Who understands? The aloof female ruler always flirts without even realizing it.

The banquet started promptly at 8 p.m.

The crystal chandelier illuminated the banquet hall as if it were daytime, and the male insects, dressed in magnificent attire, gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing. Because the event involved a large number of the Empire's precious male insects, the venue was heavily guarded, and a mental energy detector was even installed at the entrance.

Shen Yan arrived quite late.

Upon entering the hall, the royal blue dress shimmered under the lights, immediately attracting many eyes.

Within the male insect colony, rank and family background clearly define the social hierarchy, and Shen Yan, with his profound background and SS-level rank, is naturally the undisputed focus.

Several male insects approached him with wine glasses, trying to befriend him, but he dealt with them all in a lukewarm manner.

The aloof attitude is not a pretense, but a genuine incompatibility with these people.

The banquet hall was filled with a luxurious fragrance, and the meticulously dressed female insects followed behind their male masters, serving them with utmost care.

One of the purple-haired male insects even led three female slaves by silver chains, with jewel-encrusted collars around their fair necks, eliciting murmurs of ambiguous laughter from those around them.

"Look at my new treasure."

A male insect embraced a silent female slave in his arms, his stubby fingers tracing the collar of her military uniform.

"He was just transferred from the front lines yesterday, and he still has merits from battles. Luckily, he's with me, so he doesn't have to risk his life on the battlefield anymore."

Cheers erupted from the crowd. The female slave kept her head down, her fingertips digging into her palms, yet she still managed a forced smile.

Shen Yan stood alone beside the champagne tower, his eyes like a deep, cold pool amidst the glittering lights.

My fingertips lightly traced the rim of the glass, taking in the entire hall before finally settling into the deep night outside the window.

This place is disgusting... I miss Kalandall.

"It seems Lord Shen Yan has come alone. Aren't you going to find some amusement?"

A male insect carrying a wine glass approached, its strong, mixed pheromones making people dizzy.

"I have a few fiery personalities that I just acquired, I guarantee they'll be more interesting than these docile ones."

"No need." Shen Yan turned slightly to the side, the light casting dappled shadows on his eyelashes.

……

After politely declining a third attempt to flirt with him, he finally found a quiet spot by the window.

Outside the window, the capital city glittered in the night, while inside, his solitary figure was reflected. His fingertips unconsciously brushed against his collar, where the warmth of Karandel still lingered.

Just as I was about to make an excuse to leave early, a noise suddenly came from the entrance of the banquet hall.

The servant pushed open the heavy, carved doors, and a pure white figure appeared in the insects' sight. The clamor in the banquet hall suddenly ceased, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Locke stood at the intersection of light and shadow, his pure white belt gleaming like pearls under the dazzling lights, perfectly outlining his figure.

Beautiful, pure, and inviolable.

As he slowly stepped into the center of the banquet hall, enveloped in the glow of the crystal chandelier, four attendants silently surrounded him.

They carried silver chains and silk in their hands, their movements as fluid as if they had practiced a thousand times. The head attendant nodded slightly.

"Excuse me, Lieutenant General."

The silver ropes lightly wrapped around Locke's arms, the cool touch causing him to involuntarily tense his back.

Another piece of smooth silk was tied around his two ankles in a knot that appeared loose but was actually quite delicate. These restraints, seemingly elegant, subtly restricted his every movement.

It cannot walk with long strides, nor can it make any aggressive movements.

"Please allow us to adjust your posture," the attendant said calmly.

Locke obediently allowed them to do as they pleased.

The silver cable connected to the ceiling was taut, forcing him to stand on tiptoe and straighten his back. The pearls on the upper edge of his waistband rose and fell gently with his breath.

His pale gold eyes calmly swept across the entire room, his gaze containing neither fear nor shame, but only an unfathomable serenity.

He was like a general standing on a reviewing stand, except this time he was reviewing those eyes filled with desire.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to enjoy tonight's special exhibits."

The male insect hosting the banquet announced loudly:

"This is a generous gift from the Locke family, Lieutenant General Sivorlock."

"We welcome all comers and encourage you to enjoy our products."

The attendant made final adjustments to the female insect's loose silver hair on her forehead, ensuring that every strand fell in the most appropriate position.

When they stepped back, Locke had completely transformed into a carefully packaged sacrifice, beautiful yet possessing a composure that chilled even insects.

Derek, the male, was the first to step forward. This gray-haired man gently lifted Locke's chin with his fingertips: "I never expected to see you on this occasion, Lieutenant General Locke."

"It is my honor to meet you here."

Locke tilted his head slightly, letting the lustrous pearls at the top of his waist barely brush against the back of the other's hand, his voice soft yet clear.

"Tonight, I am merely offering you a small gift from my family."

More male insects gathered around, forming a tight circle.

He deliberately touched the silver cord on his wrist, and lightly touched the silk at his ankle with a cold wine glass. Locke maintained a polite smile throughout.

Only when an insect tried to untie his waistband did he cleverly turn away by using the restraints.

"Don't rush."

His voice had just the right amount of huskiness, like a night breeze brushing against a gauze curtain.

"The night is still long."

A young, vigorous male insect seemed to dislike beating around the bush and directly reached out to wrap its arms around his waist.

"Such beautiful skin, shouldn't we admire it?"

He joked, bending his fingers to pull at the edge of the corset, revealing glimpses of skin that satisfied his voyeuristic desires while maintaining a subtle distance.

"...You're right."

Shen Yan stood on the outermost edge, calmly observing everything.

He was shocked by Locke's appearance and behavior, but after careful observation, he found no signs that the other party had been forced.

Every glance, every word, stemmed from meticulous calculation and complete autonomy. Since it was Locke's own choice, he had no right to interfere.

"It seems that Lieutenant General Baby knows how to please male insects."

Lord Derek stepped forward again, this time placing his hand directly on the belt of Locke's corset. Locke trembled almost imperceptibly, but maintained his smile:

"Your satisfaction is my greatest value."

Having taken in all of this, Shen Yan finally turned and left silently.

He took a glass of wine from the waiter's tray and walked straight to the floor-to-ceiling window leading to the balcony.

The moment he pushed open the glass door, a cool night breeze rushed in, rescuing him from the sticky, noisy atmosphere inside the hall.

I don't have a penchant for watching live performances; the atmosphere inside felt like a nostalgic chatter, but what was going to happen next was pretty self-evident.

Leaning against the railing, sipping the wine in my glass, I let the night breeze cool my thoughts, isolating me from the glitz and glamour and undercurrents behind me.

The noise in the banquet hall continued until late at night.

When Shen Yan looked back at the light for the last time, the silver rope on Locke's wrist had been untied. He lay on the fluffy carpet, his body hidden by the male insects around him, with only a few strands of hair and his twitching toes vaguely visible.