Han Yan was unaware of what Gaien was studying. If he knew, he would probably harbor a faint sense of unease. His narrow and selfish heart did not wish for his possessions to be touched by others. Even if there were any training, it should be personally handled by him.
On the eve of the wedding, the shopkeeper finally delivered the ring on time.
The black velvet box exuded a subtle sense of luxury. A silver ring quietly rested inside, adorned with two dazzling diamonds. Even in the dim light, it still emitted a dazzling brilliance.
The shopkeeper stood by, cautiously asking, “Your Excellency, may I ask if you are satisfied?”
Han Yan remained silent, only taking the ring out from inside the box. He exerted a bit of force, splitting it into two. With slender fingertips, he pinched the ring, scrutinizing it under the light for a moment. After confirming its flawless condition, he spoke, “The diamonds are very beautiful.”
The shopkeeper, relieved, said, “I’m glad you like it.”
Han Yan sat behind the desk, opened a drawer, and took out a star card to settle the final payment. His decisive attitude left the shopkeeper in high spirits, “I heard you are about to marry the Eighth Prince. I wish you a happy wedding in advance.”
This could be considered the first blessing Han Yan received in a strict sense. After all, in the eyes of the outside world, marrying someone with a limp was not something to celebrate; in Salaranfa, it was only deserving of sympathy.
Han Yan found it amusing, chuckled at the comment, and his eyes behind the lenses remained inscrutable, “Thank you.”
He was exceptionally polite. After speaking, he directly pulled out a chair, stood up, and personally escorted the shopkeeper downstairs. This gesture left the latter pleasantly surprised, secretly amazed. His Excellency Ashya was so gentle and considerate, quite incompatible with the gloomy Eighth Prince!
The outside world was enveloped in deep twilight, with only a chilly moon hanging in the sky. The planet was heavily polluted, even the flowers were artificial, and stars were a rare sight.
In the world, everything adhered to the law of conservation; what you chose required an equivalent exchange. The inhabitants of this land had chosen weapons and warfare, and as punishment, the Zerg God took back their fresh flowers and twinkling stars.
After watching the shopkeeper leave, Han Yan turned and went upstairs. His gaze casually glanced downward, catching sight of Admon and Johnny sitting below, talking on the phone with excited expressions. Han Yan could only gather from their intermittent conversation that the female monarch and female attendant who were on a mission on a distant battlefield would be returning soon.
So, it was because of this…
Han Yan raised a subtle eyebrow, withdrawing his gaze and turning back into the room. He seemed somewhat indifferent. The news representing reunion and warmth failed to stir any ripples in his heart. The heartbeat in his chest always seemed to lack a few degrees of warmth compared to others.
But it was understandable.
Han Yan had been an orphan since childhood.
He had no parents, and naturally, he lacked such emotional needs.
Despite being adopted by people from the village since childhood, he still didn’t fit in with that simple and kind place. The honest villagers didn’t value wealth; they found contentment in simple meals each day, and they embraced hardship as if it were second nature. The indifferent and shrewd Han Yan was seen as an outsider by them, and his pursuit of fame and profit was scorned.
As orphans adopted by the village, Ah Sui had a kind and open-minded disposition, living carefree. Han Yan, on the other hand, could not. The pristine and simple mountains could not accommodate his heart, which exuded a coppery odor.
Perhaps due to the approaching wedding, Han Yan felt no trace of sleepiness. Seated on the balcony, he expressionlessly lit a cigarette. A thin wisp of smoke escaped from his lips, rendering his refined and indifferent face somewhat blurry. A faint orange spark flickered between his fingertips, and the lingering taste of tobacco was long-lasting and pungent.
Even the Zerg Race had cigarettes, but the material inside was not tobacco; it was a leaf similar in taste to Dolomon leaves. Due to the limited cultivated land in Salaranfa, this item was quite expensive, almost like a gift sent by the palace after a banquet.
In his previous life, Han Yan also smoked, but he didn’t have a nicotine addiction. He was accustomed to controlling desires rather than being controlled by them. If he didn’t have a family, then an endless supply of money could satisfy him. From a certain perspective, this greedy businessman was surprisingly easy to “please”.
Tomorrow is the wedding…
Han Yan flicked the cigarette ash and carefully examined the ring in his hand. His fingertips traced the damaged mountain and sea patterns on it, his expression thoughtful. This was the most unusual deal he had made in two lifetimes. Previously, it had been simple financial entanglements, but this time, it involved marriage. He belatedly felt a hint of something different.
However, Han Yan did not reject it.
Gaien appeared calm and obedient, never blocking his way.
Han Yan liked obedient zergs…
He sat in silence all night, until the break of dawn.
The wedding time was chosen by the clergy officials, and Han Yan and Gaien’s ceremony happened to be scheduled for the moment the sun first rose, bright and warm.
Checking the terminal, Han Yan noticed there was still half an hour before the imperial procession would arrive at the palace. Finally, he stood up from his chair and walked into the bathroom to freshen up.
The Zerg race’s wedding ceremony was somewhat different from Earth’s. The male zergs simply needed to change into their ceremonial attire and board a flying vehicle to reach the wedding venue. The female zergs would wait there in advance. While common households might have more entertainment involved, royal ceremonies were strict, and each aspect had to adhere strictly to regulations.
By the time the imperial procession arrived, Han Yan had already changed into his clothes. He favored clean colors and stuck to a white ceremonial outfit. His light blue hair was neatly combed, and the delicate gold-trimmed glasses gave him a refined and elegant look, flawless and impeccable.
The ceremonial official had initially thought of assisting with makeup and adjustments, but after scrutinizing for a while, they found nothing to change. They had to withdraw their hands, holding a thick book, quietly informing Han Yan about the upcoming wedding proceedings.
There wasn’t much for the male zerg to adhere to; the official covered everything in a few minutes.
The ceremonial official respectfully inquired, “Your Excellency, do you have any other areas of uncertainty?”
Han Yan shook his head, “No, thank you.”
After speaking, he stood up from his seat, discreetly placing the silver ring into the pocket of his jacket. He then adjusted the gemstone cufflinks on his wrists before leaving the room and heading downstairs.
The flying vehicle was already waiting outside, adorned with a side pattern of a crossed scepter and longsword beneath a sun totem, unmistakably the emblem of the Gohedra family—reserved exclusively for the royal family.
The ceremonial official opened the cabin door for Han Yan. After he boarded, Admon and Johnny were directed to another flying vehicle. Only then did the official signal for the procession to depart.
Perhaps to emphasize the significance of Gaien, with the silent approval of the Zerg Emperor, the wedding ceremony took place at the Windsor Palace. The venue was filled with guests, with nearly all the prestigious nobility from the capital attending. It wasn’t difficult to imagine that in the next half month, this wedding would dominate the headlines on the StarNet.
Gaien wore a military-style ceremonial uniform, standing silently at the palace entrance, waiting. He maintained his usual gloomy and somber demeanor, but the rising sun dispersed some of the darkness, adding a touch of color to his pale, sickly complexion.
Gaien hadn’t stood under the sun for a long time, and it seemed he hadn’t appeared in such a crowded gathering in quite a while. Unconsciously, he furrowed his brow, evidently feeling a bit uncomfortable. Eventually, for reasons unknown, he settled back into quiet composure.
Today was his wedding day.
Yet, the gazes from the surrounding guests weren’t filled with sympathy or disdain, but rather envy and jealousy. They couldn’t fathom why a female zerg who had been repeatedly rejected and scorned by the nobility would end up marrying the eldest son of the Admon family.
Ever since the brief appearance at the banquet, that male zerg had stirred the hearts of countless female zergs.
As time passed second by second, the sun gradually grew hotter. Just as Gaien felt a sharp pang of pain in his right leg from standing for an extended period, the ceremonial procession, which had come to escort the bride, finally arrived at the palace entrance. Subconsciously, he lifted his eyes to look—
The door of the flying vehicle opened slowly, and a man dressed in a sharp suit descended. The audience was filled with handsome male zergs, but none could compare to him.
The sun today was somewhat dazzling, and behind the lenses, Han Yan’s grey-blue eyes squinted slightly. In the shifting patterns of light and shadow, he made out Gaien standing at the palace entrance. The female zerg was dressed elegantly and luxuriously today, the well-tailored military uniform accentuating his tall and slender figure. Even in his current stillness, a glimpse of his past grace could be faintly perceived.
According to tradition, Gaien should come forward to greet the groom.
However, before Gaien could make a move, Han Yan had already taken a step, walking slowly to stand in front of him. Han Yan extended a slender and distinct hand towards Gaien, just like that night in the backyard, indicating that he could reach out for support, “The steps here are not easy to walk on.”
The man’s voice was deep and confident, as if he was certain that the other would follow suit.
Gaien lowered his gaze at the words, looking at Han Yan’s hand. The eyelashes cast a dense shadow beneath his eyes, and a red mole at the corner of his eye appeared even redder under the sun, giving him an increasingly eerie and delicate appearance.
He seemed to be contemplating something, his fingertips moved, and finally, bit by bit, he extended his own chilly hand. It was as if some creature, accustomed to living in a dark cave, tentatively stuck its head out into the sunlight, delicately touching the warmth.
Han Yan smoothly clasped the hand and slowly tightened his grip. The attendants, witnessing this, opened the palace doors. Inside, a red carpet appeared, stretching all the way to the forefront of the ceremonial platform.
“May the Zerg God bless you.”
As the palace doors opened, a melodious music echoed in the luxurious hall. The applause from the guests roared like thunder, and attendants smiled as they offered their blessings, guiding the way ahead.
A faint smile graced Han Yan’s lips at the opportune moment. He nodded slightly to the surrounding guests and then, hand in hand with Gaien, began to walk towards the front on the red carpet. However, perhaps due to standing for an extended period, Gaien’s steps were noticeably more unsteady and slow than usual. There was a brief stumble, imperceptible to most, followed by a quick return to a normal pace.
Han Yan, sensing something, glanced at him and then subtly slowed his pace.
Han Yan had once been a cripple himself. He knew the most comfortable walking speed. That instinctive gait, neither too fast nor too slow, was ingrained in his mind, a habit that not even a new body could erase.
Watching Gaien struggling to maintain an upright posture and walk at a normal pace, a sense of déjà vu arose for Han Yan. It was as if he could see his own image from when he lived in the human world.
Han Yan remained silent, supporting the female zerg beside him, much like he had supported his former self, lost in thought.
Gaien, noticing Han Yan intentionally slowing down, hesitated imperceptibly. Before he could react, the leisurely voice of the male sounded in his ear, “Take it slow.”
Han Yan’s gaze remained indifferent, unconcerned about making those guests who found amusement in Gaien’s situation wait a bit longer. He carried himself with ease, as if born to stroll through the world of fame and fortune. “No hurry.”
However long the red carpet may be, it has an end. Slowly, they walked to the front of the ceremonial platform under the gaze of the spectators. Behind them stood an elderly female zerg, an imperial clergy member. He held a thick codex and recited ancient and obscure vows in the incomprehensible language of the Zerg race, concluding by bestowing blessings upon the soon-to-be-wedded couple.
Han Yan wasn’t particularly concerned about these vows. There was a similar process on Earth, but few could adhere to them. Human hearts were complex, and how could they be bound by a few light vows? Hearing the clergy signal that they could exchange rings, he retrieved the ring from his pocket, splitting it into two pieces before Gaien.
Gaien stared at his actions, his eyelashes trembling.
Han Yan was unaware that the other had already seen the ring in advance. He took Gaien’s right hand, smoothly sliding the ring, still warm from his touch, onto his ring finger. His gaze casually swept over him, only to notice that Gaien still wore the sandalwood bead bracelet on his wrist.
Han Yan unconsciously smiled, “Do you like it?”
It wasn’t clear whether he was referring to the ring or the bracelet.
Gaien made a noncommittal sound, unable to discern the emotions, and then took the other ring, gently sliding it onto Han Yan’s finger. Holding onto the man’s well-defined hand, he lowered his gaze, attentively examining it for a while. It was as if a child had found a beloved toy, and in the unseen corners where others couldn’t observe, a hint of fascination and obsession flashed through her red eyes.
The Zerg Emperor sat below the platform, accompanied by several princes. They noticed Han Yan’s thoughtful and considerate actions, and their expressions slightly relaxed.
The Zerg Emperor gently closed his eyes and spoke to the Seventh Prince beside him, “Yusto, you can rest assured to carry out your mission in the dense forest. This male zerg is quite intelligent and won’t make any disrespectful moves towards Gaien.”
Yustu unconsciously furrowed his brows, then slowly relaxed, hinting with a meaningful tone, “I hope what you said is true.”
Most male zergs were emotionally detached, and their restless hearts never lingered for anyone. Although the eldest son of the Admon family seemed considerate towards Gaien, no one knew whether it was driven by interests or genuine feelings. Yustu only hoped that, even if it was an act, it would be a lasting one.
The wedding ceremony on the platform had reached its final step. The clergy signaled for Han Yan and Gaien to press their handprints on the marriage certificate. Finally, he said, “You may now kiss your partner.”
Gaien silently gazed at Han Yan, seemingly neither shy nor resistant, merely wanting to witness how this male zerg would kiss him.
Han Yan instructed, “Close your eyes.”
This female zerg appeared entirely unacquainted with the concept of shyness.
Gaien lowered his gaze and obediently closed his eyes.
Han Yan smiled, feeling that he had indeed made the right choice in marrying this female zerg. He approached Gaien slowly, his aura slightly cool, carrying a trace of lingering tobacco scent. He first turned his head and placed a warm kiss on the red mole at the corner of Gaien’s eye, and finally, he moved slowly to his lips.
The same chill, the same tenderness.
Gaien couldn’t help but open his eyes, meeting Han Yan’s gray-blue eyes.
He saw his own reflection clearly from the inside, along with a subtle desire, as if it had been aroused by this kiss.
Gaien unconsciously pursed his lips, his crimson tongue slightly probing out, soft and agile. Finally, it discreetly retreated when Han Yan’s eyes darkened.
It seemed that Gaien had not completely missed the teachings of his teacher regarding intimate matters.
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