Chapter 64
Until they got home, Yael didn't say anything. As usual, he kissed and hugged her. After cleaning up the mess, they washed up and went to bed together.
On the contrary, Xi Ze, who had escaped the disaster, became extremely uneasy. He held the male insect in his arms for a while, then got up and went to the living room, and ordered Bai Lang to pour out everything he had said.
It was pretty much what he thought...but the male insect didn't pursue it, so it shouldn't matter.
After hanging up the communicator, Xize rubbed his brows tiredly. He no longer felt sleepy and opened his email to start dealing with official business.
And outside a city area.
Countless media bugs are working all night long, those who write texts are clacking away on their keyboards, those who select pictures are choosing typical ones from thousands of snapshots... they are constantly revising and editing the news about the book-sealing ceremony.
And that person gave the order that the news about this ceremony just had to follow the right template. The key was to build momentum for the other bug at the ceremony, so all kinds of styles were needed.
This requirement gave the person in charge a lot of headaches. He had to select the appropriate revisions from hundreds of press releases while constantly picking up the microphone to give instructions.
"The official introduction! Have you finished writing it? And it should be more entertaining, just praise her beauty, but remember not to drag down other stars, or it will cause a negative impact if you are not careful..."
“Remember to contact authoritative big Vs to forward and guide public opinion, but the main thing should be the canonization ceremony, singing praises and supplemented by gossip, otherwise it will easily arouse public resentment.”
"Details! How many times have I told you to pay attention to the details! The dress on the bug is the same as the marshal's, both were designed by Master Koleni. Do you need me to teach you how to expand on this?!"
And just before dawn broke through the darkness, a huge attachment was sent to Cesar's mailbox.
The first one was the final draft of the news about the sealing ceremony. Cizek read it through, and after confirming that there was no problem, he clicked on the manuscript about Yael at the end.
《Surprise! The Divine Face Bug that appeared at the Book Sealing Ceremony is actually...? !》
"Too ambiguous! The couple suits designed by Kollani in those years..."
"A list of the most attractive male insects that have appeared in recent years! (No ranking)"
When scrolling past this article, the female insect paused, and calmly moved the first-place refined photo of Ganuo back one place, and put the profile shot of Yael in the first place.
I can only say that they are indeed professional media. Even though the conditions were very limited, they managed to take a lot of beautiful photos.
But the change from smiling sweetly and happily in the early stage to being obviously cold and sad in the later stage made him feel a little distressed.
After reviewing all of them, Xi Ze sent the revised manuscript back and approved the application for publication at the same time - "Publish it after the revisions are completed."
After finishing all the affairs, big and small, he got up and left the living room, silently opened the bedroom door, lifted the quilt and lay back, replacing the long pillow in the male insect's arms.
“Hmm…?”
Yael moved uneasily, but was soothed by the familiar pheromone scent and buried himself in the arms of the lying female insect.
Seven o'clock in the morning.
The morning news had already started on time, and one explosive press release after another flew out like snowflakes, causing a sensation.
But the source of the madness didn't care at all, and they fell asleep again in each other's arms.
*
Yael's identity was not actually kept secret. After he was brought back from the battlefield, he attracted attention from all sides because of a series of events, but these concerns soon dissipated because he was detected as a D-class.
Later, he got into trouble and chose to go to Etal under a false name, and almost disappeared from the main planet, but... most of the bugs that have seen Yer are impressed by him.
Within just one day, Yael's background and identity were exposed, but under the guidance of consciousness, public opinion as a whole still tended to be positive and optimistic.
On the second day, due to the fate of the other power, the direction of commentary began to change, and gradually became a turbulent mess, with each side holding its own view and the struggle becoming obvious.
"Please stop looking."
Caesar put his hand to cover the computer screen in front of him, lowered his head and rubbed the side of Yael's face.
"It's the navy they bought who are stirring up trouble. They are paid to lie with their eyes open."
Yael was not affected at all, and even felt a little magical, but after the female insect said so, he deleted the messy comment section.
"Well, it's nothing, it's just fun to watch."
He raised his eyebrows and turned to look at the worried expression of the female insect. "But you also know about the navy? I thought you didn't know how to surf the Internet at all."
"Public debate is a tool that every politician must master. The voice of the people can sometimes determine the development and outcome of the entire matter, and it is very important."
Xi Ze explained, taking something out of his military uniform pocket and placing it in the male insect's palm.
It was a silver-blue round button that transformed into a translucent wristband the moment it touched the wrist. It stuck to the skin like silk, but it didn't feel uncomfortable.
"What is this?"
"The new optical computer is a new product of the research institute. It can block all current viruses and intrusion methods. It is equipped with anti-eavesdropping and anti-positioning equipment. All files and communications are encrypted at the first level."
Xi Ze picked up the male insect's old optical computer and connected it to the new one. All the files in it were transferred to the new container.
"The news about the S-rank male insect will be released tomorrow."
Yael was stunned for a moment, "So fast?"
"Yes, the replacement of the optical computer is just for safety reasons, but before you officially appear in front of the media, you'd better stay in the villa with strict security to avoid being hurt by bugs that take advantage of the opportunity to break in."
After confirming that there was nothing wrong, he pinched the male insect's thin wrist and subconsciously said in a comforting voice, "Don't be afraid, it's okay."
"I'm not afraid."
Yael didn't take it too seriously, and then said, "Now that you've revealed your identity, you can move freely, right? That's good, but it seems you have to avoid causing any chaos."
Caesar reached out and hugged the male insect in his arms, sniffing the scent of orange blossoms in its soft hair and chuckled softly.
"You will have to appear in front of the public eventually. Not only me, but also the Xiongbao Association will do its best to protect you. Don't worry too much."
Although he kept some secrets from the male insect and didn't want him to get involved in those dirty fights, Caesar never thought of hiding Yael all the time or letting the male insect be secretive out of protection.
The moon should shine freely and unrestrainedly, surrounded by the vast stars and countless admiring and loving gazes. It should not hide behind the clouds for fear of being hurt or criticized.
This is unfair to Yael, and it is also unfair to the Zerg who should have witnessed a miracle but were deceived by those in high positions.
Golden sunlight shone through the glass, making the entire living room transparent and bright. Yael lay in the female insect's arms, sinking into the soft sofa, and heard intermittent instructions coming from above his head.
"The royal family will hold a ball to formally introduce you soon. I have brought a special makeup team here to tailor some evening gowns for you."
"There are some taboos that cannot be touched at the royal ball. I will tell you later... Thank you for your hard work."
Obviously, the one who worked the hardest was Xi Ze, who designed and arranged all of this, but the female insect couldn't hide her look of pity and leaned over to kiss the tip of his ear.
"Wait a little longer. Once everything is cleared up, you won't have to worry about it anymore."
Yael's eyelashes trembled and he opened his eyes silently.
"Thank you."
He raised his head and looked at the female insect. His dark eyes were filled with sunlight and a faint smile.
"Thank you for all the hard work you've done so far."
"But I'm not a cub that needs to be told and protected all the time, so don't worry so much. I can protect myself with my mental strength. Sometimes... you can rely on me a little."
He didn't care that Xi Ze used his status as an S-rank male insect to gain benefits, since those were their common interests anyway.
He was on the side of the female insect, their fates were linked, and he wanted to be a useful sword or shield, not a burden that needed to be carefully protected.
Xi Ze was silent for a moment, and did not avoid the topic, but when he spoke again, his voice was a little awkward.
"I'm sorry, Lord Xiong. I know that I haven't changed my mindset yet. I can't accept the possibility that you will be hurt or used, which leads to overprotection."
"I'm not disrespecting your abilities or worth, I'm just..."
Struggle will inevitably involve bloodshed and sacrifice, which is inevitable, and he himself is ready to die.
But when he thought of Yael falling in his arms covered in blood, or shedding tears after being injured, the blood in his body instantly froze into ice, and he was unable to stop the great fear and pain.
This has resulted in the male insect having to hide under his protection these days, unable to even move freely. However, this choice has repeatedly increased his guilt and even made it difficult for him to move.
"I understand."
Yael sighed, then moved closer and rubbed his nose, as if expressing silent tolerance and intimacy.
"It's okay, just take your time."
*
"Your posture is really elegant! But if you raise your chin a little more, you will appear more confident and arrogant..."
015 walked by with the apple on his head, and put his hands on his hips to show that this action was extremely simple, which earned him a resentful look.
The court etiquette master, with a foxy smile on his face, was explaining the complicated aristocratic etiquette, and occasionally he would reach out and gently adjust the male insect's posture.
Yael hummed and repeated the action carefully, and as expected, he received a round of praise from the etiquette master.
But that made him a little nervous. The sub-female just now made it ten times more difficult for him while praising him.
After practicing all this time, he no longer believed a word of compliment from this smiling fox.
“Come on! Come on!”
015 was waving flags and shouting beside him, while Yael's eyes turned into dead fish eyes, and a white soul floated out of his mouth.
It's really rare.
The etiquette master slightly opened his squinting eyes, looked at the harmonious and joyful scene in front of him, and sighed softly.
主星居然還有心性這樣好的雄蟲，而且還是傳說中的S級……該說元帥是運氣太好，還是太差呢？
得到珍寶并不難，最難的是擋住那無數觊觎的視線和蠢蠢欲動的手，将其牢牢抱在懷裏、守在身邊。
但這不是他可以操心的事了，他要做的是在這幾天內幫助雄蟲速成舞會禮儀，以便不被那些貴族抓住把柄刁難。
“很好，我們開始下一個課程吧。”
耶爾白天就跟着宮廷禮儀師學習貴族禮儀，在下午的時候配合科徕尼進行禮服設計和試穿。
而因為S級雄蟲消息的發酵，他不得已停止了一切對外的渠道，和學院那邊的項目也終止了，雖然很對不起阿德萊德，但也沒辦法。
晚上的時間倒是空閑下來了，耶爾便開始通讀帝國法律，特別翻到了婚姻那一節，開始着手準備另外一些文件。
“叩叩。”
書房的門被輕輕敲響，耶爾沒有擡頭，直接說了一聲進。
015從門後探出頭來，将削好的果盤放到書桌上，猶豫了一會還是道，“主蟲，我們不會回去艾塔爾了對嗎？”
耶爾回過神，神色有些驚訝，“短時間內應該不會回去，怎麽了？”
“您的東西都拿來了嗎？我記得那時候您從外面回來，把一個盒子放到了抽屜裏，後來打掃的時候我看見了，好像是一塊……”
它試圖比劃了一下，“看起來很昂貴很漂亮的——金屬塊！”
房間、抽屜、盒子、金屬塊……等等？！
耶爾微微睜大了眼睛，神色有些恍然。
那塊機甲之心！
雖然是打着蒙特上将的名號拍賣，不知道是真是假的東西，但西澤總能一眼看出真假吧，如果是真的就能幫上雌蟲了。
這個時間點他和雌蟲都不方便外出，幹脆找個信得過的蟲順路捎過來好了。
沉吟半晌，耶爾打開光腦，給列表中的一個蟲撥去一個通訊。
……
第二天一早，就有蟲按響了別墅的門鈴。
“您的東西。”
加拉赫不太自然地将盒子遞給耶爾，然後就憋不出下一句話了，沉着臉打算轉身走掉，“走了，有事再叫我。”
耶爾禮貌道謝，打開盒子确認了一下，猶豫了一下，又道，“要進來坐坐嗎？”
守衛着大門口的軍雌有些緊張地瞟了一眼這邊，猶豫了一下沒有出聲阻止，但還是被加拉赫捕捉到了，他揮了揮手轉身走下臺階。
“不了，這段時期情況敏感，您注意多警惕，別什麽不知底細的蟲都叫進去喝茶。”
那塊機甲之心安靜地躺在盒子裏，流轉着漂亮的銀藍色光澤。
耶爾把盒子放到了主卧的床頭櫃上，想着等雌蟲回來再說。
“您怎麽會有這個？”
西澤看見它的時候神色非常驚訝，驗證了最好的那一種猜想。
“我之前慣常使用的那一架機甲名為守衛者II，是帝國第一機甲設計師留下來的最後一個作品。”
西澤把它從盒子裏拿出來，有些懷念的摩挲了一下冰涼的表面，臉上閃過一絲淡淡的懷念。
“萊米爾戰役後，我和機甲的核心智能都被秘密轉移，現在已經找回來了，正在我現在駕駛的機甲裏。”
“這個容器已經沒有召喚機甲的功能了，但遇到危險的時間可以升起保護罩，防禦效果應該還不錯。”
這塊機甲之心又被放到了耶爾手裏，像是交付了一個喜愛的舊物一樣，雖然有些不舍，卻也沒留下什麽遺憾。
“您可以留着，也可以做其他的用途。”
其他用途……
耶爾愣了一下，看了手心熠熠閃光的東西一眼，神色逐漸了悟，唇角一點點揚了起來，“我知道了。”
他知道要用來做什麽了。
西澤尾音上揚地嗯了一聲，卻立刻被耶爾含糊了過去，不等他繼續追問，就被湊上來的雄蟲按住了。
他溫順地被按倒在床上，耳尖泛上一絲微紅，伸手主動解開了領口的扣子。
“明天上午沒什麽事……雄主今晚想做什麽都可以的。”
“真的？”
耶爾輕咬他的喉結，感覺到手下的身體顫了一下，伸手将塞進皮帶裏的襯衫下擺一點點扯了出來。
雌蟲忍着羞澀，聲音有些沙啞，“嗯……是真的。”
*
距離S級雄蟲消息的放出已經過了三天，皇室為此舉辦的舞會如期進行。
無數貴族對這場盛宴趨之若鹜，一時竟造成了星軌之上流光千瞬的奇異景象。
吱呀——
一輛軍用懸浮車在部隊的層層保護下，安穩地在宮殿側門前停下。
“已到達目的地，Asd時刻為您服務。”
車內的智能系統板正地道，耶爾剛想下車，車門就被從外面打開了，一道出乎意料的身影正站在門外。
“阿德萊德？你怎麽在這裏？”
耶爾這下是真的有點驚訝了。
這段時間受輿論影響，他已經和阿德萊德說了請假兩周，但乍一見到還是下意識心虛。
有種和學霸搭子約好一起去圖書館，中途卻鴿了去游樂場玩，而且還在門口就被逮住了的尴尬。
“冕下，夜安。”
阿德萊德神情淺淡，察覺動靜後欠了欠身，行了個非常鄭重的禮，戴着白手套的手扶了一下車門。
“我是拉亞家族的次子，算中等階級貴族之列，代表家族來參加這次舞會，元帥請我來擔當冕下的引導蟲。”
耶爾簡單地道了聲謝，一時間卻不知道該說些什麽。
眼前的阿德萊德穿着特色鮮明的禮服，和平常做實驗時的樣子大相徑庭，散發着十足陌生的氣息。
“冕下，這邊走……所以，參加完舞會後有可能回來做項目嗎？”
雌蟲突然轉過頭，瞥去了敬稱催促道，“最近又遇到難題了，擱置一秒我都渾身難受。”
那一絲別扭瞬間消失不見。
耶爾低咳一聲，“應該可以，到時候找你幫忙銷假。”
阿德萊德滿意地點了下頭，上前一步在前面引路。
他被從側門帶到了私蟲休息室，在那裏見到了等候着的白朗，被告知了西澤另有安排，需要等會才能彙合的消息。
“好，我知道了。”
耶爾微蹙了下眉，沒有多說什麽，在沙發上坐下後打開光腦。
他一邊安靜地任化妝師在臉上掃掃拍拍，一邊重溫起舞會的流程來。
一時興起，突然開始查詢之前的舞會召開情況，随便往後一翻，頁面恰好停在西澤冊封上将時的加冕禮上。
這段時間已經看過很多對雌蟲的大篇彩虹屁，但耶爾仍然樂此不彼。
标題和內容都很正常，但——
“這張照片怎麽回事？沾上了髒東西？”
他有些疑惑地用力蹭了蹭雌蟲的臉，卻沒辦法弄掉上面淺紅色的大塊污漬，有點生氣了。
“怎麽選這麽一張照片放在新聞上？”
“因為當時就是這個樣子的。”
站在身後的白朗突然出聲道，和雄蟲一起緊盯着那張照片。
“迦諾，蘭斯公爵唯一的雄子，同時也是元帥的雄弟，在加冕禮上倒了元帥一身的酒。”
“雖然後面元帥去換了衣服，但請來的媒體都受到了迦諾的脅迫，還是放了這張抓拍上去。”
耶爾瞳孔驟縮，手下的動作頓住了。
“當時元帥剛剛立下大功，但因為是跳級冊封的，掌控的各方面勢力還不太穩定，那些貴族就逮着這個機會往死了霸淩和排擠，甚至當衆給元帥難堪……”
白朗說起當時的情況，還是忍不住咬緊牙關，話音中的火氣蹭蹭往上漲。
耶爾凝視着新聞上的照片，唇角已然向下抿緊，表情冷淡異常。
按照禮服被沾濕的形狀可以判斷，雌蟲是被酒從頭頂往下淋了一身，所以面積才會這麽寬泛。
紅色的酒液将那白發染色，順着頸脖而下泅開大片的髒污，甚至弄髒了胸前佩戴的勳章，讓軍雌顯得有些狼狽。
但他仍然脊背挺直，神色淺淡又嚴肅，似乎并不把這些折辱放在眼裏，甚至連擡頭看向鏡頭的那一眼，都只能讓觀者下意識噤若寒蟬，而不會有一絲嘲笑嫌棄的情緒。
“後來元帥清查了迦諾一條地下暗線，這件事也算是兩清了，您不用太生氣。”
想起來今天是耶爾的專場，白朗也不想這個時候讓雄蟲不愉快，連忙找補道。
耶爾合上光腦，淡淡地嗯了一聲，閉上眼往後靠在沙發上，示意化妝師繼續。
休息室再次陷入一片安靜。
一直等舞會悠揚的入場鈴響起，耶爾才突然出聲道。
“S級的身份什麽都能做嗎？”
白朗遲疑了一下，突然有種不好的預感，試探着道，“差不多能在帝國為所欲為了……冕下要做什麽？”
耶爾卻沒有回答他的問題。
……
一直到阿德萊德從外面回來，将耶爾引導到了專門出場的側門口，他才見到了匆匆趕到的雌蟲。
“抱歉，雄主，來晚了一些。”
西澤神色帶着歉意，但因為有外蟲在場，不太好意思做出太親昵的舉動，只是靠近後低聲叮囑了幾句。
"The Raya family is not the top one, but they have a unique status due to their high academic achievements. If you have any questions, you can ask Adelaide and he will help you."
He reached out to help Yer straighten his collar, but he still felt uneasy when he thought about how much the male insect could drink in just one glass of wine.
"By the way, remember not to drink alcohol later. Don't worry about being rude. If someone wants to force you to drink, just walk away. I'll be in later..."
Although he was not a chatterbox and never said a word while working, he could not help but repeat these words over and over again, fearing that Yael would be wronged when he was out of his sight.
Yael's Adam's apple rolled for a moment.
He thought of the photo again, and there was a hint of murderous intent in the smile in his eyes. The softer his heart became because of this concern, the more he couldn't help pressing his finger knuckles, silently accumulating anger.
Adelaide looked at his watch and whispered, "Your Majesty, the time is almost up."
"Forget it, why should I say so much... just go in."
Xi Ze sighed helplessly, and felt that he was too nervous. Finally, he let go of her hand, took a step back and stood in the shadows.
"Your Majesty?"
Standing in the midst of extreme luxury and prosperity, Yael turned his head to look at the female insect that was staying behind him.
Light and darkness seem to be a clear boundary.
The crystal lights in the palace reflected golden light, shining behind him and outlining a clean silhouette.
He stood at the door, blocking the golden torrent pouring down, and the female insect's figure became blurred.
He didn't know what his expression was, but he could clearly see the reluctance on Caesar's face, yet with gentle urging and encouragement, like a mother watching her cub go to school alone.
But this seems to be right... No matter what is light or dark, good or evil, in front of or behind the scenes, it doesn't matter whether they will be changed or polluted or lost in it, as long as they stand together, that's enough.
Yael smiled suddenly.
A mother doesn’t want to see her cubs acting like tyrants outside, but what can she do?
If you dare to hurt or insult that being deep inside your heart, you must be prepared to be beaten.
He turned around and stepped into the chaotic light step by step.
The author has something to say:
Yeah yeah big move loading ing...
It is a more emotional metaphor, it is love and family affection, they are inseparable, a stable male mother x a bad kid, a little perverted and a little cute (thumbs up)