Chapter 292 - Hey, I know you

Chapter 292: Chapter 292 - Hey, I know you

Jian stood quietly nearby, watching the Emperor sob as he held his beloved mate in his arms. It was such a heartbreaking sight that Jian didn’t know what to say. He had only just met his father, yet seeing the man’s relief and grief at having Clara back made something ache quietly inside his chest.

After some time, the Emperor slowly rose from beside the bed, carefully keeping Clara in his arms. He held her as though he was afraid to let go, then carried her out of the spaceship.

By the time they stepped outside, more soldiers and dignitaries had already arrived. The moment they saw the Emperor carrying his unconscious mate, they immediately dropped to their knees.

The Emperor looked over them, his eyes still slightly red from crying, but his voice was once again filled with the authority of a ruler.

"Today marks a joyous day. A day when my beloved mate and my youngest son have finally returned to us. Let us celebrate this reunion."

His commanding voice carried across the courtyard.

Without waiting for anyone to respond, he turned and began walking toward the enormous, towering crystalline palace, still carrying Clara carefully in his arms.

Jian followed behind, but his attention was drawn to the palace surrounding them.

The entire place looked as though it had been carved from moonstone. Its towering walls and elegant structures reflected the light of the setting suns, shifting between pale silver and warm gold as the evening light moved across them. Crystalline towers rose into the sky, glowing softly against the alien landscape.

It was a fascinating sight.

Jian had been so overwhelmed by Bian’s existence here and everything that had happened after arriving that he hadn’t really taken the time to look around properly. But now, seeing the palace and the beautiful world surrounding it, he couldn’t help but sigh in quiet awe.

This is my home.

The thought settled strangely warmly inside him.

This is Gia... the planet where I actually belong.

A hand gently slipped into his.

Jian glanced to the side and met the loving gaze of his lover.

Xing Yu smiled at him.

"Welcome home, my beloved," he leaned down and whispered.

Jian’s lips curved into a bashful smile.

"Hmm... here I’m a prince, and you’re only a general." He raised his chin slightly, pretending to be proud. "So that means I’m above you in rank?"

"Hmm." Xing Yu nodded thoughtfully, his expression completely serious. "Above me in every way. You can even be above me in bed."

Jian’s face immediately turned bright red.

He stared at him in disbelief before tightening his grip on Xing Yu’s hand.

"You’ve really grown brazen with your words." He looked away, his ears burning. "Where did you hide this naughty side of yourself all these years?"

"Hmm. I was keeping all those dirty thoughts in my mind."

Xing Yu gave him a small wink, looking completely shameless.

Jian couldn’t help but chuckle.

"You’re adorable."

The lightness between them didn’t last long.

Jian suddenly felt a sharp gaze on him.

He looked to the side and immediately spotted Bian partially hiding behind his second brother, glaring at him from a distance.

Jian’s expression darkened.

"Tsk. That eyesore really pisses me off..." he muttered under his breath.

Xing Yu glanced toward Bian before gently squeezing Jian’s hand.

"Calm yourself. You can’t kill him. He’s your brother’s royal consort."

"Fuck, what?"

Jian looked up at him in shock.

"Is that what he claimed himself to be?"

His gaze immediately returned to Bian, who still stood beside Dican. Jian’s irritation only grew, but before he could say anything else, his second brother shifted slightly, placing himself between them.

Jian stared at him.

To be honest, he had never met his second brother before.

The man looked nothing like the energetic and lively brother Jian had imagined. His complexion was pale, there were dark circles beneath his eyes, and his blond hair looked faded. Even from where Jian stood, he could tell that Dican looked exhausted and unwell.

I thought Farians were all supposed to be pretty and healthy... I guess not.

Jian studied his brother’s cold gaze for a moment.

Then his eyes moved back toward Bian.

But with him by that bastard’s side, I can’t do anything.

His jaw tightened.

Fuck... I just want to tear into him. That bastard obviously did something to my grandpa.

Jian’s hand tightened around Xing Yu’s.

"Help me find out what happened to my grandpa."

Xing Yu glanced at him, his expression becoming serious.

"I’ll get to it."

The other soldiers soon began disembarking from the ship as well, and many of them were immediately greeted by family members who had been waiting for their return. Some were pulled into hugs, while others laughed and talked excitedly, happy to finally be home after so many years.

Nansich, however, didn’t have anyone waiting for him.

He looked around the crowd for a familiar face, and, unsurprisingly, his gaze soon landed on Jian.

"Hey, wait for me!"

He quickly ran after them and caught up with Jian and Xing Yu.

"Sorry for being a third wheel," he said with an awkward grin, falling into step beside them. "I really don’t know anyone else here."

"It’s okay." Jian smiled up at him. "You can stay with us."

Nansich immediately relaxed and looked around at their surroundings with open curiosity. His eyes widened as he took in the enormous crystalline palace and the strange, beautiful structures surrounding them.

"Damn, this place is fucking awesome, man." He pointed toward one of the towering structures in the distance. "I mean, look at that tower! It’s actually glittering."

He laughed, clearly impressed.

"Farians are fucking flashy, and I love it."

Jian chuckled at his reaction, but before he could say anything, Nansich’s gaze suddenly landed on someone standing nearby.

A familiar blond-haired man.

Nansich’s smile faded for a moment as he stared.

The man noticed his gaze and slowly turned his head.

Dican froze.

His slightly sunken, tired eyes widened the moment they landed on Nansich.

For a brief second, neither of them moved.

Nansich tilted his head, studying the pale, exhausted-looking man before recognition suddenly flashed across his face.

"Hey..." His grin returned. "I know you."

Something inside Dican seemed to snap awake.

The blankness that had lingered in his eyes for so long disappeared in an instant. His expression changed completely as recognition rushed through him, and before anyone could react, he moved.

Dican hurried straight toward Nansich and pulled him tightly into his arms.