With advance warning from his shadow guards and a boost from his light-foot skill, Prince Nolan arrived at the study just ahead of Serena.
Prince Nolan sat down at the desk, pressing his right hand to his chest to steady his racing heartbeat. Hearing footsteps outside, he quickly spread the official documents across the desk, poured a little water, and began to grind ink.
When Serena Feng walked in, she saw Prince Nolan looking solemn, seated there handling official business. His pen moved steadily across the paper—slow but confident and composed, as if nothing could trouble him.
A serious man is always attractive; Prince Nolan was serious at every moment, which made him perpetually magnetic.
"Ahem..." Serena coughed lightly, reminding Prince Nolan of her presence.
Prince Nolan’s hand paused, then he set down his brush and looked up. "Serena?" He seemed genuinely surprised to see her, staring without blinking.
Because Prince Nolan was handling official business, the study was brightly lit—there wasn’t a single shadowy corner. When he looked up, he could see Serena’s expression clearly.
Her eyes flickered, the tips of her ears reddened, and she wore a faintly embarrassed look. It was adorable, making one want to pull her into their arms and tease her.
Prince Nolan swallowed, suppressing the flutter in his heart. He set down his brush, walked around the desk, and beckoned to Serena: "Why are you standing there? Sit down."
"Alright." Seeing that Prince Nolan didn’t seem angry, Serena’s embarrassment vanished. She sat down on the other side of the tea table and placed the food box on the desk. "I heard from the staff that you’ve been busy, so I asked the cook to make you a sweet soup."
Bringing dessert to the study was said to be a classic killer move for ancient wives, so she copied it, hoping it would work.
"You brought me sweet soup?" Prince Nolan was stunned again.
He’d grown up without any woman ever bringing him food. He had to admit, it was quite novel. His curiosity was instantly piqued: "What kind of soup is it?"
He confessed to himself that he was looking forward to it. The two of them really did seem like a married couple. If only, every night, Serena could bring him dessert while he worked late...
Alright, maybe he was getting greedy.
Prince Nolan pulled his wandering gaze back and focused on the food box in front of him, eager to find out what dessert Serena had prepared.
Seeing that Prince Nolan showed no displeasure and hadn’t mentioned the incident at the door, Serena relaxed. She eagerly opened the food box, took out a small celadon bowl, and presented it to Prince Nolan like a treasure: "Lotus-seed soup, made from the lotus seeds you picked earlier today. I shelled each one myself and even removed the cores."
Serena was explaining that she hadn’t been avoiding Prince Nolan after returning, but had been busy—busy making this bowl of lotus-seed soup.
No wonder Serena said she wouldn’t eat those lotus seeds right now—so that’s why...
Prince Nolan stared at the bowl of lotus-seed soup, his gaze growing ever softer, his heart turning tender. He took the bowl from Serena and murmured, "I’m just hungry."
He’d just finished dinner—there was no way he was actually hungry. Serena didn’t expose his lie, just smiled and watched Prince Nolan, signaling for him to eat.
She knew this bowl of lotus-seed soup would definitely soothe Prince Nolan, keeping him from pursuing her sudden arrival and little tantrum.
Prince Nolan was actually easy to coax—just like her. If she was upset with him, a few sweet words from him and she’d immediately forget her unhappiness.
Prince Nolan ate slowly, savoring each bite, taking only one lotus seed at a time—just like Serena had filled the bag one seed at a time earlier. He was so focused, as if the lotus seeds were priceless treasures.
To Prince Nolan and Serena, this cheap bowl of lotus seeds was truly priceless. He had picked them himself, she had shelled them herself; every seed represented their deep, inseparable love and mutual cherishing.
"Does it taste good?" Serena loved watching Prince Nolan eat so seriously. Such a tiny lotus seed, yet he treated it like a treasure, not wasting a single one.
In this moment, the small rift between them completely vanished.
A brief separation was better than a honeymoon—after two months apart, their feelings hadn’t faded, only grown stronger.
"It’s delicious. You try some too." Prince Nolan scooped up a lotus seed and brought it to Serena’s lips. She opened her mouth and took it, chewed twice, and—before swallowing—mumbled, "It really is good."
In truth... the lotus seeds were rather bland, since Serena had told the cook not to add sugar.
"Then have a couple more." After taking a bite himself, Prince Nolan fed Serena another, and together they finished the bowl of lotus-seed soup, taking turns.
To outsiders, this would look silly and childish, but to them it was sweet and blissful—they wished time could stop, that this moment could last forever.
Once the soup was gone, the two sat quietly, gazing at each other for a long moment before Serena finally stood up. "Go ahead and get back to work. I won’t disturb you—I’ll head to my room."
Her room was, in fact, Prince Nolan’s room.
"Wait for me—I’m already finished."
"Okay!" Serena responded happily.
What woman wouldn’t want her man to make time for her, even when busy with work? Prince Nolan was willing to set aside his duties to be with her; she wouldn’t play coy and insist he focus on the bigger picture. She trusted his judgment—he wouldn’t neglect important matters for her.
After a stick of incense, Prince Nolan tidied up the desk, but didn’t leave. Instead, he called Serena over, unfolded a sheet of letter paper, and handed it to her: "What’s this?"
Since Serena hadn’t brought it up, he had to ask directly. He wasn’t usually so curious, but if he didn’t get an answer, he knew he wouldn’t sleep tonight.
"It’s the letter I wrote you," Serena replied, hiding the glint in her eyes and smiling innocently.
Hahaha, serves you right!
That’s what you get for messing with me—now you’ve fallen into your own trap.
"What about this blacked-out part?" Prince Nolan wasn’t about to let Serena off so easily and pressed on.
Serena blinked innocently at Prince Nolan. "Is there a problem with the blacked-out part?"
"No, I just want to know—what did you originally write? And why did you cover it up?" Prince Nolan looked helplessly at Serena. He realized he’d spoiled her; now she’d learned to tease him right back.
Serena didn’t answer. Instead, she repeated Prince Nolan’s own words: "Prince Nolan, what did you originally write? And why did you black it out?"
Same words, but both of them knew exactly what they were really asking.
"Ahem..." Prince Nolan’s ears reddened. Embarrassed, he turned his head away and quickly said, "I didn’t write anything—that was just ink spilled on the paper."
Prince Nolan felt a little guilty. Others might not notice, but he knew it himself.
"Ohhh... is that so?" Serena drew out the last syllable, making Prince Nolan’s face grow even redder.
What did Serena mean by that?
Prince Nolan glared at Serena in annoyance, but when he met her clear, bright eyes full of laughter, he could only sigh.
He’d lost to Serena!
In this life, he was destined to fall in Serena Feng’s hands.