Li Erben fished out a small piece of candy from the hidden pocket of his uniform, placing it in his mouth to savor. It was sweet, relaxing, just like the feeling of holding her, sweet to the heart. She always managed such little things to catch the cold, composed gaze of the prince. Calmness and indifference were essential traits for a ruler to cultivate, but Li Erben felt that since meeting her, these principles were slipping away from him, especially when she carefully placed the candy in his palm. Excitement flashed before his eyes like dazzling fireworks in the night. She was so fragile, so helpless; had it not been for her ability to bear children, she might have been torn apart by the angry nobles long ago, even if it wasn’t her fault. The people of Austin, whose families had been destroyed, would not easily let her go. Li Erben himself couldn’t imagine how he had overcome Mir’s death to accept her calmly. Perhaps it had been too long since Queen Kelly had passed away, nearly a century, and loneliness always breeds a desire in a being of high intelligence, a desire to be noticed, needed, and… loved.
“Umm…” Mao Anan rubbed her eyes, lazily turned over, her oversized, fluffy pajamas exposing most of her arms and neck, which were dotted with marks from her midday nap, each a bright red. Li Erben suddenly felt a surge of heat, almost unbearable. Mao Anan yawned, her soft voice like silk with hooks, pulling the prince closer to her. He inhaled deeply, feeling a tingling in his limbs, then inhaled again.
“Huh?” Mao Anan noticed Li Erben close by, and she quickly sat up, clutching the blanket. “You’re back?”
Caught in the act, Li Erben quickly straightened up, pretending to adjust his military uniform, his voice cold and hard, “Yes, get dressed, we’re having dinner.”
“Oh.” Mao Anan scrambled out of bed and dashed to the bathroom. Under the prince’s personal ‘supervision’, Mao’s speed and quality of grooming noticeably improved. Ten minutes later, she was clean and tidy, standing before Li Erben. He raised his arm, signaling her to link hers with his. Mao Anan hesitated before placing her hand on his arm. Li Erben grasped her hand, adjusting it slightly, then led her to the dining room.
“Does it tire you?”
“No… not really, I slept well…”
“If you’re tired, let me know, I’ll make improvements.”
“No… no need…”
Mao Anan: Why do we have to discuss this with such a serious expression?
Li Erben: I genuinely want to communicate with you.
After dinner, Mao Anan suggested visiting Mir for a chat, and Li Erben accompanied her. She wondered why Li Erben, who usually worked until late, was so ‘free’ today. Li Erben thought, with him there, she shouldn’t say anything too infuriating, right? He hoped Mir would also realize that she was his, and no one should try to take her away. Mir had just finished his language training and could speak a few simple sentences in Chinese. Mao Anan rushed in to see Mir, as excited as if her name had appeared on the honor roll of a top university, completely oblivious to the prince’s face turning iron blue behind her.
Li Erben: Does she think I’m dead!
Mao Anan shouted loudly to the person inside, ensuring not a speck of joy was blocked by the glass partition, “Mir, I’ve come to see you!”
Mir smiled, his smile as gentle as water, softening people’s hearts, “Mao Anan.”
Mao Anan nodded vigorously.
“You’re so beautiful,” Mir said with a smile, extending his finger to touch hers, “I like you.”
Mao Anan smiled, her eyes moistening, “Yes, I know.”
Li Erben: Oh my god, I’m going insane…
Mir pointed at the stern man following Mao Anan, puzzled, “Who is he?”
Mao Anan glanced back at Li Erben, shrugging her shoulders, and whispered in a tone of respect and admiration, “He’s the ruler of Austin, Prince Li Erben, your father.” (Note the order…)
Mir nodded as if understanding, “So, are you married to him?”
“No!” Mao Anan shook her head firmly, “I’m just here to have a child, nothing more to hope for.”
With Mao Anan making her stance clear, Li Erben couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t tear down the research facility if he listened any longer, so after some deliberation, he left with a grim face.
Ivan, the deputy officer following behind, sweating profusely: I told you not to come… What if something happens?
The two in the research facility, oblivious to the danger, were chatting away. Li Erben, full of anger, walked through the snow for half a day before suddenly stopping and turning to Ivan, “Why does she ‘dare not hope’, I’ve already lowered myself, isn’t my compromise enough?”
Ivan, nearly bumping into his superior, quickly calmed himself, “Your Highness, actually, you’ve done very well. She might respect you because of your noble aura and regal demeanor.”
Li Erben: Let these noble qualities go to hell!
Ivan: Remember your image!
Li Erben: I’m so fed up with Mir, Cassa, none of them give me peace of mind, they should all go to hell!
Ivan: Well, venting might help your mood, especially since there’s no one else around.
Li Erben: …
After chatting with Mir, Mao Anan slowly returned to her bedroom, cleaned up, and then went into that small room, seeming a bit downcast. Li Erben, after dealing with urgent military affairs, rushed back to check on her, only to find an empty bed. Where was she?
Here is the of the provided Chinese text into English:
Quietly opening a small crack in the door of that little room, Li Erben anxiously peered inside. She was indeed there, sitting on the bed with her knees hugged, looking as if she had been wronged, her little face crumpled like a bitter gourd. Li Erben pushed the door open and entered directly, ignoring Mao Anan’s surprise, and asked coldly, “Did Mil bully you?” Mao Anan, “Huh?” Li Erben clenched his fists, “What did he say? Does he also want to elope with you like Kasa did?” Mao Anan, “What on earth are you talking about?” Li Erben, filled with frustration he couldn’t vent on her, could only grind his teeth in anger, “I knew that bastard Kasa was no good, sending two clones out of nowhere with such malicious intent, it’s outrageous! And then he talks terms with me, it’s simply too much! Everything is off the table, if it comes to a fight, we fight, the people of Austin will never tolerate such humiliation!” Mao Anan, “…” Li Erben, in his fury, ranted from Mil to Kasa. Fortunately, his noble etiquette held him together, otherwise, he might have resorted to vulgar language. Mao Anan was stunned, watching the usually cold and composed prince show such a ‘ruffian’ side… Truly rare… But, it was quite cute, much more vivid than his usual cold adherence to etiquette. Mao Anan watched the spectacle with relish. After venting, Li Erben’s pent-up frustration dissipated somewhat, and upon reflection of his ‘unseemly’ behavior just now, he wished he could crawl into a hole. In front of her… Jealousy… Complaints… Anger… Outbursts… Too… Improper!!! Li Erben felt a bit embarrassed, quickly adjusting his expression to what it should be, “Rest now, I’ve disturbed you for too long…” Mao Anan quickly got up from the bed and grabbed Li Erben’s hand. Li Erben turned to look at her. “Don’t be angry, it’s not Mil’s fault, it’s because of me.” “What?” “Uh… I… I’m not pregnant, it… it came again, it seems to happen during the safe period… those days with very low chances…” Mao Anan explained softly in apology. Prince Li Erben, who had made a big fuss over nothing: Safe periods are the most detestable!!!!!!
Author’s Note: Comrades, please leave long comments, and you can get points to read for free~
Text: The Striking Earthlings
