Chapter 66
The lawn in the manor was meticulously trimmed by the machine insects. The female soldier led over a pure white steed, a tall and handsome beast from another star system, with extraordinary speed. After generations of breeding, it now spends most of its time competing in races.
Lieutenant General Baxter extended his hand in an inviting gesture: "Your Highness, Moore is well-trained and gentle in nature. Please allow me to help you onto your horse, shall I?"
Baxter had definitely done his homework. Horse racing was a gift that male insects liked very much. Male insects were limited by their bodies and could not have the same strength and speed as female insects, so they placed their hopes on external things.
Unfortunately, piloting a mech also requires physical strength. Only a few high-level male insects can withstand the terrifying physical and mental strain, and can achieve speed without exceeding their physical limits. A horse is the best alternative.
His Highness Hilgard has always been frail and sickly, and probably has no experience with horse racing. Beginners always need more guidance and exposure.
The young male insect seemed not to have understood his thoughts, and slowly placed his palm in his palm, his raven-feather eyelashes drooping: "Trouble, Lieutenant General."
Baxter's heart pounded. He gentlemanly approached Hilgard and politely placed his hand on his waist. With a slight effort, he helped Hilgard mount the horse. The scent of pheromones emanating from the nearby mountain made Baxter's breath catch in his throat.
Hill, who had never ridden a horse before, staggered slightly forward. The horse sneezed softly because of its unfamiliar master, which made the fragile male sway even more.
The male insect instinctively reached for the silvery rope, which happened to be in Baxter's hand. The female insect firmly grasped the male insect's wrist, then quickly released it to steady the horse.
“Your Highness, don’t be afraid, you won’t fall,” Baxter comforted softly.
“I’ll hold your hand and lead you forward, and then let go once you’ve gotten a little used to it,” Baxter smiled, then suddenly added, “Of course, if you don’t want me to let go, I can hold your hand for the rest of my life.”
This was not exactly a subtle declaration of love, and Hilgard seemed unable to handle such enthusiasm, his eyes widening slightly.
The live stream was turned off after Hill entered the bedroom last night and was not turned back on until this morning. The female insects who were not directly involved or had already been eliminated had been waiting for Hillgard for a long time, and now they couldn't help but let out a wail.
"Prince Hill is so cute!"
"You'd be so surprised by such sweet talk that your eyes would widen? The curve of your eyes is so perfect, you could take a drawing class!"
Only a few female insects were paying attention to Baxter: "Holy crap, is this really the same Lieutenant General Baxter I know? Once, I was a little slow on the training field, and he just threw me out of the combat mech and yelled at me for being useless! When did the one-eyed dragon become so patient?"
"Accept your fate. Who told you not to be a noble male insect?"
"Actually, Lieutenant General Baxter is alright, but Marshal Celt is the real problem. I once had the opportunity to report to the Marshal alone and I was so scared that I didn't dare to breathe. You have no idea how much the Marshal terrifies the bugs! Bug God, when I first opened the live stream a couple of days ago and saw what Marshal Celt looked like, I thought the Marshal had been impersonated by a bug."
"Who would dare impersonate Marshal Celtic? Are they tired of living?"
"No! You haven't seen what Marshal Celtic looks like when he's working!"
"Um, I think I saw it..."
The sharp-eyed insect captured and magnified the image of the machine insect from every angle, revealing that the manor not only had grasslands but also a forest that was refreshed by spring in the distance.
At the edge of the forest, Marshal Celtic stood impeccably dressed in his military uniform, one hand to his ear as he listened to reports and made arrangements; the biceps muscles in his arm were exceptionally prominent due to the raised arm posture.
His hawk-like eyes coldly followed Hill and Baxter's direction.
A moment later, he abruptly pressed the personal terminal next to his ear. Startled by the loud noise, Dick couldn't help but ask, "Marshal, when will I be able to return to the capital planet?"
He had been serving as the Marshal's adjutant ever since Isidor left, but this time the Marshal transferred him away from the capital planet to an outer space ahead of schedule.
Celt did not answer, but instead cut off the communication, looking coldly at Hill who was surrounded by a group of female insects.
That position should belong only to him, the only insect; no other insect should exist there. His eyes were as deep as the most terrifying planetary storm in the universe.
"What a terrifying look," the screenshot-taking bug shuddered. "I feel sorry for the bugs who need to report to the marshal."
"Oh, Major General Damon and his men are here."
Hill was a beginner and wasn't progressing very quickly. Baxter whispered to Hill while leading the horse, occasionally telling him anecdotes, when suddenly they heard the sound of hooves.
Damon, Eric, and several other female insects participating in the final selection rode their swift horses across the meadow. Each of them was exquisitely dressed, exuding a heroic air, possessing superb riding skills, and deliberately standing tall as they passed by Hill.
Occasionally, he would display his superb horsemanship, holding the reins in one hand and placing the other on his heart as he passed by Hill, offering a polite greeting: "Your Highness, good day."
These hateful insects!
A hint of annoyance flashed in Baxter's eyes. Although he was close to Prince Hilgard by leading his horse, he couldn't show off his agility. As a result, these insects beat him to it. Even if he showed off his horsemanship again in the future, the prince would only find it mediocre.
Instead, he himself became the stepping stone, and now he can only hope that His Highness will like his teaching. Of course, equestrian skills have always been his pride.
Major General Damon, having successfully outshone Hill, smiled and waved the reins in his hand to his colleagues.
Hill was in poor health, and no female insect dared to tire him out. On the first day, they only led the horse around once before sending Hill back.
As Baxter helped Hill dismount, he asked in a low voice, "Did Your Highness enjoy today's activities?"
The female insect was always so impatient, eager to see results. A hint of coldness flashed in Hill's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it and nodded reservedly.
"Then, will Your Highness still need my instruction tomorrow?" Baxter stepped forward, slightly closing the distance between them.
Teaching? Hill found the word laughable, and he did laugh, but he took a small step back.
"That's for tomorrow, Lieutenant General."
He neither refused nor agreed, but his aloof attitude only made the female insect want to get closer.
Not refusing means there's a chance, right? Baxter was starting to look forward to tomorrow with great anticipation.
"Your Highness, I have prepared some juice. Would you like to replenish your fluids after being out for so long?" Brigadier General Vincent arrived late with the juice, silently taking the place where Baxter had just been.
While some insects showed off their riding skills, he chose to take care of the rest of the business for His Highness. A refreshing glass of juice might be more likely to win His Highness's heart.
Hill didn't offer her hand herself, but instead smiled and let the female accept Vincent's gesture.
The slight smile that Prince Male Insect gave was enough to make Vincent's heart flutter, and he couldn't help but think that the prince might have feelings for him.
Hill walked up the stairs, his expression growing colder with each step, until the shadows of the second floor completely blocked the female insects' view below, and the smile on his lips vanished.
He slowly took off his riding gloves and threw them on the cold porcelain surface, then stepped off his boots. The submissive woman stood outside the door and closed the door for him.
He stepped into his own territory, unbuttoning the expensive, intricate buttons on his collar as if breaking free of heavy shackles.
The outfit I changed into this morning after accepting the invitation was even more handsome and noble than the white robe, fitting my waist perfectly and suitable for outdoor activities.
The male insect in the mirror was slender and tall, with fair skin but obvious bone structure. Only his beautiful eyebrows and eyes were clear and cold, handsome yet ethereal.
Hill stared at himself in the mirror. Before and after leaving the insect, there was no smile on his face, and he didn't even want to twitch his lips.
This body is so weak and powerless, filled with a paleness from the loss of life, and it could take its own life at any moment. He can stand for five more minutes, after which he must fall or collapse to the ground.
The male and female parents, including Sirius, spent so much time and effort raising him to this age, yet he ridiculously considered giving up on himself because of a female insect.
The communication device rang at that moment. He answered it expressionlessly, and Celtic's voice came through.
"With His Excellency Bright's permission, I have prepared hot spring water on your balcony to soothe your fatigue."
Hill's body was weaker than all the insects thought; just sitting on horseback for a walk caused him to feel aches and pains.
Hill did not speak.
Celt paused for a moment, his lowered voice magnetic, almost gentle: "If you are tired, please allow me to come and pick you up."
Hill looked at herself in the mirror and gave a sarcastic smile: "Fine."
He heard his own voice echoing in the empty room, like a ghost.
Celtic also took the opportunity to curry favor with him by touching on his weaknesses.
The handsome male insect reached out and touched his reflection in the mirror. His hand slowly clenched. He no longer wanted this useless, weak, and crippled body.
He wanted to live, to live healthily, and never again to worry his father, mother, and brother. The cold mirror stung the male insect's palm.
Celtic wanted to use him, so why couldn't he use him back?
The 3S female insect will maximize his chances of survival. If female insects are essentially tools, he will use the best tool. The 3S female insect will make him willingly kneel down and beg for his use of his value.
He used Celtic just as Celtic had used him.
A rhythmic, even tapping sound came from outside the door, a habit of Celtic's.
Having received prior permission, Celt pushed open the door to the room. The first thing he saw was a few scattered clothes on the floor. The handsome male insect stood in front of the mirror, with only his long silver hair hanging down as a cover.
A ray of sunlight peeked through the curtains, landing on the male insect's near-perfect body.
He was just too thin. Celtic's breath stopped for a moment. His gaze moved inch by inch. He was very familiar with this body. He had even held it in his arms countless times.
He knew every inch of the male insect's skin, including the different tremors the little male insect would show when touched in different areas.
Those eyes, no longer filled with tenderness and affection, fell coldly upon him.
"Marshal Celt, didn't any insect teach you how to knock on a male insect's door?"
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