Chapter 73

His Excellency Fei suddenly moved into the apartment next door.

In fact, since returning to the Imperial Star, he hadn't had much interaction with that female soldier, which Toregia could understand. Faced with his sudden concern, she was quite at a loss for what to do.

He was calm and composed when he was young, but as he grew up, he brought out the childlike qualities that were not there when he was young. His personality became a little more lively, and his way of looking at things was also different from before.

Therefore, when interacting with older female insects, one can clearly feel the difference compared to when they are young.

No matter the topic, the other person naturally set the mood, making him feel neither awkwardness nor deliberateness. Compared to the female insect's cold and refined appearance, the other person was not only very good at taking care of insects, but also such a talkative elder.

If you accidentally make physical contact with him, you will skillfully avoid it. If you really can't refuse, you will behave as a gentleman in a perfectly appropriate manner.

He had never been treated so kindly before. His female father was stern and his male father was indifferent, so he was used to seeing himself as an adult insect that could be negotiated with on an equal footing, rather than a juvenile insect that could be freely approached by others.

Torregia had considered that his father might hate him, but when he actually heard the definite answer, he couldn't pretend not to care and gloss over it.

He has grown up, and the reasons he used to be disliked as a child—because I wasn't hardworking or sensible enough—no longer apply. He is now more numb to how much his father hates and despises him.

In the saddest moments, he would feel wronged and think that he did not choose to be born. If he had known this would happen, he would not have climbed out when he fell into the ditch as a child. If he had just died like that, perhaps everyone's insect life would have been easier.

But just a slight thought would bring back memories of the male father teaching him to read and the female father bringing him a piece of candy when he came home.

Having tasted so much bitterness, I only need a little sweetness to be satisfied and have the courage to continue living.

Toregia told herself not to be sad. Fei had no obligation to help him. Merck was just his butler, and he was staying here. If he was not considerate or well-behaved and proved to be a nuisance, he would be abandoned without hesitation.

Perhaps the other party is also waiting for him to start acting willfully and disobeying.

Sitting in Fei's hovercar, the fear he had deliberately buried after waking up from his cocoon surfaced, making him afraid to shed tears freely. Unable to find a way to vent, he had to force himself to sit strong. After sitting for a while, he inexplicably felt less uncomfortable.

After getting off the bus, he returned to the house where he was staying. Toregia and Fei said, "I'm fine, I'm alright, please don't worry."

He won't be a problem; his weakness is only temporary. He should keep his bad mood to himself and try to be happier in front of others.

When I was a child, I hit my finger with a hammer and held it up to show my father. The conclusion I came to was, why didn't I just be careful?

Over time, he became skilled at everything he did and never again suffered the pain of needing someone to comfort him.

This isn't because I have a psychological shadow or childhood regrets, but because I grew up too quickly. After understanding those principles, I quickly came to understand what the adults said back then. It's not meant as blame, but I can no longer openly express my sadness.

Merck was at the door, looking like he was about to go shopping. When Toregia turned around and saw him, she suppressed her unhappy expression, greeted him normally, and went into the room.

He seemed to hear Merk asking about Lord Fei, but didn't seem to care much.

Torregia doesn't always refer to Merck as Mr. Butler; most of the time he calls him by his name [Merk].

Because of his terrible childhood memories, Toregia was deeply impressed by Merck's arrogance. So that night, he returned home dejectedly and lay down on the bed. Merck handed him a warm towel and hot milk, and stood by the window with him for half an hour in a daze. Then, Toregia wiped away his tears, looked up at him calmly, and asked, "Are you comforting me?"

Toregia never expected the other party to answer, nor did he expect that the butler who disliked him so much would perform a few small magic tricks for him with a milk cup with a gentle expression.

In the very end.

Merck conjured a wildflower from behind Toregia's head, making him laugh through his tears. Then, the arrogant butler gracefully arranged the flower and spread out the blankets: "Sir, I'm afraid you should go to sleep."

The next morning, Torregia learned that Fei had moved next door.

While preparing breakfast, Merck cut bread for three people, laid out a brand new tablecloth, and changed the bouquet of lightly scented flowers in a vase.

Torregia didn't understand what was going on, but that didn't stop him from helping in the kitchen. After repeated warnings went unheeded, Merck turned a blind eye to his entry into the kitchen.

As long as he can sit properly in his chair and maintain a polite and elegant smile while eating, that's fine.

When Fei brought out the bread, he was reading a newspaper at the dining table. He wasn't too surprised to see Toto and greeted him with a "Good morning."

"morning?"

Torregia sat down properly opposite Fei, glanced casually at the back of the newspaper, shook it, and put it down.

Toto met Fei's gaze. Fei was dressed in a crisp military uniform, his hair perfectly styled. He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Want to see?"

Toregia nodded, and Fei handed him the newspaper. The young male insect turned the pages, his first encounter with print media. Fei told him that the newspaper was sponsored by the conservative faction within the insectoid race, who came from a nearly fallen family and had inherited a surname that insectoids disliked.

"Not liked by insects?"

"Yes, his name is Arnold, surname Walsh, Green Medal. The Walsh family is conservative and traditional. In his generation, he is the only insect left. He does not accept his fate and has become a respected scholar among the insects through his own efforts. You will be enrolling soon, and he will be one of your mentors. Would you like to get to know him in advance?"

Torregia shook his head, then nodded.

Fei smiled and said, "He is not an easy insect to get along with, but he has real talent and has reached his current height in a field dominated by female insects on his own."

Torregia said, "Do you want me to be like him?"

Fei shook his head and smiled: "Your school season starts in a few days. We can discuss this issue after you get to know him."

Author's Note: