Returning the Gift and Settling Scores Before Departure

If anyone in this world could truly ignore the strictures of etiquette and tradition, it was definitely Ninth Royal Uncle. Day or night made no difference to him—if he wanted something, and Serena was beside him, he would satisfy his own desires.

By mid-morning, Nolan finally climbed out of bed, looking thoroughly satisfied. Serena, on the other hand, was left limp and boneless, sprawled across the bed, her body covered in deep purple bite marks—even her neck was no exception.

Serena lay naked on her stomach, watching Nolan pour her water. She sipped tea from his hand to soothe her throat before complaining, "With you like this, how am I supposed to face anyone?"

Her body was covered in Nolan's teeth marks. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was part dog, given how much he liked to bite.

"Then just don't go out," Nolan replied, setting the cup aside and pulling her into his arms. His fingers traced the bruised marks on Serena's back, the amusement in his eyes growing ever deeper.

This woman was marked all over by him.

Serena slapped Nolan's hand away, annoyed. "You know perfectly well I have an appointment with Master Wenyuan this afternoon."

"Just tell Master Wenyuan you're not feeling well and reschedule," Nolan said, unfazed by the red mark Serena left on his hand. Instead, he held her hand, turning it over to inspect it, and scolded gently, "Next time, don't hit so hard. You'll hurt yourself."

Serena froze, staring at Nolan's profile, unable to look away. Her heart clenched so tightly she could barely breathe, her nose stung, and she almost burst into tears.

This man never spoke sweet words, but a small gesture or a casual remark from him could move her for a long time.

"Meeting you was truly a blessing," Serena thought silently to herself.

Right now, she couldn't say a word. All she wanted was to lean against this man and quietly savor the peace and happiness of this moment.

Nolan had no idea what was going through Serena's mind, but seeing her cling to him made him happy. Ignoring the rising sun outside, he held Serena close and simply watched her in silence.

Their heads were pressed tightly together, bodies entwined without the slightest gap between them.

In this moment, time itself seemed gentle and still...

They spent most of the day together in the room. Then, to make it to her appointment with Master Wenyuan, Serena didn't even have time to eat—she hurriedly washed up and changed clothes to avoid being late.

"It's all your fault, making me rush like this. If I'm late, Master Wenyuan will definitely think I'm putting on airs," Serena muttered as she changed into a high-collared green gown.

Wearing a high collar was odd for the season, but the dress was simple and elegant, with a hint of scholarly flair—just the kind of look Serena could pull off, so it didn't feel out of place on her.

"You won't be late. The timing is perfect," Nolan said with a calm face.

As far as he was concerned, Serena shouldn't even go to Master Wenyuan's appointment, since Master Wenyuan hadn't invited him—and Nolan had no intention of showing up just to be mocked.

Nolan respected Master Wenyuan—otherwise, he wouldn't let Master Wenyuan cut him down in public without getting angry, only responding passively.

Once Serena finished dressing, she double-checked the congratulatory gifts for Master Wenyuan: premium brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, plus two rare paintings, all chosen to suit his tastes.

Of course, Nolan had actually prepared all these gifts himself, intending to give them to Master Wenyuan. But since Master Wenyuan didn't welcome him, Nolan had never been allowed through his door.

"I'm leaving now—wait for me to come back." Before heading out, Serena gave Nolan a quick kiss on the cheek. Nolan was stunned, and by the time he came to his senses, Serena had already walked out the door.

Nolan stood there, dumbly touching the spot where Serena had kissed him. He decided, privately, that from now on, whenever either of them left the house, they'd kiss goodbye—improper as it might be, but he liked it.

With Serena off to see Master Wenyuan, Nolan returned to his study to handle unfinished business from the day before.

Although Master Wenyuan had agreed to go to Eastlyn, it would take more than a day or two to arrange. Nolan decided to use the time to tie up loose ends from earlier.

When Prince Damien of Southlyn sent him such an extravagant gift upon entering the city, Nolan knew he had to reciprocate before leaving—otherwise, he'd be betraying the principle of courtesy and reciprocity.

Nolan pulled a thick copy of Records of the Grand Historian from his bookshelf and extracted a letter from inside. The wax and ink seal were perfectly intact—the letter had never been opened.

He took out a copy of The Book of Songs, slipped the letter inside, and summoned a shadow guard. "Deliver this letter to Prince Nathan of Southlyn. Tell him it's my congratulatory gift—an early celebration of his future as Crown Prince."

In other words, this letter was enough to decide who would become Southlyn's Crown Prince.

The shadow guard's eyes widened as he received the letter, vowing solemnly, "I will deliver this personally to Prince Nathan."

After the guard left, Nolan called in his staff again. "Notify the Black Riders—they can reveal themselves now. Lure the Northlyn agents toward the Eastlyn–Southlyn border, then slip into Southlyn and rendezvous with me."

The road coming here was dangerous, and the way back would be no safer. Nolan needed the Black Riders for protection. As for how they'd infiltrate Southlyn, that was Prince Nathan's problem to handle...