The young attendant carefully brought in the rice, then quickly retreated. Prince Nolan didn’t mind, sitting down opposite Serena and starting to eat. In the dining hall, apart from the clink of chopsticks and bowls, there was no other sound.
Prince Nolan watched Serena eat awkwardly, and saw the steward serving nervously as if walking on thin ice. His appetite grew, and he ended up eating an extra bowl compared to usual.
These two will get what's coming to them sooner or later—no rush. For now, he was too full and needed to go for a walk to digest, otherwise he’d have no energy to collect his thank-you gift tonight.
Prince Nolan put down his bowl and chopsticks and headed out. Serena and the steward both breathed a sigh of relief—finally, he was gone. Prince Nolan’s presence was so overwhelming that they didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly, afraid of provoking the tiger.
Whew... Just as Serena and the steward were feeling relieved, Prince Nolan suddenly stopped at the doorway, startling both of them into freezing on the spot, their hands suspended mid-motion.
After getting out of the carriage, she solemnly said to Zane, "Thank you for your trouble on the road."
Huh?
Zane raised his eyebrow, glancing at Prince Nolan as if to ask when he agreed to escort Simon Sun all the way to Mystic Healer Valley. He was only supposed to get him out of the city. If they wanted him to go to the Valley, the reward would have to increase.
Prince Nolan calmly turned away. What Zane did was none of his business—he only asked Zane to escort Simon out of the city. If Zane wanted more reward, he should negotiate with the person paying.
So Zane understood it as escorting Simon Sun all the way to Mystic Healer Valley, with the reward open for negotiation. Touching the Tiger Claw at his waist, Zane decided the deal was worth it. He didn’t like staying in Eastlyn Capital anyway, and the mysterious Valley intrigued him.
Zane nodded, indicating he’d handle everything and there would be no problem.
Serena gave a few more instructions, then asked Zane to pass on a message to the Valley Master: "If Simon Sun can come back completely unharmed, I’ll give the Master the set of surgical instruments he wants."
Serena was making a huge sacrifice, just hoping the Master of Mystic Healer Valley wouldn’t treat Simon Sun as a test subject and dissect him.
Zane’s eyes lit up. Even the Valley Master coveted those instruments—he decided he wanted a set for himself too, as payment for escorting Simon Sun.
"Alright." Zane, terse as ever, said no more and jumped onto the carriage, impatiently ordering the group to set out. Outsiders thought he was just dutiful, but Prince Nolan knew he was thinking about his reward.
The party left under the Divine Tactics Corps’ name, with imperial authorization, so they could leave the city without inspection. Even so, they kept a low profile, quietly exiting through Ninth Prince Manor’s side gate. Serena didn’t dare go out to see them off.
Zane’s group disappeared into the night, quickly out of sight. Serena reluctantly withdrew her gaze, confident that with Zane and the Valley Master involved, Simon Sun was safe.
With everything settled, Serena’s taut nerves finally relaxed. She felt exhausted, rubbed her temples, and headed back to her room for a bath to wash away her fatigue.
Perfect. All the annoying people were sent away—tonight, no one would interrupt.
Prince Nolan walked with Serena for a while. The two strolled side by side through the empty Ninth Prince Manor at night, keeping a comfortable distance—close enough to sense each other’s presence and scent, but not crowding. A warm atmosphere flowed between them, like an ordinary couple enjoying a peaceful garden, savoring the beauty of life.
Years of tranquil peace, a stable world. If only they could shed their burdens and walk together like this for a lifetime, it would be a beautiful thing. Serena thought so.
She quietly glanced at Prince Nolan, seeing his grave expression—she had no idea what he was thinking. Serena silently turned away, her faint smile tinged with bitterness.
At a fork in the path, Prince Nolan stopped and quietly told the empty air, "Take the young lady to bathe."
"Yes." Two blue-clad maids stepped out from behind a rounded corner. Serena was surprised—she hadn’t noticed anyone there. Was her vigilance too low, or were they just that skilled?
Seeing Serena’s suspicion, Prince Nolan explained, “They’re maids trained from the dark-guards. It’s normal you didn’t notice. While Zane is away, they’ll both attend and protect you closely.”
Men can’t stay by Serena’s side all day, but women can. There are female dark-guards among her protectors, but they can’t stay so close.
"Alright." Serena accepted the two maids without hesitation—Prince Nolan might not be able to give her true worldly peace, but he was trying to build her a relatively safe environment.
"Go ahead and rest well. I have work to do, so I won’t keep you company." Prince Nolan faded into the shadows, hiding his expression, then turned toward his study.
He was looking forward to the "thank-you gift" Serena had promised.
Watching Prince Nolan’s departing figure, Serena secretly rejoiced. It seemed he had forgotten both the "punishment" and "thank-you gift"—maybe she could finally sleep soundly.
Serena, in high spirits, walked in another direction with the maids. But as they went further off the usual path, she grew wary, scanning her surroundings and reaching for her pistol.
"Where are you taking me?" If these maids hadn’t just been assigned by Prince Nolan, she would have taken them down without hesitation.
Serena’s sudden murderous aura made the maids instantly alert, but realizing the danger came from her, they relaxed and bowed. “Forgive us, Miss Serena. His Highness ordered us to take you to Jadebrook Pool. It’s a bit out of the way.”
“Jadebrook Pool? What kind of place is that?” Serena didn’t relax just because of their explanation.
“It’s a hot spring pool, Miss. The pool is made of warm jade, and it’s filled with natural spring water from outside the city. The Valley Master says the water is excellent for your health. His Highness wants you to bathe there to relax.” The maid explained thoroughly, and Serena finally lowered her guard and let them lead the way.
Serena felt warmth rising from underfoot even before reaching the pool—like springtime. She asked about it and learned that to keep the temperature steady, pipes full of hot water ran beneath the courtyard.
Fully artificial geothermal heating—so luxurious! The royals really knew how to live.
Even someone as worldly as Serena couldn’t help but remark, upon entering Jadebrook Pool, that Prince Nolan was a master at burning money.
There were no ornate decorations, but the jade pool itself was worth a palace. The warm jade couch beside it was a single flawless piece—priceless and beyond market value. Serena didn’t know much about jade, but even she could tell it was rare.
No palace in the Four Kingdoms had anything like this, not even a century-old house like Prince Cui’s. Prince Nolan’s collection was truly impressive.
The pool was fed by running water—entering on the left, exiting on the right, always at a steady level. White mist floated above the surface, making it feel like a fairyland.
As Serena entered Jadebrook Pool, a dark-guard returned to the study and reported through the door, “Your Highness, the young lady has arrived at the pool.”
A soft sound came from the study, and the next moment, Prince Nolan stepped out.
With his work done, he was ready to collect his “thank-you gift.”
Seeing Serena’s suspicion, Prince Nolan explained, “They’re maids trained from the dark-guards. It’s normal you didn’t notice. While Zane is away, they’ll both attend and protect you closely.”
Men can’t stay by Serena’s side all day, but women can. There are female dark-guards among her protectors, but they can’t stay so close.
"Alright." Serena accepted the two maids without hesitation—Prince Nolan might not be able to give her true worldly peace, but he was trying to build her a relatively safe environment.
"Go ahead and rest well. I have work to do, so I won’t keep you company." Prince Nolan faded into the shadows, hiding his expression, then turned toward his study.
He was looking forward to the "thank-you gift" Serena had promised.
Watching Prince Nolan’s departing figure, Serena secretly rejoiced. It seemed he had forgotten both the "punishment" and "thank-you gift"—maybe she could finally sleep soundly.
Serena, in high spirits, walked in another direction with the maids. But as they went further off the usual path, she grew wary, scanning her surroundings and reaching for her pistol.
"Where are you taking me?" If these maids hadn’t just been assigned by Prince Nolan, she would have taken them down without hesitation.
Serena’s sudden murderous aura made the maids instantly alert, but realizing the danger came from her, they relaxed and bowed. “Forgive us, Miss Serena. His Highness ordered us to take you to Jadebrook Pool. It’s a bit out of the way.”
“Jadebrook Pool? What kind of place is that?” Serena didn’t relax just because of their explanation.
“It’s a hot spring pool, Miss. The pool is made of warm jade, and it’s filled with natural spring water from outside the city. The Valley Master says the water is excellent for your health. His Highness wants you to bathe there to relax.” The maid explained thoroughly, and Serena finally lowered her guard and let them lead the way.
Serena felt warmth rising from underfoot even before reaching the pool—like springtime. She asked about it and learned that to keep the temperature steady, pipes full of hot water ran beneath the courtyard.
Fully artificial geothermal heating—so luxurious! The royals really knew how to live.
Even someone as worldly as Serena couldn’t help but remark, upon entering Jadebrook Pool, that Prince Nolan was a master at burning money.
There were no ornate decorations, but the jade pool itself was worth a palace. The warm jade couch beside it was a single flawless piece—priceless and beyond market value. Serena didn’t know much about jade, but even she could tell it was rare.
No palace in the Four Kingdoms had anything like this, not even a century-old house like Prince Cui’s. Prince Nolan’s collection was truly impressive.
The pool was fed by running water—entering on the left, exiting on the right, always at a steady level. White mist floated above the surface, making it feel like a fairyland.
As Serena entered Jadebrook Pool, a dark-guard returned to the study and reported through the door, “Your Highness, the young lady has arrived at the pool.”
A soft sound came from the study, and the next moment, Prince Nolan stepped out.
With his work done, he was ready to collect his “thank-you gift.”