Chapter 72

Tregear learned neither that fast nor that slow.

His talent wasn't exceptional, but his strength lay in his tenacious and hardworking character. When reporting to the Commander, Merck always used a tone that was both critical and complimentary. Fei would sometimes take the time to listen, but most of the time he would just get a quick overview and then hang up.

If that hadn't happened, Merck doesn't think you would have moved next door to the male insect.

At first, it was actually a well-intentioned thing to do.

The Madison family visited Your Excellency to express their gratitude for saving their youngest son. Fei originally did not intend to see them, but upon seeing the name Madison, he pondered for a moment and then allowed the guards to let them pass.

The young nobleman, having shaken off his earlier frustration at being driven away and rejected, strode arrogantly through the magnificent white doors.

"You are my son's savior, and he has a very good relationship with the Madison family."

Madison's queen closed her folding fan and glared arrogantly at the guard. The guard remained unmoved, but was then seemingly unintentionally stepped on by the queen. The sharp heel made the guard's expression change slightly, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his face.

Mr. Maxson pulled the female queen aside and whispered a reprimand: "Behave yourself."

The two walked one after the other across the grass, past the fountain, and along the long gravel path, following the guards into Your Excellency's castle. Madison's queen couldn't help but look around, using her folding fan to cover her mouth, which was agape in amazement.

Having lived in my comfort zone for so long, and never been invited to the mansions of the upper class, I couldn't help but feel excited when I saw such wealth.

The two exchanged glances, their smiles becoming more sincere. They walked into the hall, where many officers were resting, playing musical instruments, or chatting. Judging from their faces and ranks, they were all regulars in the newspapers. The officers found it somewhat strange to see Mr. Madison.

Only after climbing the steps to the second floor can one reach the place where you receive guests.

The guards officer didn't follow, so Mr. Madison had to knock on the door himself. After a while, a cold reply came from inside.

"Come in."

Mr. Madison bowed, and when he looked up, he paused slightly, taken aback by the refined and dignified demeanor of the person in power.

Many years ago, those sitting in this position were all Zerg over fifty years old, but now, a Zerg not much older than Madison's son is sitting here.

After a string of useless social niceties, Mr. Maxson and the Queen took turns praising each other, saying earnestly, "You saved my son; he is the life of both me and the Queen," while intentionally or unintentionally mentioning Toto.

"This child's origins are unknown."

"It would be best to deal with it."

"Isn't it a bit inappropriate to at least make him a member of your noble family?"

Fei twirled the cup in his hand, smiling kindly.

He stared at Madison and suddenly mentioned that many years ago, a family wanted to use their youngest son to mate with a high-ranking female insect. The youngest son refused, so the family used certain means. As a result, by a twist of fate, the male insect was kidnapped and stranded on an alien planet colonized by space pirates. It was not until many years later that he was found.

Fei smiled and said, "Few Zerg know about this, but it is indeed a tragedy, isn't it?"

Lord Madison and the Queen turned pale instantly, exchanged glances for a moment, and then Lord Madison suddenly changed his mind: "I want you to know, kind and generous sir, that I am very willing to let Torregia himself return to my family. Given his close relationship with you, I will bestow upon him the Maxson coat of arms and recognize him as my grandson."

He paused, unable to resist the thought that this debauched nobleman might be wondering what the lord's intentions were in protecting a lowly male insect.

He added in a subtle, low voice, "For your convenience."

The female insect slightly raised her eyebrows.

His previously nonchalant gaze became more serious. If it weren't for the connection between the Madison family and Toto, he wouldn't have met with a minor nobleman.

Exhausted from the past few days, and distracted by thoughts of that young boy, I failed to notice Mr. Madison's quiet, meaningful words, "For your convenience."

Fei recalled that Merck said that Toto had secretly looked up the male father's address. However, when that male insect returned to the Empire, his showy parents staged a grand reunion in front of the media. The media wrote extensively about it, passionately denouncing the space pirates and praising the greatness of the Federation.

From his perspective, it didn't seem like a big deal, but for Toto, the explanation was rather embarrassing.

Merck said the child had not visited the private garden and had deliberately avoided that route while traveling.

If Madison is willing to accept him, it might not be a bad thing for the little male insect with a weak kinship, so Fei smiled and said, "Very good, but I'd like to know if your youngest son agrees?"

Mr. Madison smiled broadly: "Of course he agreed, after all, it's his child too."

Fei interlocked their fingers: "Then I congratulate you in advance. Your kindness has earned you a sense of family."

It was supposed to be a happy occasion for everyone.

Fei didn't take Maxson's power and hypocrisy to heart; too many nobles behaved this way, and he was used to it.

When Toto was told the news, the now-grown male insect jumped for joy, pacing back and forth in the room, embracing every insect he saw and kissing Merck on the forehead.

“Your Excellency, look at this, it’s so improper,” Merck kept wiping his forehead, but his cold and hard expression had melted into a kind of shy complaint, unaccustomed to intimacy.

This usually arrogant butler, for some reason, actually tolerated his annoying employer hugging him, spinning him around, and even kissing him on the cheek.

Fei thought she should go back to work, but looking at the male insect who was so happy that he forgot himself and was laughing with his arms crossed, she actually felt like she was seeing her younger self. So she put her tedious things behind her and stayed a little longer.

After a brief moment of excitement, the male insect fell silent again, asking Fei uncertainly, "What if my father's family doesn't like me?"

Fei smiled, intending to say that they wouldn't dare not like you, but stopped herself in time and coughed twice: "No, they will like you."

The young male insect looked serious, his eyes conflicted. After hesitating for a long while, he finally stammered to Fei, "But, I encountered..."

He told the older female insect what he had previously refused to say, and the female insect smiled and explained that it was a misunderstanding, and that they would definitely like him very, very much.

After hearing this, the male insect suddenly opened its arms and hugged him: "Thank you."

Fei paused for a moment, realizing that the posture was actually quite inappropriate. He immediately wanted to push him away, but the male insect said, "Originally, I didn't want to go to him. My father probably didn't want to see me."

“I am bad to him, something to be lost. I know, I understand, even more deeply than when I was a child. The female father is gone, so I should take care of the male father. It is his wish not to see him.”

"I thought this was the best way to treat him."

“But he is willing to see me, Commander.”

Fei slowly moved the hand that had been pushing away the male insect, and gently patted it on the male insect's shoulder.

He was uncomfortable with a strange insect so close to him, the hot, irritating fragrance emanating from the male insect's fuzzy hair. He felt warm, his chest trembled, and he was unaware that he was no longer a child, seeking comfort in a strange female insect.

What can be done?

When I woke up, everything was gone.

The one who accompanied him through the pupal stage, nurtured him in his cocoon, and read stories to him was this female insect officer who seemed neither to love him nor care about him.

Customs and laws forbade him from getting so close to an adult Zerg, but one of them was unaware of this, and the other didn't care much.

Fei thought to himself, "It's nothing. I watched this male insect grow up. He must have some differences that make him special."

Toto's interest in practicing social etiquette suddenly surged, and he became so engrossed in learning various kinds of knowledge that he forgot to eat and sleep.

He studied very hard, extremely hard.

Fei picked out a suitable suit for him and took him to Madison Manor on the day they were supposed to meet.

Colorful balloons floated in the air, and clusters of flowers were displayed throughout the manor.

Mr. Madison and his family waited at the door.

The young male insect was so nervous after getting off the vehicle that he moved his arms and legs in unison. Fei chuckled and patted him on the shoulder to cheer him up.

Toto glanced at the composed female insect beside him, slowly calmed down, and bowed to Lord Madison, who warmly took his hand and solemnly pinned the family crest on him.

The younger generation from the Madison family surrounded the male insect with great familiarity, even though he was of humble origin and low rank, they were still friendly and kind, and he did not even wear the medals that represented his status and qualifications.

The male father seemed to be in poor health and had been quietly recuperating. Madison, along with Toto, made a phone call to him through the door and window. The male on the other end of the line was old and handsome, but still very beautiful. Although his voice was weak and cold, his tone was indeed gentle.

Toto appeared calm when he called his father. He neither asked about his sudden departure nor mentioned his father's death.

He called out "Father" over the phone and then fell silent, his fingers gripping the phone so tightly they turned white, his gaze calmly meeting hers through the window.

He didn't know who to blame, and he couldn't blame anyone.

After the phone call ended, the male insect, who had been happy, remained silent for a long time. Fei avoided the Madison family and accompanied him for a walk in the garden.

Toto wasn't upset for long; he asked his father if a good medical pod would help him.

Fei smiled faintly: "Of course there are. The Madison family isn't willing to give him the best."

Toto roused himself. He wanted to see him again, but he knew he couldn't disturb his ailing father too much. If he alarmed Mr. Madison, the man would make a big fuss and wake his father up.

Therefore, Fei led him quietly past the servants to that floor of stairs.

Strangely, the door was open, and a cold, mocking laugh came from inside. Mrs. Madison's voice was low, cold, and shrill: "Shut up!"

There was a moment of silence in the room before Mrs. Madison's voice turned cold: "If you had accepted our arrangements earlier, you wouldn't have ended up on this desolate planet, giving birth to that little bastard. Who is to blame for this situation now?"

The weak voice seemed to be in great pain, but it still struggled to say, "He is not... my son. Unless you keep me from seeing him, the next time we meet, I will smash the vase over his head."

"you!"

Mrs. Madison was so angry that she gritted her teeth. After a while, she suddenly sneered, "Hmph, very well, then you can forget about leaving. It's not like you can't use the phone recording function."

"Don't blame me, blame your son. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't bother with you."

Fei sighed inwardly, put his arm around Toto's shoulder, and turned the stunned male insect around, whispering, "Want to go in?"

He found it absurd and his anger rose again.

The male insect shook its head.

Without saying a word, and ignoring Madison's pleas, doubts, and attempts to stop him, Fei led him away from the manor.

The male insect remained calm throughout the journey, and said goodbye to Fei at the door of its home: "I'm fine, thank you, goodbye."

Fei watched him enter, thought for a while, and then bought the apartment next door.

Author's Note: