Chapter 66
"Your Majesty is here?!"
"Get this scene under control, guards!"
Yael was unable to hold Ganuo for long, and after recovering from his shock, the noble insect still had some emergency handling capabilities.
Although he did not dare to go forward due to his S-class status, for the sake of the life of another high-level male insect, the lobby had already started spraying aerosol relaxant.
It smelled like 84 disinfectant. Yael wrinkled his nose and lost interest for a moment.
As soon as he let go, the half-dead Cano fell to the ground with a loud bang.
The two princes came out before His Majesty, and their expressions changed slightly when they saw the scene in front of them.
"Hero Lord?!"
The second prince Felix spread his bone wings and rushed forward, extending his sharp claws to grab Yer who was facing away from him.
Yael drooped his eyelashes, took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands, seemingly unaware of the danger.
"Bang--"
And just a second before the sharp claws touched the male insect's hair, an unshakable force suddenly attacked and knocked Felix's entire insect away!
A gust of bloody wind blew past his cheek, and a familiar expanse of deep black filled his field of vision. As the huge bony wings flapped slowly, the precise bones bit and interlocked, making slight clicking sounds.
Only then did Yer slowly turn his head and look at the female insect that suddenly appeared behind him and carefully wrapped him under its bony wings, and he chuckled.
"Come?"
Xize showed no mercy just now, and that blow immediately made Felix lose the ability to move.
The crisis was temporarily resolved, and he finally focused his attention and lowered his head, his expression unable to conceal his nervousness and worry.
"My Lord, are you injured?"
There were large patches of blood on Yael's face and even on his eyelashes, but it couldn't hide the bright light in his dark eyes.
Without saying a word, he stretched out his hand to push aside the bone wings in front of him, got out of the deliberately enclosed protective shell, and walked to a position side by side with Xize.
"It's a pity that you didn't see me beating the man who was down and out just now."
Yael wiped his face casually, raised his chin and whispered to the female insect.
And at this moment, he was standing unobstructed under the bright light, standing tall in front of all the insects.
Xi Ze's hand, which was about to wipe the blood off him, stopped in mid-air, and he immediately understood the male insect's intention.
Yael wanted to clarify the relationship between them and let all the insects know that he was on their side.
His pupils shrank and he looked a little dazed.
"His Majesty is here!"
A scream broke Xi Ze's trance, and he subconsciously looked at Yael, but before he could say anything, the male insect had already spread the tail end of his bony wings and walked towards the platform step by step.
"What happened?"
The white-haired female emperor sat down tremblingly, her eyes sweeping across the chaotic scene in the hall, finally stopping at the male insect standing at the bottom of the stage, her expression gloomy.
"Do you have anything to explain, Your Majesty?"
The existence of S-rank male insects is extremely special, and they must be addressed with honorifics and "Your Majesty". Even the emperor must abide by this rule.
"Good night, Your Majesty."
"I have long heard of His Highness Kano's name. I originally just wanted to invite His Highness to have a drink and get to know each other, but I didn't expect to be attacked. I got angry and fought back a few times. I'm sorry for scaring everyone."
Jerez bowed gracefully, then frowned slightly, as if he was in distress.
"Your Majesty, can you allow me to go down and change my clothes? Most of this is not blood, but red wine that has flowed out. It's sticky and uncomfortable."
He lifted his eyelids slightly and looked into the eyes hidden under the gray hair and beard for a moment, catching the fleeting enlightenment and hesitation.
"No! We can't just let this go, Father?!"
A trembling roar came from behind. Yael tilted his head and saw the female insect that was kicked away by Xi Ze struggling to get up and protecting Ganuo behind her.
"Can't we just let it go?"
He raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at the alert Second Prince, and said in a long tone, "Okay."
"Then may I ask what crime should be committed by His Highness Kano for provoking and beating an S-rank male insect?"
Felix froze, wiping the blood off his face. His hand paused, as if he had just realized who the insect in front of him was. He stuttered, "S-S-level... male insect?"
He turned to look at Ganor who was wailing continuously, and stayed away from the nobles who obviously did not dare to intervene, as well as Xi Ze who was looking at him coldly. He was stunned for a moment.
"alright."
The old female insect emperor spoke and put an end to the farce.
"It was indeed the Duke's son who provoked the situation first, and His Majesty Yael had no choice but to defend himself. But since Cano has been punished, the matter is settled now."
"Oggsger?"
Receiving the hint, the eldest prince, who had been taciturn since his appearance, stepped forward and ordered that Ganuo be carefully taken to the hospital for treatment, and that the crowded media be appeased... Soon the entire ball was restored to order.
Yael was taken to the lounge, where he washed up and quickly changed into a new dress.
"Are you hurt? Is your hand okay?"
Adelaide caught up and watched the long-awaited makeup team patting and tapping on the male insect's face. She quickly scanned it up and down, and was relieved when she saw no wounds.
Yael opened his eyes silently and complained, half-truthfully, "That skull is too hard. It hurts my hand."
Adelaide took a deep breath and didn't roll his eyes in front of the male insect. But he still said helplessly, "Why didn't you deal with him anytime? Why did you have to make such a big scene?"
Yael was noncommittal.
"Is it to vent the Marshal's anger?"
After a moment of silence, Adelaide suddenly spoke again.
“Not entirely, there are other reasons as well.”
Yael chuckled and tapped his knees with his fingertips. "But who asked him to attack me first? I just had to fight back."
"That's just a lie." Adelaide chuckled, "I'll go guard the door. Call me if you need anything."
"Where's Caesar? Why didn't he come?" Yael said in a low voice, looking at the quiet door.
Adelaide was already familiar with their nicknames, and he remained calm when he heard this, "I was held back by His Majesty, and I can't get away for the time being. After all, I just kicked a prince into the wall, so I have to talk about it anyway."
"Too."
Yael waved his hand, and the makeup artists around him quickly finished their work and left. "I'd better get out of here quickly, so he doesn't worry too much."
…
The dance went on as usual.
After Yuanyuan exchanged a glance with the female insect and confirmed that he was not injured, Yael sat in the seat prepared for him.
Not far from Your Majesty but higher than the prince is a seat inlaid with countless luxurious and expensive diamonds and rare minerals. It looks magnificent, but is actually very uncomfortable on the butt.
Yael took a sip of the orange juice without changing his expression, and quietly changed his sitting position.
At this time, melodious music was already playing in the hall, and many noble female insects were dancing in the hall, which was very pleasing to the eye.
Countless hidden glances were directed at Yael from all directions, but he was ignored. The noble male insect on the high seat sipped his orange juice boredly with a nonchalant look on his face.
"Do you want to go up and chat with me? I wonder if Your Majesty is in a better mood now..."
"It still feels uncertain. Why don't you go up and give it a try? Your Majesty doesn't have a bottle of wine at the moment, so you don't have to worry about being suddenly stabbed."
Whispers were heard among the nobles, but few dared to be the first to speak out. The male insect in front of them was obviously not a soft persimmon, and was even more difficult to deal with than the arrogant and domineering Ganuo.
But this dance is the best opportunity to strike up a conversation, and no one is willing to give it up.
Waving his hand and asking the servant to bring two new glasses of wine, Enix asked the female father in a low voice, "Female father, let me go and try it."
The middle-aged female insect opposite him frowned and said in a deep voice, "Don't mess around."
"It's okay. I... I knew His Majesty the Male Insect before. We met once. Maybe we can have a conversation."
Enix coughed a few times, faced the scrutinizing gaze of his paternal father, and vaguely told him his previous experience.
That small auction house was nothing, but by some strange coincidence it was connected to the S-rank male insect. No matter how you look at it, he made a fortune!
The nobles around pricked up their ears, their eyes widened as they listened, and in the end they could no longer conceal the envy in their expressions.
Enix's female father hesitated for a long time, and then thought that the male insect would choose this method to protect his female insect. Maybe he is not a vicious insect. It would not be a bad thing to have some contact with him in advance.
"I will go with you."
“…”
Tsk.
Yael placed the empty wine glass on the armrest of the chair. Seeing this, the servant next to him was about to step forward tremblingly to fill it with orange juice again, but was stopped by a gesture.
"Your Majesty, good night."
A voice came from the front, with an almost cautious respect and tentative tone. Yael raised his eyes and was somewhat surprised to see a familiar face.
"I wonder if you still remember me?"
Enix still didn't stand up straight. He carefully held the wine in his hand and handed it out, and whispered, "Planet Aital, auction house..."
How could I not remember? He is the boy who gives away money.
Yael became a little interested, but did not accept his drink. "Remember, you are very generous."
The male insect's voice was very calm, and there was no praise or criticism in it, but there was a high possibility that it was weird, and Enix broke out in a cold sweat.
"That auction house is just for fun. If Your Majesty likes it, there are many luxurious auction houses in the family for you to choose from. I hope that will eliminate the offense to you at that time..."
Yael's eyebrows slightly curved, revealing a gentle smile, and he casually soothed the female insect in front of him.
"Don't be nervous. Calling you generous is just a compliment. Since you're the first one here, let's make friends."
Enix took a deep breath, looking like he had been hit by a big surprise package.
"Really? Thank you so much for your tolerance! It would be my great honor to be your friend...!"
因為太激動雌蟲說話都有些語無倫次，而在不遠處偷聽進度的貴族見到這個走向，一時間神色中的嫉妒溢于言表。
“這是我代表家族給您準備的禮物，小小心意，希望能入冕下的眼。”
寒暄了一會，艾尼克斯從懷裏掏出提前準備好的小盒子，代替酒杯遞了過去。
他将盒子打開，呈現出裏面價值連城的珠寶來。
是一枚很漂亮的胸針，中心處鑲嵌着一枚耀眼奪目的金色寶石，精美的表面光澤流轉，看起來和西澤的眼眸特別像。
耶爾沒有掩飾自己的喜歡，伸手收下了，“謝謝。”
等艾尼克斯和其雌父自覺退場後，仿佛打破了一個口子，又有一個有些陌生的貴族攜着子嗣上前來。
一個又一個，從稀稀拉拉到搶都搶不過，這個轉變只用了不到半小時，耶爾就被有意勾搭的貴族小心地圍了起來，開始輪流自我介紹。
有提前準備賀禮的神色驕傲，沒有提前禮物的已經緊急叫家族中的蟲送來，一輪寒暄下來，耶爾腳邊和座位扶手上都堆滿了禮物。
“冕下，請問您是否記得……”
“冕下，我們是克萊爾家族的……”
“冕下！”
不少貴族雖然沒有貿然上前，但看着也蠢蠢欲動。
另外一些便是立場截然不同的蟲，沉默地互相看了幾眼後，開始重新計算利益和陣營問題。
本該同樣被團團圍住的大皇子反而坐在了角落，餘光看着不遠處的盛況，感嘆了一聲，“真受歡迎啊。”
“同樣是被簇擁，但是和我那個草包弟弟又完全不一樣。”
奧格斯格啧了一聲，一向嚴肅的神情舒展了很多，破天荒地開玩笑道，“你這家夥哪裏撿到的優質雄主，我也要去撿一個。”
西澤将手中的酒液一飲而盡，聞言淡聲道，“不是我撿到的他，是他撿到了我。”
“說到這個，有搜集到關鍵證據了嗎？”
奧格斯格想起調查到的蛛絲馬跡，神色冷凝下來。
“這帝國已經不知道腐朽成什麽鬼樣子了，蛇鼠一窩沆瀣一氣。”
“身為軍部将領，為了滿足一己私欲勾結外敵欺君叛國，身為貴族雄蟲的領頭蟲，帶頭插手雄保會的等級檢測，扼殺還未成長起來的小雄蟲……真是，爛透了。”
浸泡在這惡臭的環境中這麽多年，他早就憋屈得不行，自從五年前西澤在萊米爾戰役中“犧牲”，更是仿佛被砍斷手腳，無處着力。
這五年來兢兢業業，但因為處處受限困難重重，也就推行了十幾條利民條規，根本沒辦法動搖到根本。
西澤垂眸，掩去眸底一閃而過的冷意，“進展還算順利，等今晚過後……也許會更順利一些。”
他嘆了口氣，看向不遠處高臺上的雄蟲，疲憊地捏了捏眉心。
“确實，都知道那個貴族雄蟲是向着你的了，拐着彎給你出氣，但居然輕輕巧巧就把自己摘幹淨了，也是神奇。”
奧格斯格調侃了好友幾句，又大致推測了一下可能會增加的助力，一時間真情實感地羨慕起來。
但看西澤的神情似乎有些不對勁，他斂了斂笑，“怎麽了？”
“……我沒想過這麽早就讓他站隊的。”
雄主本身尊貴無比，但因為之前的經歷顯得和社會格格不入，對于貴族這些更是知之甚少，可以說對自己的未來并沒有明确的規劃。
他不想在最開始就圈死了耶爾的選擇，讓雄蟲不得不陪他一條路走到黑，要麽走向破而後立的新生，要麽滑落萬劫不複的深淵。
他不想……耶爾在終于看清自己的價值和能力後，卻因為早已釘死的陣營和處境而後悔。
西澤凝視着手中的酒杯，裏面金黃色的酒液倒映着層層扭曲的倒影，輕輕一晃就震蕩着散開了，濺起一小朵金色的花。
“就像殿下曾經對待自己的雌子一樣，覺得沒有給他提供一個好的成長環境而愧疚，害怕他受到傷害而恐懼焦慮，生怕他被那些跋扈的貴族子弟帶壞……”
“哪哪都不放心，處處感到虧欠。”
他擡起眼，看向神情怔愣的奧格斯格，很淺地勾了勾唇，“我現在就是這樣的。”
奧格斯格沉默了一會，輕嘆了口氣。
“能理解，你自己決斷吧，不過現在的場面挺麻煩的，就算你不想，冕下也已經站到了迦諾的對立面，還是不死不休的那種。”
他看着好友擔憂的神情，又想起雄蟲選擇了并肩時的神情，又忍不住笑了一下寬慰道。
“更何況，這就是冕下自己的意願，你的想法他未必不能理解，只是仍然選擇了站在我們這一邊。”
入局者總更容易陷于局中，看不清事情的原貌，又因為難以達到真正的換位思考，所以才總是産生各種各樣的矛盾。
其實怎麽選擇都會後悔，倒不如順從此刻的心意。
這番話好似撥開了雲霧，西澤出神地盯着半空中的一點，神色中的郁氣逐漸消散，變成有些恍惚的頓悟。
“冕下想得可比你通透多了。”
素來端正持重的大皇子眉梢微挑，有些幸災樂禍道。
“你這段時間一直在糾結這個？保不準冕下已經生氣很久了，才會選擇用這種方式告訴你他的答案。”
“還不趕緊去哄一下，小心雄主被別的心機蟲戳走了。”
眼看着舞會到達中場，耶爾好像有些疲憊，和陛下告辭後就獨自下了高臺，似乎是想回休息室整頓一下。
西澤連忙放下酒杯，起身跟了上去。
……
将休息室內的無關蟲清了出去，耶爾才終于将外套解下來，側身躺在了沙發上，低垂的眼尾洩露出些許怠惰來。
“咔噠。”
門被輕輕地推開又關上，熟悉的步伐靠近身後，耶爾仍然沒有睜開眼，任憑雌蟲從身後輕輕環抱住他。
細碎的親吻落在耳後，将耳尖染上一層薄薄的粉，像是雪豹一下下舔毛般的親昵和讨好，讓半邊身體都泛起細微的麻癢。
“雄主。”
西澤低聲道，沒得到回應後躊躇了一下，又叫他，“耶爾。”
“嗯。”
耶爾在他懷裏轉了個身，睜開眼睛看向上方的雌蟲，起身拉住他禮服下的領帶，将雌蟲往自己的方向帶了帶。
無聲對視了一眼，雌蟲閉了眼低下頭，溫順地迎合着他發洩般的啃咬研磨，偶爾從喉間逸出舒服的輕哼。
“喝酒了？味道有點苦。”
把雌蟲的唇都啃腫了之後，耶爾才堪堪放過了他，咂了咂嘴，聲音有些沙啞地道。
又想起雌蟲的味道一直都是苦澀的，他忍不住嘆了口氣。
“你沒什麽想要對我說的嗎？”
西澤神色僵硬了一瞬，張了張嘴卻不知道該從何說起，一時間有些無措地僵住了。
“我問你，為什麽要提前簽署財産證明，說如果遭遇不測或者以後分開，都把百分之九十五的財産都留給我？”
耶爾捏了捏他的臉，卻沒有用力，“就這麽想淨身出戶？”
“……沒有。”雌蟲乖乖讓他捏，聞言含糊道。
“還有，為什麽書房裏存放處理好的蟲的資料越來越多，都是和你沒什麽關系，但都想把主意打到我身上的家夥。”
他知道自己的身份必然會招來觊觎，還有各種各樣的惡意和騷擾，但在看到拼命滑都滑不到盡頭的資料時還是驚呆了。
除了公務之外還要忙着驅散一波又一波的窺探者，難怪以雌蟲的體質還會熬出黑眼圈來。
“明明就處理好了一切，各方打點聯絡，精心布置準備，就是為了讓我風風光光地出場……事到臨頭又退縮隐瞞，想撇清我們之間的關系。”
耶爾放開手，揉了揉雌蟲被掐紅的印子，湊近了他低聲道，“哪有那麽好的事。”
西澤伸手攬住雄蟲的肩膀，有些笨拙地道，“雄主，對不起。”
“不是說喜歡我嗎，不是想綁定關系嗎，結果卻是打着為我好的名號，一次又一次地推開我，你不覺得矛盾嗎？”
耶爾将臉埋在了雌蟲頸側，不讓雌蟲看見他的表情，聲音又快又低。
他知道雌蟲的顧慮，也能理解那些考量和憂思，平常糾結一下還能算是小情趣，但在大事面前是容不下一點含糊和退縮的。
“這樣下去，如果我真的心灰意冷不想和你在一起了，你也要為了所謂那些虛無缥缈的前途和未來放我走嗎？”
西澤瞳孔驟縮，下意識脫口而出道，“不。”
一直到回過神來，他才意識到剛才說了什麽，頓時愣在了原地。
他連耶爾吓唬他說的離開都受不了，更遑論真的眼睜睜看着雄蟲離開。
……他放不開手，不管是因為感情中的愛或占有欲，還是深思熟慮的那些“為他好”的決定和割舍，他都沒辦法忍受耶爾離他而去。
耶爾很有耐心地等了一會，然後就看着雌蟲慢慢低下頭，很緊地抱住了自己，聲音沙啞中帶着一絲顫抖。
“對不起，我不會放雄主走的。”
"Neither can I."
Yael reached out and hugged the female insect back, sniffing the fragrance of the soft white hair. The scent of orange blossom diluted the inherent bitterness and turned it sweet.
"So don't doubt my feelings anymore, and don't make the decision to let go without authorization."
"I am not shameless enough to step on your flesh and blood to get to the top, and I have never thought about...keeping myself out of trouble."
The body in the palm of my hand was thin, and the faint body temperature was transmitted through the shirt. When he spoke, his chest resonated and vibrated slightly, showing the usual gentleness and stability of a male insect.
A hand fell on the hair, combing the messed up hair bit by bit, soothing the panic and helplessness.
Xi Ze's tense body slowly relaxed. He was silent for a long while, and when he spoke again his voice was hoarse.
"…I'm sorry. I said I would treat you well, but I didn't do it."
Yael hummed, and after he started talking, he felt particularly relaxed, and his voice sounded a little lazy.
"It's not that there's anything wrong with the way you treat me well, it's just that I also want to benefit you, and I don't want to be protected behind you all the time and drag you down."
He chuckled and leaned over to hug the female insect in his arms.
I don't want him to walk alone at night, from the embarrassing mud to the setting sun.
I watched my teachers, comrades-in-arms and companions leave one by one, and in the end only a cold and hard skeleton was left.
Those who were protected behind him either worshipped him and became dependent on him, or betrayed him due to their greed, or were suspicious and wary of him... No one stood by him.
Then let him take a few quick steps, squeeze onto that dark road, hold the female insect's hand, and rush to the final ending together.
The author has something to say:
Yeah Yeah straight ball! Hit your heart~ The general was finally brave for once, and he will always be brave in the future, and start the xql joint monster fighting mode!