That night, the little black dragon was cornered by the little white fluff ball and finally changed back, face burning red, his jacket pulled open, and the pink gemstone belt chain revealed.
The gemstone was clear and bright, a very soft pink, set on a slender silver chain, occasionally making a faint clinking sound—its curves were beautiful, set into place, strong and elastic, the abs—cough, even the outline of the gemstone was obvious and felt completely different from the sleek, pretty muscle lines on Chao Huangmu’s body—looking up, the other two gemstones were a bit darker in shade, dotting that beautifully-shaped pale white body.
Cough… Zao Zao hadn’t meant to look so much.
Just swept over it by accident.
Chao Huangmu’s smile couldn’t hold anymore; his hands, clutching Chu Zao’s waist, were burning hot and trembling, shrinking back into the corner in a panic, trapped by an innocent-looking Chu Zao, who satisfied his curiosity.
“Zao… Zao Zao…”
Chao Huangmu’s voice was trembling, and if he hadn’t been cornered, he might have run already.
And, in the end, he basically did.
It all ended with Chao Huangmu fleeing in panic and the Crown Clan elders wailing in frustration—Amos was quite displeased with Desmond, who only made things worse, and Desmond himself never saw this coming. Though he had noticed some signs before, after finally making it back, old familial affection had skipped a few generations. When he finally realized his favorite kid was actually his own, and just as he was about to share his hard-won life lessons, he had a complete meltdown.
Chu Zao sat on the ground, belatedly watched the little black dragon fly out the window, and reached up to touch his face.
Cough… cough.
Of course, Zao Zao had satisfied his curiosity—he got a good look!
Truly a quiet and joyful day.
*
Two weeks later.
With everything basically settled, Chu Zao also began to get a bit more involved in Holy Cas internal affairs.
According to Amos, though Chu Zao was still a kid, as the future king of Holy Cas, he still needed to gradually get exposed to these things—oh, but the main reason was that even though the pollution had dispersed, there was still a lot left for them to handle.
Simply put, Amos’s stress response hadn’t eased up. Overwhelmed with a need to protect, he wanted his kid to join the management, take over as soon as possible, and then quietly train and study on the imperial planet—safe, stable, and surrounded by plenty of the Crown Clan year-round, except for Feeney.
—Of course, this kind of extreme stress-fueled protection might still take some time to fade.
Today was Chu Zao’s official coming-of-age ceremony.
Every nation and region with ties to Holy Cas sent representatives.
Holy Cas’s First Army Group was being reformed and it was almost confirmed that after Chu Zao’s coming-of-age, direct command would be handed to him.
His own personal army group.
Further down the line, another army group would be drawn out to form a reserve under Chu Zao’s hand.
Aside from part of this group being formed with the members brought back from the Holy Sanctuary, countless military academy students longed to join the First Army Group.
Those who’d spent more time around Chu Zao at the military academy, and who’d been on his teams in competitions and exercises, were, in almost every case, now serving in the First Army Group.
The position of commander of the First Army Group, given Chao Huangmu’s rapid rise, was tentatively reserved for him—after all, he was the partner Chu Zao chose.
Of course, Peng Liang and Yun Songquan and a few others were included.
At the moment, though, Chao Huangmu was still too young, and lacked experience, so for now, the commander post would be temporarily filled by the other army group’s commander.
Holy Cas’s star network was abuzz; today’s ceremony was grander than National Day.
But this time, a good number of surrounding countries couldn’t resist coming to share Holy Cas’s good fortune, all milling about here.
Today was the future king’s coming-of-age. After the ceremony, it wouldn’t be long before His Majesty Amos would, with great interest, lift his youngster up to the highest seat and let Chu Zao become the new king.
Of course, today wasn’t just Chu Zao’s coming-of-age; it also marked the celebration for eliminating the pollution.
Holy Cas Prime was even more lively.
The people of Holy Cas had always been fanatically devoted to the Crown Clan.
If you were on the edge planets, many people’s dream was to one day get everything ready, make a trip to the imperial planet, catch a glimpse of the royal court from afar, and if lucky, witness some Crown Clan event in person.
So today, the whole imperial planet had very strict controls on entry and exit.
In front of the Holy Cas royal court, a huge plaza now featured a monument built from the most representative First Army Group starship wreckage, beside it a newly-completed angel statue, its face blurred in pure white, multi-wings unfurled behind, a halo glowing faintly above its head, looking warm and compassionate.
Crown Clan appearances were not required that much during the festivities, but by the time everything was over, the sky was already dark.
It was spring in Holy Cas, just turning to summer, the night falling quickly, and the whole planet was bustling with excitement, especially the square, still surrounded by thousands of fascinated people.
There was a spectacular fireworks show in the evening.
“Where’s Zao Zao?”
Feeney flexed his wrists, leaning on the railing.
“He went to find that little boyfriend of his after things were done this afternoon—”
Feiman started.
“Don’t—don’t mention the boyfriend—” Anya clutched his chest, “Can’t handle it—”
Ayala and others on the other side caught this, and peeked over.
What’s this? What boyfriend?
The Crown Clan bunch were bickering and bustling around, even the still-weak Desmond and his generation were here for the fun.
Feiman shrugged, looked over, and moved to follow: “Grandpa, granddad—don’t fight—”
Frey sighed, still looking at the angel statue: “Thank goodness the Angel Spring stone managed to say goodbye to Zao Zao at the end.”
Otherwise he could just imagine Zao Zao coming back, eyes brimming with tears.
After finishing, Frey looked at Amos, who turned without a word to leave, and called out, “Amos, where’re you going?”
Amos didn’t stop: “Adjust training room parameters.”
“He’s lost it, totally lost it.”
Feeney said beside Frey, spreading his hands.
“A stressed-out old father cracks much more easily, spends all day wondering whether the kid doesn’t need his protection anymore. I say he just overthinks everything—”
Frey just stared silently at Feeney.
A look of growing sympathy in his eyes.
Feeney: “What’re you looking at me for?”
That was when a hand reached over and grabbed the back of Feeney’s collar.
Feeney: !
Amos walked on ahead, dragging Feeney.
Feeney: ??!!
“What, what, what?!”
“I think you’re very helpful,” Amos turned, his whole face lost in shadow, scarlet pupils narrowing, “You were just about to volunteer to help me test some new settings, right? Little brother.”
Feeney: …
“…Help, ah!!!”
“……”
“…Heh, hahaha… Feeney never learns to wait till Amos is gone.”
“—Hahaha serves him right!”
*
Elsewhere, Chu Zao, who’d clung to Chao Huangmu this whole time, had tracked him down again, tugging his clothes, little head peeking in curiously.
Thinking—divination really was handy; each day Chu Zao was extra curious to see what he was wearing.
“Is it the belt chain again today? Or something else? I heard something.”
Chao Huangmu held Chu Zao’s body steady.
Truth was, by now, he was so used to being cornered by Chu Zao that he even helped pull his own clothes aside.
As for Chu Zao—teasing Chao Huangmu had become extremely interesting.
Watching that always-smiling face panic and flush bright red, so flustered, while usually so calm in everything else—he just fell apart over these sorts of things.
And now that the window paper had basically been pierced, he was still shy, and needed to turn into a little black dragon to dare initiate a cuddle.
Chao Huangmu had always had that sunny, cheerful look, so when he blushed he seemed so pure.
And today—
Chu Zao wore the royal ceremonial uniform, crown and wings put away, soft black curls tucked under a military cap, the royal insignia glittering on his shoulder, a half-cape trailing behind. The whole person seemed to glow, looking up at him with innocent, harmless eyes.
Even more beautiful and lovely than before.
The urge to lick Chu Zao head to toe was even stronger than ever.
That desire coiled inside Chao Huangmu, making him freeze up every time.
Without thinking, Chao Huangmu hugged Chu Zao’s waist, still feeling like he was dream-walking—maybe it was okay to go a little too far?
Just a little.
Chao Huangmu finally lowered his head and quickly kissed Chu Zao’s eyes.
Chu Zao was surprised for a second, then looked up at him.
“So, so are we… partners?”
“What else?” Chu Zao tilted his head, “You gave me that gemstone in the Dragon Realm, planning to take it back?”
He could accept Chao Huangmu’s—Did he like Chao Huangmu? He’d long had the answer, because even Baba could be distracted by things, but in Chao Huangmu’s eyes, there’d only ever been him. Since childhood, he had no room for anything else and could only see him—pure, intense, and as long as there was enough love, there was no other problem.
“Of course not.”
Chao Huangmu said quickly.
“Just feels unreal.”
Chao Huangmu cupped Chu Zao’s face, touching from brow to eyes to nose to tip, then—his lips stopped.
They hadn’t kissed yet.
Usually just holding hands, cuddling, so pure and chaste.
“I like you—I love you—I can give everything.”
Chao Huangmu said softly.
Chao Huangmu hadn’t had it easy since childhood, and couldn’t sense emotions, so had to learn them afterward. So he’d often wondered—why do people have so many emotions, so many reactions?
He shouldn’t have wondered so much, it was dangerous—he was questioning relationships, and as he repeated it enough to get sick of it, or given the opportunity, he might well have left it all behind.
Get it! He’s so cute, so great, and he could literally understand what others think—people ought to react more, care more—
Until he met Chu Zao—those thoughts all faded.
He just wanted to stand beside him, be his invincible blade, be a little closer like this, breathing right in his ear.
He loved him so much he wanted to swallow Chu Zao whole; just thinking about it filled him with energy all day.
Chao Huangmu didn’t touch Chu Zao’s lips, just knelt and took his hand, speaking the knight’s vow he’d made to Chu Zao as a child—so long ago.
Chu Zao bent forward, “Oh, and—actually, I pulled you over to say something.”
He’d gotten so distracted by curiosity about today’s “wardrobe”, he’d put this matter aside.
This time, Chu Zao looked down at Chao Huangmu’s face.
“Holy Cas sent starships to the soul clan region. They found some of your childhood things, probably things from your mom and dad too.”
All trace of the soul clan had mostly vanished, and now that Chao Huangmu could remember, the past, though painful, wasn’t so scary—he’d been loved, and it was a past he shouldn’t forget.
“It’s all here.”
Chu Zao took out a spatial button, and with the hand Chao Huangmu had kissed and vowed on, turned it to hold Chao Huangmu’s and placed the button in his palm.
It was like holding Chao Huangmu’s every emotion in the palm of his hand.
“See if any of it’s familiar—”
But his words faded away as mouths met.
Seemed like a vague murmur, Chao Huangmu’s voice: “… just had candy—”
He’d just eaten sugar, still sweet.
Obviously premeditated.
Chu Zao froze, pupils narrowing, crown and wings popping out, all six wings visibly fluffed up in surprise.
Fireworks exploded overhead.
Outside, the shouts of the crowd drifted into their corner for who knew how long.
Chu Zao’s comm beeped urgently.
Chu Zao braced on his shoulder, breathing lightly, and looked down at the message—it was Feeney’s SOS.
He was being dramatic, saying Amos was going to kill him.
Third uncle must never have heard “the boy who cried wolf” as a child.
Zao Zao didn’t believe it.
Chu Zao held the comm, the other hand grasped by Chao Huangmu, and finally couldn’t help laughing.
The revived power of the Crown Clan’s habitat was gently, softly watching over every member.
Above were fireworks, afar was the galactic river.
At this very moment, right here—was home, and you.
(The End)
[Author’s Note]
That’s all for the main story. Tomorrow will be updates set many, many years later, with Zao Zao as king showing off and being lovey-dovey in another star system in the couple extra stories ~ [Update time may vary, check for announcements~] Then there will be some cute kid extras, other side stories, etc. Once those are done, more later~
Next up I plan to finish the cub story next door, then fill in another previously-started story before launching a new one, and then continue finishing past works~
Once the cub story next door is finished, new book will be either “Manga B-King” or “Evil Dragon”, whichever I pick after a break for inspiration. After that, new cub stories like “Overlord Cub” or “Group Favorite Cub Care Guide”—love group-pampered cubs, but my brain needs a rest haha.
Then I’ll fill a short-story pit, maybe with a faster pace? Bit scared I can’t handle the speed, but check out “The Kitty Was Tangled by Tentacles”, then other stories [fingers crossed]. Mainly testing what the emotional/physical boundary is—I once got a chapter locked here and am a little gun-shy. Also the little prince story—that was supposed to be my XP, but when I started, I was told vampires couldn’t bite to drink blood. Plus real-life issues, I’ve been sluggish about it. Need to tweak and tidy those up, and once sorted, there’s a “Sprite” short as well. Anyway, that’s the plan.
If I get ideas, I’ll continue to post new pre-collections (just did some daydream plotting recently)—please favorite my profile, and if you want to see any kind of story, leave a comment or big-eyed message~ If the mood/inspiration hits, I might start new stories. Thank you all for your patience. See you tomorrow, mwah!