Two days later, the Alliance’s starship officially entered the territory of the Orin Empire.
According to the Interstellar Convention, any vessel entering another power’s domain was required to stop for half a day at the border space station for a full inspection.
Ian arrived at the station ahead of Jiang Yun. Instead of heading straight toward the Frozen Wastes, he stayed where he was, waiting for Jiang Yun with what he called his “sincerity.”
After many days apart, Jiang Yun saw Ian Tang again.
The Imperial Foreign Minister, who had once held Colonel Lu Huai’s body in his hands, had not only failed to secure the forty percent of the core mining rights that the Orin Cabinet had hoped for, but his actions had also led to the exposure of five of Orin’s elite agents, including the son of a royal prince.
It was easy to imagine what kind of position Ian was now in within the Imperial Cabinet.
According to the latest intelligence reports, Ian had been severely reprimanded by the Prime Minister, almost forced to issue a public apology and resign from office.
Prince Politt himself had berated him repeatedly, his every word vicious and unforgiving.
Yet the proud Foreign Minister could only bow deeply again and again, apologizing and assuring Prince Politt that he would make amends and see the matter resolved perfectly.
In the end, the Cabinet chose to let him keep his title and assigned him one final task: to oversee the handover of Colonel Lu Huai’s remains.
It was both punishment and opportunity, to redeem himself and wash away the disgrace he had brought upon the Empire.
The Alpha seemed to have completely forgotten the unpleasantness of his previous meeting with Jiang Yun, and not once did he mention the past.
“You asked me to show my sincerity, didn’t you?” he said.
Ian Tang was noticeably thinner. Even his once-vivid red hair had lost its brilliant color. Yet when his gaze fell on Jiang Yun, that familiar mocking amusement still lingered in his eyes.
“This is my sincerity, Minister Jiang,” he said with a faint smile. “I think you’ll appreciate it.”
At his signal, his assistant stepped forward and presented a small black velvet box to Cheng Chi.
Just as Cheng Chi was about to reach for it, Maurice’ low voice warned from beside him, “Be careful.”
Ian chuckled softly. “Relax. It’s nothing dangerous. Think about it, Colonel, how could I possibly do something that violates the agreement in a setting like this?”
His tone was teasing as his eyes stayed fixed on Jiang Yun. “It’s merely a message left behind by Colonel Lu Huai before his ship disintegrated. Of course, you could also call it… his final words.”
The moment those words left his mouth, every gaze in the room instinctively turned toward Jiang Yun.
Curiosity flickered in their eyes, what would the young colonel have said in the final moments of his life to the beautiful Omega he had so recently married?
Jiang Yun’s posture remained perfectly straight, his expression calm as ever. Zhong Man glanced at him for instruction. When Jiang Yun gave a slight nod, she stepped forward and accepted the box.
“Excellent,” Ian murmured, glancing around, though the person he sought was nowhere in sight. “Now, Minister Jiang, may I see our restless young prince?”
Jiang Yun turned slightly and signaled to Maurice with a nod.
Moments later, Wickliffe Lu was escorted in by two captains. The reinforced steel cuffs on his wrists and ankles clinked heavily with every step, catching the light with a dull metallic gleam.
In appearance, Wickliffe’s features were unremarkable, pale gold hair, the signature shade of the Orin royal line, and eyes of cool gray that held a near-perfect calm.
He wasn’t strikingly handsome, though his straight nose and composed demeanor lent him a certain dignity. With a disguise, he could easily pass for a sophisticated Alpha who exuded stability, someone any Omega might find dependable.
But when those gray eyes lit with excitement, everything changed.
Everyone he fixated upon, all the Omegas whose faces had been etched into his mind, seemed to become trapped in some blood-scented slaughterhouse, their feet tangled in something cold and slimy, struggling in vain to escape, only to feel the butcher’s hot breath against their necks.
It was a terror that came from the most primal depths of the soul.
Now, Wickliffe’s calm eyes swept across the room, finally locking with unerring precision onto Jiang Yun.
Since the ship had departed from the Alliance capital, Wickliffe had been under the strictest military surveillance. Jiang Yun had not allowed him a single opportunity to meet face-to-face, until now.
This was Wickliffe Lu’s first time seeing Jiang Yun in person.
Like a butcher who had lain dormant too long and suddenly spotted new prey, the Alpha’s composure fractured. His eyes filled with mania, and the metallic tang of his pheromones seemed to thicken the air.
The corners of his mouth stretched upward, revealing sharp, pale teeth. Wickliffe Lu was smiling.
So this was the Omega who had ruined his five-year infiltration of the Alliance, and now sought to trade his life for her dead husband’s corpse…
So it’s you, beautiful one.
Jiang Yun ignored the predatory stare boring into his back. He raised a hand calmly without turning around.
The two captains immediately understood, dragging Wickliffe away.
But even as he was forced to move, Wickliffe’s eyes clung to Jiang Yun. His neck twisted at an unnatural angle, as though he might snap free and lunge forward at any second.
The oppressive danger radiating from the Alpha made every security officer tense. Maurice subtly shifted, stepping between Jiang Yun and the prisoner.
Cheng Chi, an Alpha himself, felt it only right that he, too, protect his superior. He mirrored Maurice’ stance, positioning himself in front of Jiang Yun, only to hear Jiang Yun’s cold voice behind him.
“What are you doing, imitating him?”
Cheng Chi froze. “Ah…?”
Ian Tang laughed softly. “It seems our dear Prince Wickliffe has taken quite an interest in you, Minister Jiang. Haven’t you heard? His Highness has… rather particular tastes. He enjoys doing certain things to beautiful Omegas.”
Jiang Yun cut him off icily. “If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”
“You seem more impatient than usual,” Ian said lazily. “So eager to get rid of me, could it be that you can’t wait to listen to your late husband’s final words? I must admit, I’d love to see your face when you do.”
He gave a low, meaningful chuckle. “But of course, you’d never let me be present for that, would you?”
Jiang Yun said nothing. He inclined his head slightly, a final gesture of diplomatic courtesy and turned to leave.
The diplomats following him, young and old alike, moved in perfect order behind him, their expressions all the same, cold and impassive.
That single nod was the last bit of formality Jiang Yun would ever offer the Alpha.
“Then we shall meet again on the Frozen Wastes,” Ian Tang said softly, bowing even deeper than before in return, his voice full of feigned respect. “Minister Jiang.”
The Rescue successfully cleared the border inspection. Every weapon and piece of equipment capable of causing harm was cataloged by the Orin officers.
Their technicians also conducted a meticulous examination of the data chip containing Lu Huai’s recorded message, confirming that it was clean and untampered.
Zhong Man prepared the playback equipment and turned to Jiang Yun. “Would you like me to call the twins to listen together?”
“Not yet,” Jiang Yun replied.
She nodded, then quietly left the office pod with the rest of the staff.
The heavy door sealed shut, cutting him off from the outside world. Silence descended, thick and absolute.
Jiang Yun sat alone at his desk, staring at the prepared device. For a long time, he didn’t press the button.
He was certain that whatever Ian had given him would contain no useful information.
The Presidential Office knew it too that was why they had so magnanimously allowed him to listen to it alone.
It was, after all, just a message. A meaningless relic of the dead. He didn’t even know what he was waiting for.
The clock on the wall ticked on, second by second. Finally, his finger came down on the button.
His hand was steady, steady as it always was when signing the most important documents. But as he pressed the button again, his finger slipped.
He had to press it a second time.
A click. The device light blinked on.
The first sound was the ship’s blaring alarm, a shrill, urgent warning that filled the cockpit like the tolling of death itself, counting down the final seconds of life.
Through the noise, Lu Huai’s voice came.
Aside from dreams, it was the first time Jiang Yun had heard his voice in seventeen years.
“…In summary, this mission can be considered a success,” the young colonel said, his tone calm and concise, purely official. “However, according to preliminary calculations, the probability of my safe return to the main ship is less than five percent.”
Jiang Yun’s brow furrowed slightly.
The voice was exactly as he remembered it, yet something was different. It felt unfamiliar, distant.
And then he realized why।seventeen years ago, Lu Huai had never spoken to his newlywed Omega in his work voice.
“Lastly,” Lu Huai continued, “there is one thing I wish to say to my wife.”
His voice was steady and controlled, his every word carrying the composure befitting a colonel about to die for his nation. “Whoever hears this message, please deliver it to my widow.”
Then, suddenly, he fell silent.
Perhaps the young colonel was hesitating, unsure what to say to his Omega or perhaps he was still calculating an impossible escape.
But time had already run out.
For a long moment, all Jiang Yun could hear was the relentless alarm and his own heart pounding faster, in perfect sync with it.
Then, through the chaos, Lu Huai laughed quietly and spoke again.
“Jiang Yun.”
It was the same tone as in their home on Shallow Water Road No. 5, sunlight spilling across the breakfast table as he asked casually what Jiang Yun wanted to eat the next morning.
The young man’s voice was gentle, relaxed, so achingly familiar.
“I’m sorry,” Lu Huai said softly. “I never fell in love with you.”
Jiang Yun’s dark eyes widened suddenly.
Lu Huai’s final words were simple: He did not love Jiang Yun.
A clear electronic chime broke the silence, signaling the end of the recording.
That was it. Everything was over. Nothing remained.
Lu Huai had not let him hear the grand requiem of his ship’s destruction.
What he left behind for his Omega was only a long, hollow silence, one that enveloped Jiang Yun like deep, still water, seeping into every cell, every vein, every trace of skin.
And in that silence, seventeen years long, Jiang Yun’s lips curved faintly upward.
“There’s no need to apologize, Colonel Lu,” he murmured, his voice slow and soft, as if speaking both to Lu Huai and to himself. “I never had the chance to fall in love with you, either.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator would like to formally submit a coffee request.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Who can compare to Colonel Lu?Chapter 2 · He should be deadChapter 3 · How were we born?Chapter 4 · That’s where Colonel died..Chapter 5 · No one knows my pheromone than Colonel LuChapter 6 · Colonel Lu’s remainsChapter 7 · Heat is approachingChapter 8 · CheckmateChapter 9 · A dream liked married lifeChapter 10 · What might be his pregnancy be like?Chapter 11 · He thought he would be the father of two childrenChapter 12 · So we just hang Colonel Lu on the wall?Chapter 13 · Finally, I have something to say to my wifeChapter 14 · Why doesn’t Colonel Lu understandChapter 15 · He doesn’t Love MeChapter 16 · You’ll see him soonChapter 17 · So casual, so carelessChapter 18 Part 1 · He.. He’s looking at meChapter 18 Part 2 · He..He’s looking at meChapter 19 · Lu Huai is still aliveChapter 20 · Wait until I bring back your zombie Alpha dadChapter 21 · Long time no see, Jiang YunChapter 22 · I still have that qualificationChapter 23 · It still tastes sweet when you kiss itChapter 24 · He seems to have forgotten how to act cuteChapter 25 · The two unfortunate children were completely terrifiedChapter 26 · Please make yourself at home.Chapter 27 · Hello, UncleChapter 28 · Am I not your deceased husband?Chapter 29 · Don’t you love me anymore?Chapter 30 · Our home is No. 5, Qianshui RoadChapter 31 · Is he… here to keep him company?Chapter 32 · What exactly did Alpha bring me?Chapter 33 · Thanks a lot, brothers!Chapter 34 · Hi?Chapter 35 · I only let you take care of the child for one dayChapter 36 · Did you have thoughts when you ‘died’?Chapter 37 · Put a double bed in your homeChapter 38 · They both suffered heavy lossesChapter 39 · Welcome back to the Alphas’ arena.Chapter 40 · Why should I lower myself?Chapter 41 · I have learned that Colonel Lu Huai is still aliveChapter 42 · They are sensitive and vulnerableChapter 43 · He would also feel regret.Chapter 44 · When a child is quiet, they’re definitely up to somethingChapter 45 · Dad, you have such a good eye for choosing a husband!Chapter 46 · Who made it wear a colonel’s uniform?Chapter 47 · I love him very muchChapter 48 · Okay, I believe youChapter 49 · I remember you went pretty hard on him at the end.Chapter 50 · Colonel Lu, don’t be too fierceChapter 51 · To…make up for the regretChapter 52 · A perfect match!Chapter 53 · Colonel Lu, let’s get married!Chapter 54 · When will you finally learn to stop talking nonsense?Chapter 55 · My darlings, we’re homeChapter 56 · Babies, please stopChapter 57 · I’m about to enter my heat cycle, not my due dateChapter 58 · Is he complaining to his wife?Chapter 59 · The only lieChapter 60 · Colonel Lu, the babies are all crying.Chapter 61 · Dad, Colonel Lu bullied me.Chapter 62 · A large number of foreign ministersChapter 63 · Jiang Mu definitely likes handsome guys tooChapter 64 · First time bringing a partner to a major diplomatic occasionChapter 65 · You’re still as handsome as you were back thenChapter 66 · Bedtime Strategic PartnerChapter 67 · How can you be so good at threatening people?Chapter 68 · I’m waiting for youChapter 69 · I’ll stay by your side, from beginning to endChapter 70 · Can you handle Lu Chao’s… educational session for me?Chapter 71 · The First SpringChapter 72 · Extra 1Chapter 73 · Extra 2Chapter 74 · Extra 3Chapter 75 · Extra 4Chapter 76 · Extra 5Chapter 77 · Extra 6Chapter 78 · Extra 7Chapter 79 · Extra 8Chapter 80 · Extra 9