Ch35 - [Princess Shasha] All of the seats were prearranged.

In the end, Nalun was unable to witness how Sirius ‘sought justice for him’ because when he tried to walk over, his father called him.

In comparison to the consequence Jeff experienced, Nalun was even more curious as to what his father had said to Sirius.

However, prying open his father’s mouth was extremely hard, with the possibility equivalent to zero.

On the road home, he secretly sent a message to Sirius on his personal comp, tentatively asking about the details of the conversation. However, there was no reply even after a long time. Seeing the gradually dimming screen, Nalun’s mood also darkened.

–Everytime he used his personal comp to communicate, he never received the one-second reply treatment.

“What’s going on with you and the kid from the Monte family?” To his side, the Honored Prince Sr. suddenly spoke, leisurely and assertively interrogating his young son.

Nalun withdrew his gaze from the message screen. He immediately heard the copycat Ilia repeat loudly: “What’s going on?!”

Looking at his solemn father and little niece whose eyes seemed to be burning with little flames, Nalun couldn’t help but furrow his brows and ask back: “Am I required to report myself whenever I make a friend?”

After a brief moment of silence, the Honored Prince Sr. said with a heavy voice: “Watch your tone.”

Ilia: “Your tone!”

Nalun: “……”

With a stiff face, he wanted to remind his father: Lecturing him in front of the younger generation would result in a very serious family education issue. Ilia has been more and more disrespectful towards her elders. A large portion of the reason was because of this.

His authority as an uncle was being challenged once again.

This really made him very discontent.

Especially since, as soon as they got into the car, he merely set the car speed to the highest gear, then immediately got reprimanded by the Honored Prince Sr. Right now, they could only travel in the center of the road at a snail-like pace.

Sirius wouldn’t have cared about this kind of insignificant, trivial matter.

The one way Nalun could protest against his father was to maintain his silence.

At this moment, he didn’t say anything and sat properly in the driver seat, quiet as a chicken, eyes looking forward.

The Honored Prince Sr.: “……”

The Honored Prince Sr., who was trying to have a warm and harmonious, open-hearted family discussion, realized that his start had already met with failure. Well aware of his young son’s temper and also well aware that he couldn’t find the proper method to alleviate this matter, the Honored Prince Sr. gave up and furrowed his brows.

–Despite being worried and distressed, the expression he made still gave a “My son is being rebellious, I’m about to slaughter him” kind of effect.

Not long after returning home, Nalun’s personal comp sounded.

–About time.

Nalun thought Sirius had finally replied. However, he discovered it was actually only a news update.

[The Asha Empire ushers in the first bug-enamored Emperor!]

Aren’t you guys afraid of being censored for this kind of headline?

The more atrocious the headline, the more capable it was in attracting people’s attention. Although Nalun has fallen for it countless times, he still couldn’t resist clicking into it.

A huge image of a black bug entered his view.

Pitch-black little eyes, 8 legs and a long tail. The tip of the tail even had a small white spot. The entire bug was nested inside a large palm. The owner of the hand revealed a profile face. It was his majesty, the Emperor.

Nalun: “……”

Other than the size of the body being different, this was practically a mini version of the Metal-devouring Bug!

Nalun’s change in expression attracted the attention of the Honored Prince Sr.: “What’s the matter?”

Nalun opened his mouth. But in the end, he didn’t say anything. Turning into his own room, he closed the door.

A hurt expression flowed out from the depth of the Honored Prince Sr.’s eyes.

Although the headline was bold, the main content of the article was filled with flattery and praises. Something like “The Emperor’s new pet”, “A unique house pet”…… completely lacking the information that Nalun wanted to see.

The most important issue was, seeing from the angle of the image… It truly looked like a deliberately posed photo from that attention-loving older cousin of his!

Perhaps this was a larva that was left behind in Asha?

An Insectoid’s bug form and an Insect Alien basically had no difference in the eyes of Asha people. Perhaps, Nalun just made a mistake…… This shouldn’t be Xi Jin. After all, Xi Jin was a huge bug capable of carrying him around!

The little pitiful creature in the picture probably wouldn’t even be able to pick up even one of his fingers.

Nalun comforted himself. After experiencing the initial shock, he felt like perhaps he was overthinking it

At this time, Sirius’s reply finally arrived.

[Baobei, where are you?]

Nalun: “???”

He repeatedly verified that it was his personal comp.

What just happened.

Just as he planned to investigate, the screen flashed and the message was deleted.

[Sorry. My mistake.]

“……”

After that he began to wait, waiting for Sirius to see the questions he sent previously and give him an answer.

However, countless minutes passed. The personal comp remained very quiet. Almost like, other than that accidental wrong message, Sirius really hadn’t planned to reply to him.

Nalun, who lost his impatience, pulled out the communication device. He saw a pile of new unread messages and thought to himself: Before you reply to me, don’t count on me replying to you.

The time whittled away in the midst of this exchange.

The Honored Prince Sr. mystically discovered that his very self-controlled young son might have become a web-addict after becoming an adult. Not only did he hold his personal comp during meals, even while taking a walk outside, he’d suddenly take out the personal comp.

The Honored Prince Sr. was somewhat worried, worried that perhaps there was something wrong with his young son.

However, without any similar-aged peers for him to discuss child rearing, he could only look at the intergalactic web for assistance.

“Irregularities always have clues that you can follow.”

The Honored Prince Sr. nodded his head. This sentence made a lot of sense.

“If your child is already an adult and independent……” There was a huge amount of analysis in the middle. He directly jumped to the conclusion.

“This is not web addiction. This is love.”

Reading these words, the Honored Prince Sr. sank into a long moment of silence.

This was predestined to be troubled times. However, the Hunting Festival still arrived on schedule.

It’s already been three years since the last event. The entire Asha nation was immersed in a long awaited enthusiasm. The start of the holiday was to open in the Royal Hunting Garden. On this day, practically all of the television stations would live broadcast the Emperor’s speech.

When Nalun entered his seat, he just happened to see his cousin, the Emperor, dressed up like a male peacock, walking high-spiritedly into the event area.

He looked behind the Emperor and only saw a group of servants. There weren’t any abnormalities. Moreover, he didn’t see any bugs.

All of the preparations were complete. The celebratory events just needed to be conducted according to schedule.

Sirius entered his seat bright and early as well. He was currently sitting in an area three seats away from Nalun. On his left side was Princess Shasha, who just became an adult not long ago. The meticulously dressed young lady was adorned like a recently ripened fruit, emitting an alluring fragrance. On his right side…… there wasn’t anyone at all. The Princess’s servant stopped any 3rd party who attempted to approach.

Nalun: “……” How unfortunate.

On a rare occasion, he felt a hint of sympathy for Sirius.

This Princess was very well-known in the Imperial Capital for being difficult and troublesome. In the past, people still concluded her behavior as being young and not knowing any better. However, after her coming of age ceremony, this explanation quickly lost ground.

Every time he saw Princess Shasha, Nalun would always reinforce his educational efforts on his niece upon returning home, so as to prevent his niece from growing up skewed and becoming another headache-inducing existence.

Princess Shasha disapproved of anyone who was hostile to the person she liked.

Because Nalun and Sirius had a tense relationship for a long time, this willful and headstrong Princess never gave Nalun any good looks in the past.

Nalun naturally didn’t have a favorable impression towards her either.

While no one was paying attention, he secretly used the communication device to send a message.

[I see you.]

Sirius lowered his head and swiftly glanced at his personal comp. Not long afterwards, he started to look around all over the place.

The young lady beside him noticed his change and seemed almost discontent with his lack of focus. She protested coquettishly and clung to his arm.

[Stupid, I’m watching the live broadcast.]

Nalun sneered internally, while very calmly observing Sirius’s response.

Because of Princess Shasha’s close distance clinging, Sirius had no way of opening and reading his personal comp in front of her–

Don’t even expect this most precious Princess of the Empire, Shasha, to learn the proper conduct of respecting someone’s privacy. He didn’t particularly want to share his chat record with this ‘young lady’.

Nalun sighed. However, there was a delight in the bottom of his eyes while watching this disaster unfold.

See. This time even “DuoNi” didn’t receive the one-second reply treatment.

[She looks pretty good.]

[She’s hugging you. Are you guys lovers?]

……

The messages arrived one after another. Sirius didn’t activate silent mode. This kind of activity naturally attracted Princess Shasha’s curiosity.

With a cold and indifferent face, Sirius said something quietly. Then the Princess’s eyes turned red and she moved even closer……

Nalun was certain that for a brief second, Sirius’s expression crumpled.

[How fake.]

Clearly Sirius disliked her, yet he’s still trying to maintain his poise. If it were Nalun, he would have gotten rid of her on the spot a long time ago.

[Or perhaps you’re enjoying it…… then you can pretend the previous message doesn’t exist.]

Nalun said mockingly.

Just at this time, Sirius abruptly stood up, said something to the completely astonished Princess, turned and left.

Seeing Sirius coming closer and closer, Nalun realized in the aftermath: Sirius was currently walking towards him.

Nalun looked at the seat to the left of him, completely empty. Then he looked at the seat to the right of him, also completely empty.

— Without Alida to accompany the Honored Prince, he looked alone and helpless.

“Nalun.” A shadow fell over his head as Sirius stopped in front of him and said with a smile: “Long time no see.”

Then, he sat down with a natural expression.

Nalun: “…… All of the seats were prearranged.”

Sirius looked at the nameplate on the seat: “Lunklan? He wouldn’t mind switching with me.”

Nalun: “You sitting here would force me to enter the camera’s view.”

Sirius: “……”

Nalun, with conviction: “The camera is not allowed to stop for more than 1 second where I am.”

Sirius: “Oh, that’s pretty nice.”

Nalun: “But Marshall also emphasized that you must have at least 1/4th of the camera time throughout the entire celebration.”

Sirius fell silent.

“These are two opposing requests.” Nalun said seriously: “Princess Shasha also requested for plenty of face time. Therefore, you guys were arranged together.”

This sounded extremely reasonable, with no room for arguments.

Sirius thought briefly and said: “But…… this year I requested for more personal space and to decrease the possibility of appearing in public.”

Nalun said nonchalantly: “Other than personal requests, we still needed to consider the audience.”

Sirius: “……”

Falling silent, he turned his body and used a deep, heavy gaze to examine the person beside him.

Nalun felt a bit awkward from being stared at and couldn’t resist giving Sirius a glare in return. From the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse at the mini-camera hidden in the bushes and froze.

He was one of the main people in charge here! When clashing against Marshall’s instructions, the subordinates were actually abiding by the latter’s request without any hesitation?! Not even asking him first?

Although he didn’t like being on camera, in this kind of situation, his highness, the Honored Prince, still wanted to save face. Therefore, he swiftly adjusted his facial expression, suppressed the fluctuations in his heart, and made himself appear refined and reserved.

Sirius discovered his change and asked: “What’s the matter?”

Nalun felt aggrieved: “Don’t lean so close.”

He didn’t want to appear on screen together!

The feeling of disdain was extremely apparent.

Sirius felt it and didn’t make things difficult. He slowly sat back properly and finally opened his personal comp like he wanted.

So many notifications. Wanting to see it, but not being able to see it, was actually a kind of torture.

Away from the heavily curious Princess Shasha, with only an Honored Prince, who felt it beneath his dignity to spy on other people’s privacy, by his side, the Admiral could finally click open the messages without worries and see what kind of delighted surprise his little Mist Bug had sent him.

Sirius laughed out loud quietly.

Nalun had long noticed his activity. After hearing his low chuckle, Nalun’s heart clenched even more.

Were the messages he sent very funny?

He was doing his best to ridicule Sirius. How come Sirius didn’t look upset at all, and even seemed extremely happy?

Nalun suddenly coughed and warned: “Sirius, she’s coming.”

She?

Sirius put away his personal comp and saw Princess Shasha coming over, holding the hem of her dress.

“……”

Nalun: “If you guys like the seats over here, I don’t mind switching. I’ll be leaving the……”

Sirius pressed him down with a hand: “Right now, there are people sitting on both sides of me.”

That’s right. On one side of Sirius sat Nalun. On the other side sat a certain virtuous and honorable, middle-aged military officer. If Nalun left, it was the same as making space for Princess Shasha.

“Nalun!” The Princess stopped in front of the two people and said arrogantly towards Nalun: “Move over a seat.”

The other side of Nalun was an empty seat. The person arranged to sit there still hasn’t arrived yet.

Sirius repeated Nalun’s previous words verbatim to the Princess: “All of the seats were prearranged.”

The Princess gave him a pout and then said: “Nalun, switch seats with me!”

Sirius gazed at Nalun with a gloomy look.

Nalun only gave him a profile face.

The Princess: “Did you hear me?”

Nalun scoffed coldly: “Your highness Shasha, when asking others a request, please pay attention to your choice of words and attitude. I’m not some tolerant and forgiving elder, who enjoys indulging underaged kids. Not to mention, you’re not underaged anymore.”

Although Sirius was despicable, allowing himself to be ordered around rudely by someone else was impossible also.

“You!” Princess Shasha stomped her feet angrily: “Charvey, you’re bullying me!”

Nalun looked towards Sirius, blinking: “I’m bullying her?”

Sirius immediately shook his head.

Content, Nalun turned his head and said: “See, the Admiral can vouch for me.”

Princess Shasha: “……”