Ch66 - [Messed up public opinions] This was even more mysterious than the Insect attack on Xier Street.

This was the first time Sirius visited the old Charvey Estate.

In actuality, this place has already become Nalun’s personal residence. After its original owner, Angeli, the Honored Prince Sr. retired, he moved to the suburbs by himself, saying that he yearned for a quiet, leisure life in the countryside. Meanwhile, his oldest son, Yaming, had moved out without hesitation after getting married, because he didn’t want other people to disturb his two-person life with his wife.

Therefore, Nalun logically became the youth left behind to take care of things, and nested inside the home shamelessly.

Currently, it was the end of the year. It was also the Hunting Festival. For the three generations of the Charvey family to gather at this time originally should have been a harmonious and joyous occasion.

However……

Beside Madam Sheryl kissing her long-time-no-see daughter with a smile, the men present at the scene were all sitting upright and stern.

The Honored Prince Sr.’s eyes were deep and bottomless, manner imposing and extremely terrifying. On his left side, Yaming pushed up the golden framed glasses on his nose, which faintly reflected an ice-cold light.

Ilia was currently struggling inside her mother’s arms, reaching out both hands in an attempt to touch her idol, who was sitting a seat apart from her.

However, her idol seemed completely unaware of her earnest sincerity and looked very cold and detached.

Ilia was extremely heartbroken and said in a small voice: “Mama, I want to switch seats with little uncle.”

Nalun directly threw over eye daggers.

Ilia was not afraid and returned with a huge eye roll.

–He clearly knew that she liked Sirius, but just had to stand between them, preventing her from interacting closely with her idol. Despicable adults, your intentions are so treacherous!

“Be good.” Madam Sheryl drew her daughter into her arms, posture warm and face full of smiles: “Ilia, let papa hold you, okay?”

The originally overbearing little lolita abruptly froze on the spot. Her little head turned towards her father, eyes filled with trauma.

If anyone could restrain this little devil on earth, it was Yaming.

He slowly gave his daughter a ‘friendly’ smile, beckoned with his hand, and asked warmly: “Baobei also likes Admiral Sirius?”

Ilia: “……”

Also?

She strangely felt a shiver. Mind completely blank, when she finally recovered, she realized that she had nodded.

Yaming’s smile grew even larger. He opened both hands and mumbled: “So it’s like that huh…… come, papa will hold you.”

Ilia hiccuped in terror and was placed in her father’s arms by her mother. Instantly, she transformed into a quail and nested there motionless.

Nalun felt deep sympathy. He vaguely saw an image of himself being baptized by fatherly love in his youth.

Just at this time, the Honored Prince Sr. spoke up and patted Sirius on the shoulder.

“I heard about what happened during the trial. Many thanks for everything you’ve done for Nalun.”

Sirius said: “I only said the truth. He didn’t have relations with the Scepter anyways.”

The Honored Prince Sr. examined him seriously, expression gradually warming up.

“You’re not bad.” He gave a high-level praise: “Much more outstanding than my two sons. Nalun always makes me worry. Now that he has you to accompany him, it’s actually pretty good.”

Yaming: “Dad……”

The Honored Prince Sr. swept him a look and instantly made his eldest son shut up.

Sirius said: “Today I dropped by unannounced. I didn’t disturb you guys, right?”

Nalun said calmly: “I was the one who invited you. You don’t need to feel apprehensive.”

Who knew that his casual suggestion actually made Sirius bump into the Charvey family’s rare reunion dinner? Although it was a bit obtrusive, ultimately, Sirius really wasn’t to blame.

However……

His younger son’s overprotectiveness was too obvious. The Honored Prince Sr. sighed secretly. Nalun very rarely invited others into the house……

“Since it’s like this, you guys should treat each other well in the future.”

Sirius smiled.

Nalun furrowed his brows, feeling like these words were somewhat strange and out of the blue. However, he still pretentiously nodded his head.

Right now, he already accepted Sirius’s ‘friendship’. Then so be it.

The atmosphere around the dinner table went cold.

Ilia slowly felt something was off in the aftermath.

She first looked at her idol. She discovered the other was currently using love-filled eyes to stare at her little uncle; meanwhile, little uncle was completely calm and composed, acknowledging grandpa’s words with positive confirmation.

What do you mean ‘treat each other well in the future’?

She abruptly recalled what Nalun told her initially. He and Sirius didn’t have a harmonious relationship, but…… To bring Sirius inside his house and sit next to each other in a meal– this was the so-called not harmonious?!

–She has never seen her little uncle treat anyone this ‘harmoniously’!

A wave of gentle pats fell on her head. Ilia straightened up and reluctantly behaved herself. Then she heard papa say: “But some things still request a little restraint. How is it proper to bring a guest into the house and take him to your own room first?

To your room… first?

Sirius explained: “My clothes were dirty. Therefore, Nalun brought me inside to change clothes.”

Yaming looked down as he sneered: “I seem to recall it was your pants?”

Would an adult like Sirius get his pants dirty just walking around outside?

Pants……

Ilia’s youthful heart sank completely.

The Honored Prince Sr.’s expression also stiffened. Clearly, he made a not very good association. However…… he understood Nalun’s personality well. If they had already reached that step, it would only indicate that these two young people have a very good relationship. As an elder, it’s not good to get too involved.

Therefore, he curbed Yaming.

Yaming: “……” Dammit, why was he not allowed to speak again!

In certain cases, the people of the Charvey family possessed a very formidable ability to make inferences and associations. Of course, there were exceptions. For example, the often self-proclaimed ”most astute Charvey”, Honored Prince Nalun.

After finishing the meal, he sincerely felt the food was very delicious and expressed his welcome towards his brother and sister-in-law’s return. On top of that, with the end of the trial, the boulder in his heart finally landed. He was completely relaxed and worry free.

Not long afterwards, the military sent news. There was a new development with Xier Street. Sirius knew that he had already reached his limit coming here today; he should return to deal with proper business.

“If there’s news, remember to let me know.” Nalun wanted Sirius to reveal a bit of the inside information to him: “For example the Scepter, or the Insectoids and stuff.”

He justified: “After all, I was innocently implicated. Wanting to know a little of the aftermath shouldn’t be too much, right?”

Sirius said decisively: “If there are any developments, I’ll tell you everything.”

Nalun said: “……okay. Be careful on the road.”

The Admiral smiled: “Parting shouldn’t be like this.”

He reached out a hand and grasped the back of the Honored Prince’s neck with ease. Pulling the person over, he held still for a second before quickly letting go.

“I’m going.”

The figure of the Imperial Admiral swiftly disappeared from view. Standing in the same spot, the Honored Prince slowly covered his cheeks, attempting to decrease the sudden rise in temperature.

–Sirius seemed to like this habit of hugging very much. Perhaps he should get used to it.

The gem on the Scepter finally returned to Asha’s Royal Palace.

The treasured heirloom that was lost for many months appeared before the media once again. At a news conference, His Majesty the Emperor announced to the public that a special metal would be transported from the mining planet to be used as forging material for the handle of the new Scepter.

This kind of metal took years and years to erode. It was completely black in color. Compared to the original gold handle, there was less ornateness and more of a dignified feel. It’s said that when the time came, a great sculpture master would be invited to adorn it with hidden markings.

“This one tastes the worst.” The appraising master Xi Jin gave his assessment regarding this: “No appetite at all.”

Luye nodded his head in gratification: “This is it then.”

Xi Jin was very dissatisfied: “The gem is something I’m gifting Nalun! How can you claim it as your own!”

Luye: “He’s already aware of your kind intentions.”

Xi Jin: “But why would you even snatch stuff from your little bro?”

His Majesty the Emperor felt his veins pulse. He really wanted to say: This was originally stolen from me by you little thief!

The amnesiac Metal Devouring Bug was very indignant at this injustice. He turned into a big bug and buried his head, deciding not to speak with the other temporarily.

Luye: “…..” So big, how was he supposed to hide this?

The main player of the Xier Street insect attack, Xi En, had been captured.

After receiving a strong dose of stimulant, the Insectoid had no choice but to transform into a human. However, he still refused to talk. At the same time, news came from the Insect Planet, claiming that the Great Duke’s oldest son, Xi En, had acted completely on his own in Asha, that everything he’s done has nothing to do with the governing body of the Insect Planet. The representative making the announcement was Xi En’s brother, another extremely likely candidate for the throne.

While everyone was thinking of ways to obtain the Scepter from Asah, he remained peacefully on the Insect Planet’s headquarters, forming allies and sowing dissent, and consolidating his forces. When he heard news that Asha took back the Scepter, he was the happiest one.

Asha didn’t fall for this.

The citizens that personally observed the devastation on Xier Street all rolled up their sleeves and stepped forth in unison to narrate painfully the damage that the Insects had caused. In addition, they emphasized repeatedly, if it weren’t for the Admiral, the Insect’s dastardly plan would have prevailed!

“How would you know?”

Someone threw out a picture taken from an insanely long range.

“I just happened to be on a street next to Xier Street. After hearing a noise, I was observing in secret the entire time. So I managed to see the whole process.”

“Your so-called whole process is this crappy picture that’s practically mosaic?”

Suffering ridicule, the other stopped talking.

Thus, the tormentor was beaten up by the online crowd, who then used a soft voice to lure Mr.Process to reappear again.

Mr.Process bashfully reappeared: “At that time I was somewhat scared……”

The crowd comforted: “Ah, little cutie, don’t be afraid. Do you have any other pictures?”

Mr.Process sank into another long silence.

The crowd: “……”

Immediately afterwards, a new topic rose. They shifted their attention onto the strangely shaped Insectoid. The discussion was extremely rowdy, until someone raised a question.

“Wasn’t the Admiral in the courtroom that morning? What exactly happened in the courtroom?”

“That’s right. Was the Honored Prince Charvey found guilty?”

The extremely imaginative people started to go wild.

“Was this insect attack a strike back to the exposure of his matters?”

“After the Admiral finished attending the trial, he rushed straight to Xier Street…… I suspect the Honored Prince confessed some kind of secret. Therefore, the Admiral went to deal with it?”

“Could he have settled the Insectoids on Xier Street? Then to lessen his own sentence, he provided the secret hiding location of the bugs?!”

“The insects discovered that their location was exposed and didn’t plan to be captured without a fight!”

“Then the two sides exchanged blows!”

“Aiya, this logic is very reasonable. It’s very likely.”

……

The people, who knew the facts, watched this tongue-wagging discussion, completely expressionless, and dead inside.

This was even more mysterious than the Insect attack on Xier Street.

–The truth was even harder to swallow.

The number of observers for every courtroom trial was limited. After entering, they weren’t even allowed to use any recording devices. It was to the extent that people outside of the courtroom could only hear rumors, without knowing the full details.

Previously, the people, who knew the facts, were still immersed in a complicated mood, unable to adjust themselves into a better state. Seeing the discussion almost veering off into another galaxy, they finally couldn’t sit still.

“Shh.”

……

“Listen to the sincere advice from an old aunty who observed the entire trial process. Don’t say anything bad about Nalun Charvey anymore.”

Why?

“Because, your idol, the Admiral-daren, won’t be happy.”

Behind the personal comps, the crowd furrowed their brows in confusion.