Teasing, Is This Undressing or Undressing

The sharp pain left Serena Feng's mind blank for a moment. When she came to, she saw Prince Nolan holding a hemostat, staunching her bleeding, his technique almost identical to what she had just done herself.

Such a heaven-defying talent made Serena deeply envious. Compared to Prince Nolan, ordinary people like them might as well give up on life.

Serena took a breath and accepted the hemostat from Prince Nolan, reassuring him, "Don’t worry, as long as the bleeding stops, it’ll be fine."

After all, he wasn’t a professional. No matter how talented Prince Nolan was, he couldn’t match Serena’s expertise. With just a few quick moves, she stopped the bleeding, handed the forceps back to Prince Nolan, and managed a weak smile: "Next, all we need is to clean and suture the wound."

"Mm." Prince Nolan’s facial muscles were a bit stiff. After putting the instruments away, he helped Serena sit up as she requested.

Sitting upright, Serena endured the pain and silently tended to her wound. She bit her lip countless times from the pain, but her hands never trembled. By the time she finished suturing, she was drenched in sweat, her arms limp at her sides.

"I’m out of strength. Help me bandage it, and then clean me up—I’m filthy," Serena panted, her eyelids too heavy to open.

Prince Nolan leaned down and gave Serena a gentle peck on the lips, then began to bandage her wound with the utmost care.

Serena’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile curving her lips. Somehow, the pain didn’t seem quite so bad anymore.

Prince Nolan might not be great with a scalpel, but when it came to bandaging wounds, he was surprisingly skilled. Serena had barely zoned out before her wound was wrapped up. Even someone as picky as her had to give him a thumbs-up: "If you ever get tired of being a prince, you’d make a fine army doctor."

Is that a compliment?

Given Serena’s injury, Prince Nolan let it slide and adjusted her position so she could lie more comfortably.

After a brief rest, Serena regained her strength and wanted to clean up—she was just too filthy. Prince Nolan might tolerate it with his neat-freak ways, but she couldn’t stand it herself.

Her body was caked with mud and blood, and she’d sweated so much earlier that everything was sticky and clinging to her skin—utterly uncomfortable.

"You chased everyone off—who’s going to wait on me now?" Serena shifted, pointing at her wound with a frustrated look.

"I will." Prince Nolan rolled up his sleeves and carried Serena to the water’s edge—this kind of thing he could handle himself.

Serena eyed Prince Nolan skeptically. "Are you sure you can do it?"

"What do you think?" Prince Nolan shot Serena a frosty glare.

"But my wound’s on my chest." Serena pointed at her injury. Seeing Prince Nolan still unfazed, she spread her arms to make it easier for him to undress her.

"Hiss—" The movement tugged at her wound, and even though she was numb to the pain, Serena couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.

Compared to Prince Nolan, her pain tolerance still needed work.

"Don’t move." Prince Nolan wrapped one arm around Serena, and with the other, took the dagger she’d strapped to her calf. "Lean on me."

Prince Nolan picked up the dagger and began cutting her clothes open from the back. The cold, sharp blade grazed her skin, and Serena couldn’t help but shiver.

"Don’t move." Prince Nolan’s face was serious. Serena stiffened and nodded repeatedly.

It was terrifying, honestly. If Prince Nolan slipped up, or if she moved, she’d get cut again.

It took a lot of effort, but Prince Nolan finally managed to get Serena’s clothes off. He cleaned her up and applied medicine. By the time they finished, most of the night had passed.

Glancing at the brightening sky, Prince Nolan let out a quiet sigh. "Serena, I have to go."

"It’s getting late—will you make it in time?" Only now did Serena remember Prince Nolan had to enter the city today. Dawn was breaking; could he still make it to rejoin the Eastlyn main force?

"Don’t worry. I have my ways." He really was out of time, but solutions could always be found. Prince Nolan wasn’t worried, nor did he regret doubling back before leaving.

If not for the memory of Serena’s disappointed look before he left, Prince Nolan wouldn’t have come back. If he hadn’t, he knew he’d regret leaving her to face danger alone…