Leaving Together, Impossible Not to Be Moved

What's wrong?

"You have the nerve to ask?" Seeing Nolan's utterly innocent face, Serena Feng wanted nothing more than to grab his cheeks and tug them hard in both directions, just to vent her frustration.

This man is just too shameless.

She tried to be considerate, knowing he was busy with official duties, but he still found ways to mess with her...

"Why should I be embarrassed?" Nolan asked with perfect composure. Seeing Serena grit her teeth, he mischievously added, "Or is it you who's embarrassed, Serena?"

"Me? Why should I be embarrassed? I'm perfectly fine! There's no name, no signature—who knows who you wrote it for?" Serena flared up, stubborn as ever, but the faint blush on her ears betrayed her true feelings.

Even with Serena's back to him, Nolan could easily imagine her expression. He chuckled softly, "Don't overthink it, Serena. I was just scribbling for fun, not writing it for anyone in particular."

Nolan took Serena's hand, scooped up a spoonful of bird's nest and fed himself, then scooped another spoonful and brought it to Serena's lips.

Serena opened her mouth and swallowed, then pinched Nolan hard at the waist. "Scribbling for fun? Who are you trying to fool? Hurry up and tell me—who did you really write it for?"

"Didn't you already figure it out, Serena?" Nolan teased her as he ate the bird's nest she fed him, enjoying every moment.

"Who knows? Just say it already." Even if she already knew, Serena wanted Nolan to admit it himself—otherwise, she'd feel embarrassed for assuming too much.

"Alright, alright, I'll say it. I'll say it, okay?" Nolan surrendered. After finishing the rest of the bird's nest, he set the empty bowl on the table, picked up the paper he'd written on, and placed it in front of Serena.

"Worry creeps in, sickly and slow; sleepless nights drag on and on. Inch by inch, longing turns to ash; I wish to kiss you, but fate never allows. Serena, who do you think I wrote this for?" After reciting these four lines, Nolan rested his head on Serena's shoulder, sounding aggrieved.

"How would I know?" Serena's face flushed deep red. She didn't want to break free from Nolan's embrace, but couldn't escape no matter how she tried. She hadn't expected him to recite the poem right in her ear.

Nolan pressed a kiss to Serena's neck and murmured, "Serena, how could you not know? I've always wanted to kiss you, but fate never lets me."

His scorching breath brushed her neck, and Serena felt a rush of heat shoot up from her lower belly, her cheeks burning. She was immensely grateful to be sitting with her back to Nolan; otherwise, she might have bitten him out of sheer frustration.

This man—writing it down was one thing, but actually reading it aloud? And then acting all aggrieved on top of that? Unbelievable...

"Serena, I—" Nolan started again when she didn't reply. Serena, annoyed, snapped, "Go away!"

"Serena, you're so cruel." Nolan bit her earlobe, and before she could protest, he softly recited the next four lines in her ear: "Each time I see you, my feelings grow; I long to bind myself to you alone. I want to ask my beauty's heart: Would you share my bed and grave, my life and death? Would you share my bed and grave, my beauty—will you?"

Of course she was willing.

No grand confessions, no fiery declarations of love, no promises to love you for a lifetime—only the vow to share the same bed and grave, simple but sincere.

How could she not be willing? Serena's nose stung; she sniffed and, half-ashamed and half-annoyed, smacked Nolan's leg. Her voice was hoarse: "You... honestly... Do you have to make me feel this much?"

After surviving a harrowing assassination attempt during the day and hearing such a moving confession at night, anyone would be touched.

"I'm pretty great, aren't I?" Nolan smiled and hugged Serena tighter. "Since you didn't say no, it means you agreed. So, how about leaving with me right now?"

It sounded like a joke, but Nolan's tone was utterly serious, leaving Serena unsure whether he was playing or truly meant it. She calmed herself and turned to ask, "Are you serious?"

"I never joke with you, Serena. I'm always serious." As soon as the topic turned serious, Nolan's demeanor changed completely—no trace of the teasing prince who whispered love poems in her ear.

He might want to kiss her, but now wasn't the time. He'd have to hold back—maybe even until the three-month deadline Serena had mentioned.

"Is it for the Crown Prince?" Serena believed Nolan truly meant to leave.

"Yes. The Emperor only wants my head. If I leave, the killers outside will follow. The Crown Prince can't be moved; he needs to stay here to recover. This place is hidden, but it's not foolproof. If they could find the villa, they can find this place too. For safety, I have to draw them away." Nolan rattled off his plan, then planted a quick kiss on Serena's cheek.

Yep, a little hardship pay.

Even when discussing serious matters, you can't forget what needs to be done.

"Enough with the teasing." Serena dodged and collapsed into Nolan's arms, giving him a playful glare. Nolan, though reluctant, straightened up and sat with full dignity.

Fine, no more teasing—he was all business now.

Watching Nolan instantly shift from a flirtatious, devilish prince to a stern, iron-blooded leader, Serena couldn't help but feel both annoyed and amused. He really embodied the saying: 'Drunk, he lies on a beauty's lap; sober, he rules the world.'

"Are you laughing at me?" Nolan grumbled, annoyed that he'd been so cooperative.

"How could I dare? Let's talk about how we're leaving." Serena obediently offered her red lips and planted a gentle kiss on Nolan's cheek to comfort him.

Only then was Nolan satisfied. He briefly explained his plan to Serena—complex, but she understood most of it. It didn't matter; all she needed to remember was the key point: stick close to Nolan, hold his hand tight, and never let go.

With the serious talk done, it was time to act. If they didn't move now, dawn would break and leaving would be much harder. No matter how unwilling Nolan was, he had to let go of Serena for now.

Nolan had arranged everything; apart from Zuo An, he wouldn't take anyone else. So Serena didn't need to worry about Simon Sun, the Crown Prince, or the others.

Nolan and Serena went to the Crown Prince's quarters and gave Simon Sun and the others a quick rundown of the current situation and his plan.

Nolan and Serena's departure wasn't about saving themselves—it was to draw the danger away so the Crown Prince and the rest would be safe.

Dr. Guile and Dr. Redwater understood Nolan's intentions. Risky as it was, it was still better than sitting here waiting to die. This place was no villa; if the Emperor's men found them, they wouldn't last even half an hour.

Luring away the assassins was the best strategy Nolan could choose.