The cool needle slowly pierced the skin, bringing a sensation of pain that was not very obvious but difficult to ignore. Yusto let out a low growl, somewhat irritated, and raised his hand impatiently, wanting to knock off the needle. However, Lu Yuan, quick-witted, had already injected the liquid.
Lu Yuan covered the spot on the back of Yusto’s neck where the needle had been administered, simultaneously gripping his hands to prevent him from moving recklessly. In a low, reassuring voice, Lu Yuan said, “Shh, it’s okay.”
However, Yusto seemed to be in considerable pain, struggling restlessly and leaving deep marks on the ground with his sharp nails. Out of instinct, he wanted to tear apart the human in front of him holding him down, but also out of instinct, he didn’t want to harm the other zerg.
The faint scent on Lu Yuan’s body was no longer able to provide any comfort.
Yusto buried his head in Lu Yuan’s neck, feeling the warm flow of blood beneath the heated skin. The crimson hue in his eyes deepened for a moment, unable to resist licking his fangs before biting down directly.
“Hiss—”
This time, it was Lu Yuan who felt the pain. Unconsciously furrowing his brows, he only sensed a sudden stinging at his collarbone, likely drawing blood.
Whether Yusto heard the sound of Lu Yuan inhaling sharply or not, he slowly released his teeth after the bite. Two small blood holes suddenly appeared at Lu Yuan’s collarbone, the wounds not deep, but still oozing a vivid crimson.
Lying in Lu Yuan’s embrace, Yusto extended his tongue and gently licked the wounds. The sweet and tangy taste of the blood seemed like a potent sedative, instantly calming him down.
Frowning, Lu Yuan held onto the back of Yusto’s head, preventing him from continuing to lick. He couldn’t comprehend this behavior. “Are you a dog or something?”
In response to Lu Yuan’s words, Yusto looked at him with a bewildered gaze. Unconsciously licking his lips, his blood-colored eyes carried a strange yet enchanting allure in the night. He couldn’t understand what Lu Yuan was saying, but he leaned back into the embrace, his silver hair brushing against Lu Yuan’s neck. A purring sound, reminiscent of a small animal, emanated from his throat.
He was being affectionate…
Lu Yuan tensed, instinctively gripping Yusto’s shoulders, as if attempting to push him away. However, for some reason, he hesitated and made no move.
In the brief moments of his hesitation, the sedative finally began to take effect.
Yusto, lying in Lu Yuan’s embrace, suddenly slipped down slowly, as if drained of strength, falling into a semi-conscious state. Seeing this, Lu Yuan instinctively caught Yusto, thinking something was wrong. He furrowed his brow and called out, “Yusto?”
Yusto’s thoughts were muddled. Hearing the shout near his ear, he struggled to open his eyes and, in a daze, saw a familiar face in his line of sight – black hair, black eyes – unmistakably Lu Yuan.
He thought he was dreaming because the male zerg shouldn’t be here.
However, Yusto still followed his instincts in the dream, using every last bit of strength to weakly cling to Lu Yuan. He buried his face in Lu Yuan’s neck, his lips pale, displaying a frailty that followed the upheaval of his mental strength. His voice was hoarse, carrying a certain unknown affection after the spiritual turmoil, “Your Excellency…”
Just those two words,
Although nothing specific was said, it seemed like everything was expressed.
Yusto’s wrist was bound by electronic shackles, the flesh distorted by the pressure, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain. Clinging tightly to Lu Yuan, it was as if he held onto the last lifeline. Crimson bloodstains smeared on their clothes, forming a mottled line, silently intertwining.
Closing his eyes, Yusto frowned, weakly pleading, “Don’t let them…”
He said, “As long as you…”
As long as it’s you.
The late-night chill was penetrating, and outside the window, there was still an endless expanse of darkness. No sound of wind, no sight of tree shadows. Although the sun had not risen, in a trance, some subtle palpitations finally allowed a glimpse of dawn, unabashedly exposing itself before one’s eyes.
Lu Yuan paused, as if contemplating something.
Lowering his gaze, he noticed the disheveled and torn military uniform on Yusto. Silently, he took off his coat and wrapped Yusto within, shielding him from the cold that seeped in from outside. Then, with a slight effort, he lifted Yusto from the ground, holding him horizontally.
Having sat on the ground for too long, Lu Yuan’s figure swayed slightly as he stood up. He closed his eyes, waiting for the momentary dizziness to subside before carrying Yusto towards the center of the bed. Leaning down, he gently laid him on the bed.
“Have a good sleep, and you’ll be fine.”
Lu Yuan whispered these words near Yusto’s ear, preparing to get up. However, his collar suddenly tightened as Yusto silently looped his arm around Lu Yuan’s neck.
The silver-haired female zerg seemed to have regained some clarity. Still weak, he closed his eyes, pressing his cool face against Lu Yuan’s warm cheek. His voice was hoarse, and he pulled at the corner of his mouth in self-mockery. “Your Excellency, even at this point, you aren’t planning to mark me?”
Lu Yuan stiffened at the words, unsure of how to convey that he was a human. He chose to remain silent.
However, Yusto didn’t press him further. Instead, he turned his head and placed a moist kiss on Lu Yuan’s ear. His voice, accompanied by the lingering warmth, sounded like an endless stream of emotions. “I should have guessed…”
He felt both joy and sadness, murmuring to himself, “I knew you wouldn’t do that, but I’m still glad you came…”
In that moment, Yusto suddenly realized what it felt like to have affection—irreplaceable and unique. Even if another male zerg appeared, gentler and more polite than Lu Yuan, they still couldn’t replace the special place Lu Yuan held in his heart.
Once, he was moved by the equality reflected in the other’s eyes,
Now, he was moved by the soul within the other.
Lu Yuan felt a damp, cool liquid on the side of his face where Yusto was pressed against. He blinked in slight surprise, then furrowed his brow, gently wiping away the tear stains from the corner of Yusto’s eyes with his fingertips, uncertain of how to comfort him.
Inside the enclosed room, they couldn’t hear the sounds from outside, but Yulejia could hear clearly. Suddenly, a group of figures appeared in the previously silent corridor, walking upstairs. Amidst the mixed footsteps, there was an orderly rhythm. At the forefront was none other than General Saphir, accompanied by an elegant female zerg in a blue dress.
Yulejia was momentarily stunned, subconsciously stepping forward to greet them, “General Saphir, Brother, how did you come here?”
The prince being injured was a serious matter, but as the Zerg Emperor, leaving the palace easily was not feasible. The female zerg in the blue dress was none other than O’Hara, the trusted confidant of Emperor Apu, the Imperial Finance Officer, and also Yulejia’s biological brother.
In contrast to Yulejia’s impulsiveness, Lord O’Hara evidently leaned towards the refined and sophisticated side, as evidenced by his young age and control over the imperial finances. Without responding to Yulejia’s question, he inquired, “Where is the Seventh Prince, and what is the situation?”
Only then did Yulejia recall that Lu Yuan was still inside the sealed room. His expression changed drastically, muttering, “Oh no,” before swiftly turning and rushing into the sealed room to assess the situation. However, by the time they reached the observation window, they saw that Yusto, who had been in a state of agitation just moments ago, had calmed down. He now lay peacefully in the arms of a black-haired male, who had gently placed him on the bed.
Yusto, using fingers stained with blood, grabbed the collar of the black-haired male zerg’s clothes, pressing close to his ear. He whispered something, his fingertips leaving a trace of reluctance as he eventually loosened his grip after a long while.
The black-haired male zerg remained silent, his profile falling into shadows, making it hard to discern his expression. He silently rearranged the coat that had slipped off Yusto, his movements delicate and soundless.
Even though they were separated by the window, the words exchanged were indiscernible. However, in a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow down, creating an inexplicable sense of emotion.
Lord O’Hara, slightly surprised by the scene, turned his head to Yulejia and asked, “Who is he?”
Yulejia hesitated, unsure of how to explain the complicated unrequited love between Lu Yuan and Yusto. Thankfully, General Saphir spoke up to smooth things over, taking the initiative to explain, “He is His Excellency Lu Yuan.”
Lord O’Hara paused imperceptibly, finding it somewhat difficult to imagine that the gentle figure they had just witnessed was, in fact, a male. “Is he the one said to have a blood purity level of 60%?”
Lord O’Hara’s tone was subtle, even tinged with a hint of skepticism. He clearly did not fully believe in the given data. However, being in the presence of General Saphir, he refrained from expressing his doubt too explicitly.
Yet, once spoken, words were like spilled water, impossible to retrieve. General Saphir, who usually appeared mild, harbored the rigid and stubborn temperament of a military commander. Without changing his expression, he said, “Of course, I reported this matter to the Zerg Emperor long ago. Lord O’Hara, as His Majesty’s confidant, haven’t you heard about it?”
Lord O’Hara had heard about it, but he didn’t know if it was true or not. Seeing the zerg had already come out of the sealed room, he adjusted the glasses on his nose, speaking gently and making those present feel at ease, “I am more than willing to believe your words. After all, he managed to appease a royal zerg. It’s just that without conclusive blood data, you won’t be able to silence the rumors.”
He paused after speaking, sighed, and continued, “It seems the male zerg His Majesty arranged for today will have made the trip in vain, whether Your Excellency Lu Yuan is present or not.”
However, General Saphir calmly denied, “No, regardless of whether Your Excellency Lu Yuan is present today, the male zerg you brought will still have made the trip in vain.”
Yusto was his student, and he was well aware of the young female zerg’s temperament. Except for Lu Yuan, the high and mighty Prince would not accept comfort from any other male.
While they were talking, the door to the sealed room finally clicked open, and Lu Yuan walked out. Only now, in the light, did Lord O’Hara and the others finally get a clear view of Lu Yuan.
Undoubtedly, he was quite remarkable.
Lord O’Hara had surveyed all the noble zergs among the upper echelons of society, yet none could compare to Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan’s features were strikingly profound, his cold and firm demeanor setting him apart from the typical frail and delicate male zergs. With a long and elegant figure, his clear gaze betrayed no extraneous thoughts. Just standing there, he silently drew the attention of all zergs.
In contrast, the male zerg Lord O’Hara had brought, specifically summoned by the Zerg Emperor to the Durant family late at night, appeared almost comical compared to Lu Yuan.
Lord O’Hara calmly turned his head to look at his own entourage. Among them stood a golden-haired male zerg, seemingly on the verge of falling asleep, yawning continuously. If it weren’t for the attendants supporting him, he might have collapsed to the ground in the next second. Lord O’Hara’s face twitched, and he quickly averted his gaze.
By the Zerg God, this male zerg didn’t look like someone with a 45% blood purity level at all.
Lu Yuan was momentarily stunned when he opened the door, evidently not expecting to find so many zergs outside the sealed room, all dressed in luxurious attire that made them look as if they were going to a royal banquet. It was far from the appearance of medical professionals. Instinctively, he asked, “Who are you?”
General Saphir was about to explain, but Lord O’Hara had already taken the lead. He stepped forward, gave Lu Yuan a nod, and noticed the wound on his collarbone. Pausing for a moment, he then courteously said, “Your Excellency, we are here on the orders of the Zerg Emperor to check on His Highness’s condition.”
General Saphir was concerned about Lu Yuan feeling uncomfortable, so he subtly gave him a reassuring look before explaining, “This is Lord O’Hara, the Imperial Finance Officer and also Yulejia’s brother.”
Upon hearing that they came from the palace, Lu Yuan immediately stepped aside, giving them room to enter. He politely nodded at Lord O’Hara and said, “I have administered a sedative to Yusto. You can go in and see him now.”
Behind Lord O’Hara, there were medical officers in his team. Upon Lu Yuan’s invitation, he signaled to them, and several female zergs swiftly entered the sealed room with medical kits. They began examining Yusto, taking blood samples for analysis. Once they confirmed that his mental state had stabilized, Lord O’Hara gestured for everyone to enter.
Lu Yuan had been standing outside the observation window. Seeing that Yusto’s vital signs were returning to normal, he finally felt relieved and prepared to leave. However, in a casual glance, he noticed that Yusto had been quietly watching him through the window. Yusto allowed the doctors to draw blood, his expression pale and lifeless, causing Lu Yuan to pause for a moment.
“…”
Lu Yuan fell silent for a moment. For some reason, he suddenly felt the urge to comfort Yusto. Unfortunately, the room was soundproof, and no matter what he said, it wouldn’t be heard.
His fingertips moved slightly, and eventually, he took out the silver collar clip with the embedded ruby from his pocket. In front of Yusto, he gently pinned it to his own shirt pocket, silently conveying two words: “Meet tomorrow…”
He felt that Yusto needed a good rest today, not to worry about the planned date.
A faint glimmer finally appeared in his eyes. Yusto nodded slightly through the window, indicating his agreement.
Lu Yuan, noticing the subtle change, smiled imperceptibly and then turned to leave. As he stepped out of the sealed room, the cold wind outside instantly brought him back to full awareness, and the pain at his collarbone surged in belated realization.
“Ah, he bit quite hard,” Lu Yuan muttered to himself.
Lu Yuan lowered his head to examine the wounds on his body. He couldn’t help but think that Yusto was indeed a true zerg, considering the force of his bite. Lu Yuan happened to have tissues in his pocket, wiped the still-moist bloodstains off his shoulder, threw them into the trash can, and adjusted the collar that was starting to stick to the wound. Only then did he turn and leave.
Little did he know that shortly after Lu Yuan left, Lord O’Hara emerged from the sealed room. He had been discreetly observing Lu Yuan’s actions. His eyes caught a glimpse of a tissue in the trash can, seemingly stained with star-like blood. He inquired of the attendant who had been standing guard outside, “Who discarded this?”
The attendant bowed slightly, “Replying to Lord O’Hara, it was the black-haired and black-eyed male zerg who discarded it.”
Upon hearing this, Lord O’Hara seemed to be lost in thought. Surprisingly, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket, picked up the tissue from the trash can, and ordered the medical officer to seal it in a bag for blood analysis. He instructed, “Handle it carefully and take it back for blood testing.”
At that moment, General Saphir happened to emerge from the room. Seeing the scene, he frowned and interrupted, “Lord O’Hara, I never knew you had a penchant for picking up trash.”
Lord O’Hara, seemingly unruffled, smiled faintly and replied with a meaningful tone, “General Saphir, there’s no need to be angry. I’m just following the orders of His Majesty.”
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