Chapter 68
"Your Highness, I..."
Eric wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start. He had a lot on his mind. He was depressed because he saw His Highness getting close to other female insects and came out alone to clear his mind. Every time he saw His Highness, he thought of that gentleman and wanted to ask His Highness if there was any connection between them.
These words stuck in his throat, and just as they were about to come out, the heavy sound of military boots suddenly rang out behind him: "Major General Eric."
"You can go back now."
"Yes." Eric's military insect instincts kicked in, and he chose to obey the order the instant he heard it.
Then it dawned on me, no, we're at His Highness's manor, not at the military headquarters. Logically speaking, the Marshal doesn't have that authority.
But under those imposing and sharp eyes, Eric, unable to withstand the pressure, could only slowly rise, bid farewell to Hill, and lead his horse away, his steps heavy with weight.
At one point he wanted to rebel, but when he turned around, Marshal Celtic had his back to him and didn't even give him a glance.
Even if he resisted, he had no chance of success given the huge difference in level and combat power.
Eric clenched his fists, a clear hint of resentment flashing across his face. A moment later, he mounted his horse, and the clatter of hooves echoed as he rode away.
Celtic removed his dark military uniform, leaving him in only an undershirt. The cuffs were rolled up, revealing the prominent veins on his wrists and a scar on the web of his hand.
He leaned forward, his arms outstretched on either side of Hill. The pressure from the female insect caused Hill to lean back slightly. Celt reached out a hand to brace Hill from behind, preventing him from getting hurt by the edge of the pool.
"Your Highness has already found a new love after only two minutes of being gone? Isn't that a bit too fast?"
Hill floated in the water, decisively surrendering all her strength to the hand behind her. Strands of her long hair flowed like seaweed, and her water-dampened eyes resembled those of a deep-sea siren: "So what?"
Shouldn't male insects live like this? They are constantly being courted by females, readily accepting their advances, giving them pheromones when in a good mood, and indulging in lavish banquets and revelry. This is the life of most male insects.
“I just think Your Highness has poor taste,” Celt said in a deep voice. “A female insect like this, who doesn’t even have the courage to resist, is not worthy of you.”
Hill chuckled, causing ripples to spread across the water.
"Isn't it common knowledge that I have a bad eye?" He laughed, his laughter causing the water to ripple, an uncontrollable self-mockery that made him choke and cough in Celtic's arms.
—Otherwise, why would I have taken a liking to you?
Celt frowned and patted the male insect's thin back. His back was so thin that his body trembled slightly when he moved, as if the fragile heart inside was also trembling.
The female insect wanted to hold his heart in her palm, but she couldn't close it.
Hill closed his eyes, a few tears welling up from the corner of his eye from coughing. The feeling of helplessness made him feel like he was about to fall into the water, which seemed shallow enough to drown him.
Celtic lifted Hill by the back, and seeing that he could not suppress his cough, he could only lift him out of the water. Once out of the water, the male insect was indeed much better, with only a slight cough.
He held the male insect completely in his arms until his cough slowly subsided: "Baxter, Eric, I can give His Highness any female insect that is available."
Those light-colored eyes opened, reflecting a cold light in the water. Hill raised a hand and placed it on Celt's shoulder, a mocking tone in her voice: "Including your life?"
Celtic's cold, grey eyes met without hesitation: "Yes."
Long ago, I gave my life to you.
The handsome male insect looked at him, unsure whether to believe him or not. After a moment, he placed his hand, which had been on the female insect's shoulder, on her neck. His icy palm was so cold that even warm water couldn't warm it. He said, "If you're lying to me, I'll kill you, Marshal."
His voice was gentle yet chilling as he said this, sounding both like a joke and the truth.
In response, Celtic picked him up. Staying in the water for too long would be uncomfortable, so he needed to get up, wash himself, and then take a nap.
Hill couldn't see Celt's expression from his angle, but he could hear his voice, which was lower and hoarser than usual: "I'm waiting."
Much later, Hill understood what he hadn't fully expressed back then.
I await your judgment, whether I live or die.
——
“Your Highness, today is the seventh day. I think you have trained very well. Perhaps you could try to feel the wind yourself,” Lieutenant General Baxter suggested on the morning of the seventh day.
Logically speaking, although male insects are delicate, they are still powerful insects and have a natural advantage in riding horses. His Highness Hilgard is even weaker and needs more time, but it shouldn't be that he is still unable to ride a horse by himself until today.
The deadline for the evaluation was fast approaching, but he still hadn't won His Highness's favor, and frankly, Baxter was getting a little anxious.
Perhaps Your Highness's experience of riding a horse yourself will put you in a better mood and give me an advantage.
He refused.
Hill's eyes flashed coldly, then quickly disappeared, before he nodded gently and said, "Of course."
“Then I will accompany you, and you can ask me any questions you may have.” A hint of surprise appeared in Baxter’s eyes.
After seven days of hard work, we finally made progress.
But before he could mount his horse, Damon, Vincent, Eric, and a group of female insects came to him after learning that His Highness Hilgard had finally broken free from the female insects' teachings and could mount his horse on his own.
Training male insects is never an easy task. These female insect leaders certainly have their own methods for training ordinary female insects, but when it comes to Your Highness the male insect, insect god, must you also strictly follow them?
Even if you suppress your personality, the proud male insect might not learn and instead blame you for not teaching him well. Such cases are countless.
Baxter nearly ground his teeth to powder as he looked at his rivals waiting to reap the rewards.
Hill initially walked slowly, surrounded by several female insects who tried to talk to him.
"Your Highness received a bouquet of flowers from the planet Quenan this afternoon. How about we have them for afternoon tea?"
"Recently, the StarNet reported that a strange phenomenon has appeared in the Hebian star system, and next month will be the best season for viewing it. If Your Highness wishes to go, I happen to have a fleet in that star system?"
"Did Your Highness enjoy today's breakfast? If there are any improvements you could make, please let me know. I look forward to your feedback."
Hill remained polite as she spoke with the other female insects, gradually increasing her pace from a slow, leisurely stroll.
Among them, the young Brigadier General Vincent, with the most lively personality, was the first to ride off on his horse, laughing loudly, "Your Highness, you need to ride faster to feel the wind."
"Your Highness is unfamiliar with this place, let me clear the way for you—"
Another young female insect, Major General Damon, also began to fiercely compete with Vincent ahead.
Only the older and more composed Lieutenant General Baxter did not chase after him, but quietly stayed by Hilgard's side, silently protecting him.
The other female insects, not to be outdone, immediately sped up, eager to show off their skills in front of His Highness. It was this sudden increase in speed that startled Hill's timid pony.
The gentle white horse suddenly neighed, broke away from the safe passage opened up by the female insects, and galloped abruptly into the nearby forest.
Hill tried to grab the reins to pull the out-of-control horse back, but he lacked the strength. The horse twisted its neck and broke free, and the reins slipped from his hand, scraping his palm and drawing blood.
The stinging pain spread upwards.
To suppress its dangerous nature, the gifted horse had a metal collar around its neck. Pressing it would immediately release an electric shock. Before Hill could even press it, a dense array of metal bars appeared before his eyes.
That was set up by Baxter to prevent the domesticated gifts from escaping.
The out-of-control horse leaped high into the air, while the powerless male insect plummeted from the height. This was a horse with Pegasus blood!
Just as Hill was about to fall into the spiked fence, several female insects around him had already spread their bony wings, but the distance was too great, and it was only a matter of moments before Hill fell.
Only Baxter, who wasn't vying to step forward and show off beside him, had the time—
The composed female insect immediately spread her wings, a barely perceptible glint of joy flashing in her eyes. However, just as she was about to catch the male insect, an extremely dangerous pheromone locked onto her.
The murderous intent was so palpable that it made his hair stand on end, and his insect-like markings lit up, sending out a distress signal!
It seemed that it wasn't Hilgard who was about to fall into the fence, but him! Baxter's speed seemed to freeze under this pressure.
The jet-black, unblemished bone wings moved with incredible speed, pulling Hilgard into their embrace before he could fall. The two insects plummeted together into a fence filled with flowers and thorns.
One by one, the metal bars snapped, making a sound that made the insects' teeth ache. Celt's powerful bone wings folded, and the female insect wrapped one arm around Hill's waist, cushioning his back to protect him from the pain.
Hill looked up at the sky, his pupils dilating slightly, and for a moment he could hardly breathe.
Celtic quickly realized something was wrong. He abruptly stood up and pressed his hand against Hill's heart. The heart was beating erratically under his hand, and Hill's lips were pale. His breathing became particularly rapid after a brief pause.
“Hill—”
Celt's eyes narrowed, and he grasped Hill's hand. Hill's condition was not right. He suddenly unfurled his black bone wings and flew Hill toward the villa, where the most advanced medical facilities were located.
"Control Baxter—"
Only Celt's somber voice remained in the fleeting wind. The female insects that arrived later instinctively obeyed the marshal's orders. This voice spread across several interstellar distances and showed an explosive trend on the star network.
"What happened to His Highness Hilgard? I haven't seen him! But the Marshal's reaction is so strong, I'm so worried about His Highness!"
"Your Highness's health is not good to begin with. Could you have been frightened? Could you have been injured?"
"What stupid insects made those spiked fences! They're so dangerous!"
What was the meaning of Marshal Celtic's last sentence?
"Isn't this an accident? Could it be Lieutenant General Baxter?"
"But Lieutenant General Baxter's actions were perfectly legitimate in front of everyone, and even a marshal cannot make baseless accusations!"
"Marshal Celtic is known for his meticulousness. I believe he must have his own basis for judgment. Besides, even if Lieutenant General Baxter did nothing wrong, he should bear the responsibility for failing to protect His Highness!"
"@Male Insect Protection Association, please come and investigate!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com