Chapter 66

Chapter 66

"His Majesty is here?!"

"Control this farce at once, guards!"

Yale couldn't hold onto Kanuo for long. The noble insect, though dazed, still had some crisis management skills.

Though they hesitated to approach due to Yale's S-Class status, the hall began to emit a mist of soothing agent out of concern for the other high-ranking male insect's life.

It smelled like a mixture of 84 disinfectant, causing Yale to wrinkle his nose in displeasure. His interest waned instantly.

Letting go, Kanuo fell to the ground with a thud, half-alive and half-dead.

The two princes arrived before the Emperor, and their expressions shifted upon witnessing the scene.

"Male Sovereign?!"

The second prince, Felix, immediately unfurled his bone wings and rushed forward, extending his sharp claws towards Yale, who was currently facing away from him.

Yale's eyelashes drooped slightly as he took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his hands, seemingly oblivious to the impending danger.

"Bang—"

In the split second before Felix's sharp claws grazed the male's hair, an irresistible force suddenly slammed into him, sending the entire insect flying!

A gust of bloody wind brushed past his cheek, and a familiar expanse of deep black filled his vision. The massive bone wings slowly flapped, their intricate joints interlocking with a faint clicking sound.

Only then did Yale slowly turn his head to look at the female insect that had suddenly appeared behind him, encircling him with her bone wings. He let out a soft laugh.

"It's here?"

Xi Ze had shown no mercy just now; that blow had rendered Felix incapable of movement.

With the immediate crisis averted, Yale finally allowed himself to divert his attention, lowering his head with an undeniable air of tension and concern.

"Male Lord, are you injured?"

Blood stained Yale's face, even clinging to his eyelashes, but it couldn't conceal the brilliant glow in his dark eyes.

Silent, he reached out to part the bone wings in front of him, breaking free from the protective cocoon he had intentionally created. He then walked to stand beside Xi Ze.

"You missed quite a show when I was beating the defeated foe," Yale casually wiped his face and whispered to the female insect with a lifted chin.

At that moment, he stood unreservedly under the bright lights, towering before all the insects.

Xi Ze's hand, which had been reaching to wipe the blood off Yale's face, froze mid-air. In an instant, he grasped the male insect's intention—

Yale intended to make their relationship clear, to let every insect know that he stood on Xi Ze's side.

His pupils constricted, and his expression turned slightly dazed.

"The Emperor is here!"

A startled cry broke Xi Ze out of his trance. Glancing instinctively at Yale, he didn't have time to say anything as the male insect already pushed aside the end of his bone wings and began walking steadily towards the raised platform.

"What has happened?"

The aged queen, with his silver hair, sat down unsteadily, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic scene in the hall before finally settling on the male insect standing firmly at the bottom of the stairs, his expression inscrutable.

"Your Highness Yale, do you have any explanation to offer?"

The existence of an S-Class male insect was highly exceptional, and it was mandatory to use honorifics and the title 'Your Highness.' Even the emperor had to abide by this rule.

"Your Majesty, good evening."

"I've long heard of Prince Kanuo's renowned reputation. Initially, I invited Your Highness for a casual drink to get acquainted. However, I didn't expect to be attacked, which led me to retaliate in anger. I apologize if my actions have startled everyone."

Yale bowed elegantly, then furrowed his brows slightly, appearing troubled.

"Your Majesty, may I be permitted to change my clothes? Most of this isn't actually blood, but rather spilt red wine that's now sticky and uncomfortable."

He lifted his eyelids slightly, locking eyes with the pair of eyes hidden beneath the white whiskers for a moment, catching a glimpse of the fleeting realization and contemplation there.

"No way! We can't just let this slide, Father?!'

A trembling roar echoed from behind. Yale tilted his head to see the female insect, who had been kicked away by Xi Ze, struggling to his feet to shield Kanuo behind him.

"Not just let it slide?"

He raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the cautious Second Prince with a drawn-out tone. "Very well."

"Then, Your Highness Canno, what crime is it to provoke someone out of your rank and assault an S-Class male insect?"

Felix froze, his hand wiping the blood from his face stalling as if he was only realizing who the insect in front of him was now. He stuttered, "An S... S-Level... male insect?"

He turned to look at the continuously wailing Canno, avoiding the nobles who were clearly too afraid to intervene, and also the cold-eyed Xize standing aside. For a moment, he was bewildered.

"Enough."

The elderly female emperor spoke up, ending the spectacle.

"It's true that Duke's son provoked Yale first, forcing His Excellency to defend himself. But since Canno has been punished, we consider the matter settled."

"Augustus?"

Upon receiving the cue, the silent First Prince, who had been observing since the beginning, stepped forward. He instructed to carefully take Canno to the hospital for treatment and to clear the congested media... Soon, order was restored in the entire ball.

Yale was taken to the lounge, where he quickly freshened up and changed into a new formal attire.

"Are you injured? Is your hand alright?"

Adelaide hurried over, watching as the makeup team attended to the male with hurried taps on his face. Satisfied that there were no visible wounds, Adelaide's anxiety eased.

Yale opened his eyes silently, feigning a half-hearted complaint. "His skull was too hard; it hurt my hand."

Adelaide took a deep breath to refrain from rolling his eyes in front of the male, but still couldn't help but sigh. "Why did you have to make such a scene? Couldn't you have dealt with him at another time?"

Yale nonchalantly shrugged.

"Was it to avenge the Marshal?"

After a moment of silence, Adelaide suddenly asked.

"Not entirely. There were other factors involved," Yale chuckled lightly, tapping his fingers against his knee. "But who could blame me for retaliating? He was the one who attacked first, after all."

"That'll fool no one." Adelaide chuckled. "I'll guard the entrance. Call me if you need anything."

"Where's Xi Ze? Why hasn't he come?" Yale glanced at the still door and whispered.

Adelaide was already familiar with their pet names and replied unperturbed, "His Majesty has detained him for the time being. After all, he just kicked an imperial prince into a wall. There would be some bickering to sort out."

"True enough."

Yale waved his hand, and the makeup artists around him hastily finished up and retreated. "I'd better go out now before he worries too much."

...

The ball continued as planned.

After exchanging a glance with the female insect to assure her of his safety, Yale took his seat – a position prepared especially for him. It was located not far from His Majesty and slightly higher than the princes, adorned with countless luxurious diamonds and precious minerals, giving off a dazzling appearance but, in reality, rather uncomfortable to sit on.

Yale sipped his orange juice without changing his expression and subtly shifted his seating position.

The hall was now resonating with elegant melodies as many noble female insects gracefully danced, presenting a delightful sight.

Countless discreet glances shot towards Yale from all directions, but they were all ignored. The majestic male insect on the high seat sipped his orange juice with boredom, his expression indifferent.

"Do you want to approach him? I wonder if His Highness is in a better mood..."

"It still seems risky. Why don't you give it a try? His Highness doesn't have a wine bottle in hand now, so there's no fear of getting suddenly hit."

Whispers spread among the nobles, but none dared to be the first to make a move. The male insect before them was clearly no pushover, and even more challenging to deal with than the arrogant Kanuo.

But this ball was currently the best opportunity for a conversation, and no one was willing to let it slip away.

Calling over a servant for two fresh drinks, Anix whispered to the patriarch, "Patriarch, may I give it a try?"

The middle-aged female insect across from him frowned deeply and sternly said, "Don't mess around."

"It'll be fine. I... I've met His Highness the male insect before, so we could say we had a brief encounter. Perhaps I might just strike up a conversation."

Anix coughed softly, enduring the patriarch's scrutinizing gaze as he vaguely recounted his previous encounter.

That small auction house might not be significant, but it somehow got entangled with an S-Class male insect. No matter how you looked at it, he was the one who gained the upper hand!

The surrounding nobles all perked up their ears, their eyes widening the more they listened until their envy could no longer be concealed.

Anix's male parent hesitated for a long time before considering that the male insect choosing this method to protect his own might not truly be a vicious one. It wouldn't hurt to have an early acquaintance.

"I'll go with you."

"..."

Click.

Yale placed his empty wine glass on the armrest of the chair. A nearby servant, seeing this, trembled as they prepared to refill it with orange juice, but was stopped by a gesture.

"Majesty, good night."

A voice sounded in front of him, carrying almost cautious respect and curiosity. Yale lifted his gaze, somewhat surprised to see a familiar face.

"May I ask if you still remember me?"

Anix still didn't straighten up, carefully holding the glass of wine as he offered it, whispering a reminder, "Aital Star, the auction house..."

How could he forget? He was the one who threw money around like it grew on trees.

Yale's interest piqued slightly, but he didn't take the offered wine, "I remember. You were quite generous."

The male insect's tone was neutral, leaving no trace of whether it was a compliment or criticism. Yet, there was a strong possibility of sarcasm, which made Anix break out in a cold sweat.

"That auction house was just for amusement. If Your Excellency is interested, my family has several more opulent and grand auction houses to choose from. I hope this can make amends for any offense I may have caused back then..."

Yale's eyes curved gently, revealing a warm smile as he casually reassured the male insect before him.

"Don't be nervous. When I said you were generous, it was a compliment. Since you're the first to arrive, let's become friends."

Anix drew in a sharp breath, his face glowing with the surprise of an unexpected gift.

"R-Really? I'm incredibly grateful for your tolerance! To be able to call Your Excellency my friend would be the greatest fortune of my three lifetimes...!"

So overwhelmed was the male insect that his words stumbled, and from a short distance away, a noble eavesdropping on their conversation couldn't hide the envy in their expression.

"This is a humble gift from my family to you, Your Excellency, hoping it will find favor in your eyes."

After some polite conversation, Anix took out a small box he had prepared beforehand from his chest, offering it instead of a toast.

He opened the box, revealing a priceless piece of jewelry within.

It was a beautiful brooch, with a dazzling golden gemstone set in its center. The exquisite surface shimmered, resembling Xi Ze's eyes in a peculiar way.

Yale didn't hide his appreciation and accepted it with a smile. "Thank you."

Once Anix and his sire withdrew gracefully, it seemed like a floodgate had been opened. Another unfamiliar noble, accompanied by their offspring, stepped forward.

One after another, from sparse to overwhelming, the transformation took less than half an hour. Yale found himself gently surrounded by nobles vying for his attention, each taking turns to introduce themselves.

Some proudly presented their pre-prepared gifts, while those without hurriedly summoned insects from their families to deliver presents. By the end of the round of greetings, gifts had piled up at Yale's feet and on the armrests of his seat.

"Your Excellency, do you recall...?"

"Your Excellency, we are from the Clair family..."

"Your Highness!"

Many nobles, though not daring to approach hastily, were visibly restless with anticipation.

Others, the insects with contrasting stances, exchanged silent glances before reassessing their interests and allegiances.

The First Prince, who should have been surrounded as well, was instead seated in a corner. He glanced at the spectacle nearby and sighed, "Truly popular."

"Being swarmed is one thing, but it's entirely different from my good-for-nothing younger brother."

Augustus clicked his tongue, his usually stern expression relaxing as he made an unprecedented jest, "Where did you find such a high-quality male ruler? I need to go find one too."

Xi Ze drained the drink in his hand and, upon hearing this, replied coolly, "It wasn't me who found him; he found me."

"Speaking of which, have you gathered any crucial evidence?"

Augustus' expression turned grim as he recalled the bits and pieces of information they had uncovered.

"This empire has rotted into some monstrous state, with snakes and rats colluding together."

"As a military commander, colluding with foreign enemies for personal gain and betraying the kingdom, and as the leader of noble male insects, interfering in the Male Protection Association's rank assessments, suppressing young male insects before they can grow... Truly, despicable to the core."

Having endured this foul environment for so many years, he had long been stifled. Ever since Xi Ze "sacrificed" himself in the Lemir Battle five years ago, it was as if his limbs had been severed, leaving him powerless.

In these past five years, despite working diligently, his efforts were severely hindered, allowing him to implement only a dozen or so beneficial regulations, which were insufficient to shake the foundation.

Xi Ze lowered his gaze, hiding the fleeting coldness in his eyes. "The progress has been relatively smooth. After tonight... it might become even smoother."

He sighed, looking at the male insect on the nearby platform. With a weary frown, he massaged his temples.

"Indeed, it's well-known that the noble male insect is on your side, indirectly avenging you. Yet, he managed to extricate himself skillfully without any traces, that's remarkable."

Augsger playfully teased his friend and, after roughly estimating the potential reinforcements, genuinely felt a twinge of envy for a moment.

Yet, something seemed amiss in Xi Ze's expression. He softened his smile and asked, "What's the matter?"

"I didn't expect to have him choose sides so soon."

The Alpha sovereign himself was of incomparable nobility, yet his previous experiences set him apart from societal norms, leaving him unfamiliar with the intricacies of aristocracy. One could say that he had no definitive blueprint for his future.

He didn't wish to confine Yale's choices from the start, forcing the male insect to follow him down a path with no turning back – either to a rebirth through destruction or into an abyss of eternal damnation.

He didn't want... for Yale to eventually realize his worth and abilities, only to regret being bound by predetermined allegiances and circumstances.

Xi Ze gazed at the wine glass in his hand, its golden liquid reflecting distorted layers of reflections. A gentle sway sent ripples spreading, blossoming into a small golden flower.

"Just like how His Highness once treated his own fated mate, feeling guilty for not providing a good environment for growth, fearful and anxious about him getting hurt, and constantly worried that he might be corrupted by those arrogant noble offspring..."

"Neither here nor there, feeling indebted everywhere."

He lifted his gaze to look at the stunned Augustus, his lips curving slightly. "That's how I am now."

Augustus fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

"I understand. It's up to you to decide. But the situation is tricky right now. Even if you don't wish to, Your Highness has already taken a stand against Kanuo, an irreconcilable opposition."

Seeing his friend's worried expression and recalling the determination on the male insect's face when he chose to stand alongside them, he couldn't help but smile reassuringly.

"Moreover, this is His Highness's own will. He might understand your thoughts, even if he still chooses to stand on our side."

Those who become involved often find themselves trapped in the situation, unable to see things objectively. Due to the difficulty of true empathy, contradictions arise effortlessly.

In truth, one would regret any choice they make; it's better to follow one's heart in the moment.

These words were like parting the mists. Xi Ze gazed fixedly at a point in mid-air, his brooding expression gradually dissipating, replaced by a somewhat dazed realization.

"The Emperor thinks much more clearly than you do."

The usually solemn and composed Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, a hint of schadenfreude in his tone.

"Have you been preoccupied with this all this time? It's likely that His Majesty has been upset for quite a while, which is why he chose to convey his answer in such a manner."

"Hurry up and soothe him, or some other cunning insect might seduce your Alpha away."

As the ball reached its midpoint, Yale appeared somewhat fatigued. After bidding farewell to His Majesty, he descended from the dais alone, seemingly intending to retreat to the lounge for a moment of respite.

Xi Ze hastily set down his wine glass and rose to follow.

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Having cleared the lounge of any irrelevant insects, Yale finally unbuttoned his coat and lounged sideways on the sofa, a hint of laziness revealed in the droop of his lowered eyelids.

Click.

The door opened softly and closed again, followed by the familiar footsteps drawing near behind him. Yale remained with his eyes closed, allowing the male to gently wrap his arms around him from behind.

A trail of delicate kisses landed behind his ear, tinting the tip a faint pink, akin to a snow leopard's affectionate and submissive grooming, stirring a subtle tingling sensation throughout half his body.

"Male Ruler."

Xi Ze spoke softly. After receiving no response, he hesitated for a moment before calling out again, "Yale."

"Mm."

Yale turned in the male's embrace, opening his eyes to look up at the female. He rose slightly, reaching to grasp the tie beneath the male's formal attire, pulling him closer.

They exchanged a wordless gaze, after which the male closed his eyes and lowered his head, obediently submitting to Yale's biting and grinding, occasionally letting out a contented whimper from deep within his throat.

"You've had alcohol? It tastes a bit bitter."

After nibbling the lips of his mate until they were swollen, Yale finally relented, smacking his lips with a slightly hoarse voice.

Recalling how the taste of his mate had always been bitter, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"

Xi Ze's expression froze for a moment. He opened his mouth, unsure of where to begin, and for a moment, he froze in confusion.

"I'm asking you, why did you sign the property agreement beforehand, stating that if anything happens to you or if we part ways in the future, ninety-five percent of your assets will be left to me?"

Yale gently pinched his face, not applying much force, "You really want to leave with nothing?"

"…No," the omega submitted to the touch and mumbled indistinctly.

"Also, why is there an increasing number of files in the study about processed insects that have no connection to you, but all seem to have their eyes on me?"

He knew that his status would inevitably attract covetousness, various malicious intentions, and harassment. However, he was still stunned by the overwhelming amount of information he found when scrolling through it.

Apart from official duties, he had to deal with waves upon waves of prying individuals. No wonder the omega had developed dark circles despite his constitution.

"I've taken care of everything, made all the necessary connections, and meticulously prepared for my grand entrance... Yet, right before it happens, you back away and try to distance us. How can that be acceptable?"

Yale released his grip, gently rubbing the reddened mark on the male's neck. He leaned in and whispered, "Life isn't that simple."

Xi Ze reached out to embrace the male's shoulders, awkwardly saying, "Male Lord, I'm sorry."

"You claimed to like me, wanted to establish a bond. Yet, you push me away again and again under the pretense of doing what's best for me. Don't you see the contradiction?"

Hiding his face in the male's neck, Yale prevented the other from seeing his expression as he spoke quickly and softly.

He understood the male's concerns and could empathize with the considerations and worries. Usually, such indecisiveness could be seen as a charming quirk, but when it came to significant matters, there was no room for ambiguity or hesitation.

"Going on like this, if I truly lose hope and no longer want to be with you, would you still let me go for the sake of those illusory prospects and future?"

Xi Ze's pupils constricted. Without thinking, he blurted out, "No."

It wasn't until he regained his composure that he realized what he had just said, immediately freezing in place.

He couldn't even bear the thought of Yale threatening to leave, let alone actually watching the male walk away.

...He couldn't let go, whether it was due to the love or possessiveness in their relationship, or the well-intentioned but self-serving decisions he'd made for Yale's sake. He couldn't bear the thought of Yale leaving him.

Yale waited patiently for a moment before watching the male drone lower his head, embracing him tightly with a voice that trembled softly and hoarsely.

"I'm sorry, I won't let you, the male sovereign, go."

"Neither will I."

Yale reached out to hug the drone back, breathing in the fragrance between the soft white strands, the scent of orange blossoms diluting the inherent bitterness and turning it sweet.

"So stop doubting my feelings, and don't make the decision to let me go on your own."

"I'm not so shameless as to step on your blood and rise to power. I've never even considered... prioritizing myself at your expense."

The slender body in his palm felt slight, its faint warmth seeping through the shirt. As the drone spoke, his chest vibrated gently, conveying his usual gentle composure.

A hand fell onto his hair, meticulously combing through the disarray, soothing the anxiety and helplessness.

Xi Ze's tense body gradually relaxed. After a long silence, his voice came out hoarse when he spoke again.

"…I'm sorry. I promised to treat you well, but I still fell short."

Yale hummed in response, his tone unusually relaxed and somewhat languid after opening up.

"It's not that there's anything wrong with how you care for me. It's just that I also want to be of benefit to you, not to be a burden by always being shielded behind you."

He chuckled softly and embraced the male insect in his arms.

He didn't want the other to walk alone through the dark night, from the muddy struggles to the fading twilight.

Watching as one by one, teachers, comrades, and companions left his side, leaving only a cold, hardened shell of steel.

Those he protected either worshiped and relied on him excessively, betrayed him due to unfulfilled greed, or suspected him, remaining ever vigilant… None stood by his side.

So let him take a few quick steps, squeeze onto that dark path, hold the male insect's hand, and together, charge towards their ultimate destiny.

Author's Note:

Yeye's straightforward approach! Right into your heart~ The General has finally mustered courage, and he'll continue to be brave from now on. It's time to activate the mode where the couple fights monsters side by side!