The error rate of DNA parentage testing is currently the lowest of any method. To ensure absolute accuracy, Serena Feng performed the test three times in a row.
All three results were identical—the answer was undeniable.
"No need to think any further—Prince Nolan can't escape this responsibility." Serena Feng held the results, a hint of a bitter smile in her eyes. Suddenly gaining a future mother-in-law was trouble for her too, but she trusted Prince Nolan to handle it.
She moved her stiff neck, opened the door, and saw that the sky outside was already filled with stars.
"Did I work all day?" Serena blinked her sore eyes, finally realizing how dry they felt. Just as she was about to turn and find some eye drops, a waiting servant stopped her: "Miss, His Highness has been waiting for you a long time."
Well, Prince Nolan was here to hurry her. Serena had to give up on returning to her little cabin and strode straight to the study, where she found Prince Nolan at his desk reviewing memorials.
Serena wanted to speak, but Prince Nolan merely looked up, indicating he knew she had arrived.
Serena stood frozen at the doorway, silently shaking her head. This man was growing more and more repressed. He'd rushed to Feng Manor right after morning court, but now that the results were out, he refused to ask about them. Seriously...
Serena rolled her eyes, shot Prince Nolan a smiling glance, then sat down and began stuffing the pastries on the table into her mouth one by one.
It wasn't her mother anyway. If Prince Nolan wasn't anxious, why should she be?
Serena made up her mind to wait for Prince Nolan to speak first. After finishing all the pastries and drinking three cups of water, still... Prince Nolan showed no sign of starting the conversation. Rubbing her still-empty stomach, Serena gave up resisting and said pitifully, "I haven't had lunch or dinner."
That worked better than anything else. With a snap, Prince Nolan put down his brush, face dark, and ordered: "Bring food here."
"You want me to eat in the study?" Serena raised her eyebrows and glanced around, as if she hadn't noticed—there wasn't really a place to eat here.
"Is that not allowed?" Prince Nolan replied coldly. Serena was just about to say something when a sudden thud sounded from outside the room.
That sound was definitely a head making heavy contact with stone...
Poor shadow guard. Serena silently mourned for him in her heart.
He was definitely suffering because of her, so... eating in the study it was. If she argued any more, the shadow guard would probably have it even worse.
When the food arrived, the study was split in two: Prince Nolan occupied the main desk reviewing memorials, while Serena claimed a small table to eat her meal. The aroma of food mingled with the scent of paper and ink, making for an indescribably odd smell.
Halfway through her meal, Serena looked up and, sure enough, saw Prince Nolan's face twisted in disgust, as if he was trying hard to endure it.
She knew it—this man, who was so particular about smells, couldn't stand it.
"I can go eat somewhere else," Serena said.
Prince Nolan frowned slightly. "Continue."
Fine, if he didn't appreciate it... Serena kept her head down and ate. When she finished, the servants cleared away the dishes. She herself found the smell odd too, so she had them bring in some fruit to freshen the air and opened the windows.
After dawdling for ages, Serena saw that Prince Nolan had long since finished his paperwork. She thought he would finally ask, but instead, he simply got up and asked, "Want to go for a walk?"
"Sure," Serena replied, a bit surprised, then let Prince Nolan lead her outside.
Under the moonlight, the two of them circled the garden again and again. Serena kept thinking Prince Nolan would ask about the test results, but no matter how long she waited, he never did.
Was he just trying to be stubborn with her?
Serena stopped, looked up at Prince Nolan, her teeth grinding audibly.
This man was getting less and less cute. Did he really have to win over her in everything to feel satisfied?
Annoying!
"Not walking anymore?" Prince Nolan stopped, still refusing to ask.
Serena was worn down and had no fight left.
Fine, she admitted defeat. She was absolutely no match for this man. If Prince Nolan wouldn't take the initiative, she'd just have to speak first.
"Don't you want to know the result?" Serena's smile twisted slightly—obviously, Prince Nolan had exasperated her.
A glimmer of amusement flashed in Prince Nolan's eyes. He answered with certainty, "Of course I do." If he didn't, why would he have Serena run the test?
"If you want to know, then why haven't you asked?" Serena thought she'd given him plenty of chances, but it was like throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man.
"If I don't ask, you won't say?" Prince Nolan countered. Serena nodded, "Of course! I respect your every choice. If you don't ask, I assume you don't want to know, so I won't volunteer the result." See? She's so considerate.
"All right then. I'm asking you now—what's the result?" Prince Nolan's face was perfectly calm, as if he were asking whether to have rice or porridge tomorrow. There wasn't a trace of anticipation or concern, making Serena feel totally unappreciated.
He'd even sent urgent letters to rush her back, but now he acted like he didn't care at all. What was that supposed to mean?
Serena pouted, grumbling, "I dropped all my work and spent the whole day on your matter. Can't you at least act a little more serious so I can feel like I've accomplished something?"
"Fine... I care a lot about the result. You can tell me now." Still perfunctory, without even trying to hide it.
"Forget it, you're hopeless." Serena rolled her eyes, looked Prince Nolan in the eyes, and solemnly reported the result.
"The test shows that Lady Min really is your mother." After speaking, Serena stared at Prince Nolan, hoping for some reaction. But he just replied with a long "Oh" and showed no emotion at all, as if he'd expected this outcome all along.
"You're not surprised?" Serena stepped closer, tugging at Prince Nolan's sleeve, wanting to confirm up close just how annoying this man could be.
Prince Nolan turned and took Serena's hand, leading her forward. "There were only two possible outcomes. Nothing to be surprised about."
The truly shocking moment had already passed. Unless his deceased father suddenly appeared claiming he'd faked his death, then maybe Nolan would be surprised.
"Ugh..." Serena was exasperated. Would this man ever react less calmly? It was no fun at all—he wasn't like a normal person.
In fact, Prince Nolan was far less composed than Serena imagined. After escorting Serena back to her room, he left Feng Manor; though his carriage headed for Ninth Prince Manor, he himself appeared in the secret chamber beneath Sutton Manor.
"Serena Feng has confirmed it—she really is my mother." He bit down hard on the word "mother," showing just how dissatisfied he was with the result.
If this had happened ten years ago, learning his mother was still alive, Prince Nolan might have been happy. But now...
He was more concerned with why his mother had appeared, or rather, why she had chosen to appear at this moment...