull her back and say he felt better now, but thought better of it and accepted her kindness.
With Prince Nolan leading Serena, there was no need to climb walls. Hand in hand, they left Feng Manor through the side gate, stepping onto the cold, dark street. The autumn wind sobered them both.
“Feeling better?” After walking a long street, Serena turned to Prince Nolan and asked.
Prince Nolan dodged the question: “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m upset?”
“If you want to talk, you will. If you don’t, asking will just make you lie to me. What’s the point?” Serena understood that Prince Nolan had many secrets, but she chose not to pry.
Hidden by the night, Prince Nolan had no reservations. He stared at Serena until she grew uncomfortable, then whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Serena had shared all her secrets with him, but he still held back, unable to tell her about his past.
“It’s fine. As long as you’re not secretly seeing other women, I can forgive you.” Serena said generously, unaware that her words weighed heavily on Prince Nolan’s heart.
“What if I really did have another woman?” Prince Nolan asked tentatively, his long lashes hiding his anxiety.
Serena took it as a joke, half serious and half playful: “Then I’d castrate you and go off on my own, forgetting you forever.”
“I’d never let you be alone.” Prince Nolan’s heart tightened. He hugged Serena: “Promise me, no matter what happens, give me a chance to explain.”
It wasn’t an unreasonable request. Serena agreed without hesitation: “Of course.”
The heavy weight in Prince Nolan’s heart lifted instantly, though his embrace tightened. “Thank you, Serena.”
“That’s only fair. If it were you, you’d give me a chance to explain too, wouldn’t you?” Love is a two-person affair, and it needs careful tending; reckless behavior only wears down feelings.
“Yes. I promise.” Prince Nolan solemnly vowed, tracing Serena’s face and features. Moved by her beauty, he whispered in her ear: “Serena, let’s have a child.”
He needed an heir. Everything that belonged to Prince Nolan, he would rather destroy than let it fall into the hands of schemers.