Norton did not leave right after the meeting for once. No one else dared to move as a result. They all sat there in an awkward silence with sombre expressions. Finally, when all could be heard was faint breathing, Norton’s unhurried footsteps sounded.
Secretary-General Lin remained two steps from Norton. He speculated on the man’s intentions as he came to a stop by the command console.
Norton picked up a stack of documents and then glanced up at Ye Zhiyuan. “Do you mind?”
Ye Zhiyuan rose to salute Norton. “Feel free, Your Majesty.”
Only then did Norton return his attention to the papers. He swiftly retrieved the letter sandwiched in the middle. Sure enough, this was Ye Muo’s handwriting. The child had a lot to say, even elaborating on tasty treats he ate lately. He even wrote about how he liked how much Sylvia hugged him, but he was a bit embarrassed as well. His handwriting devolved into scribbles near the end.
Norton could imagine Ye Muo furiously working on this letter at his desk.
[…I miss you and Big Brother so much. So does Mom. The gardens that were bare when you left have already fully bloomed, yet you still aren’t back. Although I have Mom, Ye Yun, Sylvia and Adlet here with me, it’s better for everyone to be together.]
Ye Muo seemed somewhat sad near the end. He was a child afraid of being lonely, after all. Still, he quickly managed to cheer himself up within a few sentences.
[It’s fine. I know you’re there to protect us and our home. I wish I could grow up quicker… I heard that Grantz will be lowering the age to go to the frontlines, so I should be able to join you soon.]
No. He was still too young. He still had much to learn, Norton thought.
Norton glanced up at the others after reading through the letter. “Legion Commander Ye, the individual combatant section requires further supplementation.”
Ye Zhiyuan saluted again. “Understood, Your Majesty.”
Norton returned the documents to their original spot. “Meeting concluded.”
Everyone shot to their feet and saluted. “Understood!”
……
Norton returned to his mothership. He closed his eyes as usual, just as how Secretary-General Lin always stood behind him. Norton often did little but rest at times like this. He would make himself comfortable while his psychic power continued to envelop the fleet.
Bragi, who was also on the mothership, carefully avoided Norton’s psychic power. Grantz psychic power tended to be dominant and aggressive. Before Ye Muo appeared, the Grantz rarely congregated after reaching adulthood. They gave each other a wide berth when they had to be in the same room, restraining their psychic power from encroaching on that of others.
Moreover, no one would dare to provoke a Grantz fresh off the battlefield. Fortunately, Bragi’s psychic power was more unnoticeable compared to humans.
Its psychic power was less vibrant, perhaps due to it developing emotions at a later date. Even the Grantz, who were very repulsed by the psychic power of others, sometimes overlooked it.
Norton’s eyes reopened before long. He tilted his head a fraction. “Have I received any letters?”
Secretary-General Lin found the question a little strange, but he immediately checked.
“Not at the moment, Your Majesty. Your communication channel has remained open, so there was no need to allow letters.”
After all, the Grantz family were fiercely loyal to their country and them committing treason was unheard of. There was no need for restrictions on their communication channels, however rarely they were used. Even the Empress rarely made use of them during times like this. If the Grantz needed to reach each other, they would directly use psychic power to do so.
Norton’s subordinates would not easily disturb him unless there was a matter only he could handle.
Norton fell silent for a moment. “Does Ye Muo know?”
Secretary-General Lin wasn’t sure. He adjusted his glasses cautiously. “If you are referring to your communication channel, then yes, His Little Highness should know.”
Norton subconsciously rapped the armrest of his seat as he concluded, “He probably doesn’t know.”
Ye Muo would have sent him some messages otherwise.
Secretary-General Lin didn’t respond. He sighed mentally. Although he wasn’t sure whether Ye Muo knew or not, now he knew that Ye Muo hadn’t sent Norton any messages.
Norton frowned slightly. He appeared somewhat serious. “I should also start receiving letters.”
This way, he would also receive letters from Ye Muo. He could then flip through said letters when he missed the child like Ye Zhiyuan did, instead of settling for pictures alone– most of which had been taken in secret by Aria.
Secretary-General Lin bowed slightly. “Understood, Your Majesty. I will open a letter-receiving channel for you.”
He would also make it a priority to inform His Little Highness that Norton was able to receive letters as well as other forms of communication as well. Even though they were about to head back.
Secretary-General Lin kept the last part to himself. He wanted to keep his job, after all.
Norton ignored Secretary-General Lin. He mulled over something he had heard before: that children would grow estranged from their parents if they didn’t contact each other for a long time. Younger children would even forget what their parents looked like and treat them like strangers. Although Ye Muo wasn’t that young, he wasn’t that old either.
“How long until I can return to the imperial capital?”
Secretary-General Lin flipped through his folder. “In just a few days according to the original plan, Your Majesty.”
Norton nodded, closing his eyes once more. Secretary-General Lin returned to his initial position.
Norton had already taken the initiative to access the fleet’s communication channels and pulled up Ye Muo’s profile. After a beat of deliberation, he sent Ye Muo a message.
[Is there anything you want?]
Norton wondered if the message was too impersonal or simple after hitting send. Should he recall it and try again?
But Ye Muo replied quickly, almost instantly, before Norton even had a chance to regret it. It was daytime right now. He must have pinned Norton’s profile to the top of his notification priority.
Ye Muo seemed surprised but delighted. He immediately sent a bunch of messages: [Are you coming back soon, Father? That’s wonderful! I missed you so much.]
Ye Muo’s image easily came to mind. If that child was here right now, he would surely scamper over like a fuzzy little bird who found its parent.
Now that Ye Muo’s said he missed Norton, the man felt a mixture of relief and guit. He had left Ye Muo alone for too long.
[But there’s no need to worry about me. Sylvia and Adlet are taking really good care of me. I’m find aside from missing you, Ano and the others a bit. (I’ve gained a bit of weight lately, so no edible presents please.)]
Ye Muo thought for a moment before solemnly adding: [No insect specimens either.]
He became distressed after hitting send. What else other than insect specimens could Norton bring back from the insect tide frontlines? Things that weren’t troublesome to obtain or frightening.
The only things in great abundance on the frontlines were insects and insect crystals. However, shipment after shipment of crystals were already arriving back home. Ye Muo didn’t even want to think about insect specimens.
Adlet had sent all of the original specimens on display around the palace to storage already.
On the other end, Norton paused. He crossed off the insect specimens, the dagger crafted from exoskeleton, and ground up insect paints etc. off his gift idea list.
What kind of present should he give/I ask for?
Ye Muo’s next message arrived after a delay. [I would like us to tend to the gardens together, Father.]
Ye Muo was already thinking about next steps before the response even arrived.
With how expansive the gardens were, this would take quite some time.
The plants were growing well thanks to the good weather lately. After they were done, they could have a picnic out on the lawn with everyone.
Bragi would be back by then too. It could help with watering the plants.
Would Father agree? Ye Muo awaited his response a little nervously.
[Alright.]
Norton replied.
……
The transfer order was soon sent out.
The Grantz immediately started complaining over the psychic power channel.
Bert started first. He seemed unusually pained. [Is this how you treat an old man like me? Where is your conscience? I worked diligently without slacking off at all, so why am I the last one who’ll be going home? Moreover, why do I have to come back afterwards??]
With that, he tried to drag Norton down with him. [I see Norton isn’t even bothering to hide his agenda, sending himself home first. There’s no need for young lads in their prime to leave early, right? Why not let the elderly go home to rest their poor backs. Even if I’m not the first, surely I don’t have to be last, right?]
Helene responded: [Your name and diligent don’t belong in the same sentence unless there’s a ‘not’ in between.]
Bert immediately switched tunes: [I see our gals are also brimming with energy. You can do a lot more than a useless old man like me, which is why you should stay on the frontlines.]
Ano chimed in in support of his big sister: [Big Sis Helene is right. Bert’s always slacking off.]
Bert teased him lazily: [Of course, I know of some youngsters still lacking in the basics who could use all the experience they can get.]
[You better not be talking about me! Why are you still bringing up things that happened so many years ago? I told you to stop already! Besides, that was a momentary silp-up!]
Dylan scoffed. [A momentary slip-up, he says.]
Ano immediately became alert. [Stop laughing or I’m telling Big Brother!]
Bert loved to tease his youngest. He was easier to get a rise out of than his older siblings. [Why don’t you tell your mom instead? I’m sure that’ll work out just as well.]
Ano bristled. [I wouldn’t do that! Big Brother!]
Adrian gleefully added fuel to the fire: [Hahahaha. Big Brother doesn’t have the time right now. You should go tell Mom!]
Helene popped up again like the quintessential big sister she was. [Don’t bully Ano, Adrian.]
Adrian immediately deflated like a balloon. He’s been afraid of Helene since he was a child. More specifically, he was afraid of her explosive temper and propensity for using her fists. He’s had his fair share of being beaten as a child due to his temperament. [Fine, fine.]
Jacob quietly watched from the sidelines, mentally sighing at how childish everyone was.
Helene was going to say a few words on Ano’s behalf since her little brother only got dragged into this because he sided with her, but she wasn’t the best with words. She was hardpressed to find anything good to say about him even after a few moments. Ano really was a bit rusty. In the end, she went to find Aria for help.
Aria was on Ano’s side from the beginning. This little brother of hers was dear to her heart. She was one of the more reasonable people in their little group as well. [I’m going to let Sylvia know once I go home, Bert.]
Bert immediately relented: [No no no. No need for that. I was just joking. Right, Ano?]
Jacob, who had been quiet this whole time, silenced the channel with a single sentence.
[Norton’s coming.]
The people who were very opinionated just a moment ago: ……
