Chapter 91: Trending News

Chapter 91: Trending News

The news had been released in the dead of night, and given that it contained sensitive keywords like "fiancé of General Ludwig," it had, after a night's worth of brewing, climbed to the top of the trending topics on the Star Network.

Amber clicked into the story and found that the front page featured a video of "himself" leaving a hotel with an attractive, petite submale, their faces clear enough and their posture intimate enough to make one marvel at the skill of the cameraperson.

Amber made a concerted effort to sift through his predecessor's memories and vaguely recalled that there was indeed such an incident. The other party had gone bar-hopping last month and just happened to hook up with a handsome submale. However, considering that his predecessor's memory would often go blank after drinking, he couldn't remember exactly what had transpired that night; he only remembered leaving the hotel at dawn. He hadn't expected it to be exposed now.

Even though the insectoids revered males, being caught cheating before marriage didn't look good when splashed across the media, especially since Ludwig was a well-regarded Imperial Major General. The comment section was now filled with condemnation, all passionately denouncing Amber's outrageous behavior.

"That scoundrel Amber is truly disgracing male insects. To do something so shameless right before the engagement, does he have a dung beetle's brain?!"

"No male insect in Heiz City would ever do something so absurd. This is simply an insult to the Empress."

"General Ludwig, there are more than just Amber as male insects in the third-class star. Perhaps you should consider other males, like me (winking)."

"It seems that pearls are destined to be obscured by dust, and flowers are destined to be stuck in cow dung. Oh, poor General Ludwig, why can't the Insect God love you a little more~"

These comments were barely tolerable, but they soon became increasingly vile. After all, in real life, female insects could only tolerate the domineering actions of male insects, and the Star Network was perhaps the only place where they could speak freely.

Amber casually scrolled through a few comments before closing the interface. Compared to those messy news stories, he was more concerned about the suspicious waiter. Relying solely on Ludwig to investigate wasn't enough; he needed to take action himself.

Rising from the sofa to leave, he unexpectedly saw Grandfather Fernan standing at the stairwell, his expression grave. Those slightly aged eyes were fixed on Amber, with a hint of seriousness upon closer inspection. "Amber, did you see this morning's Star Network?"

Amber paused, having a fair idea of what the other party wanted to ask. "Yes, I did."

Upon hearing Amber's response, Fernan's brows furrowed even deeper, forming a deep crease. He descended the stairs, still exuding the brisk demeanor of his military days. "Is the news on the Star Network true? Did you really fool around with that submale in the hotel?!"

Given the evidence and eyewitness accounts, Amber couldn't deny it outright. He shrugged slightly and said with a smile, "That male insect does indeed look very much like me."

Seeing that Amber was answering evasively, Fernan's gaze fell on his neatly pressed coat. "Are you preparing to find Ludwig to explain?"

"No, there's nothing to explain."

Amber had indeed promised Ludwig that he wouldn't cause trouble, but that promise was made yesterday, while the scandal occurred last month. In other words, it had nothing to do with him, so he felt it unnecessary to waste time on it.

"There's no point in dwelling on past events. If Ludwig is angry and unwilling to forgive..."

Amber paused for a moment before honestly providing an answer. "There's nothing I can do about it."

His predecessor had too many messy scandals. It was impossible to explain every time one surfaced. Although losing a backer like Ludwig was somewhat regrettable, Amber was more afraid of the hassle.

Fernan always wore clothes that were half-worn and out of style, looking out of place in the bustling Heiz City. Upon hearing Amber's response, he suddenly let out a slow breath. "Amber, I didn't want you to idle away your time in the third-class star, so I put my pride aside and begged Duke Bach to secure you a position in the military. I never expected that upon learning you were a bloodline-mutated S-level male insect, he would arrange this marriage..."

Fernan paused, and Amber's absurd actions once made him deeply regretful. Previously, in the third-class star, the other party had been relatively obedient and filial, but since arriving in the capital, Amber had been completely transformed by the surrounding fame and wealth. "Perhaps I was wrong. The prosperous Heiz City isn't suitable for us, and this marriage will only harm General Ludwig."

"There's nothing wrong with prosperity, Grandfather. One's horizons need to broaden, and so does one's ambition."

Amber had once been an emperor. His family had been outstanding strategists and rebels for generations, particularly adept at warfare and rebellion. The most prosperous lands must belong to the immortals, as must the finest wines and the most beautiful women. How could they be content to cower in a small corner?

"I have something to attend to, so I'll be going out."

Amber wouldn't argue with the elderly man. After saying this, he headed towards the door, but Fernan's low, stern voice suddenly sounded from behind. "Don't leave the house these few days. There are Star Network reporters lurking outside, and I don't want to see you on the headlines again!"

Amber paused, lifting the curtain slightly and indeed spotting numerous black cameras hidden in the bushes outside. Many gossip reporters were staking out, and there was even an insect perched on a tree—did they think they were cicadas?

Amber's eyelids twitched. Although there were imperial censors in the capital who would report any rumors, they certainly wouldn't carry cameras and squat outside someone's home in such a creepy manner. He was going to secretly investigate the waiter's identity and didn't want to draw attention.

The curtain fell, blocking the view outside.

Amber smiled and looked at Fernan. "I'll listen to you. I'll stay at home during this period."

However, while he didn't leave the house, someone came directly to his doorstep.

A few days later, a silver-gray spacecraft appeared outside the residence. A female insect dressed in military uniform stepped out. Her cold eyes were hidden under the shadow of her cap, her thin lips slightly pursed, revealing her foul mood. It was none other than Ludwig.

The Star Network reporters who had been lying in wait for several days around the area immediately brightened at the sight, swarming forward like hyenas sensing blood, holding recording devices and bombarding him with questions:

"General Ludwig, did you see the news from the past two days? Do you have anything to say about Lord Amber's rendezvous with a sexy submale?"

"Is this a misunderstanding or did it actually happen? Are you here today to break off the engagement with Lord Amber?!"

"General Ludwig, online opinions are divided. According to reliable sources, the Lanyi Family has already expressed intentions to unilaterally terminate the engagement. Is this true?"

As the reporters asked their questions with gusto, spittle flying as they tried to dig up some exclusive scoop, a cold gun barrel suddenly pressed against one of their temples, easily cutting off the sound in their throats.

Ludwig expressionlessly held the gun against one of the most enthusiastic gossip reporters. His eyes lowered, concealing the dark emotions within. He asked word by word in a deep voice, "According to the Empire's Male Insect Protection Law, it is strictly prohibited for any public media to enter a male insect's residence without approval from the military to conduct any activities that infringe on privacy rights, such as covert filming. My fiancé is an S-level male insect and has the right to activate the Empire's Level One Protection Clause. Do you know what that means?"

Hearing that Amber was an S-level male insect, the reporter trembled with excitement, but the next second, the gun barrel pressed harder against his forehead. He looked at Ludwig in panic and stammered, "W-What does it mean?"

Ludwig's index finger lightly rested on the trigger, his lips curling as he looked at him with the gaze reserved for inanimate objects. "It means I have the authority to deal with any insect that illegally enters my fiancé's residence. Even if I shoot all of you, it would merely be self-defense. Do you understand?"

With each word he spoke, the reporter's legs weakened further. By the end, he was already kneeling on the ground, clutching his camera equipment and trying to escape with the others, but he didn't expect Ludwig to kick him back harshly.

"Ouch!"

The edge of the black military boot was hard, producing a dull thud when it struck the knee. Even a tough-skinned female insect couldn't withstand it, crying out in pain as she clutched her leg.

Ludwig leaned down, pressing the gun against her chin, forcing the paparazzi reporter to look up at him. He raised his eyebrows coldly and asked, "Why are you running? Weren't you here to cover the news?"

The cold gun barrel pressed painfully against her jawbone. As Ludwig lightly tapped her cheek with the gun barrel, he said meaningfully,

"My relationship with my fiancé, Lord Amber, is extremely good. All those messy rumors are baseless. We won't break off our engagement, nor will we have any conflicts. So don't let me catch you writing false stories, and don't let me catch you sneaking around to photograph him. Do you understand?"

The reporter was almost peeing herself from fear and hastily nodded. "I understand, I understand! Don't worry! We definitely won't write anything false!"

Ludwig spat out a single word coldly. "Scram!"

Indeed, he was still too young, impulsive. These paparazzi had black hearts and venomous tongues; there was no way they would succumb to Ludwig's threats upon returning. Instead, they might even bear a grudge against him, deliberately smearing his name online.

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Amber shook his head slightly at the scene outside. Seeing Ludwig approaching, he turned away from the window, ready to go downstairs to receive their guest. Passing by his grandfather Fernan's room, he gently tapped on the door with his fingers:

"Grandfather, Major Ludwig is here. I have something to discuss with him, so you don't need to come downstairs for now."

The room was silent.

Military females always had keen hearing, and Amber knew that the other party had heard him. He straightened his clothes and turned to go downstairs, but a faint sense of interest arose in his heart. Why had Ludwig come to see him? Was it to settle accounts, or was it indeed to settle accounts?

"I waited for you for three whole days, and during those three days, you didn't send me a single message. Don't you have anything to explain about the news on the Star Network?"

Ludwig had indeed come to confront him. When he was angry, he wasn't rash; instead, he stared at Amber with eyes as cold as ice, his voice low and unreadable.

Amber didn't feel there was much to explain. After all, the video was clear—the original body had indeed entered the hotel with that androgyne. It was as good as nailed down that he had cheated, but... what did that have to do with him?

Amber never did foolish things like taking the blame for others. He poured a glass of sparkling wine and handed it to Ludwig, the clear tips of his fingers supporting the translucent stem of the glass. As he gently swirled his wrist, the sight was of rippling wine: "Major Ludwig, paparazzi always enjoy taking random photos and writing whatever they want. I don't think their words are credible. What do you think?"

Ludwig felt that Amber was treating him like a fool, which only fueled his anger further. He looked at Amber coldly and couldn't help but curse: "Damn it, how do you explain that video? Have you forgotten what you promised me last time—that you would never cause this kind of trouble again!"

After a moment of contemplation, Amber felt even more justified: "I did say that, and from our last meeting until today, I haven't caused you any new problems, Major Ludwig. That piece of news was already from last month."

"You!"

Whenever Ludwig faced Amber, he felt like a scholar encountering a soldier—there was no way to make his point clear. Hearing this, he suddenly stepped forward, his black military boots touching Amber's shoes. His amber eyes narrowed dangerously, exuding an invisible pressure: "So, you're admitting that the news was true?"

Amber leaned over to place the glass on the coffee table, the crimson liquid clearly reflecting his eyes, which hid a smile: "No, I never said that."

An emperor would never take the blame for others—it was impossible in this life. What they needed to do was balance the power between the front court and the harem, making them swear allegiance to him.

"Ludwig,"

Amber's low, calm voice sounded behind Ludwig, carrying a hint of sigh. He frowned slightly, as if worried about something: "You must understand that many bugs in Heiz City are dissatisfied with our marriage. They obstruct us openly and secretly, and I have no power or background, making it easy for them to frame me. Do you know that?"

It seemed he was implying something. His tall figure drew slightly closer to Ludwig's back, towering half a head taller than an androgyne. A cool aura enveloped the other party, yet it was more bewitching than any sweet fragrance. He spoke slowly and deliberately:

"You should trust me and protect me, after all, we are partners."

"Help me investigate the waiter at the auction that day and the androgyne at the hotel. I need your help."

"Ludwig, I don't want any bug to affect our marriage. Do you understand?"

When Ludwig felt Amber suddenly draw close, he subconsciously tensed up, his spine rigid. The warm breath of the male bug brushed evenly against his ear, his voice low, repeating his name over and over again, like an ancient and gentle incantation.

The nature of female bugs made it impossible for Ludwig to resist the scent of the male bug. The body concealed under the military uniform involuntarily heated up, as if an invisible hand was pulling out his strength like threads, leaving only a faint flush on his skin.

Ludwig closed his eyes, his expression grim. He knew that the scent of male bugs would have a tremendous attraction to female bugs, but he hadn't expected the effect to be so significant.

Ludwig loosened his tie and slowly exhaled, finally suppressing that strange heat. His voice echoed in the quiet living room, carrying a barely perceptible self-mockery: "Of course, you wouldn't want any problems with this marriage, otherwise, how could you buy those limited-edition spacecraft? How could you enter those noble clubs? And how could you stay on the Imperial Star long-term, rather than being sent back to a third-rate garbage planet?"

Ludwig was well aware of his value—or rather, he was well aware of the added value of military females. Males chose to marry them mostly because of their family backgrounds, wealth, and those medals representing power. In terms of appearance, strong and rough military females weren't as appealing as delicate androgynes.

Amber was a perfect example.

Ludwig spoke coldly: "You'd rather ignore your fiancé and run off to a bar to flirt with an unknown androgyne. Regardless of whether any bug framed you, one slap can't make a sound alone."

He was always so ungracious when he spoke, not knowing if it was like this with all males or just with Amber. But such a personality was indeed prone to disadvantages.

After saying this, Ludwig turned around and left the residence. He couldn't quite figure out what his purpose was in coming today. With the video right in front of him, Amber's explanations were futile anyway. Yet, deep down, he held onto a sliver of inexplicable hope.

Clearly, he not only failed to get a satisfactory answer but also became even more troubled.

For the past three days, Ludwig had hardly slept. Upon returning home, he felt a throbbing headache. Lying in bed, he fell into a drowsy sleep, waking up only when dusk had fallen.

His terminal on his wrist rang precisely then, showing that Duke Bach had initiated a communication request. Ludwig lay on the bed, listlessly tapping to answer: "Do you need something from me?"

Duke Bach paused for a moment, and his first words were a sigh:

"Ludwig, why don't you cancel your engagement with His Excellency Amber?"

"…"