He Felt Sorry for Elaine / Noah Goes Offline

The livestream of the trial ended with astonishing, abrupt speed.

But the public discussion did not end.

[What? They just took him away? Why?]

[The Military Department even issued an arrest warrant. What a huge reversal.]

[It was a livestream, at least give us a reason. Can the Military Department just arrest whoever they want?]

[The Marshal said it himself: endangering the Empire's security. Isn't that treason?]

[That counts as a reason? Where's the evidence? So whatever Thanatos says goes?]

[To be fair, the Military Department has never arrested the wrong person...]

[I'm really curious what evidence the Marshal had. How did he know?]

[...]

Not long afterward, a notice jointly issued by the Military Department and the Capital Police Bureau appeared on the front pages of every Star Network platform.

The notice released a great deal of evidence, all taken from Noah's wristband, proving that he had maintained contact with an influential figure from an enemy nation for years. They had conducted transactions and plotted to stir up turmoil within the Empire's royal family.

Framing the Crown Prince had also been part of their plan.

Noah was sentenced to death for treason.

A separate notice from the Military Department also mentioned that the evidence had been uncovered through professional methods by "a technician surnamed Shi."

Although Imperial law prohibited invading others' private systems, his actions had received special authorization from the Military Department and were legitimate under the regulations.

Even without naming him directly, most people immediately knew who that technician was.

The shocking case of the Crown Prince's violent abuse was thus brought to a close.

The day before Noah's execution, Shi Sheng quietly sought out Yumian.

"You want to see Noah?" Yumian shook his head repeatedly. "My brother won't agree."

Using his voice device, Shi Sheng said, "Just, for, a, little, while. Elaine, won't, know."

Yumian still shook his head. "No. Noah is vicious. If something happens to you, my brother will kill me."

Over this period, he had fully realized just how special Shi Sheng was to his brother.

Shi Sheng pressed his palms together and looked at Yumian expectantly.

For the first time in his life, Yumian experienced what it meant to have a guilty conscience.

"But I have no way to get you in," Yumian said, rubbing his head. "I'm not from the Military Department."

Shi Sheng hurriedly said, "Elaine, said, the, Capital Police Bureau, also, has, visitation, authority."

"I think, applying, through, them, might, be, easier."

Yumian's heart stirred, though he still looked hesitant. "Why do you have to see Noah?"

Shi Sheng thought for a moment. "I want, to, confirm, something."

He looked at Yumian. "Don't, you, want, to, know, why, he, hates, you, all?"

Yumian considered it, then finally agreed and took Shi Sheng to the Capital Police Bureau.

Shi Sheng quietly apologized to Yumian in his heart.

Actually, based on the information he and his brother had uncovered, he had already deduced the truth behind Noah's hatred for Carlos.

That was why he felt heartache and anger, and why he wanted to meet Noah.

He did not want Elaine to bear a stigma that did not belong to him.

No one knew what Yumian said after entering the Capital Police Bureau, but Shi Sheng quickly received permission to visit.

When Yumian came out, his expression was somewhat ugly. "Do you want me to go in with you?"

Shi Sheng shook his head and patted him reassuringly.

Separated by bulletproof glass, Noah looked up at Shi Sheng. A faint trace of surprise appeared on his expressionless face.

Shi Sheng could not speak, so communicating would be somewhat difficult.

But he did not care. He brought up his wristband panel and typed a line. "Are you unwilling to accept this?"

Noah looked at him, a trace of coldness flashing through his eyes. "I admit Thanatos has some skill. Carlos won. But there's no need for you to send an Omega who just married into the family to mock me."

He closed his eyes, but he could not hide the hatred and unwillingness in his heart.

"You're helping a bunch of butchers. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"

He stared at Shi Sheng, gritting his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.

Shi Sheng met his gaze. Only after a long while did he begin typing again.

"You think others wronged you, don't you?"

"You think your father and family were all persecuted by Elaine, don't you?"

Noah said coldly, "You don't need to make excuses for them. In my eyes, you're just as filthy as they are. Every accomplice of Carlos should go to hell with them."

Shi Sheng fell silent for a moment, then brought up several items and displayed them before Noah.

Noah had only glanced at them at first, but that glance struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

He suddenly lunged at the glass and stared at the contents urgently.

"What is this... What did you do?"

"This is evidence that your father colluded with the enemy and committed treason," Shi Sheng slowly typed.

"Your father stole intelligence from the Military Department and the royal family, traded with enemy generals, and exchanged it for vast sums of money and the chance to be protected in the future."

"Because your grandfather had rendered great service and your grandmother was a viscountess, His Majesty did not publicly reveal his crimes."

"Instead, he had Elaine handle the matter secretly through the Military Department."

"All of this was to preserve your family's reputation."

"I had always wondered which family you belonged to among those that met with disaster years ago, but I searched for a long time and could not find out."

"Later, I discovered that your family had never been publicly charged with anything. In the eyes of the public, your family had merely fallen into decline."

Under Noah's disbelieving gaze, Shi Sheng forcefully typed the final line.

"You never even uncovered the truth. What right do you have to make Elaine bear your hatred?"

In fact, it had been Elaine who suggested to the Emperor that Noah's father's crimes not be made public, preserving the last of their family's reputation.

Only because Noah's grandfather had once been a highly respected teacher at the military academy, someone who had saved the lives of countless children.

Elaine's gentleness and kindness had instead led to the destruction of the entire Carlos family in his "previous life."

Why?

Shi Sheng thought painfully.

He could barely tolerate the public misunderstanding Elaine, but he could not let Elaine lose everything, even his life, because of hatred built on nothing.

Elaine protected the Empire, yet he could not even receive the treatment due to a great hero. That was unfair enough already.

That was why Shi Sheng had insisted on seeing Noah.

He wanted Noah to know that he had hated the wrong person.

He wanted Noah to know that everything was nothing more than his father reaping what he had sown.

He wanted Noah to die carrying the most piercing agony.

Noah pounded the glass furiously, like a trapped beast making its final struggle.

"Impossible! Impossible!"

But everyone knew the evidence Shi Sheng had given him would be difficult to forge.

The shock and hatred in Noah's eyes gradually gave way to desolation. He did not speak for a long time.

After a very long while, he suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Shi Sheng.

"Can you... can you tell Carlos that I was wrong?"

"It was all a misunderstanding. Please ask them to spare me..."

"Izel... Does Izel really not care at all about the days we spent together?"

Shi Sheng found it laughable.

Noah clearly knew better than anyone that his feelings for Izel had been nothing but false affection.

Besides, because of him, that Omega who had lost his glands was suffering somewhere unknown. He might not even still be alive.

But Shi Sheng did not ask any of that. He pulled up the Military Department's notice, looked at Noah, and slowly typed a line.

"But you have already become someone just like your father."

For the sake of false hatred, Noah had betrayed his country.

When Shi Sheng withdrew his hand, Noah's eyes split wide with fury as he pounded the glass desperately.

"How did you know? How did you know?!"

There had clearly never been this Omega in Carlos's family in his previous life!

Shi Sheng no longer communicated with him. He turned and left Noah's howls behind.

His hand was still trembling. When he stepped out of the main entrance, he did not even have time to hide the cold ruthlessness on his face.

The moment he stepped into the sunlight, his footsteps halted.

The Alpha stood at the bottom of the stairs, his gaze focused intently on him.

Shi Sheng tried for a long time, but he still could not stop the panic from showing on his face.

Yet Elaine's tone remained gentle. "Aren't you coming over?"

Shi Sheng took several deep breaths, then hurried toward him.

As he descended the final two steps, he suddenly stumbled. Elaine swiftly opened his arms and caught him.

Shi Sheng's face brushed against the cold buttons of his military uniform. His heart ached, and he wrapped his arms around Elaine's waist in that position, hugging him tightly.

Elaine carried him down the stairs without immediately setting him down, lowering his head to look into Shi Sheng's eyes.

His eyes were like the Empire's undying sun.

Shi Sheng thought distractedly that everyone said the Crown Prince was the son of the sun, but to Shi Sheng, Elaine was the gentlest, warmest sunlight in his world.

Shi Sheng buried his face in Elaine's embrace for a while, greedily breathing in the Alpha's crisp, cold scent.

He raised his head uneasily and signed, "Sorry. I came here without telling you."

Elaine merely asked, "Did you win the argument?"

Shi Sheng looked confused.

Amusement flickered in Elaine's eyes. "I wanted to ask whether you won."

Shi Sheng understood and pursed his lips awkwardly.

"Elaine, aren't you angry?"

He was still uneasy.

He was afraid Elaine would see the side of him that was not cute enough, not well-behaved enough.

Elaine always wants to protect me. Does that mean he prefers weak Omegas?

As he was thinking this, he suddenly felt the Alpha hold him higher with more force.

This time, Elaine had to lift his head to look at Shi Sheng.

"I would never be angry at you over anything."

Under the sunlight, Elaine's eyes held feelings no outsider had ever been allowed to glimpse.

"You can do whatever you want. It would be best if you tell me, but it's all right if you hide it from me."

"There is only one thing. I hope you will pay attention to your safety."

Shi Sheng listened blankly to Elaine's voice, as cold and clear as a spring.

"And, my spouse, I like you no matter what you are like."

Shi Sheng felt as if his heart were about to leap out of his chest.

Elaine... Elaine had said so much for the first time just to tell him that he liked him!

Elaine really liked him!

In an instant, all his unease vanished. Shi Sheng's eyes became brighter than the starlight at Carlos Manor.

He lowered his head and rubbed against Elaine hard, only to bump into the hard, cold Beast-Bone Muzzle.

Elaine chuckled. "Doesn't that hurt?"

Shi Sheng glared somewhat angrily at the beast bone he usually found incomparably cool.

The next second, he felt Elaine shift his hold. He supported Shi Sheng with only one arm while using the other to undo the muzzle's metal chain.

The beast bone was placed in Shi Sheng's arms, while the Alpha in his eyes pressed a hand against the back of his neck and kissed him.

They were outside. Though security was tight, that did not mean no one could pass by.

At the very least, Yumian had just been here.

But Shi Sheng could never refuse Elaine's kisses.

Nervous yet expectant, he shared the most intimate act between lovers with Elaine.

After a long while, Elaine pulled away from his lips, set him on the ground, and stroked his head.

"All right. You don't need to worry anymore. You did very well."

He paused, then added softly, "You were very brave, and very impressive."

Shi Sheng's hacking skills were so exceptional that they had shocked everyone.

Suddenly praised, Shi Sheng's mouth nearly stretched to his ears. Full of anticipation, he signed, "Then, can I have a reward?"

"I'm so amazing. Elaine, reward me."

Elaine answered without hesitation, "Anything you want."

Shi Sheng's eyes lit up as he signed seriously, "Then I want to go on a date with Elaine."

Then he took out his voice device and repeated emphatically, "A, date!"

Elaine smiled. "All right."

As it happened, something else was about to have results as well. They could celebrate together.