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

Shen Yan took Karandal's hand and steadily helped him into the hovercar that was already prepared in the courtyard.

Although he was certain that the Locke family would not dare to take action against a high-ranking male, the male still cautiously dispatched several reliable guardian insects to accompany him, taking into account the potential risks.

He didn't care, but with his wife by his side, he absolutely couldn't afford any mishaps.

Based on the coordinates provided by Locke, the hovercar eventually stopped in front of an inconspicuous apartment building on the outskirts of the capital.

The hallway was dimly lit and filled with a musty smell, a stark contrast to the bright and warm atmosphere of their homes.

With the guardian insects' advance reconnaissance and vigilance, Shen Yan carefully supported Kalandall and followed the house number to find the tightly closed door.

The male pressed the doorbell, preparing to send a message to Locke to open the door, when he heard a very faint unlocking sound coming from inside.

The door was pulled open a crack from the inside.

The sight that came into view made Shen Yan and Karandal's hearts sink at the same time.

Seewo Locke lay prone on the floor behind the door, his long, silvery-white hair tied up in a mess, obscuring most of his face.

It seemed that opening the door had exhausted all his strength; his usually straight back was now hunched over helplessly.

He was wearing only thin casual clothes, his face was as pale as paper, and his lips were chapped.

His light gold eyes were unfocused and lifeless, only managing to gather a faint glimmer of light when he saw Shen Yan and Kalandel's figures.

His stoic will finally gave way for a moment. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could utter a single syllable, his body slumped forward uncontrollably.

Shen Yan instinctively reached out to help, but as soon as he raised his arm halfway, he suddenly realized that the other party was an unmarried female insect, and as a male insect with a family, it would be extremely inappropriate to make physical contact with her rashly.

His fingers froze in mid-air, caught in a dilemma.

Fortunately, the guardian insect beside him reacted quickly, rushing forward to steadily support Locke's limp body and help the female insect up from the cold floor.

Upon receiving a slightly helpless and reproachful glance from his partner, Xiongzi awkwardly touched his nose.

The guardian insect quickly checked Locke's condition and reported in a low voice.

"The situation is not good and needs to be addressed immediately."

"Take him back."

The male prince decisively gave the order, his gaze sweeping over the simple dwelling that was clearly under surveillance, and said, "We shouldn't stay here any longer."

To avoid any unforeseen complications, they quickly placed the unconscious female insect into the hovercar and returned directly to their heavily guarded villa.

……

Back in their warm and bright home, Shen Yan and Karandal both breathed a sigh of relief.

They settled Locke in a comfortable and clean guest room on the second floor, which was closest to the master bedroom so that they could detect any problems immediately.

When Karandal was first rescued, he lived in this room. Xiongzi wasn't too happy about it; there were so many guest rooms in the house, it didn't have to be this one.

But I decided to listen to my wife.

The female soldier remained unconscious, her brows furrowed. Even without consciousness, her body would occasionally twitch slightly due to the instability of her mental state. Her silver-white hair made her pale face even more alarming to the insects.

"His mental state is very agitated and needs to be calmed down."

Karandal stood by the bed, looking at his former colleague in this state, a complex emotion flashing in his icy blue eyes, his tone filled with worry.

Pregnant female insects are more empathetic to this helplessness and pain.

"Okay, I'll go get something to eat."

The powerful man nodded and patted his wife's back reassuringly: "Sit down and rest."

After saying that, he turned and went to the kitchen.

Shen Yan clearly didn't have the same meticulous patience when dealing with insects that weren't his wife.

Instead of choosing a nourishing soup that requires long simmering, he quickly boiled water, cracked eggs, and cooked noodles.

In the process, one subtly integrates mental energy, turning the noodles themselves into the best soothing balm.

A series of clanging sounds came from the kitchen, and in just over ten minutes, a steaming bowl of soup noodles, garnished with scallions and shredded meat, was ready.

The fragrance filled the air, carrying a warm feeling that could soothe the soul.

Shen Yan returned to the guest room with the noodles and immediately nudged Locke's shoulder:

"Hey, wake up, eat before you sleep."

The female soldier was woken up in a daze. The long period of unconsciousness and mental exhaustion caused her to have a splitting headache and her consciousness to be blurred.

With great effort, she opened her heavy eyelids, her light golden eyes filled with confusion and wariness. Only when she saw Shen Yan standing by the bed did her tense nerves relax and her memories return.

"Lord Shen Yan..."

His voice was hoarse and dry as he struggled to sit up, but was struck by a wave of dizziness and swayed.

"Don't move, eat this first."

The male insect handed the bowl of noodles to the female insect. His tone wasn't particularly gentle, but his movements were steady, making sure she wouldn't spill it.

Due to tension and weakness, Locke's spasming stomach immediately sent out signals of craving.

Without refusing, he thanked him in a low voice, took the bowl and chopsticks, and began to eat eagerly but also tried his best to maintain proper etiquette.

As the steaming hot food went down his throat, a gentle yet firm warmth seemed to spread from his stomach, slowly seeping into his nearly parched and cracked mental sea.

The sharp pain and the near-collapse-like buzzing in my mind miraculously began to subside and lessen under the soothing power of this force.

After finishing the bowl of noodles, the color finally returned to his pale face, and his unfocused eyes regained focus. Although he was still tired, at least he was no longer in a state where he could break at any moment.

Only then did Locke truly have the energy to observe his surroundings.

This was not his cold and simple temporary lodging, but a... very warm and very homey room.

A soft carpet, warmly colored curtains, and even vibrant green plants and toys on the bedside table.

The air was filled with a faint, comforting fragrance, like sun-dried bedding mixed with the warm aftertaste of food.

A tremendous and indescribable sense of disorientation gripped my heart.

It's so warm, so peaceful, so... blissful here.

He had always thought that a home should be like a mansion, magnificent and ancient, yet as cold as a magnificent tomb.

It was filled with scheming, admonitions, infighting, and ubiquitous control.

In a climate of estrangement, the only bonds that remain are those of blood ties and the cold interests and responsibilities that lie behind them.

I never imagined, and I've never seen, that home could look like this.

The air was warm, carrying the scents of food and sunshine.

The colors are soft, unlike the deep and oppressive atmosphere of the mansion, which seems to devour everything.

The furnishings are casual yet cozy, revealing traces of daily life and mutual appreciation.

All of this is completely different from the common understanding of the definition of "home".

As if stepping out of a despairing winter into a spring garden that shouldn't belong to him, his gaze involuntarily turned to Karandal, who was sitting in an armchair not far away.

The general, who was his sworn enemy in the military, was wearing a loose, soft light gray cashmere maternity suit, his long, icy blue hair casually draped over his shoulders.

His expression was one of peace and...gentleness he had never seen before?

Is it because of pregnancy?

The male had somehow appeared beside the female, his every move filled with cautious concern.

Karandal's senses were incredibly sharp; he immediately noticed Locke's gaze. He looked up and met those light golden, probing eyes.

Unlike usual, he didn't show coldness or aloofness; he simply nodded slightly, his tone calm.

"Are you feeling better?"

Locke felt as if something had gently bumped into his heart. He suddenly came to his senses and realized that he was in someone else's home, enjoying protection and warmth that didn't belong to him.

Overwhelmed with a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude, he struggled to get out of bed, but his body remained weak and powerless.

"Lord Shen Yan, General Karandal."

His voice was still hoarse, but he tried his best to remain calm and polite: "Thank you both so much for your help, I..."

"Alright, no need for that."

The male interrupted him, his tone casual yet leaving no room for refusal:

"In your current state, going out would be suicide. Stay here for now and recover your physical and mental health before making any decisions."

He paused, noticing the undisguised astonishment and unease in the other person's eyes, and added:

"I'll put in a good word with the Imperial Court; all the documents you submitted will come in handy."

Locke stared blankly at Shen Yan, then looked at the gentle-looking Kalandall.

A huge and unfamiliar warm current overwhelmed the defenses he had been holding up.

She lowered her head, her silvery hair falling down, obscuring her instantly reddened eyes and slightly trembling lips.

All words seemed pale and inadequate. In the end, he could only lower his head deeply, almost humbly, and squeeze out broken words from his throat:

"Thank you...really...thank you..."