There is no real spring in the North. The so-called warmer days merely mean that the snow outside begins to melt, the cold wind stops howling, but the temperature doesn’t rise at all.
However, this does not dampen Faeus’ anticipation for his wedding.
The upstairs bedroom had the heater on all year round. However, because it was too comfortable, staying there for too long made one easily drowsy. Xu Cenfeng sat on the sofa chair behind the desk, head down, writing each golden-embossed invitation by hand. The beautiful script fell on the bright red paper, faintly emitting the scent of ink.
Faeus was half-leaning by the window, adjusting a pure black sniper rifle in his hands. He glanced at Xu Cenfeng, still brooding over the fact that this male insisted on not using black invitations. “In Hossburgh, weddings always use black and gold invitations. Why aren’t we using them?”
The North revered the color black, and even weddings were no exception to this tradition.
Xu Cenfeng signed the invitations earnestly, responding without lifting his head, “Really? But in my hometown, we use red. It looks more festive.”
Faeus felt that Xu Cenfeng was just making things up. “How come I never knew that the West had such a custom?”
After speaking, he opened the window a crack and squinted one eye, shooting at the crows gathered outside in the yard. These birds were as annoying as flies, carrying a stench of decay. Even after being scared away by the gunshots, they would soon gather again.
The wedding was in a few days, and Faeus didn’t want to see these foul-smelling birds around.
Xu Cenfeng: “My hometown is not in the West.”
Faeus paused at these words and instinctively looked at him. “Then where are you from?”
Xu Cenfeng didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he carefully counted the thick stack of invitations beside him to ensure none were missing. Only then did he say, “I come from a place far, far away.”
Faeus wondered if Xu Cenfeng hadn’t actually emerged from a crack in a rock. He put down his gun, suddenly losing interest in dealing with the stupid birds outside. Xu Cenfeng always gave him a sense of mystery. “Just how many things are you still hiding from me?”
Xu Cenfeng noticed Faeus’ displeasure and decisively got up from his chair, walking over to the female zerg. Leaning against the windowsill, he slipped his hands into his coat pockets, his eyes carrying a faint smile. “One more thing, does that count?”
Faeus’ tone was threatening. “Spill it.”
As he spoke, he unconsciously rubbed the barrel of his gun, feeling inexplicably tense. Xu Cenfeng was already an interstellar pirate; it was unlikely he had an even more outrageous identity, right?
What could be more outrageous than an interstellar pirate?
Faeus couldn’t think of anything.
Xu Cenfeng was silent for a moment, then he took Faeus’ right hand. He pulled something cold from his pocket and slipped it into Faeus’ ring finger. The size was just right.
It was a silver ring, delicate and exquisite, with a band of clear white jade in the center. It was completely out of place in the rugged and wild north, and with the rebellious and bold female zerg before him, but that didn’t diminish its beauty in the slightest.
Faeus was momentarily stunned. “What is this?”
Xu Cenfeng glanced at him. “It’s a ring.”
Faeus obviously knew it was a ring, but his heart couldn’t help but race, making him a bit clumsy in his speech. “I mean… why are you suddenly giving me a ring?”
Xu Cenfeng lowered his gaze, carefully examining the silver ring on Faeus’ hand. He rubbed it between his fingertips for a moment, his eyes momentarily soft and gentle. “An engagement ring. I don’t have enough money right now, so I could only afford this kind. I’ll earn more in the future and get you a better one.”
Faeus keenly picked up on the implication in his words, furrowing his brow in suspicion. “Where did you get the money to buy a ring?”
Xu Cenfeng rarely spent money, and when he did, it was usually with his card, which generated monthly statements. Faeus had never noticed any transactions for buying a ring.
Realizing he couldn’t hide it, Xu Cenfeng touched his nose and hesitated slightly. “Isn’t the West developing tourist areas alongside the North? They’ve been hiring tourism planners over there, and I applied early. I’ll start officially after the wedding.”
The development in the West progressed much faster than anticipated. Initially, at Xu Cenfeng’s suggestion, Faeus had invested and cooperated in the venture. Not long after, a project team was dispatched, primarily negotiated by the finance department, which Faeus hadn’t paid much attention to.
Xu Cenfeng suspected Faeus might be furious, as this female zerg had always wanted him to work at the military as his “personal” secretary, a proposition that was subtly hinted at more than a dozen times.
“Tourism planner?”
Faeus indeed became angry, his cold brows slightly furrowing. “You’re not going. Just a lousy tour guide job, how can it compare to being my secretary?”
Xu Cenfeng corrected him, “It’s not just a tour guide, it’s a tourism development planner.”
Faeus scoffed, “Still sounds like just a lousy tour guide to me.”
After closing the window and turning to put his sniper rifle away, Faeus was unexpectedly pulled back by Xu Cenfeng. Instinctively, Faeus asked, “What are you doing?”
Xu Cenfeng hadn’t done anything except open his palm to Faeus, a hint of a smile flickering in his eyes. “Then give me the ring back. I bought it with an advance from work. If I don’t go, I’ll have to return it to them.”
Faeus, of course, wouldn’t give it back. Upon hearing Xu Cenfeng’s words, he instinctively hid his right hand behind his back, sounding disdainful. “How much? I’ll give you ten times that, as the leader.”
Xu Cenfeng shook his head earnestly. “It’s different. I want to buy the wedding ring with money I earn myself. But since you don’t agree, I’ll save up for a new one when I find another job.”
After speaking, he reached through Faeus’ waist, feeling around until he found his right hand. He gestured to remove the ring, but Faeus clenched his fist tightly, making it impossible to pry open.
Faeus glared at Xu Cenfeng. “Damn it, who asks for something back once it’s been given away?!”
Xu Cenfeng pressed Faeus against the windowsill, their posture making it look like they were embracing. Half-seriously and half-playfully, he coaxed, “This ring is very cheap. I’ll buy you a more expensive one in the future.”
Faeus, who generally didn’t trust male zergs’ words, wasn’t fooled at all. “We’ll see when you actually buy it back.”
Xu Cenfeng seemed resigned. “You’re really being unreasonable.”
Faeus chuckled coldly. “So what if I am?”
Xu Cenfeng gently leaned against his forehead, their breaths mingling warmly, creating an intimate atmosphere that was both captivating and unsettling. With a half-smile, he asked, “You really won’t give it back?”
Faeus gritted his teeth and spat out two words, “Not giving!”
He didn’t want to give it back. After all, it was an engagement ring, and its significance was different. However, Xu Cenfeng’s stubbornness might actually lead him to reclaim the ring.
Considering this, Faeus unconsciously tightened his grip on the ring. Finally, with a furrowed brow, he pushed Xu Cenfeng away, not in the best of moods. “If you want to go to work, go ahead. I can’t be bothered to care.”
After speaking, he walked to the other side of the window, turned his back to Xu Cenfeng, and finally had the chance to admire the ring on his ring finger. He found it delicate and exquisite, perfectly matching the person who had given it to him.
Faeus’ lips curled into a slight smile, feeling quite satisfied.
Xu Cenfeng, seeing Faeus’ reaction, thought he was angry. He reached out from behind to embrace Faeus, tilting his head to shower his cheek with a flurry of kisses. His voice was low as he asked, “Do you like this ring?”
Faeus pretended to hesitate. “It’s okay.”
Xu Cenfeng knew he was being stubborn. “I was just teasing you. Wear it well. What I’ve given you belongs to you, and no one can take it away.”
After speaking, Xu Cenfeng turned Faeus to face him, his gaze sweeping over Faeus’ stern brows and high nose bridge. Finally, he gently kissed him, his voice slightly muffled amidst their entwined lips and tongues, “So, can I take that as you agreeing to marry me?”
Faeus wondered if Xu Cenfeng had just proposed. How strange—there’s no way a male zerg would propose, right? He reached out, grasping Xu Cenfeng’s chin. His long, narrow eyes squinted slightly, a hint of dark amusement crossing his face. “Whether I agree or not, the invitations are already written.”
When it comes to invitations, Xu Cenfeng suddenly remembered something, “Shouldn’t we send an invitation to the west when we have our wedding?”
Although the North and West each have their own rulers, they are ostensibly under the rule of the Zerg Emperor. Last year, during the wedding of the Seventh Prince Yusto in the West, he specifically invited a group of nobles from the North. It might not look good if we don’t invite them.
Faeus coughed. “No need.”
Last year during Yusto’s wedding, he had mocked the prince for being blinded by zerg shit, unable to understand why he would lower himself as a prince to marry a male zerg. But then, he ended up slapping himself in the face metaphorically!
Xu Cenfeng, whether he guessed something or not, smiled and tactfully didn’t press further.
While the North was known for its rugged demeanor, their companion ceremonies were never casual, especially since Faeus was a leader, which elevated the ceremony’s status. Xu Cenfeng had initially thought their wedding would be held inside a palace, but he was surprised to find it would take place in an ancient forest.
That day happened to be sunny, with the snow on the ground mostly melted away. Countless soldiers were stationed along the paths of the ancient forest, their black and gold military uniforms shining brightly. They held ceremonial swords, their faces adorned with ancient golden totems, joining the guests to witness the grand wedding of Hossburgh, a once-in-a-century event.
A tribal elder, clad in a flowing pure black ceremonial robe and adorned with a headdress made of colorful feathers, stood atop the sacred platform conducting a ritual ceremony. His aged cheeks and frost-white hair hinted at an age certainly upwards of 150 years old.
“Elder Ig, at 165 years old this year, is the eldest female in the entire royal family. He also presided over the previous leader’s wedding,”
“In fact, the North does have a belief in deities. Our ancestors once built a temple here for worship and blessings, but it collapsed and disappeared on a night when a blood moon appeared, and it has never reappeared.”
“According to Northern customs, we must complete the companion ceremony under the witness of our ancestors.”
“This place is forbidden ground; normally only royalty can enter.”
Faeus, knowing Xu Cenfeng didn’t understand, whispered explanations as the elder stood on the sacred platform with closed eyes, chanting prayers. It wasn’t clear whether Faeus wanted to genuinely enlighten Xu Cenfeng or alleviate his own nerves about their first marriage.
Xu Cenfeng softly ‘shh’ed, “I know, don’t be nervous.”
Faeus was taken aback, “Where am I nervous?”
Xu Cenfeng glanced at Faeus’ slightly restless fingertips on the holster at his waist, implying, “You don’t need to play with your gun; there won’t be any zergs disrupting the wedding.”
Faeus: “…”
Faeus silently lowered his hand.
After what seemed like an eternity, the elder on the stage finally completed the sacrificial ritual. He extended his hands, gesturing for Faeus and Xu Cenfeng to approach the altar. Before them lay a sharp dagger. As a breeze passed, the dense jungle fell into a serene silence, with only the rustling of leaves audible.
The elder spoke slowly, “I have conveyed your prayers to our ancestors. Once the ritual of companionship is formed, it cannot be undone forever. Have you both thought it through?”
Faeus, usually defiant, was unexpectedly respectful at this moment. He nodded slightly and performed a shoulder-touch gesture towards the elder, saying, “Please bless us.”
Xu Cenfeng followed suit, “Please bless us.”
Upon hearing this, the elder lifted the jewel-encrusted dagger from the altar and handed it to Faeus, saying, “From now on, you will share all power and wealth with him.”
Faeus took the dagger and without hesitation, drew a cut on his fingertip, then dabbed Xu Cenfeng’s forehead with the fresh blood. He gazed at the man before him, solemnly stating in a low voice, “I swear to the ancestors, from now on, my kingship is shared with you, my wealth is yours to share, my people are your people, my life is yours, but betrayal does not belong to you.”
For the greedy and despicable Northlanders, the willingness to share power and wealth with another is already the highest expression of love.
After speaking, Faeus gently withdrew his hand and returned the dagger to the elder.
The elder immersed the dagger in clean spring water for a moment before handing it back to Xu Cenfeng. “From now on, you will share all ambitions and desires with him.”
Xu Cenfeng took the dagger and lightly grazed his fingertip, causing a thin line of crimson blood to appear on his fair skin. He then dabbed this drop of blood on Faeus’ forehead and solemnly declared, “I swear to the ancestors, from now on, your ambitions are mine, your desires are mine. I will not abandon them for greed, nor betray them for base motives. Your sins are my sins, and my life is yours.”
Xu Cenfeng finished speaking and returned the dagger to the elder.
The elder sealed the dagger in a box, flicked water from the bowl towards them three times, his voice weathered by years like an ancient book filled with history. “The ritual is complete. Your names will be engraved on the stone tablet, receiving the blessing of our ancestors. Remember well, though the North does not consider betrayal a crime, there are still two things in this world that must never be betrayed: one’s soul and one’s companion.”
Faeus asked Xu Cenfeng, “Did you hear that?”
Xu Cenfeng smiled and nodded, “I heard.”
He then reached out, pulling Faeus into his embrace, and sealed the moment with a passionate kiss, marking the completion of their companion ritual. Soldiers overseeing the ceremony around them simultaneously fired their guns into the air, fireworks bursting in the sky, as if competing with the sun for brilliance.
Although Xu Cenfeng and Faeus were marrying for the first time, the entire day had gone smoothly without a hitch. Now, in the quiet of the night as they lay in bed, they couldn’t help but feel a surreal sense of disbelief.
Xu Cenfeng appeared calm and collected, but occasionally, he too would lose control in bed. He enveloped Faeus in a cloud of intense pheromones, watching as this female zerg initially cursed and then pleaded tearfully, softening his heart in a way that seemed unreal.
He held Faeus’ face in his hands, kissing deeply, lightly, nibbling, teasing, and finally whispered in his ear, “We’re married now, Faeus.”
Though Faeus was somewhat disoriented, those words brought him back to a semblance of clarity. Gasping for breath, he lay on the bed and laboriously lifted his face from the pillow, looking at Xu Cenfeng with red eyes, uncertainly asking, “Are we married?”
Xu Cenfeng nodded, “Yes, we’re married.”
Suddenly, Faeus hoarsely called out to him, “My lord?”
Xu Cenfeng paused at the unexpected address. He instinctively looked at Faeus, who was gazing back at him with emerald-green eyes shimmering like jewels in the darkness.
Xu Cenfeng’s heart skipped a beat. He reached out and pulled Faeus into his arms, whispering softly, “What did you just call me?”
Faeus felt like he must have been foolish, “My lord…?”
He didn’t finish his sentence before Xu Cenfeng unexpectedly sealed his lips, causing a muffled groan to escape. Faeus reached out, encircling Xu Cenfeng’s neck, and struggled to say, “Don’t… don’t press on my stomach…”
Xu Cenfeng paused, “Why?”
Could it be that he’s pregnant?
Faeus lazily squinted his eyes, “Leaking.”
Xu Cenfeng: “…”
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