Ivana felt nothing but discomfort. She stared at Serena with wide eyes, beads of sweat as large as beans trickling from her hairline, creeping down her powder-coated, milky complexion and into the folds of her neck.

"Antidote," Serena uttered in a hushed tone.

She knew she hadn't escaped danger yet, for Ivana could turn hostile at any moment. After all, she and the Acesia King shared the same blood. Since her brother was a complete lunatic and rogue, it was natural to assume that she wouldn't be any better.

Using the Acesia King to intimidate Ivana was simply fighting poison with poison. Ivana stood stunned for a moment before motioning for the old lady to fetch the antidote.

"If you dare to complain to Jeno, your fate will be far worse than anyone's, do you understand? That's your own words, you can't blame me!" she warned sharply.

"I know," Serena continued to provoke her, "I still have to become your sister-in-law."

Ivana felt suffocated once again. It was as if her mind had been poisoned along with her body. After retreating a few steps, holding her head, she signaled for the old lady to administer the antidote to Serena .

After taking the antidote, Serena quickly regained her strength. Being trapped in an unconscious body felt like an endless nightmare, dark, cold, and hopeless. Now that the poison was neutralized, she finally felt alive again, realizing that all of this was neither a dream nor an illusion.

"Don't try anything funny!" Ivana warned sternly. "As for you, Achillea, the King's brother wants you eliminated, and it could happen anytime!"

Serena glanced at her, noticing how her bristled demeanor resembled that of a big orange cat. She spoke as if she would really let Acesia King eliminate anyone. Serena acknowledged with a reluctant nod, slowly sitting up.

Ivana stared at her with caution. Beneath the gossamer veil, the woman's figure was slightly slender. Her black hair loosely gathered at the back of her head accentuated her delicate and elegant neck, evoking a sense of protection and possessiveness in men's hearts. Her ethereal beauty seemed elusive, as if every glance revealed a different aspect of her loveliness.

However, she remained unaware of her own beauty.

Ivana widened her eyes, jealousy igniting within her. Just as she was about to erupt, she noticed Serena furrowing her brows and roughly scratching her arm through the cloudsleeves. She had been itching all day from a mosquito bite, a tragedy for someone in her condition.

After scratching her arm, she tried to reach for her ankle, but her strength failed her, causing her to collapse beneath the clouds.

Ivana had no intention of helping her up, instead, she stepped aside, eagerly anticipating Serena 's fall. Barely clutching onto the gauze canopy, Serena managed to avoid falling off the bed. The jade bell on the canopy tinkled, one of them falling to the ground and splitting into two halves, emitting a faint green light.

"When did you meet the King's brother?" the big orange cat asked, both timid and curious.

Serena didn't even lift her head. "Never."

The big orange cat immediately bristled. "Never? Do you dare to lie to me?!"

Serena glanced at her, utterly calm. "Spiritual acquaintance."

Once again, Serena felt the air in the palace hall was insufficient.

After calming down, Ivana said, "Regardless, the King's brother already knows. You are not allowed to mention me in front of Jeno. This has nothing to do with me. Do you understand? When you see Jeno, you must immediately tell him that you like the King's brother, without delay!"

Serena smiled meaningfully.

"Did you hear me?" Ivana pushed Serena roughly.

Though the poison had been neutralized, Serena 's body was still weak. When pushed, she collapsed back onto the cloud pillow.

"Yes, I heard you," Serena complied obediently.

Ivana stared at Serena , her gaze gradually changing.

The posture and appearance of this woman, delicate and graceful, could charm any man. Would a man forgive anything this kind of woman did? Even if she liked someone else, so what? Who knew if Jeno would treat her better, trying to win back her heart?

She liked that person, so what? There was no possibility between her and that person!

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Suddenly, Ivana felt like she had done something foolish. She should have killed Serena , or...

A malicious gleam surfaced in her eyes.

"Cloak," Ivana said cruelly, "destroy her face, gouge out one of her eyes."

Serena couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that both siblings from the Yu family were deeply troubled individuals.

This was quite a drama!

"You're right," Ivana's lips twitched as she smiled, "if you die, Jeno will regret it for the rest of his life. But if I disfigure your face, when he remembers you in the future, he will only recall a grotesque appearance. In a few years, he will forget about you completely!"

She straightened her chest arrogantly, returning to her haughty demeanor, saying casually, "Jeno fears the King's brother and won't harm me. After a while, when his anger subsides, as long as I appear before him beautifully, he will remember my goodness."

"Even if being with me doesn't do you any good, so what? Only the tears of a beauty are valuable. And you, Achillea, well, everyone knows the consequences of opposing Acesia! If Achillea King and Senon are smart, they won't try to seek revenge for you."

Ivana tilted her head, gesturing to the old lady.

The old lady wanted to advise but, seeing Ivana's icy gaze, realized there was no room for negotiation.

Serena quickly propped herself up with her elbow, crawling to the side of the cloud bed.

Now that she had done everything she could, all she could do was stall for time and wait for someone to come to her rescue.

The jade bells on the canopy were actually communication jade slips.

Arranged by Jenaro himself. Many years later, inheriting Serena 's bed, clothes, and the main man Corina, he had his life saved by it.

After pretending to fall off the cloud bed, Serena successfully pulled down one of the jade bells, watching it split into two halves, emitting a faint green light.

She just hoped Jenaro wouldn't throw his jade belt too far tonight.

If he started throwing clothes from the palace door all the way to the bed, it would be a disaster.

Serena dodged the flaming nails of the old lady while pondering.

She was quickly pushed to a dead end.

As the flames licked her cheeks, causing a piercing pain, a deafening roar suddenly sounded, and the heavy bronze door of the palace was kicked open from the outside.

A man in black appeared at the palace door, his long shadow extending into the hall, a palpable pressure spreading, making people weak and unable to breathe.

He stood tall, with black hair cascading behind him, casually glancing at the maidens strewn on the ground, his aura growing colder by

the moment.

Ivana gasped in shock, "Jeno..."

Wasn't he with Corina!

The old lady scrambled to the ground, prostrating herself, not daring to breathe.

Serena calmly watched as the male protagonist approached.

Passing by Ivana, Jeno paused, his brows furrowing slightly as he said, "Overstepping boundaries, punishable."

Jeno's voice was deep and magnetic, unmistakably the voice of a male lead. And his appearance was indeed sculpted, with sharp features, thick eyebrows, large eyes, high nose, and thin lips, all exquisitely refined.

His demeanor spoke volumes. In his early thirties, at the peak of his life, his face was youthful, yet his temperament was mature and steady, incredibly charming.

Such a man could easily attract the fluttering hearts of young maidens without any effort.

"Jeno!" Ivana called out, both guilty and resentful, "Listen to me explain!"

Serena watched the two of them with interest.

The crisis had been averted, and the feeling of unreality washed over her once again. She felt more like a spectator.

Would Jeno listen to Ivana's explanation? He must.

They needed to give each other a way out. The Cloud Realm's eighteen provinces were actually eighteen vassal states, and the relationships were extremely complex, pulling one hair would move the whole body.

Jeno wouldn't send any signals of conflict with Acesia at this time.

Ivana naturally understood the situation. She might fear Acesia King, but she also knew that outside, she represented Acesia's prestige, and no one dared to openly confront Acesia, including the Emperor of Fredericia.

So Ivana restrained her emotions, bowed gracefully, and said, "I have been searching for days and finally found the antidote to the wood poison. I rushed back to the Cloud Palace immediately to treat Sister Serena . I didn't even have time to inform Jeno."

Despite being older than Serena , Ivana could only address herself as the younger sister because Serena was the legitimate wife.

Jeno nodded encouragingly, saying in a deep voice, "Hmm."

Ivana wiped her eyes, "But who knew, as soon as Sister woke up, she began to speak deliriously, saying that she had no feelings for Jeno at all, and that she, she actually had an affair with my King's brother! I, I panicked and was angry that she was disloyal to Jeno, so I decided to teach her a lesson!"

She rushed forward, grabbing Jeno's hand hanging by his side, pleading, "I am not a malicious person, I just wanted to scare her so that she wouldn't dare to speak such nonsense again! Every word I said is true, the Cloak can testify!"

Jeno patted her pampered hand, calmly moving it away from him.

He took two large steps, sitting on the edge of the cloud bed, reaching out to Serena .

He looked at her, his gaze affectionate, "Come."

"Jeno!" Ivana called out again, both guilty and indignant, "She betrayed you! Can you stomach this? I can't!"

"That's enough," Jeno's tone grew colder, "return to the palace and reflect on your own, and don't leave without permission. I will handle this matter myself."

With Ivana alone, it was clear that she didn't dare to disobey, so she immediately retreated with the old lady.

Back in the Cloud Palace, only Jeno and Serena remained, along with the scattered maids.

Jeno looked at Serena , a smile appearing on his face, the only smile since he entered the palace.

Serena looked at this dazzling face with interest, thinking to herself that if she were slightly less clear-headed, she might have imagined that he cared uniquely for her.

"Did she say that?" Jeno asked.

Even when smiling, this young king's aura remained deep and heavy.

Serena lowered her eyes, saying, "I don't know. When I woke up, I was very confused, and I don't remember what she said to me or how I replied."

She had been careful not to admit to liking Acesia King after breaking the jade bell. She had never admitted it, nor denied it, leaving it for Jeno to interpret as he pleased.

She hadn't admitted it, nor denied it, so even if evidence were found later, she wouldn't be lying!

While Acesia was indeed untouchable, the Yu family from her mother's side was no pushover.

Jeno wanted to form an alliance between Acesia and Achillea, and he didn't dare to abandon either side.

"It's all settled now, just a misunderstanding. I trust you completely." He gazed at her affectionately, exuding tenderness, "Don't be afraid, come here."

"Serena , you finally brought my heart back," his voice was hoarse, filled with the unique charm of a man.

When the unparalleled young hero softened, it was truly touching.

Serena trusted in his evilness!

She wouldn't forget that there was still a woman lying halfway on his bed, having been indulged halfway!

He had come in a hurry, with no time to clean up. Beneath the heavy fragrance, the faint scent of a woman wafted.

Seeing Serena unmoving, he smiled indulgently and climbed onto the cloud bed, reaching out to embrace her.

His closeness made her feel uncomfortable all over.

The male lead in those ancient tragic love stories was indeed very insufferable!