Chapter 92

Chapter 92

The press conference was held in the morning, but it didn't truly end until the afternoon.

Yale glanced at the time, momentarily hesitating.

Noticing Xi Ze subconsciously caressing his ring, he suddenly activated the car's AI navigation system, "Asd, change course."

"We're heading to the Imperial Matching Center."

The Imperial Matching Center was an agency that facilitated the establishment of relationships between male insects and their mates, consorts, or slaves.

But typically, it was rare for male insects to visit; only female insects needed to process the application there, after which their relationship would be officially recognized.

For a male sovereign to go there would mean...

His hand paused mid-motion, Xi Ze's pupils constricted as he clearly heard the pounding of his chest. His thoughts, which were previously occupied with future plans, came to a sudden halt.

In Etar, due to his identity being erased, making him an illegal citizen, the collar of the previous slave had not recorded his information. Technically speaking, he had never officially become Yale's slave.

Yet even after removing the collar, Yale's name still appeared alongside an omega slave in the records. He had noticed this detail long ago but chose not to bring it to the alpha's attention for rectification.

In the eyes of many military alphas, being an omega slave is indeed a mark of disgrace. Yet, paradoxically, it also represents countless cherished memories of life on Aital Star.

At the same time... it was the sole, tangible bond that existed between him and Yale.

Has the alpha heard some rumor, or has he finally recalled this, wanting to erase this "blemish" from the record?

Of course, going to the Empire's Matching Center now would more likely be for a different scenario altogether.

The Alpha was finally about to grant him something he had secretly yearned for but could not ask for directly.

"Alpha, what's wrong?"

Xi Ze turned his head to look at Yale's profile, almost asking cautiously, "Why did you suddenly decide to go to the Matching Center?"

In truth, Yale hadn't thought that far.

It was just that when he saw those photographs, his eyes were met with countless slanders and injuries, the remains of mechas found on the battlefield, and the media that twisted the truth and fed on the blood of his people.

The anger bubbled up like molten lava, intertwining with the joy of vindication to form a deep and turbulent emotional undercurrent.

Not only did he despise those disgusting creatures, but his heart ached so fiercely that he yearned to lavish his love on the insect in his embrace, through hugs, kisses, or even more intimate connections.

But as these options flashed through his mind, they were all discarded.

He wanted Xi Ze to comprehend the intense, unspoken affection, the protective and possessive instincts akin to those of a mate, along with an unprecedented level of seriousness and commitment.

To demonstrate his unwavering choice and preference, to stand together forever - this couldn't be achieved merely through words or even a ring, which was just an external symbol. All that remained was...

"We have arrived at your destination, Asd is at your service."

In the blink of an eye, they had already reached the Imperial Matching Center.

Yale didn't have time to explain. After opening the door, he pulled Xi Ze straight inside.

Due to the special circumstances, the accompanying troops could only surround the building in a hurry. Bai Lang, with a confused look on his face, was stopped at the entrance as he instructed the army to establish a defense line.

"Why are we suddenly here?! Wait, you've been wearing the matching rings for months now, yet His Majesty still hasn't formed a bond with the Marshal?"

It was perplexing. Could pre-marital cohabitation between mates be one of Their Highness's and the Marshal's romantic interests?

Bai Lang wore a serious expression, but he quickly stopped his thoughts. In situations like these, he only needed to play his role as a lookout; delving deeper would only result in him being bombarded with their affectionate displays.

To avoid attracting media attention, Yale had to act swiftly and get straight to the point. He had done some research beforehand, so even though he had never been here before, he deftly found the drone responsible for this service and knocked on the transparent glass.

"Hey, hello!"

The idle drone, who had been eagerly awaiting the end of its shift, lifted its head in distress at the unexpected noise at the entrance, fearing that its plans for an on-time departure were ruined once again.

But when it saw the insect that had entered, its eyes widened slowly, staring blankly as Yale approached.

"No appointment? Take a number now, please," the drone said, snapping out of its daze and hurriedly producing a queue ticket.

"Huh? Oh... Here, take it. There are plenty of available spots right now, so you don't need to wait in line. Just choose a matching room directly."

The worker drone only snapped back to reality after the divine-looking insect and the military female behind him had passed by.

Wait… Aren't those two insects rather familiar?

He had seen them in the news before! Could the one in front be… His Highness Yale, an S-class male drone?

And the military female trailing behind seemed to have just made headlines!

The worker drone's pupils dilated in shock as he fumbled for his light computer, frantically switching from a mini-game to the news feed. Indeed, the top story featured high-definition images of the pair.

Countless pieces of information collided chaotically in his mind, each individually innocuous but, when combined, explosive. They coalesced into a single exclamation:

Damn!

...

"Let's take this one."

Yale swiftly chose room number "S520" for its auspicious sound, then pulled the female inside.

He led the Omega to a chair in front of the platform, inserted their identification tags, and waited for the AI to retrieve their information before proceeding with the next step.

Xi Ze hesitated for a moment before he couldn't resist whispering, "Why has the Alpha come here…?"

Yale had initially intended to say 'marriage,' but realizing that such a term wasn't commonly used in the insectoid culture, he changed his words, "To form a bond."

"Xi Ze, would you like to be my bonded Omega?"

The Omega seemed utterly stunned.

Gradually, his eyes reddened, even unconsciously taking on a moist sheen as he stared blankly, seemingly unable to blink or breathe.

After almost a minute had passed, he abruptly regained his senses, turning his head away in a fluster, avoiding Yale's concerned gaze.

Reaching out, he seemed to want to cover his eyes but then awkwardly changed his posture several times.

Eventually, he clenched his fist against his lips, taking a few unsteady deep breaths before barely managing to regain control of his tumultuous emotions.

"May I hold you?"

Yale offered a soft smile, not allowing himself to be fully immersed in his emotions before opening his arms wide. "Come here."

Xi Ze abruptly wiped his face and pulled the male partner into his embrace, firmly pressing his palm against the slender spine.

A tranquil blue glow enveloped them as the AI quietly sifted through their identification data, preparing for the information needed next, without intruding on their moment.

"Alright, if we keep hugging like this, the media will block the entrance. Let's proceed," Yale said, patting the female partner's shoulder with a lighthearted tone.

To ensure that Xi Ze hadn't misunderstood or was attempting to evade the topic, he repeated his question directly into the ear of the male in his embrace.

"Xi Ze, would you be willing to become my bonded mate?"

The male in his arms trembled subtly and held onto him even tighter, still not offering a response.

Noticing something amiss, Yale blinked and asked gently, "Is there something wrong? Please tell me your thoughts, whether you're willing or not."

"…My Lord, I kindly request that you reconsider your decision."

Xi Ze's Adam's apple rolled fiercely for a moment. After a brief struggle, he still pushed against the male insect's shoulders to create some distance.

Yale froze for a moment. "What's wrong?"

Fixing his gaze on Yale, Xi Ze's expression was soft yet tinged with sorrow as he began to enumerate the consequences of hastily choosing a primary mate.

"Each male insect can only have one primary mate, and once bonded, it's almost impossible to break apart."

In the insectoid society, multiple females were assigned to a single male. However, to maintain basic social stability, a rule was set that an adult male could only marry one primary mate.

The selection of a primary mate involved numerous factors: family, power, wealth... Unlike concubines or servants, though they should be from similar backgrounds, mutual pleasure and a certain level of affection were also necessary.

After all, once a primary mate was chosen, the bond couldn't be dissolved for at least twenty years. Even if one party died, the position of the primary mate couldn't remain vacant.

Recalling the expressions of the males below the stage just now, Xi Ze spoke in a low voice, his fingers still trembling slightly.

"Was it because you were too excited watching the video? Those matters are in the past. You don't need to make impulsive decisions out of temporary sympathy."

"Choosing a primary mate is a serious and solemn matter. If you decide impulsively and later regret it..."

He paused, his voice strained but determined to finish.

"Both the Ruler and I would find it painful and troublesome."

At the sound of his words, Yale's eyelashes quivered.

Xi Ze appeared extremely eager yet managed to restrain himself.

Like a mature and composed elder, he had already fully navigated the world of pragmatism and schemes, considering every move with great deliberation.

Even if he were particularly fond of something, it would be hard for him to express strong emotions.

Even if he desperately wanted to reach out and touch, he would consider the consequences and withdraw his hand, afraid of shattering the few precious treasures he had.

He could have pretended not to know and established their relationship first, couldn't he? He was very, very eager to bind himself to Yale, wasn't he?

Moreover, he had already been driven to hallucinations from excessive longing, installing so many cameras in the villa that he couldn't control. It was desperation that made him proactively invade Yale's territory.

But when it came to a long-term commitment, he once again laid out the pros and cons, returning the initiative to Yale's hands and awaiting his final decision.

This is... utterly unfair.

It took Yale a long while to recover from the shock. He fought back the sting in his nose and was momentarily speechless.

"Not..."

Clearing his throat, he forced out his voice and, under the curious gaze of the male, accessed his light brain.

Then, on the desktop, he found a dedicated folder. Upon opening it, about twenty files instantly popped up, their tiny and blurry texts crammed together.

Xi Ze immediately caught sight of the title of one document, his expression turning numb with disbelief.

An unbelievable hypothesis formed in his mind, which, as he scanned through the files, was gradually confirmed but only grew more absurdly inconceivable.

These were all agreements that the female needed to prepare and sign in advance for the position of the male's partner, awaiting the male's approval before the application could be finalized at the Matching Center.

The documents covered a wide range of topics, including property distribution after marriage, the male's allowed work qualifications and hours, and... virtually every aspect of life.

Due to their extensive content, the marriage contracts were voluminous and rather intricate, clearly not something that could be completed overnight. The only plausible explanation was that –

Yale adjusted the angle of his optical screen, displaying its contents to the male insect, his expression earnest and solemn.

"I'm certain about entering a mating bond with you, but not out of impulsive passion; it's a decision I've deliberated over for a long time."

He transmitted the documents within to the male's optical device. "Take a look. I've pre-selected some options for you. If you're not satisfied, we can discuss changing them."

Xi Ze's eyelashes quivered slightly as he glanced at the page content involuntarily. After flipping through several pages, he finally snapped back to reality.

"Permission for the female mate to retain their original occupation and work regular hours? Option: Yes."

"The property authority granted to the female mate after marriage: 1) Zero percent 2) Ten percent... 4) Other: Please fill in (One hundred percent)."

"Permission for the female mate to stay out overnight, for work overtime or leisure activities? Option: Yes."

"Permission for the female mate to... "

There were thousands of absurd restrictions and regulations, things that the once proud military male would have disdainfully dismissed with a glance.

Back then, he believed it was impossible for him to willingly step into a cage, digging his own grave.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that one day, he would desperately yearn to become the mate of a male insectoid and even endure unfair regulations for him.

What was even more unexpected was—

All his concerns, endurance, and compromises were silently dissolved, leaving no room for distress or agony.

Yale, seeing how engrossed Xi Ze was, softly explained, "Initially, we wanted to celebrate your appointment as Honorary Marshal, but the paperwork wasn't completed yet. Then, too many things happened, so it kept getting delayed until now."

The ceremony for appointing an Honorary Marshal seemed like ages ago when he thought back on it.

Recalling those times, Yale realized that his mindset had gradually shifted since then.

Due to impractical fantasies and lingering thoughts, he had once easily fallen into desperate situations. He had gone mad with hope that was nothing but an illusion, almost costing him his life.

"I've long understood that I'm no longer a child and shouldn't only think about myself. I should also consider your feelings. After that, I rarely indulged in reckless and unrealistic dreams."

He wanted to stay by Xi Ze's side, walk hand in hand with him, and fight alongside him.

This was not a compromise but a grounded, tangible commitment to taking root—

To begin anchoring himself in the soil beneath his feet, in the present life, and in the happiness within reach.

Yale's eyes crinkled with a smile.

"Although it was interrupted by various matters, now that all potential threats have been eliminated and things are gradually improving, it's not too late."

Xi Ze had finished browsing through the documents, or rather, he had used the act of reading as a cover to hide his overly agitated emotions from spiraling out of control. However, his trembling fingertips betrayed his true feelings.

After a moment of silence, he pressed his lips together, revealing a hint of pain in his hesitant expression.

"I... You know that my reproductive cavity has been damaged, making it very likely that I won't be able to bear young."

"After returning to the home planet, I underwent a thorough examination, but the injuries I sustained were severe, leaving irreversible consequences. Even if I undergo subsequent recuperation, I might never return to a healthy state."

He honestly disclosed his physical condition to Yale, preemptively envisioning the worst-case scenario to prevent the male from harboring false hopes.

Few males would choose an infertile female as their Queen, not merely due to affection but after considering multiple factors.

Yale paused, then replied decisively, "It doesn't matter at all."

"Can't lay eggs, can't lay eggs. Forcing it would only lead to more harm. There are plenty of orphans in the welfare center anyway; we can always adopt one that's suitable."

He didn't think that the inability to lay eggs was a serious issue; it merely concerned the health of the female insect and wouldn't affect their marital status.

Would he really marry another insect just because Xi Ze couldn't lay eggs?

Recalling how he had asked this question multiple times without receiving a definitive answer, Yale's expression turned slightly stern. "So, will you marry me?"

Pressing his lips together, he leaned in to study the expression on the female insect's face. "I've given it serious thought, so please consider it too."

Xi Ze stared at him, his expression a mix of emotions, with a faint sheen of moisture shimmering in his eyes.

He didn't keep Yale waiting for long. Almost in a sigh, he said, "I'm willing."

"I am willing to become your male partner, loving, following, and serving you for life until the very end, when my soul dissipates completely."

A sudden smile lit up Xi Ze's face as he gazed intently at the male insect before him. With a solemn and resolute tone, he made an oath of unwavering loyalty.

Like a devout believer, he made a fervent vow to the sacred deity in his heart.

He wanted to be Yale's submissive mate, even if it meant enduring constraints and pain without the signed documents.

Moreover, marriage to him was no longer an icy, suffocating cage; it had transformed into a warm nest where he could safely relax and rest.

Sigh...

Yale gazed at him intently. Upon receiving a definitive answer, he exhaled in relief, his expression a mix of relief and lingering fear.

"I had no idea how nervous I was. My palms were sweating."

He had never proposed before. Although he believed Xi Ze wouldn't refuse, he still felt like an inexperienced youth, his heart skipping a beat when the drone asked him to reconsider.

"Sorry..."

Xi Ze drew closer, kissing him affectionately while intertwining their left hands.

Only then did Yale notice that both their hands were equally hot and moist, indicating that the drone's anxiety was just as intense.

"Hmm..."

Yale was kissed until a slight snuffle escaped him, his eyes fluttering slightly as he gradually immersed himself in the moment.

A hesitant mechanical voice interjected between them after a long pause.

"Hello, I wonder if the communication is settled. I'm about to finish my shift."

Remembering his unfinished business, Yale jolted back to reality, coughing softly with a hint of embarrassment.

"Apologies, we'll proceed with the registration right away."

The original designation of the female slave had been successfully erased. Their names stood side by side, undergoing rigorous scrutiny before they both finally transitioned into the status of "bound by a marital contract."

In no time, this alteration caught the sharp eye of internet users, swiftly igniting an extraordinary wave of attention that propelled it to the top of the trending charts.

...

Regardless of the turmoil brewing outside, it held no relevance to Yale and Xi Ze in this moment.

Under the escort of the military, they safely returned to the villa and hastily shut the door behind them. They embraced each other right at the entrance, reluctant even to part for a moment to change their shoes.

Yale leaned against the door, barely resisting the eager nibbling of the male drone. He watched 015 excitedly emerge and then sneak back, acutely sensing something amiss.

"Uh... wait..."

He patted Xi Ze's shoulder to signal a temporary separation. Then, squinting his eyes, he surveyed the living room, quickly spotting the oddity—

"Why have you removed most of the surveillance cameras?"

Wasn't he still terrified that Yale might suddenly vanish, wishing to be glued to him at all times but forced to compromise due to work commitments, hence turning into a pervert who spied on him from every angle?

Yet, after just two days, they were gone. His anticipated 'little black room' scenario never unfolded.

Xi Ze looked slightly embarrassed as he spoke in a low, strained voice.

"I realized it would make you uncomfortable, and I'm sorry. At that time, I lost control... I crossed the line and severely invaded your personal space."

The usually upright Marshal easily felt uneasy and, regaining his composure, forcibly detached himself from the shadows. He hurriedly concealed his possessive and dark side.

But that was merely a temporary solution. At least Yale knew that sometimes, a small isolation room might be more effective and soothing than marriage for those who were troubled and anxious.

Leaning against the door, he reached into his pocket with his hands steady, his gaze unwavering as he looked at the male insectoid. "Are you trying to proclaim your sovereignty?"

Xi Ze's expression froze, and he instinctively denied, "No..."

In the insectoid civilization, declaring exclusive ownership over a male was an even more presumptuous and taboo act than volunteering to bear eggs and requesting to become his primary mate.

Almost all male insectoids would feel disgust, and the females understood it was a taboo that must not be touched. They wouldn't court death or seek trouble unnecessarily.

...But Yale was different. He was unlike any other male insectoid.

Staring blankly at Yale's intrigued expression, Xi Ze subconsciously moved his lips but couldn't utter a sound.

"Is it that you can't, or you don't want to?"

Yale didn't give him time to ponder or react. He shrugged honestly and said, "You don't want to, but I do."

He took his hand out of his pocket, revealing a small box that had been opened. The item inside lay quietly in the palm of his hand.

Xi Ze's pupils constricted, and he then heard the male insect in front of him chuckle. "Shall you wear this all the time from now on?"

It was a black leather collar, as thin as one finger, intricately patterned, with a silver ring in the center, making it appear... rather provocative.

He could hear his own heartbeat clearly. His Adam's apple rolled for an instant, as if instinctively feeling the intense desire that was igniting his blood.

Yale placed the collar around Xi Ze's neck, positioning it just below his Adam's apple, concealed by the collar of his shirt.

"It might be a bit tight, but this way, you can always sense my heartbeat. My name is engraved on the inner side, symbolizing that every inch of you, inside and out, belongs to me, and no one else can touch you."

He tested the fit, feeling a small mechanism installed on the side that was resonating with his heartbeat. Satisfied, he nodded.

The male in front of him stood stiffly, allowing him to adjust the collar without resistance, as if still in a daze or immersed in a peculiar sensation. Even the corners of his eyes seemed moist.

"..."

Xi Ze tried to take a deep breath and indeed felt a slight constriction, but the sensation of being restrained did not discomfort him; instead, it heightened his sensitivity.

Upon hearing Yale's words, he trembled momentarily before shifting his body awkwardly, attempting to conceal his bodily reaction.

Yale leaned closer at that moment, placing his palm against Xi Ze's chest. "Your heartbeat is so rapid."

The male insect trembled for an instant before replying in a hoarse voice after a long while, "Because... I like you too much."

His tailored military uniform couldn't conceal the evident signs of his unease. His awkward sidestep only accentuated the strange bulge, even pushing up the fabric of his shirt on both sides of his chest, making it appear rather provocative.

Xi Ze's voice quivered, sounding somewhat bewildered. "How strange... My body seems to have lost all control."

Was he that excited?

"You're so perverted."

Yale spoke honestly, then remembered that he was the one who had bought the collar, so he was actually a bit more perverse.

They were two peas in a pod.

He coughed softly and gently pushed the male insect a step back.

"Let's return to our room and try on the lace lingerie you bought earlier to see if it fits."

Author's Note:

I couldn't resist incorporating some shivers-inducing elements, ahaha.

Pure love taken to its extreme becomes eccentric, and eccentricity pushed to its limits returns to pure love - a perfect cycle!