Chapter 68 Matching Ceremony

Chapter 68: The Matching Ceremony

Idris sat upright before the mirror. The makeup artist, holding a powder brush, studied him before leaning in to apply a few more strokes to his face. Then, the artist put away the tools and nodded in satisfaction.

The door handle turned gently from the outside. Yisang pushed it open. Seeing this, the makeup artist deftly set down the items, gave a respectful nod, and exited the room.

Seeing Yisang approach in the mirror, Idris turned to stand up, but was pressed back onto the stool. "Father."

Yisang acknowledged him, stood before the mirror for a moment, then turned and walked to the tray on the right side of the dressing table.

He pinched the edge of the veil and gave it a flick. The sheer gauze unfolded lightly. The butterflies embroidered on the fabric spread open with the rippling motion, and the fine, scattered starstones woven into the mesh refracted a soft, dazzling light.

Gazing at the butterflies on the veil, the same color as his eyes, a fluid tenderness welled up in Idris's gaze.

Samuel actually remembered the butterfly wings he had unfurled during their first meeting.

Gently placing the veil over Idris's loosely tied-up hair, Yisang slowly smoothed out the wrinkles along the edges. He then picked up a custom-made hair ornament of the same color to secure the veil in place.

After finishing, Yisang took a step back.

Beneath the veil, Idris looked up. Amidst the shimmering light, the cold, stern features of the female insect softened like melting spring water, radiant and brilliant.

Quietly watching Idris, Yisang was momentarily distracted. Then, he let out a soft sigh. Just like many years ago, he reached out and touched Idris's face, sighing with emotion, "When Samuel wanted to custom-make this veil, I wondered if it would look strange worn on the head. Now that you're wearing it, I see it suits you perfectly."

Leading Idris to a square mirror to the side, Yisang placed an arm around his shoulders. Looking at the insect reflected in the mirror, he said with heartfelt sincerity, "Idris, today, you are the most beautiful, the most dazzling female insect on the entire Imperial Star."

"I also hope you will be the happiest female insect."

"Father."

Perhaps it was the nervousness, or perhaps it was Yisang's rare display of tenderness, but Idris was deeply moved. He lowered his head, looked into Yisang's eyes, and suddenly felt his own eyes sting.

With an inexplicable impulse, he leaned forward and hugged Yisang. Just like many years ago, when he had just learned to walk and Yisang had secretly come to see him, he had stumbled into his embrace.

Caught off guard by the sudden hug, Yisang was momentarily stunned. Since Idris was old enough to understand, they had never been this intimate.

He had tried to reach out to Idris before, but his grown son's gaze towards him was respectful yet distant. Feeling shut out, he hadn't dared to get close again easily.

Raising his hand to gently return the hug, his palm softly stroking Idris's trembling back, Yisang whispered, "Today is your most important day. We should be happy. Let's not mention those unhappy things from the past."

"We'll talk about things later."

"Mmm." Idris took a deep breath, trying hard to calm his emotions. "Father, thank you."

"Why thank your father?" Yisang straightened the disheveled veil and asked with a smile, "The ceremony is about to begin. Are you ready? We need to go out now."

Idris nodded. Following Yisang, just like during their occasional meetings in his childhood, he trailed closely behind him step by step.

The room gradually faded into the distance. Following Yisang, Idris walked step by step towards the future he had personally chosen.

The wedding ceremony was arranged on the top floor of the most luxurious hotel on the Imperial Star. Standing outside the hall with Yisang, Idris recalled the ceremony procedures explained to him the previous night and suddenly felt nervous.

Sensing the hand linked with his trembling slightly, Yisang patted Idris's arm reassuringly and comforted him, "Don't be nervous. Your father is with you."

Five minutes later, the doors to the hall slowly opened. Idris, arm in arm with Yisang, stepped into the grand hall. A beam of light shone down from above, illuminating him and Yisang.

Amidst the rising and falling gasps of admiration and applause from the guests below, amidst the rising mist and sea of white flowers, Idris looked firmly ahead and walked slowly towards the male insect who had long been waiting for him at the end.

As the music gradually slowed, Yisang accompanied Idris for the final stretch of the walk. With a complex feeling of reluctance, he placed Idris's hand into Samuel's.

Their hands clasped tightly together. Watching this, Yisang felt both gratified and a little sad. With a smile, he quietly retreated to stand beside Ivar.

Ivar put an arm around Yisang's shoulders. Filled with regret and blessings, he looked at Idris.

Idris didn't notice this scene. His attention was on the opposite side. He was still somewhat flustered inside, and so was Samuel. The two insects held hands tightly. Gazing at each other through the veil, seeing the nervousness in each other's eyes, they couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

Turning to face the front, the President of the Male Insect Protection Association stood solemnly behind the lectern adorned with flowers.

After a brief opening speech, the President slowly opened the booklet on the lectern and looked at Samuel.

"Samuel, do you take Idris to be your lawful Female Consort? For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, will you love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep only unto him, forsaking all others, and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

Samuel turned to look at Idris and answered clearly without hesitation, "I do."

Only match with Idris, this one female insect?!

Hearing this unprecedented vow, the insects in the audience exclaimed in surprise once again.

Some influential insects who had planned to offer their own female insects to Samuel as Concubines immediately exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

Also wearing complex expressions, even eyes filled with jealousy, were the military female insects whom Samuel had once soothed and who had secretly given their hearts to him.

"Idris is just too lucky!"

"Why does him becoming the Female Consort cut off our path to being Concubines?"

"If I had acted faster, would Your Excellency Samuel have done the same for us?"

Augus hid himself within the crowd. Watching the perfectly matched pair on the stage, he clenched his fists so tightly his palms almost bled.

Ignoring the whispers from below, the President turned to Idris and asked, "Idris, do you take Samuel to be your lawful Male Master? For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, will you love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep only unto him, forsaking all others, and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

The only Female Consort. The only female insect.

That day at the MPA, when Idris heard Samuel say this, he thought the other was just politely refusing Augus.

He hadn't expected that the other truly meant it, and was now declaring it to all the insects at the Matching Ceremony.

And those vows...

When had a male insect among their kind ever made such a promise? And when had a male insect ever been willing to make such a promise?

Idris was deeply moved once again. As the President's solemn voice fell, he answered, somewhat trembling yet resolutely, "I do."

After the vows, the President turned to the next page and led Samuel and Idris in exchanging their pledges before all the insects.

"Now, please exchange rings."

As the President's words fell, 99, wearing a floral wreath on its head, rolled forward on its small wheels from the end of the platform to Samuel and Idris's side.

"Master Consort, Master, happy Matching Ceremony!"

Taking the box from 99's "hand" and opening it, Samuel gently took Idris's right hand, removed the ring, and placed it on his ring finger.

Similarly, Idris also took out a ring and placed it on Samuel's ring finger.

Although Samuel couldn't explain why the ring had to be placed on this particular finger, the moment he slipped the ring onto Samuel's finger, Idris felt a sense of solid reassurance, as if he had securely bound this insect to him.

It was as if a certain covenant had been established.

"Since Samuel and Idris have made their vows, exchanged promises, and given tokens to each other in the presence of their parents and all relatives and friends, I solemnly declare: Samuel, you may now kiss your spouse!"

Kissing his spouse in front of everyone?!

Idris is really being spoiled!

The guests below began to murmur once again, while Augus's gaze grew increasingly resentful.

Finally reaching the last step, the panic in Samuel's heart gradually subsided. Filled with anticipation, he slowly lifted Idris's veil.

Idris was always busy with work, and as a soldier, he rarely adorned himself like civilian insects. However, for the wedding, he had agreed to have makeup applied.

Perhaps due to Samuel's specific instructions, the stylist did not apply heavy makeup but merely used powder to lightly touch up his complexion and adjusted his lip color, making his demeanor appear softer.

Yet, even with just light makeup, Idris's beauty was enhanced even further.

As the veil was slowly lifted, revealing violet eyes shimmering with light and soft, gentle brows, Samuel was stunned.

He instinctively held his breath, slowly raised his hand, placed it on Idris's neck, drew his head down, and let the light veil fall, enveloping both of them.

Samuel kissed Idris's lips—extremely lightly and slowly—using the method the female insect had once taught him, sharing a tender, loving kiss with his spouse.

The insects below looked up at the stage. Amid the flowers, two figures were faintly visible under the light veil, appearing dreamlike and sacred.

The murmurs gradually ceased and dissipated, replaced by an indescribable sentiment quietly flowing through the hearts of the female insects in the hall.

That sentiment was jealousy, envy, and an inexpressible longing.

If there were a male insect willing to give up his inherent privileges and firmly choose them, they too would be willing to give their all for him.

Li'an stood below, watching Samuel. This special male had given him a lot of inspiration and direction.

Perhaps he had once been unsure how to deal with reality. But when Samuel returned alone from the front lines, receiving military commendations, the backing of many female soldiers, and an imperial medal of honor, he already knew what to do next.

Sais also stared at the stage, thinking that there truly were insects willing to wed only one spouse. He then thought of his loved one, contemplating whether to hold an equally grand wedding ceremony.

Ray stood among the crowd, reflecting on Idris's struggles. Among all the insects present, aside from the involved parties, only he understood how much Idris had sacrificed for Samuel and him to reach this day.

Thus, Ray sincerely wished the couple well in his heart, hoping they could live out their lives in love, just as their vows promised.

Someone began to applaud. As Samuel and Idris separated and the veil was completely lifted, enthusiastic applause swept through the hall.

Samuel held Idris's hand and slowly descended the steps in a shower of petals, approaching Yisang and Ivar, giving each of them a hug.

Afterward, Samuel and Idris jointly poured the champagne and once again thanked all the wedding guests.

Once all the wedding procedures were completed and the banquet began, Samuel and Idris made toasts together. Once everything had wound down and the guests gradually left, it was already evening.

"Dad and I will head back first," Ivar said, supporting the slightly drunk Yisang as he bid farewell to Idris.

"Let me walk you out," Idris offered, somewhat concerned since Ivar had also drunk quite a bit.

"No need, stay and take care of Samuel."

Idris looked down at the slightly drunk male and smiled helplessly. Clearly unable to handle alcohol, yet he insisted on drinking on his behalf—what a fool.

"Silly Male Master," Idris poked Samuel and carried him onto the hovercar.

On the way back, Samuel was unexpectedly quiet. After returning to the villa, fearing Samuel might feel unwell, Idris fed him some sobering remedy.

After tidying up the room, removing his makeup, and washing up, Idris planned to undress Samuel and carry him to the bathroom when the male became a bit more lucid.

"Brother," Samuel grabbed the female insect who was helping him unbutton his clothes, chuckled foolishly, and called out again, "Spouse."

"Brother, you are my spouse, my one and only spouse."

"Brother~ Spouse~ I want kisses~ Mmm, kiss me~"

The intoxicated male's coquettish voice was sticky and even more endearing than when sober. Idris was powerless against Samuel calling him like this.

Leaning down to gently kiss the male's forehead, Idris softly replied, "Yes, forever your one and only spouse."

"Not the forehead~"

"Brother, here." Samuel pointed to his own lips, his eyes hazy yet flickering with a spark of desire.

Idris shivered under the male's gaze and couldn't help but lean down to kiss those lips.

As their lips pressed together, Samuel reflexively wrapped his arms around the female insect's waist, pinning him down, and began to nip and bite the soft lips. Though Samuel spoke sweetly when drunk, his kisses were fierce and intense.

Gradually, Samuel grew unsatisfied with lingering only on the lips. He moved downward, removing any obstacles in his way, setting his skin ablaze.

"Mmm... Male Master..."

Idris arched his neck back, wrapped his arms around the male's back, and clenched the bedsheet tightly.

"Brother, call me again."

Samuel played a little, his fingertips alternating light and deep strokes on the warm skin.

Idris bit his lip, tears trembling in his eyes and dampening Samuel's fingertips.

Samuel recalled a line from "Dream of the Red Chamber" where Baoyu said, "Girls are made of water."

Samuel thought to himself, brother is also made of water. The more brother cries, the more beautiful his voice becomes.

Samuel loved making Idris call his name at times like this.

"Brother, call me."

The alcohol was taking effect, making Samuel rather childish. Children are the most restless when they don't get what they want.

Idris was so overwhelmed by Samuel that he couldn't utter a word, only managing to stammer out the words "Male Master" in fragmented tones.

"Sam... uel, Male... Master..."

Idris couldn't control his trembling, tears streaming out, dampening his white hair and skin. He knew he must look disheveled, but it didn't matter—Samuel liked it.

Only then would the male cherish him.

"Brother, bite me, do it yourself."

During the preparations for the wedding, Samuel had been very busy. Having been apart for so long, there was some pain, but it was bearable.

His long hair and clothes grew wetter, half-sticking to his arms and hanging around his waist and abdomen, feeling sticky and uncomfortable, but Idris had no time to mind them.

He knelt, lowering his body to kiss Samuel. As he bit the male, he asked intermittently, "Male Master... you said, only me... one insect... really?"

Samuel pressed Idris's waist, his lips grazing the earlobe right before him, part grinding, part biting, "Mm."

"Master... will you regret it?"

As soon as he asked, Idris let out a startled cry, then restrained himself, choking back the trailing moan.

Samuel didn't speak; he was a little angry.

Brother must have too much free time, still having the mind to doubt him.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Samuel pressed the female into his embrace and massaged him vigorously. Idris had lost all his fighting strength, with no ability to fight back, he could only bite his lip and endure wave after wave of anger.

"Brother," Samuel leaned close to Idris, rubbing the slightly swollen belly of the female, and asked, "Give me a baby, okay?"

A baby that looks like both him and Idris.

The moonlight outside the window filtered through the curtains, shining on his glistening body. Disheveled hair spilled across Samuel, and Idris lay against the male's chest, extending a fingertip to trace his master's lips.

The scent of pinewood infused Idris's skin; he smelled like a pine tree freshly drenched by rain.

In the fragrance, chilled yet warmed by their closeness, Idris, with a slightly hoarse voice, whispered with a low laugh, "Then, Master... you'll need to try harder."

"With just one try, I'm afraid you won't get your wish."

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Author's note: There should be one more chapter to finish [shy]

Stellar Calendar 4056, October X Day, Gale, Week X

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