Other than a bowl of thin porridge in the morning, Serena Feng hadn’t eaten a thing. Her stomach was empty—there was nothing left to vomit, so all she could retch up was sour fluid.
Nothing would come up, but her stomach kept churning; on top of that, her head throbbed unbearably. At this point, Serena couldn’t keep calm any longer.
“Serena, what’s wrong?” As Serena doubled over, vomiting, Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan was first startled, then deeply worried. He quickly supported her, gently patting her back to help her breathe.
Serena was miserable, and thinking that it was all this man’s fault made her angrier. Ignoring her usual caution and fear, she shoved him away: “Can you not? Get away from me.”
Right now, just seeing Nolan irritated her. If not for him, she would’ve gone home to rest ages ago—instead of ending up in such a mess.
“Serena.” Nolan’s body swayed, but he didn’t step back. For a moment, hurt and guilt flickered in his eyes.
“Stay away from me. This is all your fault—if not for you, I wouldn’t be so unlucky. I already feel awful, and you keep dragging me around, saying pointless things. Talking is bad enough, but you made me ride out of the city, walk with you in the valley—what’s wrong with you? You’re full and bored, so you mess with people. Ever think about anyone else?” The more Serena thought about it, the angrier she got.
So what if you’re a prince or princess? Every one of you ignores what I want—whatever you want done, I have to do it. I’m a person, not a puppet. I have my own thoughts, my own will. Just because you’re born high, you think you can bully me, treat me like some chess piece.
Thinking about everything that happened during the contest these past few days, and how she’d been anxious and afraid, Serena suddenly felt utterly exhausted.
Since coming to this world, apart from treating William Wang Jinling’s eyes, not a single thing had been done by her own choice. She was like a doll, controlled by others. Even the few times she’d stepped out of line, she’d had to rely on someone else’s power.
Silent tears slipped down her face. Only when she was sick would Serena ever let Nolan see her vulnerable side.
“Serena, I…” Nolan held her, but couldn’t get the words of apology out. If he’d known she was unwell, he never would have made her leave the city.
“What do you mean, ‘I’? Get away from me. I hate you. You knew I wasn’t feeling well, but you still forced me…” Serena used all her strength, but couldn’t shove Nolan away.
“I didn’t know…” Nolan stammered—he truly hadn’t realized Serena was sick; he thought she looked fine.
Didn’t know—what a convenient excuse. One ‘I didn’t know’ and it’s all wiped away. Serena opened her mouth to retort, but after struggling for a moment, not a word came out. Her vision went black, and she fainted on the spot.
“Serena!” Nolan’s expression changed instantly. Forgetting his own injury, he scooped her up and strode toward the cabin.
“Doctor! Quick, get a doctor!” Holding Serena, limp as a rag doll, Nolan was truly panicked. If she hadn’t still been breathing, he might have killed someone.
The sudden crisis threw the whole valley into chaos. Everyone rushed around; the once-quiet valley was instantly in an uproar. Prince Titus of Lyndaria got the news immediately and felt deep sympathy for Serena.
Nolan was so clueless. Even Titus had noticed Serena was off, but Nolan hadn’t. Serves him right. He knew how busy and exhausted Serena was from the contest, yet he still dragged her into trouble. Now look—he’d worked her sick.
The doctor arrived quickly. Under Nolan’s murderous glare, he nervously checked Serena’s pulse. The diagnosis: nothing serious, just exhaustion and emotional strain. Some calming medicine and rest would be enough.
“Nothing serious? Then why did she vomit and faint?” Nolan refused to accept the explanation. The doctor, legs shaking, hurried to clarify: Serena was just starving, her spleen and stomach strained. Once she woke up and ate some warm food, she’d be fine.
Only then did Nolan remember: Serena had gone to the Imperial Academy early, then into the palace, then the Crown Prince had taken her to Ninth Prince Manor—she hadn’t had a chance to eat all day.
Nolan realized his mistake. After confirming several times that Serena was truly okay, he stopped pressuring the doctor and let him go decoct medicine.
Soon, medicine and hot porridge were brought in. Nolan didn’t trust anyone else—he personally fed Serena, gave her the medicine, and ordered hot water. He gently wiped the tears and the remnants of makeup from her face himself.
Only now did Nolan realize Serena’s healthy color was just makeup covering her pallor.
Nolan carefully wiped her face, afraid of hurting her. When he reached her forehead, his hand paused—he spotted a hidden wound, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
He’d thought Princess Serenity and Princess Zelda had only insulted Serena with words. He never imagined they’d actually hurt her. The wound was so well hidden—if Serena hadn’t said something, he never would have noticed.
Thinking of this, Nolan rolled up Serena’s trouser legs. Seeing her knees, bruised purple, his killing intent exploded.
Serenity, Zelda—Nolan mentally added this debt to the list. He’d remember it for Serena.
Nolan forced down his urge to kill, had medicinal wine brought, and gently massaged the bruises on Serena’s knees to disperse the clotted blood. Each press deepened the pain in his eyes and the tenderness in his movements.
If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Nolan would’ve believed Serena’s explanation—that she’d just knelt a bit longer than usual.
“Idiot. Even now you don’t trust me.” Nolan saw the pain on Serena’s face, his heart aching and angry at once.
This foolish woman—she’d suffered so much humiliation and didn’t say a word. He couldn’t understand her thinking. Any other woman bullied outside would come home and ask her man to take revenge, but Serena?
He’d handed her the chance, but Serena didn’t know how to seize it. He wouldn’t necessarily kill Serenity and Zelda for her, but venting her anger and punishing them was well within his power.
Nolan kept vigil by Serena’s side until his own wound began to ache again. Only then did he remember that, in carrying her, he’d torn it open.
He instructed the servants to take good care of Serena, grabbed her medicine chest, and went to the cabin next door. Recalling her technique, Nolan cleaned, medicated, and re-bandaged his own wound.
He wasn’t as skilled as Serena, but after years of injuries, he could handle dressing a wound himself. He was just too heavy-handed, so every so often he made it hurt again.
At the same moment, in the neighboring cabin, Serena woke up.
She opened her eyes and saw she was in the small cabin. Closing her eyes, she recalled what had happened earlier. Regret flashed in her eyes—she scolded herself for losing composure and could only hope Nolan wouldn’t hold it against her.
Turning her head, Serena saw darkness outside the window, and her heart skipped a beat.
It was night, and she was still outside the city. What about tomorrow’s contest?