A is in StarCraft, just disembarked from the Zerg Prince spaceship.

************

......

Around nine o'clock, the melodious final note of the banquet hall slowly faded away.

The guests left.

Commander-in-Chief Qi had left early due to illness, accompanied by the Crown Prince and Major General Gao Tian.

As they left, senior military officers also quietly departed in twos and threes.

There were no farewells, no pleasantries, and like the receding tide, they quietly disappeared into the shadows of the side gate.

The other guests also said their goodbyes and left.

This seemingly lavish and respectable banquet, where guests and hosts enjoyed themselves to the fullest while everyone harbored their own ulterior motives and calculations, came to a perfect close.

Numerous politicians surrounded Orion, engaging in warm and enthusiastic conversation with the second prince of Liernia.

"Your Excellency, General! Tonight was truly unforgettable!"

"Your demeanor and eloquence have left a deep impression on everyone in our Federation!"

"We look forward to deeper exchanges and cooperation between our two sides in the future!"

Orion's face still wore that gentle, polite princely smile, showing no sign of impatience.

"You flatter me. It is the Federation's warmth and sincerity that makes me feel at home."

"It is my honor to spend such a wonderful evening with you all."

"I am also looking forward to what will happen next."

His words and responses were polite and his demeanor composed, as if none of the unpleasantness, probing, warnings, and undercurrents of the evening had ever occurred, and he was simply a distinguished guest who was thoroughly satisfied with the warm hospitality.

The Alliance Director smiled and dismissed the group of officials: "Alright, alright, look at you all, it's getting late, it's time for His Highness Orion to go back and rest."

He was truly wise and experienced; even his act of dispelling evil spirits was done very appropriately, without causing any annoyance or embarrassment. People just felt that they had forgotten the time.

The officials present smiled apologetically and said, "Oh dear, look at us, we were so engrossed in our conversation with His Highness Orion that we completely forgot the time."

"I'm so sorry, please go and get some rest."

"We will all take our leave now."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye!"

......

The officials from the Alliance Office also left one by one.

The hustle and bustle of the welcome dinner completely subsided, and the White House was shrouded in the deep darkness of night.

The landscape lights in the courtyard were all turned on, and the ground lights along the garden paths emitted a soft, dim yellow glow.

The Alliance Commissioner's smile hadn't faded as he turned to Orion beside him and extended an invitation: "Your Highness Orion, the night is beautiful, and the breeze is refreshing. Would you have the honor of joining me for a stroll in the courtyard of the White House?"

Orion smiled and replied, "Of course. I'm honored by your kind invitation, Director. Besides, I'm going back to the wing anyway."

"The roses here are famous far and wide, especially at night, when they have a unique charm."

"Then I'll have to take a good look."

"please."

"please."

At the invitation of the Alliance Director, Orion naturally accepted. The two, each accompanied by their entourage, strolled side by side along the garden path outlined by the ground lamps.

The night breeze was indeed refreshing.

It carries the scent of green grass and damp earth.

The garden is full of roses.

Orion remained outwardly calm and walked steadily, casually chatting with the director about trivial matters such as the weather, the differences between Earth's plants and the climate of Liernia, while in reality he was feeling nauseous.

The director, oblivious to the disgust hidden beneath Orion's smile, enthusiastically pointed to the various roses blooming profusely by the roadside and introduced them to Orion:

"Look, this is peace, with large flowers and a rich fragrance..."

"Over there is Mr. Lincoln, his hair as red as blood..."

"And those climbing pinkish-white flowers are Ponzi jewels, dreamlike and enchanting under the moonlight..."

His presentation was full of enthusiasm, showcasing his favorite collection.

"Indeed beautiful," Orion smiled.

They walked deep into the east wing garden.

Beside a fork in the road next to a small fountain.

A white bench stood alone in front of a cluster of white roses in full bloom.

The roses are white, the bench is white, everything seems incredibly pure.

On the bench.

A figure was sitting there.

Ferdinand Rodriguez.

He changed out of his formal suit from the banquet and into a warm, light gray casual outfit. Under the dim light, his legs looked long and slender, and he sat there alone, exuding a lingering sense of loneliness.

Ferdinand sat dejectedly on a chair in the garden.

He rested his elbows on his knees, his hands behind his head, holding a bouquet of pure white lilies. The white petals looked exceptionally pure and fragile in the night, perfectly matching his current state.

He wasn't crying; he was just sitting quietly.

Naïve and ignorant of the ways of the world.

Deeply saddened.

I was just rejected by the person I like.

Filled with disappointment.

Yet he stubbornly clings to the last shred of dignity, a naive young man.

He was lost in despair and didn't notice the approaching footsteps on the path not far away.

The Alliance Commissioner and Orion happened to be at this fork in the road when they suddenly spotted Ferdinand on the bench. They stopped, a hint of surprise on their faces: "Ferdinand?"

He called out,

"Why are you sitting here all alone so late?"

The disheartened young man was startled awake by the sound, and his body trembled slightly.

He then looked up in a flustered manner, staring blankly at the Alliance Director: "Dad?"

"Ferdinand, what are you doing here?" The Alliance Director walked over.

Ferdinand stood up and honestly told him, "I was rejected again today for applying to go on a date with an omega. I'm a little sad. I'll go sit in front of my mother's wing for a while."

He only noticed Orion next to the director after he stood up. He subconsciously tightened his arms around the lilies, a blush of embarrassment appeared on his face, his eyes flickered, and he tried to remain calm: "I...I'm sorry, I didn't see there was a guest here, my apologies."

"This is His Highness Orion, the Insect Emperor's envoy from the Liernia Empire. He just arrived in our Human Federation today," the Alliance Director introduced him, then said, "Why don't you say hello?"

Ferdinand bowed his head: "Your Highness Orion, hello."

The fragrance of roses is still strong.

The white lily petals are pale and fragile.

The Alliance Director's smile remained impeccable.

Orion's smile remained perfectly curved.

The gaze swept calmly over Ferdinand's lowered head, the tightly embracing lilies, and his deliberately fragile and dejected demeanor.

A chance encounter.

Orion knew his tricks perfectly well, but still looked at the Alliance Director beside him and asked knowingly, "And who is this?"

The Alliance Director's expression shifted to one of helpless affection as he patted Ferdinand on the shoulder: "This is my son Ferdinand, a good-for-nothing, I'm sorry you had to see him like this."

Orion said sincerely, "Why does your son look so sad? Such a young and handsome child, it breaks my heart to see him like this."

The Alliance Director said, "Sigh, my good-for-nothing son has never been able to win over an Omega. Naïve and dull-witted, not very bright. Please excuse my poor performance."

Ferdinand pouted, looking aggrieved, and lowered his head.

Feeling wronged but not daring to contradict her father, her knuckles trembled slightly as she held the lilies tightly, her lips pressed together.

I was so angry I almost cried.

They're putting on quite a show. A hint of amusement flashed in Orion's eyes.

He raised an eyebrow, as if genuinely touched by the trouble, and said with the nonchalant tolerance typical of someone in a superior position, "It's alright, young people will be young."

The Alliance Director waved his hand: "You don't need to try so hard to comfort me. I'm 24 years old, not a real child anymore. I'm just immature. Please forgive me."

"Father!" Ferdinand protested.

"She's only 24, still a child," Orion said with a smile.

The Alliance Director urged him to leave: "Alright, Ferdinand, don't linger around here. His Highness Orion is currently staying in the East Wing, so don't disturb him unless it's absolutely necessary. His Highness Orion is going back to rest, so you should leave too."

"A good father."

Ferdinand seemed moved by Orion's words of comfort. To express his gratitude, he took a small step forward and respectfully presented the bouquet of white lilies to Orion with both hands.

"Your Highness Orion, thank you for your kindness. These flowers are just a token of my appreciation; please don't find them offensive."

Upon seeing this, the Alliance Director immediately straightened his face and reprimanded him: "Ferdinand! This is extremely rude! What kind of occasion is this? How can you present such a... such a casual bouquet to His Excellency the General! Take it back immediately!"

"Father, it's just a token of my affection; there's no other meaning behind it!"

Ferdinand looked up at Orion again, his deep brown eyes, inherited from his mother and remarkably clear in the night, filled with sincerity: "Your Highness Orion?"

The air tense for a moment.

Orion smiled.

A very pleasant laugh.

Then he slowly raised his hand, with the tips of his fingers, which were gloved in pure white.

With slow and deliberate movements, he touched the delicate petals of a lily.

His gaze wasn't on the flower, but rather on Ferdinand's handsome face, and he spoke with a condescending air, as if bestowing a favor:

"Since it's a token of my appreciation..."

"Then I'll accept it."

The director quickly said to Orion, "Oh! This child... he's so immature, I'm so sorry you had to see him like this! Your Highness Orion, you don't need to... oh dear! You're being far too lenient with him!"

The adjutant reached out to take the bouquet of lilies that Ferdinand offered.

However, just as the adjutant's fingertips were about to touch the bouquet wrapping paper—

Orion's hand, which was wearing a pure white glove.

But it lifted it up first.

He didn't look at his adjutant, but raised his eyebrows with interest, still staring at Ferdinand's handsome face.

His fingers precisely blocked the adjutant's hand.

Then it landed itself on the stem of that bunch of pure white lilies.

Through thin gloves, holding the flower stems, she steadily took the bouquet from the stunned Ferdinand's hands.

This action.

subtle.

Yet it is full of symbolic meaning.

Ferdinand's hands were empty, his fingertips still carrying the fleeting, icy touch of the silk glove as the flower stem was pulled away.

He stared blankly at Orion.

Orion is really good-looking.

He looks very much like Crown Prince Lyrnia, but is more mature and alluring than the beautiful Crown Prince. His eyes are like clear icy springs, and when they shine in the moonlight, they almost have a bewitching quality.

The director apologized again, "Oh! You really spoil this child too much. He's so immature, yet you're so forgiving. I'm so embarrassed..."

Orion turned to the Alliance Commissioner, not giving Ferdinand another glance, as if he had merely accepted a trivial trinket: "It's nothing. Ah, I've unknowingly arrived at the Wing. Thank you very much for today. It's getting late, so I'll head back now."

He nodded slightly and took his leave.

The Alliance Director quickly said, "You're too kind, please."

"Goodbye."

After exchanging nods in farewell, Orion casually carried the bouquet of lilies in one hand, and with his silent adjutant, they walked along the garden path, disappearing into the night and the fragrance of flowers.

The main door of the east wing opened and then closed.

The Alliance Commissioner watched Orion's departing figure, then glanced at Ferdinand beside him, who stood motionless, seemingly devoid of spirit, watching Orion walk away.

Finally, a genuine smile appeared on his face.

He patted Ferdinand on the shoulder, this time with praise: "Ferdinand, my good son, you did a good job this time. Go back and rest."

"Bring your mother over tomorrow as well; I need her help to receive His Highness Orion."

......

The heavy doors of the suites in the east wing were closed, isolating the servants in the corridor.

Orion casually tossed the bouquet of lilies onto the coffee table, his movements as nonchalant as if he were throwing away trash.

A few delicate petals were shaken off and fell onto the black marble surface.

Orion ripped off the pure white gloves and tossed them onto the armrest of the sofa. Then he sank into the sofa and sighed lazily, "I'm exhausted."

These humans are so annoying.

The adjutant glanced at the bouquet of lilies: "Your Highness, shall I get rid of these flowers for you?"

He knew Orion hated these things the most.

Orion leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed: "Get rid of it? Why do we need to get rid of it?"

"How can I show my feelings for that Alliance Director's son if I don't keep it...?"

He deliberately dragged out the word: "Pay—at—the—time?

The adjutant nodded: "Understood."

Orion held out a hand and waved it: "Go."

He pointed to the bunch of lilies again: "Find a vase, put it in a vase, and place it in the most conspicuous spot in the downstairs living room so that everyone who comes in can see it."

"Yes, Your Excellency." The adjutant responded immediately without any questions and carried out the order.

Trim the flower stems, add water, adjust the bouquet's shape, and ensure it's placed in the most prominent and stable position in the living room.

Soon, the bouquet of pure white lilies, representing "pure intentions," was carefully arranged in a luxurious crystal vase and placed on the coffee table in the center of the living room.

Orion leaned back on the sofa and chuckled.

That old fox really stepped on every landmine he could.

A playful smile appeared on his lips.

But humans are actually quite interesting; the male insects are of good quality and have a good attitude.

Although he found it ridiculous, he still had so many subordinates.

Once the genetic lock is unlocked, we can consider letting more humans remain, making them the lowest rungs of society, serving as slaves to the female insects.

Nowadays, alliances are usually accompanied by marriages; these two things are inherently inseparable.

The son of the Alliance Director is truly stupid and poses no threat. Compared to those politicians, he's almost adorably stupid.

He wouldn't mind playing along, and it could even be a pretext for forming an alliance.

Only when he saw the benefits would that old fox, the Alliance Director, be willing to unleash his power.

Just treat it like raising a dog for fun.

Oh, look at her, so silly. She gets so happy just from being teased, and she even wags her tail. How adorable!