Ch101 - [The end (First Half)] I am already prepared.

Chief Monte, Sirius’s father. Why did he deliver an invitation? The two families rumored to have become hostile and then reconciled were really the Charvey and Monte family?

Nalun was annoyed by the servant’s secretive behavior and said: “You’re going to have to spit it out sooner or later. How many portions do you plan to divide it into?”

The servant, with a bitter face: “Chief Monte seems to be interested in the Honored Prince Sr……” Pausing for a few seconds, he said in one breath: “In the last few days…… He’s been visiting every other day.”

Nalun, very confused: “Interested?”

The servant flinched and emphasized: “Just a rumor, just a rumor.”

The Honored Prince Sr. had lost his wife in his middle years. Chief Monte also divorced very early. The two of them were from the older generation. When they were younger, they found each other somewhat disagreeable. Yet now that they’re older, they’ve suddenly become friendly. This made it very hard for people to not indulge in fantasies.

Nalun never imagined there’d be such an outrageous development. He was very clear that his father didn’t have any plans to start a romance in his old age.

Ever since his spouse passed away, the Honored Prince Sr. reared his two sons into adulthood. He had long lost interest in pursuing love. He was used to, and also enjoyed, the retired life of an old bachelor.

As for the Chief, Nalun once heard things from Sirius: After divorcing, Madam Nishar and Chief Monte both remained single. Occasionally, they’d see each other and eat a meal together.

Just how imaginative did someone have to be to connect these two people together?

However…… thinking about the various public discussions he had to shoulder himself, Nalun lamented: It’s the era itself that contributed to the people’s imagination and creativity.

Nalun said coldly: “Stop believing in pointless rumors, and don’t spread such groudless conjectures.”

Stunned, the servant grumbled: “…… I didn’t intend to spread it.” You’re the one who demanded the information.

Nalun said calmly and indifferently: “Then what about the invitation?”

The servant gave him a furtive look, lowered his head, and didn’t respond.

Nalun urged him.

The servant: “I only know the rumored version.”

Nalun: “……Talk.”

The servant said reluctantly: “It seems like the two are about to go public. The Honored Prince Sr. accepted his invitation. Doesn’t that mean he agreed?”

Nalun: “……”

The servant asked curiously: “Did he really agree?”

Nalun inhaled deeply, waved his hand, and ended this topic— Wasting his time gossipping about his family with an outsider was really too idiotic.

Unable to obtain a definite answer, the servant sighed regretfully.

Nalun: “……”

Such unhealthy trends can’t be tolerated. It’s time to clear up this gossipy atmosphere!

Nalun, who gained absolutely nothing, turned to contacting his good friends and family in the Imperial Capital. Sending messages one by one only took about ten minutes. Simultaneously, he also exchanged the latest news.

Xi Jin’s 5th attempt in running away from home met with failure again. His Majesty, the Emperor, couldn’t bear it anymore and sent a marriage request to the Insectoids. To express his sincerity, he even planned to send back the Metal Devouring Bug, Xi En, who’s been detained in prison.

Alida gave up his promising future in the military, registered for the Imperial civil servant exam and as he wished, became the Chief Warden for A-level prisons. As a result, he was chased down and beaten by a disappointed Old Earl for three days and nights.

Nalun: “Chief what?”

Alida: “Chief Warden.”

Nalun: “……”

“Don’t worry. Everything is fine.” Alida seemed to smile: “I’m still waiting for your good news.”

His quiet laugh lost a bit of his old personal traits, and gained the flavor of a certain 3-orificed bug.

Nalun thought internally: Interacting too closely with someone… can truly influence the other person.

However–

“What the heck is a Chief Warden?” Such an ancient and non-mainstream occupation still existed in intergalactic prisons, which were completely equipped with automatic defense systems?

Alida replied with a ‘hehe’.

“……”

Nalun had no way of knowing the plans of that clearly obstinate and spiteful bug. However, he was very certain that his little buddy Alida still had a very long road ahead of him.

Becoming a warden or whatever… already sounded rather hard-core.

It’s practically impossible to see any hope of recovery with this kind of identity and relationship!

“En…… I switched to a new car. Do you want to go for a ride?” Nalun calmly proposed, deciding to change the topic.

Unable to get enough sleep last night, Nalun should have felt tired and sleepy. However, thanks to the consecutive shocks of receiving a beloved car and a wedding proposal, right now he felt exceptionally vigorous. Adding in the news of Alida changing occupations, it was even harder for Nalun to calm down.

Alida’s voice carried a sense of aged weariness: “Forget it, forget it. Lately I’ve been having motion sickness.” The period of separation didn’t actually disperse his trauma of experiencing ‘the speed of life and death.’ He asked: “What kind of car is it? I remember that you just brought a new one half a year ago.”

Nalun coughed and got prepared to modestly introduce the circumstances of his beloved car.

Alida: “Forget it. In this area, you’re just a scoundrel who loves the new and hates the old. No matter how affectionately you describe it right now, it won’t change the fact that you’ll like something else in the future.”

Nalun: “……Car upgrades have indeed been exceptionally fast.”

Alida said candidly: “That’s right. According to this rate, you’re going to degenerate into an impoverished, penniless royalty.”

Nalun: “……” After staying with the 3-orificed bug for such a long time, his little buddy… has changed.

The friendly exchange between friends finally ended.

Nalun still questioned the invitation internally. That invitation, which only circulated in groundless comments online and through his servant’s mouth, seemed to hide some kind of deep secret.

Nalun contacted his father and elder brother once again. However, the other two almost seemed like they didn’t want to converse too deeply about this topic; they stated that this was only a normal gathering.

Curiosity didn’t actually occupy everything in life. Since Nalun couldn’t figure it out by asking, he simply let nature take its course.

However, the truth was often mischievous. When people are searching for it desperately, it’d play the hide-and-seek game. Yet when people choose to forget it, it’d jump out abruptly to create a surprise.

On this day, two days since Sirius proposed. Nalun received a letter.

When he opened it, an invitation that was printed with traditional fancy text appeared before his eyes. The ornate golden roses on the surface reflected a faint light. Instead of having to search for it, the mysterious and secretive ‘gold invitation’ delivered itself to his door.

He opened the invitation. The words inside were extremely concise. They clearly indicated the time and place, and then added a few basic words of courtesy.

Aptly, Nalun’s personal comp lit up with Sirius’s call request.

“Baobei, did you receive the invitation yet?”

Nalun faintly caught a whiff of conspiracy: “What did you do behind my back?”

Sirius: “Turn it over and look at the back.”

Nalun flipped the invitation over. Looking around, he saw in a certain corner a row of elegant, gilded gold words: “Invitation…… host, Monte?”

“It’s just a gathering between the Monte and Charvey family. If you want to, we can announce some things at the gathering. Of course…… if you don’t want to, it’ll just be a friendly gathering between the two families.”

Sirius’s voice sounded behind Nalun.

Nalun turned around. He saw the familiar Admiral-daren currently standing at his front gates with a beaming smile.

“Bringing you to work.” In full formal attire, Sirius looked even more handsome than usual: “If I knew that I’d end up in your hands at the same time as the invitation, I would have delivered it personally.”

Nalun looked at the invitation in his hand, then looked up at Sirius who was walking towards him. He said coldly: “I can go myself. Honey will bring me.”

Sirius furrowed his brow: “Who’s Honey?”

The Honored Prince pointed directly at the beloved car in front of his house.

Sirius: “……”

Nalun waved the invitation: “I’ll accept this for now.”

Surprisingly, he didn’t ask more about it?

Sirius wanted to speak but hesitated, a stomach full of prepared scripts with nowhere to say them. After examining Nalun for a long time and confirming that there’s not a hint of curiosity in those grayish green eyes, Sirius said with a thick face: “Then bring me to the military headquarters, baobei.”

Nalun didn’t reply. He raised his chin and reminded Sirius: “It’s not along the way?”

The Admiral didn’t care and moved closer, wanting to kiss his partner. However, he was bestowed a backhanded push.

“We’re at the front gates.” The Honored Prince refused extremely firmly, a pair of sharp eyes practically nailed onto Sirius.

After a short while, the Admiral surrendered, saying: “About the gathering……”

Nalun: “En?”

“I will give you a proper explanation.”

Hearing this, the Honored Prince didn’t reveal any change in expression. He turned and walked towards ‘Honey’.

The Admiral-daren felt somewhat panicked.

He originally wanted to create a pleasant surprise. In fact, for the sake of reaching the final goal, he persisted through everything.

However, Nalun seemed to have become unhappy.

This made the zero-experienced Admiral have no choice but to self-reflect. If you must know, he’s still fumbling around for control over this surprise even now.

Sirius followed and squeezed into the front passenger seat.

The car window moved upwards slowly. Covered by a special film, the window concealed everything inside.

Sirius didn’t even sit steady when he felt an oppressive force on top of him.

“If you want to go public……” Nalun looked down at him arrogantly from above and expressed sternly: “Fine.”

Sirius: “……”

Seeing him not responding, Nalun emphasized: “I’m already prepared.”

Other than Sirius’s pile of widespread followers being rather troublesome, it’s actually not that difficult to open up their relationship before the elders. In this area, his father was very open-minded (The Honored Prince Sr.: !!!); his surrounding close friends were also quite rational (Alida: ???). Even though he didn’t like being the topic of other people’s discussions, there were some main events in a person’s life journey, for example graduation and wedding, where discussions were unavoidable.

Sirius: “Nalun?”

Nalun, who was called on, gave Sirius a confident pat on the shoulder. He said with eyes shining brightly: “Hopefully what you’ve prepared won’t disappoint me.”

Sirius: “……”

That day, facing a dramatic increase in pressure, the Admiral-daren continued to prepare the ‘surprise’ all night without sleeping.

Three days later, the two families’ banquet finally arrived on schedule.

The banquet gathering was scheduled to be nighttime and the location was Vatican City, which was at the center of the Imperial Capital. Vatican City wasn’t actually a city. Instead, it was a traditionally styled building that covered a large area of space. Previously it was the old royal palace. After the royal family moved away, this place became unused. After centuries passed, it was renovated and became a large clubhouse with a special historical significance.

The state banquets of Asha were often held here. All important feasts would also be held here. The two families’s meeting this time naturally couldn’t compare to a state banquet; however, it was grand enough.

Sirius had brought Nalun to the location bright and early. Sweeping the scene with his eyes, he knew that most of the invitations were sent out effectively; Everyone came very promptly and uniformly.

Beside the round table at the center, the completely silver haired Honored Prince Sr. Charvey was currently having a silent staring contest with his elder son. Because they didn’t want to face reality so readily, between the two of them, one returned to live in the rural wilderness, the other engrossed himself in his own little family. Both moved out of the estate, terrified that when Nalun came back, he’d tell them some depressing news. Thus, it wasn’t until last night that they finally and slowly returned to the Imperial Capital……

Only to find that his youngest son/ little brother wasn’t even at home!!!

Nalun, who ‘took advantage of his family’s absence to stay out all night’, arrived together with Sirius…… What else did they not understand here?

The Honored Prince Sr. forced on a happy smile.

Not far away, the old Chief caught a glimpse of the cheerless Angeli and energetically sat down next to him.

When his own son divulged the news that he had found someone, Monte Sr. felt dazed– shocked– and excited, all within the frame of a few seconds of time. He would have never imagined that his future in-law relative would be this old guy. However, the two kids really did match perfectly walking next to each other. As a father, he slowly accepted this reality and became extremely optimistic and proactive.

“How come you’re still sitting here?”

The Honored Prince Sr. narrowed his eyes and looked silently at Monte Sr.

Monte Sr. patted his shoulder with a smile: “Aiya, come. I’ll drink with you.”

Pulling out from his sorrows, the Honored Prince Sr. raised his wine glass and drank the entire thing down in one gulp.

For the sake of being an open-minded parent who didn’t interfere with his child’s romance, arriving at this gathering had made him feel anguish, heartache, and resentment every step of the way!

At a neighboring table, a well-behaved youth said in a daze: “Grandpa, is it hopeless for me now?”

The old Admiral Harris rubbed his little grandson on the head in comfort: “There’s hundreds and thousands of young talents in the Imperial Capital, not just this one.”

“But this one is the best looking.”

Harris: “…… Love is not decided by outer appearance.”

“What’s love without beauty?”

The old Admiral Harris rolled up his sleeve and smacked his grandson on the forehead: “Superficial!”

The superficial youth begged his grandfather to move their seatings closer; he wanted to see his beloved’s father up close and in person.

Harris sighed and squeezed them into the Honored Prince Sr.’s table with an embarrassed expression.

Angeli Charvey’s gaze swiftly locked onto the skinny meak youth.

Monte Sr. also opened his mouth: “Uncle, is this your grandson? Looks pretty good.”

Eyes flashing, the youth smiled with a bright red face: “Uncle Monte, hello.” When he smiled, he even had a pair of adorable dimples.

Monte Sr. also smiled: “This is a good kid!”

Looks very likable, innocent and harmless. Even his greetings sounded pleasant.

The Honored Prince Sr. who was forgotten to the side, interrupted darkly: “Oh. He’s one of little Monte’s pursuers huh.”

Expressionless up until now, Yaming transformed from a nonexistent background into an intimidating, venomous snake. Eyes flashing, he faced the youth who had squeezed into this table, appearing almost like a snake that’s flicking its tongue.

Monte Sr.’s smile stiffened on the corner of his mouth.

Almost forgot about this. Harris had indeed mentioned that his grandson had taken a liking to his kid?

He took a closer look at his in-laws, each aggressive and overbearing…… The Honored Prince Sr.’s face was stern, Yaming’s expression oppressive. Under the double-teaming pressure, Harris’s grandson opened his innocent eyes wide and lowered his head in terror, not even daring to act cute anymore.

Harris felt terrible and was just about to put in a few good words for his grandson–

“That’s right…… I really like upper, upperclassman very much.” With his grandfather’s support behind him and his idol’s father in front of him, little Harris refused to back down despite the embarrassment. Grinding his teeth, he squeezed out these trouble seeking words.

A cold light flashed across Yaming’s eyes: “Oh? Upperclassman?”

Little Harris’s courage was like an overfilled balloon, bursting with just one touch. He replied with a painful look: “But it was only liking him…… in the past.”

Yaming declined to comment: “In the past huh.”

Little Harris: “……”

Seeing his grandson being terrorized, the old Admiral became unhappy. He thought to himself, this father and son’s hearts were really smaller than the tip of a needle.

“Ha. Ha. My son’s best attribute is his devotion, Angeli.” At this most crucial moment, Monte Sr. spoke up, then suppressed his voice to say to his new friend: “Don’t randomly press labels on my son. This thing has nothing to do with him.”

The elder and younger Harris: “……”

Finally, Charvey nodded his head, neither humble or overbearing.

The old Chief cleared his throat. He was just about to say something else to ease the atmosphere when his gaze landed on an area nearby. Abruptly, he stood up.

His reaction attracted the attention of the Honored Prince Sr. He also glanced over and just happened to meet the gaze of the graceful and charming Madam Nishar. She smiled and fluttered her eyelashes towards the Honored Prince.

Monte Sr. silently sat back into his seat, a pair of eyes unblinkingly moving back and forth between his former wife and his new friend.

“Hai, Angeli. You’re still as vigorous as when you were young.” Madam Nishar sat down very naturally on the other side of the Honored Prince Sr., speaking in an easy-going tone, as if greeting an old friend.

The ignored Monte Sr. opened his mouth and closed it, feeling extremely conflicted.

At this time, the Charvey family’s genetic cold and lofty demeanor manifested itself. Facing the charms of a lovely woman, the Honored Prince Sr. remained unmoved. He replied calmly: “Madam.”

Madam Nishar furrowed her brow faintly, as if hurt by his detached, indifferent manner.

She reached out a hand and placed it lightly on the other’s shoulder. Picking up a cup of wine, she turned her head slightly and toasted: “To our reunion after such a long separation and also to our future relationship.”

“Bang–”

The entire table turned to look at Monte Sr.. He picked up the wine cup that fell on the table: “My hand slipped.”

Chuckling, Madam Nishar gave him a glance and slowly continued to toast towards Charvey: “What was I saying? Angeli, very happy to see you today. In the future, we can visit each other more often.”

The Honored Prince Sr.: “…… I’m also very happy to see you, Madam.”

Monte Sr. stared at his former wife, and then stared at Charvey. In that instant, who knew what kind of terrifying picture he imagined.

After Madam Nishar finished drinking, she put down the cup: “In-law.”

The Honored Prince Sr.: “……”

Monte Sr.:”……”

Monte Sr.’s mood was like a tightly strung bowstring that was abruptly loosened.

This woman, who was a business expert, was very good at manipulating the atmosphere. Facing Charvey’s cold indifference, not only was she not distanced, she even found amusement in her own way. The ex-husband looked at his wife, who seemed even more charming than in her youth, and coughed: “Why did you come?”

Nishar paused the chit chat with her future in-law, expression growing cooler: “Of course I can’t miss every important event in my son’s life.”

“What event?” Little Harris asked curiously.

Madam Nishar indicated for Monte Sr. to look around: “Don’t you think the number of people present far surpasses the invitations you sent out?”

Monte Sr. noticed the abnormality: “What’s going on?”