The more Serena Feng thought about it, the more wronged she felt. She yanked the blanket over herself, burying her whole body inside and curling up tightly—a classic sign of someone lacking a sense of security.
Prince Nolan’s hands froze as he undressed, bewildered by Serena’s behavior. Was she upset because of Zuo An?
Probably. Prince Nolan nodded knowingly, then acted as if nothing had happened. He took off his outer and inner robes, wiped his hands, and walked towards the bed.
Serena had wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, clearly refusing to let Prince Nolan sleep. He frowned slightly, unable to understand what she was so angry about—especially since he’d made a point of bathing before coming in.
Serena made it obvious she was upset. Prince Nolan hesitated, but didn’t push his luck. The scent of cosmetics on him was indeed strong, even he disliked it, so Serena surely wouldn’t like it either. He decided to wait until the smell faded before lying down.
So, Prince Nolan simply stood by the bedside, motionless.
With such a big man standing there, even though Serena kept telling herself to sleep—counting sheep up to a thousand and one—she still couldn’t fall asleep.
But even so, Serena ordered herself not to move, let alone turn around. This time, she was determined to make Prince Nolan take the initiative and explain himself, or the knot in her heart would remain.
Prince Nolan disliked contact with other women, but he still touched her. If it happened once, it could happen again—who knew where that heavy scent of cosmetics came from…
Serena wanted an explanation, but Prince Nolan refused. The two of them remained locked in a standoff all night—Serena lying awake in bed, Prince Nolan standing beside her, also sleepless. By morning, both looked haggard.
"Hmph..."
When Serena walked past Prince Nolan after getting up, she deliberately turned her face away, ignoring how ugly his expression was, and went straight to wash up and have breakfast.
Prince Nolan sniffed himself—the scent had faded to almost nothing. He tidied up and joined Serena for breakfast.
Seeing that Prince Nolan showed no guilt for having done anything wrong, Serena frowned and decided to ask. The stress from Zuo An yesterday, plus the unfamiliar environment, had made her a bit hysterical and irrational.
After breakfast, Serena cleared her throat and pretended to be casual: "Ahem, what happened last night?"
"Went to the Flower Boat to meet someone." Seeing Serena bring up last night again, Prince Nolan wasn't impatient and repeated his answer.
"Aren't you allergic to fragrances? How come you came back yesterday drenched in strange perfume, and showed no allergic reaction?" Serena suddenly realized Prince Nolan probably had no idea what she was actually angry about.
A deep sense of frustration welled up in her.
This man could be clueless when he was supposed to be sharp, yet cunning when he ought to be simple.
Prince Nolan could get angry over her being close to William Wang Jinling, but had he ever considered that she also minded him getting close to other women?
Su Wan, Charlotte Chu—one after another. Prince Nolan hadn’t interacted much with them, but both women were clearly coveting the position of Princess Consort.
She worried. She was afraid.
Only because Prince Nolan had no official consort could Serena be with him and feel at ease. But what if he did take a consort?
Could she shamelessly keep up this relationship, becoming a third party she herself would despise?
Serena looked at Prince Nolan, unable to hide the sadness in her eyes. Prince Nolan was startled; though he didn’t understand why Serena was sad, he softened his tone: "It’s a specially prepared fragrance, meant to confuse people. How could I leave the Flower Boat smelling clean?"
Prince Nolan repeated the explanation Prince Titus had given. Serena, hearing it, lowered her head to hide her hurt.
Did he take her for a fool? Did leaving the Flower Boat really require smelling like cosmetics? Smelling of alcohol would be enough. She truly couldn’t accept this excuse.
But since Prince Nolan gave her a reason, she was willing to believe him—just this once.
Serena took a deep breath and smiled: "Prince Nolan, do you have anything to do today?"
"No." He’d finished what he needed to do yesterday; now all that was left was to wait for results.
"Since you’re free, come with me to find Zuo An. I’ve figured out a way to make him willingly protect me." With that, Serena strode out first, her steps quick—deliberately putting distance between herself and Prince Nolan.
As she walked closer, Serena could still smell the fragrance on Prince Nolan. Thinking of its source and his flimsy excuse, she found herself unable to smile.
Since it was broad daylight, it wasn’t appropriate to take the inn’s carriage, and Prince Nolan refused to rent one. So the two of them walked.
As soon as they left the inn, Serena sensed something was off—they were being followed. She didn’t dare turn back to discuss it with Prince Nolan, so she kept her eyes forward and headed for the busiest street.
Serena pretended to browse the street stalls, but was really watching the person tailing them. Once she was sure it wasn’t just her imagination, she stopped at a hairpin stall, picking through the wares. When Prince Nolan came up behind her, Serena casually picked up a jeweled hairpin, turned, and asked, "Is it pretty?"
Her smile was shy, with a hint of expectation. Serena felt her acting was spot-on—like a newlywed wife playing her part perfectly.
"Pretty," Prince Nolan replied, but he meant Serena herself.
"Then will you help me put it on?" Serena held up the hairpin, offering it to Prince Nolan. Their eyes met—gentle and full of emotion. Even the vendor could tell they were a loving newlywed couple and eagerly chimed in, "Madam has great taste! This plum-blossom hairpin suits you perfectly."
Ahem, Serena’s hair was styled in a married woman’s bun.
Plum-blossom hairpin?
It was only when the vendor spoke that Serena realized, by chance, she’d picked the stall’s only plum-blossom hairpin. A wave of indescribable sadness washed over her.
Memories of their journey to Lyndaria came flooding back. Everything that happened along the way was precious to her—she’d seen the simplest side of Prince Nolan, loving and spoiling her with the most direct actions, his eyes only for her.
But once they reached Lyndaria, Prince Nolan reverted to the inscrutable man with endless schemes and calculations, able to turn clouds and rain with a wave of his hand.
The stark contrast made it hard for Serena to adjust.
The vendor noticed Prince Nolan staring at Serena without blinking, and tried to joke, but one look from Prince Nolan made him fall silent immediately.
Prince Nolan took the hairpin, leaned in, and carefully fixed it in Serena’s hair. They stood very close; Serena could still smell the lingering fragrance on him, and instantly regained her composure.
"We’re being followed," Serena whispered, leaning against Prince Nolan’s chest as he adjusted her hairpin, using the moment to speak...