novelI'm Too Popular, What Should I Do?
| ← Ch.088 | Ch.090 → |
Translated by Eve
Edited by Serefina, Kitty
6. I'm Too Popular, What Should I Do?
Joanna felt panicked for some baffling reason. She felt like she had been caught red-handed doing something wrong. She didn't dare look Lance in the eyes and said with a small voice, "Your Highness, you're back...."
Lance slowly made his way over. He had his usual gentle smile on but it seemed like there was a flicker of frigidity in his eyes. He gently stroked Joanna's soft blonde hair, "Yes. I heard that you've come so I specifically came back earlier."
Joanna smiled guiltily."Yes, I missed you quite a bit. However, you never came to see me... so I came."
Lance flashed her an apologetic look and kissed the back of Joanna's hand. His eyes darkened, "It's my fault. I must apologize to you. However, you don't have to come over in the future. You are of noble identity. It would not be good if you are harmed by this lowly slave."
Joanna's smile grew stiff. Wasn't Xie He the Federation's great hero? Just because he was captured, he became a lowly slave? Although... she had always lived in this kind of world and everyone around her thought like this, she still felt unaccustomed to it. She felt terrible on Xie He's behalf. Moreover, Xie He had never hurt her, ah. However, she didn't dare refute Lance. She forced out a smile and said, "I'm fine."
"This time, nothing happened. That doesn't mean that nothing will happen next time." Lance smiled as he spoke to her, "Come, I'll send you back."
Joanna nodded. Her palm was sweaty from nervousness.
Lance very quickly sent Joanna away. He didn't even have her stay for dinner.
Normally, Lance would be willing to spend some time coaxing Joanna. After all, Duke Gallagher's support was extremely important. This was why he had chosen this marriage in the first place. However, today... he suddenly didn't feel like it. He only wanted to return home sooner.
When Lance recalled the scene just now, his eyes narrowed. A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
A handsome, unflustered man and a petite and cute woman... the two of them looked like a match made in heaven when they stood so closely together. When he saw this, a torrent of violent emotions began to wreak havoc inside of him. He had almost been unable to control his own state of mind.
How... could others touch someone who was his? And Joanna... he had originally thought that she was an endearingly silly, sensible young lady. Right now, it seems that she was a bit worrisome, ne.
Xie He stayed in the gardens. The flash of coldness in Lance's eyes just then left him rather worried. Although it had only been a few days, he could perceive her genuine kindness. Therefore, he wasn't willing to let Joanna be the victim of Lance's anger because of him. When he saw Lance return, he very quickly retracted the concern in his eyes. Nonetheless, Lance still caught sight of it.
Lance's eyes grew chilly. What was Xie He concerned over right now? Was he worried that he had hurt Joanna? They've only seen each other a few times. Did he fall for her?
How could that be possible? Xie He was his slave! He would only ever belong to him!
He could not covet others. He could not be coveted by others!
【Ding, the target Lance's Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 60. 】
Lance walked over to Xie He and gave him a frosty look."Are you surprised that you were caught by me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Xie He said insipidly. Although the Empire had a kindhearted girl like Joanna, the majority of the people within were vile like Lance. One exception would not change his view on the Empire.
Lance stared at Xie He's calm and indifferent expression. He thought back to the gentle look Xie He had given Joanna.... He raised his hand, turning the ring on his finger.
The metal collar once again released a current of electricity. Xie He immediately fell on the ground, convulsing. Because his body was weaker than before, Xie He could not bear it very quickly. Pain appeared on his face.
This time, Lance didn't keep it on for very long. He didn't want to kill Xie He like this. What he wanted to see was the day the other would willingly submit to him. Killing Xie He would not cause the other any suffering whatsoever.
He carried Xie He to the rock garden the other spent most of his time at. He turned him around so that Xie He was looking outwards. By his ear, he whispered, "Do you want to escape? The sky that you hope for... doesn't it seem like it's just in reach... ?"
"But it's too bad that it's just an illusion. In reality, you'll never be able to escape."
Lance directly entered Xie He from behind, a faint vileness laced within his laugh."Remember that all that you have now, is what I give to you. Throw away those laughable dreams because they will never be realized...."
Xie He bit his lips. Embarrassing sounds were about to spill out of his throat.
From the beginning to the end, he did not make any noise. He only gazed into the distance before falling unconscious.
....................................
【444：Host dada, Lance didn't leave today, oh!】
【Xie He：Thank you for the notice, Baby. 🙂 】
Xie He opened his eyes and found that he was still in Lance's embrace. He instinctively began to struggle but was pressed down by Lance.
Lance smiled and said, "Come out with me today."
As he said this, he handed clothing over to Xie He, as if not in the least worried that Xie He would refuse. The chance to leave this place was a tempting offer that Xie He could not resist. So long as there was the slightest chance, he would absolutely not be willing to stay here and be a slave that had no way to even take a step out the door.
Indeed, Xie He did not resist this time. He nimbly put on the clothes and then stared at the other coldly.
Lance smiled. From a certain angle, he did respect Xie He a bit. Lance had seen the cruellest and darkest aspects of the world that it had to offer. But he had never seen someone capable of maintaining their original aspirations even after suffering this kind of torment. He was like a toy that could never be broken. He made it impossible to let go.
"Let's go." Lance stretched out a hand. There was a faint smile on his extremely handsome face.
Xie He straightforwardly stepped past him. He left Lance's hand suspended in the air.
Lance didn't mind. He was already used to Xie He's attitude. He didn't mind this kind of superficial resistance. Lance felt like a male lion who felt it below its dignity to deal with a little ant who was threatening it. He just thought that it was entertaining.
Lance had already returned to the Empire for nearly a month. Because he had been busy all this time, he had not had time to participate in the welcoming banquet of the Empire Capital's nobles.
Before heading to the banquet venue, they first stopped by Duke Gallagher's residence. Lance smiled at Xie He."Do you know where this is?"
Xie He looked at him expressionlessly.
Lance suddenly reached out and pulled him over. He attached a chain to Xie He's collar and fastened it to the floor. The chain's length was so short that Xie He could not even straighten his back. He could only kneel on the ground. Lance caressed Xie He's face. There was a callousness in his eyes. His laugh, however, was gentle, as if he was speaking to a lover."A slave should look like a slave."
As he said this, he pressed the button to open the sliding door and headed out.
Joanna had received a notice from Lance yesterday that he would come pick her up and they would attend the banquet together. As Lance's fiancee, this was a logical thing to do. It was just that when she thought about how she would be seeing Lance, Joanna felt a bit reluctant.
Today, Lance was in a white suit that looked poised and expensive. It contrasted well with his black hair and golden eyes. His noble and majestic aura made it difficult to meet his gaze. Joanna had also dressed up and looked even more sweet and adorable.
She timidly looked at Lance and smiled."Your Highness."
Lance was a perfect gentleman, as always. He bowed and held Joanna's hand, saying, "My beautiful lady, I hope that you haven't waited long."
Joanna flushed."N-no. I had just gotten ready."
Lance smiled and led Joanna to the hovercar. He gently supported her into the car. The corner of his lips rose and then he also followed her into the back of the car.
As soon as Joanna entered, her expression stiffened. She was dumbfounded for a moment before turning to look at Lance, shocked."Your Highness... what is the meaning of this... ?"
Lance spoke with a natural and easy tone."He is a lowly slave. Naturally, he cannot directly look at the noble you. Only, he hasn't been well-educated on the rules yet. Therefore, I had to take measures in enforcing the rules. Don't mind him. Of course... if you feel like he's offended you, please do let me know. I will punish him."
Xie He grit his teeth. From the moment he saw Joanna, he knew what Lance was trying to do. He was purposely humiliating him in front of Joanna!
How could Joanna let Xie He kneel for her? She quickly shifted and told Lance, "No, no. He hasn't offended me. Your Highness, let him go back, ba!"
When she thought about how the dazzling hero of the Federation had fallen to this degree, Joanna felt extremely terrible. She didn't want him to receive such torment.
However, Lance, who had always given Joanna what she wanted, didn't immediately agree. He only said apathetically, "Lady Joanna, don't forget who you are. It is not appropriate for a noble of the Empire to sympathize with a slave. Especially because this slave is the enemy that has killed our Empire's soldiers."
Joanna paled.
Lance looked into her eyes. He was obviously smiling, but the frigidity of his eyes made her shiver, "Don't you think so?"
Joanna had never seen such a terrifying expression on Lance's face. She finally understood why she was afraid of Lance. At this moment, she suddenly understood that this was Lance's true face. What was hidden underneath that gentlemanly and affectionate exterior was a coldhearted and cruel man.
She had an inexplicable gut feeling that told her that Lance was warning her. Joanna promptly stammered, trying to explain herself, "No, I didn't mean that...." Her eyes darted around for a moment before cleverly coming up with, "I only thought that he's an irksome presence. He doesn't have the qualifications to participate in our banquet. That's why I said that...."
Lance stared at him fixedly. A long time later, he chuckled, "Then that's good. If you really sympathized with a slave, that would make things very difficult for me."
He gently tucked a strand of Joanna's hair behind her ears, "As a noble of the Empire and my future fiancee, you must bear in mind your identity at all times. Don't do anything you shouldn't. Do you understand, my honourable lady?"
Joanna's scalp felt numb."I-I understand."
Joanna carefully sat down, not daring to argue with Lance again. She also didn't dare to look at Xie He. She was afraid that if she looked, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from revealing an expression she shouldn't. She knew that her actions before were indeed inappropriate but... why couldn't she control her heart?
At this moment, His Highness Lance was sitting beside her. Clearly, he still looked gentle as always, but it made her heart feel cold and nervous.
Xie He turned away, shame rising in his eyes. This fiend!
Lance shot him a glance. There was a derisive smile on his lips.... did Xie He think that he would let him off so easily? Did he think that he didn't see that something was fishy between Xie He and Joanna? As something that was his, how could he dare to hope for something he shouldn't have? Lance didn't just want to make Joanna to know her place, he also wanted Xie He to know his! The two of them could not be together!
It was not far, getting from Duke Gallagher's residence to the palace where the banquet would be held. It didn't take long for them to arrive. Joanna had never felt that time was so tortuously slow before. She felt like she was sitting on pins and needles the whole way. When they arrived, she gave Xie He a very quick glance, acting as if she didn't care about him.
Only then did Lance release the chain attached to Xie He's collar. With an apathetic tone, he said, "Come with me."
Xie He turned his head to the side, evading Lance's touch. He stood up from the ground and headed directly in. Lance stared at his erect back, a profound expression flitting through his eyes. After a while, he also walked over.
Lance and Joanna were the last to arrive. The banquet hall was currently bustling with activity, full with all of the Empire's nobles. All of the nobles had schemes up their sleeves. The Emperor was already getting on in the years, and the Crown Prince's power broke through the skies. Moreover, he also had Duke Gallagher's support. Everyone believed that the two of them would be the Empire's future Emperor and Empress.... Countless people surrounded them enthusiastically, drowning them in all sorts of exaggerated flattery.
Xie He was very quickly pushed out by the crowd. Many people had seen him before in the Palace's main hall. As a captive slave from the Federation, Xie He was nothing in the eyes of the Empire's nobles.
Xie He saw that Lance didn't seem to pay him any attention and furtively snuck out.
【Xie He：To tell the truth, this kind of act is really boring. We could all continue with our three-person scene of bloody slaughter. Even if he gives me the freedom to move about, I can't escape anyway. Smile. JPG】
【444：Then... are you still going to try to run away? _(:зゝ∠)_】
【Xie He：Of course. After all, I am a dedicated actor. 🙂 】
Xie He's visage was known by everyone in the Empire. In addition, there was a metal collar around his neck. Everyone knew that he was the Crown Prince's captive. There was a very low chance of him being able to directly walk out of here in broad daylight. Only, this wasn't a prison, nor was it Lance's palace. Therefore, it was not that difficult to find a gap.
On the way, he encountered quite a few nobles. Although they looked at him with extreme contempt and sized him up with bad intentions, none of them approached him. Even if it was just a slave, no one dared to casually touch His Highness Prince Lance's belongings.
Xie He walked over to a remote corner. He surveyed the area for a very long time. The surveillance was lightest here. He muttered to himself for a while before walking across. The guards on that side had originally been ignoring Xie He, but when they saw that he wanted to head out, they blocked him and said with a stern voice, "Halt!"
"I'm sorry, I thought that I could come over here..." Xie He looked apologetic. Halfway through his words, he suddenly looked pained, falling head first to the ground.
The two guards did not expect that Xie He would abruptly fall ill. One of them promptly reached out to support him. However, he had just reached out when the gun in his other hand was stolen by Xie He in one sweep! Xie He pulled the guard by the arm and directly shot the other guard! Then, before the guard he was holding could react, he smashed his fist against his temple! The two guards were dealt with in the blink of an eye!
Xie He's brows furrowed and his expression darkened. If it had been before, he wouldn't need to resort to these tricks when dealing with these two guards.
Only, it was not the time to think about those things right now. He dragged the two guards over to the bushes, hiding them. He then flipped himself over the fence! However, he had only taken a few steps when he discovered that there was a man leaning against the wall by the fence with his arms folded. The man was looking at him with a pair of black eyes, gaze deep.
The man had orderly, short black hair. His features were stern and steadfast. He wore a black military uniform but epaulette on it revealed that he was not just anybody. Xie He recognized him with one glance. It was the Empire's Marshal, Sawyer!
【Xie He：Baby, what's the Favourability Value of this handsome fellow?】
【444：50... Yi, it's actually so high?】
【Xie He：I see. 🙂 】
【444：What do you see???】_(:зゝ∠)_
The description of the events was long, but everything actually happened in a blink of an eye! Xie He did not hesitate to shoot at Sawyer! Since he's been discovered, then he could only fight!
However, Sawyer could not be compared to those guards. His expression didn't change. His body was like a shadow, easily dodging Xie He's attack and instantly appearing before him! In one move, he pinned Xie He against the wall, hand clasped around his neck!
"You cannot escape." Sawyer met with Xie He's eyes, tone ice-cold.
Xie He tried to pry the man's hands off but he couldn't. He sneered, "Who would know if you don't try?"
Sawyer tore open Xie He's collar, revealing the mottled marks on his body."Lance treats you like this."
Anger emerged in Xie He's eyes, having his disgraceful side being wantonly appraised by this man.
"Why don't you submit, being tormented like this?" Sawyer stared into his eyes, emphasizing each word, "Sometimes, it's not that terrifying to put down one's dignity and choose to comply. Because it won't be as painful. Isn't it good to have such a respected master, to enjoy a life of luxury and leave the flames of war?"
"Oh... since it's so good, why don't you go choose a master for yourself then?" Xie He mocked.
Sawyer laughed in spite of himself. He focused his black eyes on him, "Really stubborn."
"There's no need for rubbish. Don't you have to send me back? Just do it!" Xie He glared at him.
Sawyer shook his head. He suddenly came in close and whispered in Xie He's ears, "No. I just wanted to see if you were worth saving."
Xie He was startled.
In the next moment, he heard Sawyer say, "Don't forget just how you were able to get the footage of Lance."
In that instant, Xie He looked at him, shocked, "What did you say?!"
He knew that there was a spy hidden very deeply within the Empire's upper rung who had been constantly giving them intelligence about the Empire. However, no one knew just who this person was. This person had been extremely cautious and had never revealed their position. No one in the Federation had been privy to his identity!
Since Xie He had come to the Empire's Capital, although he had seen a number of the Empire's nobles, he had never thought that Sawyer would be that person!
Sawyer came from one of the Empire's aristocratic families. He had a great amount of the Empire's military force under his command. He was the Emperor's most trusted confidant! His influence within the Empire was only second to that of great figures such as Crown Prince Lance and Duke Gallagher. Moreover, he had been at the top of the Federation's kill list for quite a long period of time.... He stood at the peak of the Empire in terms of power. Why would he betray the Empire?
Xie He looked at him, on guard."I don't know what you're talking about?"
Perhaps there was another conspiracy going on. These crafty Empire b*stards would stop at nothing to pry information out of his mouth!
Sawyer laughed. He had actually been keeping an eye on Xie He this whole time. The moment Xie He had lost and been captured, Sawyer knew about it. In the beginning, however, he didn't intend on rescuing him... he didn't even think that Xie He would make it back to the Capital with Lance. He had thought that after Xie He was used by Lance, he would be killed. Lance was the type to be efficient and merciless.
Therefore, when he had heard that not only did Lance spare him, but he had even brought him to the banquet, Sawyer's interest was piqued. He had always admired this tenacious soldier. However, he had never planned on making his acquaintanceship. But right now, he was curious.
Therefore, Sawyer had tailed him. He watched as Xie He came up with a plan, calmly and rationally, and as he knocked the guards out and attempted to escape....
Sawyer stared into Xie He's bright and unyielding eyes, as well as his handsome, clever face... all of it made him involuntarily want to drown himself in this person's unique aura. He suddenly felt like he understood Lance a bit. It was no surprise that this kind of beautiful and formidable prey would evoke Lance's interest.
Sawyer thought that he was worth saving.
"You don't have to be suspicious of me. I have no reason to trick you, " Sawyer continued to whisper in Xie He's ear, "Three years ago, there was an ambush on the Empire's cargo team in the Lycra galaxy. One year ago, there was the assassination of the Empire's General Salmon in the Lua Empire. As well, half a year ago, the Federation was able to successfully obtain that energy supply. All of the information for those exploits were provided by me."
With each successive word, the doubt in Xie He's eyes dissipated a bit more. In the end, all that was left was incredulity.
"Don't reveal any abnormalities when you go back. You won't be able to escape like this. I will think of another way to save you. Do you understand?" Sawyer said.
Xie He finally snapped out of his shock and said, "I understand... thank you."
"No need for thanks. We are in the same boat." Sawyer smiled. But suddenly, his expression changed. With a dark voice, he told Xie He, "You dare resist me?!"
Xie He was startled. He didn't understand why Sawyer had suddenly changed. However, in the next moment, he watched as Sawyer pinned his arms above his head with one hand and kissed him! Sawyer's other hand reached into his clothes and began to fondle him!
Oh... Xie He moaned. He glared at the other with extreme anger. He instinctively wanted to kick the other, but he was mercilessly suppressed by Sawyer!
Sawyer teased Xie He roughly for a while, kissing him until he was panting. Only then did he raise the other's chin with contempt. He sneered, "The Federation's star tastes rather good."
"You..." Xie He was so angry his whole body trembled. There was shock, anger and confusion intertwined within his eyes.
Sawyer, however, didn't pay him any attention. He turned his head and smiled, "Your Highness Lance, could you let me borrow him to play with for a period of time? Of course, I don't expect to have this free of charge. I can give you a colony planet in exchange."
Lance walked over. It looked like his golden eyes were covered in a layer of frost. The corner of his lips raised, "Is that so?"
The author has something to say:
Lance: Everyday, someone wants to come steal my wife away, what should I do? sere: hm.... Seems like another capture target has appeared...
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