With Lance Quinn protecting her on the road ahead, Serena no longer had to live in constant fear, nor worry about running into Prince Damien of Southlyn or Heartshadow Pavilion's people.
Serena cleaned herself up meticulously, especially her face. She took extra care with it, since her rough handling earlier had left several small red bumps, some of which she'd scratched open. She was truly afraid of being scarred.
Lance, honestly unused to seeing Serena like this, finally couldn't help saying one day, "What are you so worried about? Even if you got ugly, the Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn't change his heart."
Serena really didn't need to go to such lengths, fussing over her face every day, applying creams and ointments. If she wasn't tired, just watching her made Lance feel exhausted.
He had already seen Serena at her worst, her ugliest and most bedraggled. Even if she turned ugly, he would accept it.
"A woman dresses up for the one she loves. I refuse to meet the Ninth Royal Uncle looking like a swollen pig." Serena removed her veil, tossed it aside, and picked up the medicinal tea, sipping it slowly.
She didn't care if Lance saw her ugly face, but the Ninth Royal Uncle was different. Every woman wants to show her best side to the man she loves.
"Uh..." Lance quietly turned his face away.
He wondered what would happen if Serena ever learned the truth.
He had a feeling that day would be terrifying.
Afraid Serena might sense something, Lance kept quiet for the rest of the journey. He simply hurried day and night, determined to deliver her to the Ninth Royal Uncle as soon as possible.
At least, when interacting as the Ninth Royal Uncle, he didn’t have to be so restrained—even showing concern, there were boundaries he could observe.
Serena was deeply worried about the Ninth Royal Uncle. More than a month had passed; by rights, he and Master Wenyuan should have reached the capital long ago, but because she went missing, he had deliberately slowed their journey.
From Lance, she learned that the Ninth Royal Uncle had used Master Wenyuan’s poor health as an excuse to remain in Southlyn, not moving on. Hearing this, Serena felt both joy and guilt.
No one understood better than she just how dangerous it was to linger in Southlyn.
After seven days of nonstop travel, the swelling on Serena’s face had almost disappeared. The next town was where the Ninth Royal Uncle was staying. After explaining the route, Lance took his leave.
"You’ll have to walk the rest of the way alone. I’ve already notified the Ninth Royal Uncle, and there will be people protecting you in secret."
Serena knew Lance didn’t want too many people to learn his true identity, so she didn’t insist he escort her all the way. She nodded with a smile, "Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."
That night, Serena didn’t travel but found an inn to rest and recharge. Thinking that she’d see the Ninth Royal Uncle the next day, she couldn’t help but smile with happiness.
This past month had truly exhausted her. Once she was by the Ninth Royal Uncle’s side, she could finally relax.
Watching from the shadows, Lance felt a wave of sour jealousy.
He believed he treated Serena better than the Ninth Royal Uncle did, so why was it that in her heart and eyes there was only the Ninth Royal Uncle, as if no one else existed?
Being jealous of himself was utterly foolish, but Lance just couldn't help it.
With all that bitterness, Lance returned to the villa. When a strategist came to consult him, he happened to catch Lance in a foul mood. Before the man could finish, Lance glared coldly and snapped, "You need me to handle such a trivial matter? What use are you if I have to do everything myself?"
Trivial? Triggering a war between Northlyn and Southlyn—how could that be called trivial?
The strategist, close to tears, silently withdrew and relayed the order to the Black Riders, telling them to proceed...
And so, after half a year of planning, the operation against Southlyn and Northlyn began—completely without the Ninth Royal Uncle’s knowledge. By the time he realized, it was already well underway.
The next day, Serena appeared safe and sound at the villa where the Ninth Royal Uncle and Master Wenyuan were staying. She was bursting with excitement, imagining all sorts of reunion scenarios with Nolan—only to find...
She didn’t even catch a glimpse of the Ninth Royal Uncle.
Serena had thought that after a month and a half away, even if there was no grand welcome, people would at least gather around, ask how she was, what she’d been through. Even if Nolan was restrained, he’d surely be waiting for her in the main hall. But...
There was nothing—not even a single person came out to greet her. It was as if she hadn’t survived a crisis, but had just gone out for the day and come home. The guards remained respectfully distant, the staff still sycophantic, and as for Nolan and Master Wenyuan, she didn’t see a trace of them.
The house was quiet; guards and servants went about their business as if she were invisible.
What was going on?
Serena stood bewildered in the archway, hesitating to step inside.
In that moment, she missed her own home—a place that, though cold, at least felt gentle. Here, with the Ninth Royal Uncle, it seemed no one was glad she’d returned.
Maybe she’d overestimated her importance. Maybe Nolan was here for other reasons, and her return was just a coincidence.
The thought made her nose sting. Given Nolan’s usual style, it wasn’t impossible.
"Maybe I thought too highly of myself." Serena gazed up at the sky, gave a bitter smile, and was about to turn away when someone blocked her path: "Miss Feng, the prince is waiting for you."
Not wanting anyone to see her embarrassment, Serena forced down her bitterness and managed a strained smile. "I know. I’ll wash up first before seeing the prince."
"Miss Feng, the prince said you are to see him immediately." The man stood firm, repeating the Ninth Royal Uncle’s order. Normally, Serena would have obeyed without question, but right now...
She was stung by the coldness of the villa, hurt by Nolan’s aloofness.
For over a month, she’d barely eaten or slept, living in constant fear. If not for Lance, she wasn’t sure she’d have made it this far.
She’d come to see Nolan full of hope, imagining how happy and excited he’d be, picturing herself acting spoiled and telling him all about her fears and hardships—hoping he’d comfort and coax her.
But... there was nothing. Nolan’s strictly formal attitude made her feel like a clown.
She felt so wronged. After all she’d endured to get back, even if Nolan didn’t meet her at the door, he shouldn’t have been so cold. What did she mean to him, anyway?
Did Nolan not care about her life or death at all?
Serena’s eyes shimmered with tears. She took a shaky breath, squeezed her eyes shut to blink them away, then opened them cold and clear, glaring at the man blocking her: "Move!"
"Miss Feng, the pri—" The man frowned, about to invoke Nolan’s name again, but Serena didn’t give him the chance. She kicked him hard: "Get out of my way!"
When Nolan heard Serena was throwing a tantrum at the gate, he smiled: "She’s finally grown a backbone!"