Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Clan Qiankesilan, as a major supplier of court regalia for every banquet, had both of its Chief Attendants away on extraterritorial hive matters this time, unable to attend House Tulath's banquet. Even their most prized A-Class Male Zerg, Ya Jin of Qiankesilan, was absent due to nest obligations. Yet, today, the name of His Highness Fei Luo was frequently mentioned in the Qiankesilan hatchhold estate.

"Did you see the new Highness when you delivered the clothes this time? How was he? Really as good-looking as in the Starnet photos?"

"Not the same."

"Not the same? Another doctored holo-image?"

"No, His Highness Fei Luo is far more striking than in the photos!!"

"Damn, you really know how to dangle the larva. The photos were already stunning—how much better can the real Zerg be?"

"The real Zerg is ten thousand times better. You guys really missed out this time. His Highness Fei Luo is remarkably hive-minded. Not only did we not get scolded, but he even had House Tulath's Attendants bring us food and drinks. So respectful!"

"Wow, this Highness is that good? Damn, you lucky grub, getting the Highness to send you treats!"

"And that’s not all. There was a grand pheromonal display at the Tulath banquet today. You know the Thunder Drum game, right? His Highness Fei Luo played it himself! Just feel my psionic resonance—notice how much better it is? And I was just antennae-monitoring from the edge of the banquet hall! Tell me, isn’t the Highness amazing?"

"What?! By the Hive, I should’ve gone! If only Mr. Nimir hadn’t suddenly decided to take my spot—uh, good evening, sir."

The excited chatter among the Zerg, who were quietly discussing while sorting through the court garments brought back from the Tulath banquet, abruptly stopped as they stiffened upon noticing a figure in their peripheral vision.

Dressed in simple house robes, having changed out of the Attendant’s uniform worn at the Tulath residence, the gold-haired female Zerg’s brown eyes were calm. As if oblivious to their earlier gossip, her gaze settled quietly on the garments they were handling.

This batch of chrysalis silks sent to Clan Qiankesilan had been mostly returned, as only one piece was selected. In truth, these clothes had originally been tailored to Yi Jia Fa’s measurements, making them unsellable to other Zerg even if rejected.

Of course, House Tulath had already covered the production costs, so Clan Qiankesilan had no complaints about the returns.

However, since these garments couldn’t be resold, the lower-ranking Attendants followed protocol by bundling them up for disposal in the reclamation chamber. If none of the designers wanted to revisit them for inspiration within a month, they’d be incinerated.

This was the usual procedure, and no designer ever objected. So why was Mr. Nimir here…?

"These two—take them to the second-floor atelier."

No explanation was given, nor was one necessary.

With a sweep of her eyes, the female Zerg pointed at two specific garments before turning away and vanishing as silently as she had arrived.

Letting out a collective breath, the Attendants resumed their work, though none dared to continue their earlier chatter.

Still—

Carefully packaging the two selected outfits, one Attendant who had assisted at the Tulath banquet faintly recalled that while these pieces hadn’t been chosen for Yi Jia Fa, His Highness Fei Luo had examined them closely, seemingly pleased with the cuff articulation—even running his fingers over them.

So why did Mr. Nimir want these two…? "Hurry and deliver them. Don’t keep the sir waiting."

A hushed prompt snapped the Attendant out of their thoughts, and they quickly nodded, lifting the box containing the two outfits.

Upstairs, in the largest design room occupying half of Clan Qiankesilan’s second floor, the Attendant quietly placed the two boxes inside the door marked with Nimir’s nameplate before silently retreating.

The door closed again, and the Attendant’s heartbeat slowed slightly—until—

"Hey!"

Leaning against the railing with an antique liquor bottle in hand, Ya Jin of Qiankesilan—who hadn’t attended the banquet but looked far more flushed than those who had—tilted his chitinous mandible at the Attendant.

"Who’s in there? Sneaking around instead of sleeping at this hour!"

"...Your Highness, it’s Mr. Nimir."

The Attendant’s limbs weakened, but their instinct conditioning kept their voice steady. Still, nervousness crept in, especially upon recognizing the speaker. They bowed their head low and answered softly.

Raising an eyebrow, the A-Class Male Zerg—unexpectedly hearing this answer—touched his burning cheeks and frowned. "No way. That guy never stays up late working. Are you covering for Kaser?"

"I wouldn’t dare, Your Highness. It really is Mr. Nimir. Mr. Kaser is still working overtime at the company and hasn’t returned."

Bowing even deeper, shoulders hunched, the Attendant nearly folded at the waist.

But this response piqued Ya Jin’s interest. Waving the Attendant off, the intoxicated gene-donor pushed the door open and barged in.

"Hey, Nimir, what’re you doing up so late instead of slee—ping…?"

His words tangled as his alcohol-slowed tongue caught up with the sight before him.

Ya Jin’s eyes widened as he stared at the female Zerg who, just a second ago, had been pressing her face against a sleeve. For once, he was utterly baffled.

By the Queens, since when did this guy have another unorthodox behavior? Not sleeping, not drinking, not chasing Male Zerg—just affixing to garments in the middle of the night?

Had his neural clusters misfired…?

Ignoring the burning gaze on her, the gold-haired female Zerg straightened slowly, carefully setting the garment down before turning a cold stare toward the flushed Ya Jin.

"What do you want?"

……

Originally, nothing. But now… something was definitely wrong.

"You… okay?" Setting down his ambrosia flask, the intoxicated gene-donor cautiously approached the female Zerg, who seemed far more intoxicated than he was—despite not drinking.

But reality proved otherwise.

A clear, sober gaze bore into Ya Jin’s dazed eyes, the familiar undercurrent of disdain and disgust radiating from the female Zerg. The familiar sensation sobered Ya Jin slightly, and he scowled at the only Zerg who dared openly despise him.

"Hey, cease this. Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll have your oculars removed. Seriously, don’t you have some kind of cleanliness compulsion? That outfit isn’t even your design—how can you stand clinging to it like that?"

After his usual (and ineffective) threats to salvage his Male Zerg pride, Ya Jin couldn’t help but eye the garment in Nimir’s hands curiously.

As a Male Zerg of Clan Qiankesilan, he knew every renowned designer’s style like the back of his hand. The piece Nimir was holding clearly wasn’t her own work. Had he not seen it himself, Ya Jin would never have believed Nimir would handle another designer’s work with such care.

After all, who was Nimir? The most talented and sought-after designer Clan Qiankesilan had produced in decades. Since launching her own brand under the Qiankesilan Group, sales across all their product lines had skyrocketed, securing the top industry spot year after year.

If not for Ya Jin—an A-Class Male Zerg of Clan Qiankesilan—shielding her from the relentless advances of other Male Zerg, and being her sire-shared kin, Nimir, with her uncompromising quirks, would’ve long been beaten to death. She’d never let just anyone wear her designs.

"What do you want?"

Still ignoring Ya Jin’s questions as if they were air, the gold-haired female Zerg coolly refolded the garment.

"Tch—"

Unfazed by her coldness, Ya Jin studied her odd behavior, mentally reviewing the day’s significant events involving Clan Qiankesilan. His eyebrows rose as he tentatively addressed the usually aloof female Zerg.

"Today, the only household that required our Attendants to deliver formal wear was House Tulath. Rumor has it they were hosting a welcome banquet for that long-lost Male Zerg of theirs. I didn’t go, neither did Father or Mother, so the invitation would’ve been useless for the rest of our family. Unless you…"

*Click.*

The electronic design screen flicked on abruptly. Seated before it, the gold-haired female Zerg’s voice was icy. "Get out."

"Haha, so it really is like that."

Taking two steps closer, Ya Jin's eyes gleamed with amusement as he scrutinized Nimir.

"I mean, could it be that even a golden-haired female as frigid as you has taken a liking to a male? So, is that Philo guy really that good-looking? I’ve been stuck on that isolated planet, Black Star, lately and didn’t even have time to check the Starnet for the drama."

"Not talking? If you admit you’re into him, I’ll help you get his contact info—just promise to design me a hat with dazzling black gemstones."

"Hey! Are you deaf?!"

"Hmph, fine. Don’t come begging for my help later!"

The ignored male's anger flared briefly before fizzling out. After tossing out one last threat, he finally left.

The door of the expensive design studio swung shut. The next moment, as the sound of the lock engaging echoed, the fingers that had been sketching on the design terminal with an electronic pen stilled.

Setting down the pen, Nimir opened the communicator and navigated to the favorites folder.

A pale blue floating holographic screen appeared midair, both real and illusory.

On the screen was a male insect with an unbuttoned collar and dreamy violet eyes—just as breathtaking as when he had first appeared at the port.

Still. Silent.

Just like that fleeting glimpse on the Starnet, the golden-haired female stared quietly for a long time.

And then—

"Scratch, scratch, scratch…"

The design room, normally silent at night, was filled with the sound of the stylus scratching away—all night long.

But in truth, Nimir wasn’t the only insect lying awake tonight.

For female insects who had received Psychic Soothing, others might have been merely pleasantly surprised. But for the military females, who suffered the most frequent and agonizing psychic instability, they couldn’t help but replay a discreetly recorded video over and over.

Many insects had discreetly recorded clips during the banquet games, but every video centered on one individual.

Though mere digital recordings could no longer provide actual Psychic Soothing, the female insects still couldn’t resist rewatching and relistening on repeat.

Some who hadn’t attended the banquet happened to see the footage and joined the growing audience. Others, eager to share their discovery, selflessly forwarded the video to colleagues, reminding them to book an early appointment for his lordship’s future Psychic Soothing sessions at the Male Oversight Bureau.

One by one, the videos seemed to grow wings, crawling through the Starnet onto communicators across the capital planet, onto warships beyond it, and eventually—into the message history of a certain female insect about to return from the frontier systems.

Even before playing, the tiny video clearly showed the silhouette of a male insect holding a Thunder Drum stick.

Author’s Note:

Female insects: Fangirling over my beloved!!

PS:

1. Tomorrow’s the promised massive update! [Heart]

2. Many key characters haven’t appeared yet! [Shy]