Serena Feng knew that falling into Prince Rowan's hands would never end well for her. Today, even if she survived, she'd be skinned alive—Rowan had never once treated her with courtesy.
After Princess Serenity left, Prince Rowan dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs, leaving only Serena Feng and himself on the path. This spot had been deliberately chosen by Princess Serenity—not secluded, but close to Radiant Hall, so aside from the Hall’s people, no one would normally pass by.
In other words, Serena was basically in a situation where crying for help would be useless—neither heaven nor earth would answer. Not even Ninth Royal Uncle, let alone the Crown Prince, would be able to find this place in time.
Once all the palace attendants had left, Prince Rowan still didn’t tell Serena Feng to rise, letting her keep kneeling at his feet.
Rowan lowered his gaze, watching Serena Feng—who, even kneeling on the ground, still radiated proud defiance—and suddenly realized how unfamiliar she was to him.
He had never really looked at Serena Feng, never taken the time to understand her. Every time they met, all he ever did was put her in difficult, humiliating situations.
He let Serena Feng be ruined by Yara’s schemes, her reputation destroyed; he watched her kneel outside his mother’s hall, barely clinging to life; he forced her to kneel at the city gate, exposed to the insults and blows of the commoners.
Serena Feng had endured his bullying to this point, never showing a trace of resentment. But Rowan knew full well that the grudge between them was set in stone; he’d never believed they could coexist peacefully, nor did he ever think Serena was a match for him.
Yet after all he’d done to her, when Serena learned he was injured, she still did her utmost to heal him, helping him recover faster than anyone else could.
He didn’t know Serena Feng well, but he did know she was someone who repaid kindness and held grudges. He assumed she had saved him because she loved him, so he spoke in the tone of a benefactor: “Serena Feng, I’ll take you as my side-consort.”