Chapter 41
Female insects typically release strong, possessive pheromones, and during the mating season, insects will unconsciously release pheromones. For other females, this pheromone is equivalent to a provocation.
At this moment, two pheromones were subtly occupying one side of the core module.
Having learned from his failure that morning, Albert waited patiently outside the core of the Hilgard, unable to hide his disdain and disgust for the other party.
Hill was not feeling well and might not be able to continue the conversation in the afternoon, but he only revealed this information. Albert then unexpectedly encountered an uninvited guest outside the core module.
Eric.
Albert raised an eyebrow slightly: "Isn't Your Excellency, Major General, on duty?"
The implication is, how do you have time to stay here every day?
Eric, a man of great strength and taciturn nature befitting an Imperial female soldier, succinctly stated: "No need for the Federation's bugs to worry about us."
She turned her head again, her eyes filled with accusation and resentment: "Does the female insect of the Federation not even know how to take care of His Highness the male insect?"
I heard this morning that this damned insect prepared tea and snacks for His Highness to please him, but His Highness was not feeling well in the afternoon and summoned the insect for medical treatment. It must be because this female insect did not take good care of His Highness.
Albert leaned casually against the outside of the core module, flashing a knowing, ambiguous smile. "Yes, I was a bit clumsy and inadequate in my service, but what can I do when His Highness is willing to accept my service? I'll definitely practice more in the future—"
"Damn it—"
Just as this linguistic contest was about to escalate, a beep sounded and the door to the core compartment slowly opened.
As the handsome male insect came into view, Eric and Albert's pupils contracted simultaneously.
Hilgard must have just washed up; his long silver hair was still damp, and his clear eyes seemed less aloof because of the moisture. However, his lips were not as pale as usual, but tinged with a faint red.
More importantly, Hilgard had a faint scent of female insect pheromones. Although the scent had been removed and it was impossible to identify who it belonged to, the faint scent left from close contact was still faintly noticeable.
The two female insects exchanged a glance instinctively, and sparks seemed to fly in the air.
Albert: Damn it, I upset His Highness this morning, and this bug took advantage of the situation!
Eric: Damn it! This guy tricked His Highness into an intimate encounter with tea and snacks!
The two female insects stepped forward quickly at the same time, trying to support Hilgard. His Highness is not well and naturally needs more care. Whoever His Highness chooses is the one he favors more.
Albert's hands were long and slender, while Eric's hands were steady and strong, seemingly capable of providing complete protection to either of them.
Celtic, whose path had just been cleared in the passageway not far away, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He had to clean himself up, even though the long-awaited contact had completely immersed him in the male insect's pheromones, but Hill had held back for too long, and too much water had dripped onto his military medals.
The pheromone's direction is too obvious.
In the past, Celts did not allow Hill's pheromones to remain on him; male insects kept in captivity could not be exposed to the light of day and must never be discovered.
Hill loved the lingering pheromones of Celt around him, often shrinking into the blanket of female insect pheromones, unwilling to come out.
Now, for the first time, he desperately wanted his pheromones to mark and occupy the male insects, so that all the female insects could clearly smell his presence.
However, this was impossible; Hill even took many showers to completely mask the pheromones.
Because of disgust? Or because he didn't want Albert to find out?
Just like before, he didn't want the little male insect's scent to be detected by Sirius.
Celtic's heart clenched, as if a fine needle were piercing it, stirring his usually indifferent internal organs.
Unconsciously, I clenched my fist, wanting to hold something tightly, but all I had in my hand was air.
He stepped forward steadily and, before Hill could make a decision, interrupted the two female insects' invitation in a deep voice: "Your Highness, the starship has arrived at Acheron—"
Yes, after a long voyage, this frontier star, a planet of trade and friendship, is finally within reach.
Albert's eyes crinkled slightly as he stepped forward again to assert his advantage: "Your Highness, I participated in the negotiations between the Empire and the Federation on Akeron, so I was essentially the host. May I explain this to you?"
His voice was gentle and did not offend the insects. Because he was so close, a little bit of his breath sprayed around Hill. Hill lowered his eyes slightly as if he was a little embarrassed, and then slowly placed his hand in Albert's hand.
Hilgard's hands, pale from years of lack of sunlight, were gently supported by Albert, who skillfully held them, almost enveloping the male insect's hands in his own, in an intimate embrace.
Between Eric and Albert, Albert gained the upper hand.
"That cunning bastard who deceived His Highness!" Eric shouted indignantly in his heart.
Most of the mocking glances were directed at Eric, so much so that no one noticed that when Hilgard placed his hand in Albert's palm, the sudden gloom in his eyes and the oppressive atmosphere belonged to Celtic.
Only the bystander Sirius witnessed this farce perfectly.
He slowly stepped forward, a slightly sarcastic smile on his face: "The female insects of the Federation all know how to invite male insects, doesn't the Marshal know that?"
Celt withdrew his gaze, suppressing all his deep emotions, and replied in a deep voice, "Of course, Your Highness."
The pheromones of Cyrus are more mature, lacking the freshness of bergamot in young male crickets, and possessing only a rich floral fragrance.
Even if they share the same female and male fathers, they are still different.
Just then, Nathaniel arrived with Queen Hessen. Nathaniel was very disdainful of Sirius and was about to mock him.
Sirius didn't bother to talk to him and went straight after Hilgard, leaving Nathaniel behind, cursing angrily.
"Disrespectful worm!"
Hesen stroked the male insect's back to calm his anger, his tone extremely gentle: "Master, don't be angry."
Nathaniel was furious: "I'll teach this guy a lesson sooner or later."
“Yes, my lord, I will do my best for you.” Hesen promised, emitting a calming and soothing scent of cypress seeds, and the irritable male insect strangely calmed down.
When Celt followed Sirius a step behind and went out, only Hilgard and Albert's backs were left in front of him.
They stood side by side, Hill's long hair, so soft, was blown by the wind and gradually intertwined with Albert's hair, like tender lovers.
At that moment, Celtic's usually firm steps faltered for a rare instant.
He stared silently ahead, and for a fleeting moment, he wanted to tear the female insect apart, to melt its flesh and blood into the universe.
Melancholy emotions are the seeds of poisonous fruit, bypassing years of reason and deliberation, growing wildly and uncontrollably out of pure jealousy.
Albert gently held Hill's hand in front of him. Hill's hand was cold; even though he had just taken a shower, it was only slightly damp and not warm. He wanted to warm it up more.
"It is said that Your Highness has been recuperating in the Holy City and has never seen the outside world. It is an honor for me to accompany Your Highness on your first trip."
The starlight shone down, giving Acheron a warm, yellowish hue; it was a very warm planet.
“Actually, this isn’t my first trip.” Hill closed his eyes, letting the warm sunlight envelop him, and suddenly retorted.
Celt, following behind them, felt a pang in his heart. Yes, the little male's first long journey was to a warship. He had given up superior treatment and the female insect arranged by his female father, and had gone through countless hardships to reach his side.
Whether it was genuine or not, he did indeed take that step, setting aside his dignity.
Other female insects might panic if they encountered a male insect refuting them, but Albert is indeed a female insect with exceptionally strong mental fortitude.
He simply squeezed Hill's hand slightly and smiled, saying, "So, this is my first trip with Your Highness."
Hill slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Albert's sunlit eyes, which held boundless warmth.
"Regardless of whether the previous journeys were smooth or not, I hope that this journey with Your Highness will be smooth, and that it will bring you joy," Albert said gently.
He was too perceptive; just from the male insect's faint tone when he spoke, he could tell that the journey had not been pleasant. The glaring sunlight made the male insect unconsciously shed physiological tears. He wanted to reach out and kiss away the moisture, but he felt it would be too much.
The female insect should take the initiative, but she must not frighten her beloved male insect. He then takes a step back and suddenly raises the male insect's hand, placing a tender and affectionate kiss on the back of his pale hand.
Hill did not try to pull his hand away as usual. Instead, he slowly closed his long fingers, looked down at Albert's lips, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Is that so? Then I'll wait and see."
His voice was soft, and his smile was faint, as if he might leave at any moment. Albert, however, could not suppress the rush of blood to his head. For a moment, he was mesmerized and almost immediately wanted to show his sincerity in order to win the male insect's favor.
Any pity, even just a smile, would be enough to make him go through fire and water.
He took a deep breath and didn't mind showing his uncontrollable emotions in front of the male insect.
“Your Highness,” Albert said after catching his breath, “have I not yet given you the gift I gave you for our first meeting?”
"Actually, I was already very fond of Your Highness during our video meeting a year ago. I was so happy to hear that Your Highness agreed to meet me that I rushed here overnight, only to leave my gift on Akeron. I hope it's not too late now."
"The planet Akeron is rich in flowers and herbs. There is a special perfume made from a flower dew that can only be obtained once every ten years by a specific trade. It is not precious, but I hope Your Highness will like it."
Hilgard had a faint scent of female insect pheromones that didn't belong to him, and he desperately wanted to cover it up with a new scent.
Hilgard looked at him, seemingly knowing yet innocent, and slowly nodded: "Alright."
That last trace of Celtic energy vanished completely, even though they had once been so close.
Something deep within Celtic's heart slowly emptied, and then howling winds blew in from the void.
The sounds of Nathaniel and Cyrus arguing in his ears seemed unable to penetrate his heart.
“Hill has said he hates this bug named Albert. You went to see Hill yesterday, did you say something to him?!”
“Nathaniel, can you please stop labeling me before you even have a chance to say anything?” Sirius retorted, his gaze shifting to an unknown location.
"Besides, I was just telling Hill that the best way to quit something is to fall in love with something else."
Author's Note:
Nathaniel: What 4? What 5? Can't you speak Bug language? [Angry][Angry][Angry]
This is just the initial stage at the crematorium, the gasoline-dousing process. It's impossible for everything to be like this. [Pity] That's impossible! [Please] It just means the large-scale crematoriums haven't started yet. [Please]
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