Daily News: Insect Girls' Heavy Dependence

When the door was opened.

The first thing Richard saw was an old man sitting behind a large desk.

No wonder Yekaterin always called these clan elders "old fogies." Richard didn't realize that her words weren't unfounded until he saw the old man in person.

Beneath this old thing, under that dry, almost entirely yellowish-brown fur.

It was a withered and decaying face.

The shriveled skin completely covered the bones; not a trace of flesh or blood could be seen. It was essentially a skeleton wrapped in human skin…

Seeing Richard's surprise, Yekaterin directly used telepathy to complain:

"This old codger is at least 140 years old. He's lived too long; he still looks like a ghost. Fourth-order humans generally live fifty years longer than ordinary people!"

"That's why the essence insect fluid that can help you become a fourth-tier insect is so precious. That's common sense! Didn't you know that before...? Now, are you regretting giving me the essence insect fluid?"

"Of course not."

Richard nonchalantly responded to Yekaterin's joking remark in his mind.

He also started joking:

"I wish I had died fifty years earlier. I don't want to see you turn into such an ugly monster."

"You...! I can't be bothered with you anymore...!"

Stunned by Richard's bizarre train of thought, Yekalin simply took off her coat and threw it at the guy.

He sat forcefully in front of that old codger.

Her tone was flat:

"I am coming."

The old skeleton's skinned face twitched, emitting a low, hoarse voice:

"Aren't you going to introduce this handsome young man?"

The old skeleton gestured to Richard behind Yekaterin to sit in the chair next to her.

His pale, clouded eyes held a scrutinizing gaze that made one feel uneasy. Richard gave him a dismissive glance, then sat down anyway.

The hoarse voice continued:

"Young man from the royal family, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

"Stop nagging! What's it to you?"

Yekalin spoke up to stop him, while mentally signaling Richard not to reply.

"How can it not be my business? You're that Birmingham kid's son, and I'm his great-grandfather..."

hiss!

Richard didn't quite grasp the concept at first.

What do you mean by "this old skeleton is dead"? Is he Yekalin's father's great-great-grandfather? What kind of generation is that?

"Ignore this old geezer, he's just playing the emotional card. After so many generations, there's hardly any family affection left. He's using my name to write marriage proposal letters to those blond-haired bastards... using me as a tool to consolidate his power."

After hearing Yekalin's explanation, Richard was no longer afraid of contradicting his elders.

That wretched old geezer!

The old skeleton continues:

"Since you're unwilling to introduce yourself, then let me do it. I am Buck August, the previous Duke of the North."

"He is the great-great-grandfather of this little girl's father, Birmingham August. Now it's your turn to introduce yourself, young royal."

Buck, that old codger, clearly ignored Yekaterin's earlier warning.

But that's not surprising.

Buck then explained his arrogance and rudeness to Richard:

"Young man of the royal family. You should know the most traditional and ancient aristocratic etiquette, right? When male nobles meet and converse, women are not allowed to sit at the table and listen in."

"Yekarin is just my female descendant... Of course, I'm a gentleman and won't mind that; let her listen if she wants. But I'm very interested in you... Can we have a proper talk?"

Yekaterin naturally knew that this old man was deliberately suppressing her as a woman:

"There's nothing more to talk about. You don't seem to want to come to New Rome with us."

She pulled Richard up, ready to leave.

Watching the two walk out the door, Buck was clearly still not giving up:

"As a member of the royal family! You're willing to be led by the nose by a woman? Kid! You're ridiculous..."

Snap!

Richard slammed the door shut!

He left with Yekarin in his arms.

Richard quipped without a second thought, "These old fogies are really laughable, still clinging to that patriarchal mentality..."

Yekaterin didn't mind: "He probably thought you were sent by the royal family to arrange a marriage between us. So he wanted to win you over or something..."

However, Richard noticed a flaw:

"Since Buck is you... uh, I don't know your seniority, but he must know the secrets about the goddess's inheritance, right?"

"Yes, he knows, but the other branches don't. So the first and second batches of blondies were also sent by those collateral branches. They control New Rome and their relationship with Buck isn't very good."

The two complained about the power struggles of the old men in the August family all the way...

They chatted casually. Clearly, there was nothing unpleasant between the young couple, and Buck hadn't tried to sow discord between them.

"Then why did we come to Umbria today? To visit elderly people?"

Richard was clearly puzzled by something that was affecting the efficiency of the trip.

Yekaterin transmitted her voice nonchalantly:

"Weren't you jealous before? You said those blond guys had letters from me... agreeing to the marriage. So today I'll show you the truth. They were all forged by him to consolidate his power."

"I never imagined there were people like this, betraying their own descendants like this..."

Richard suddenly realized, "Wait a minute! What am I jealous of?"

"Clam!?"

Yekalin grabbed Richard's waist and spoke directly in reality:

"Who was it that questioned me with that blond guy earlier? You even said my cousin was coming to marry me! Huh... did you think I'd forgotten all about it?!"

"It's because I didn't know the details! The sword of the previous dynasty was used to execute an official of this dynasty! How could you do this!"

Richard began to defend himself, his skin tense to prevent Yekaterin from pulling at his skin.

"You actually dared to talk back! You even dared to defy me! Are you going to yell at me again in a few days? No way! I'm angry! You're not allowed to ride in the same carriage as me later!"

After saying that, Yekaterin didn't try to stop Richard.

Her boots made a thumping sound as she stepped on the blanket.

Showing no mercy whatsoever, he quickly ran into the lifting basket.

She didn't even wait for Richard; she directly pulled the descent bell for the basket...

But how could such a simple trick possibly stump the owner of the Fourteen-Winged Devouring Knight Insect?

Richard watched the basket slowly descend.

Without hesitation, they headed towards the indoor atrium.

He took the leap!

This was a sudden action.

The sight caused the noble ladies on each floor to gasp in astonishment.

"My God! Has he gone mad?"

"He can't possibly be Storm Rider, jumping from that height!"

Amidst the panicked murmurs, in mid-air.

Richard's falling figure suddenly stopped.

The fourteen-winged Killer Knight behind him suddenly unfurled its wings, its veins flowing with silver light.

By fanning at a frequency imperceptible to the naked eye, the inertia of the fall is completely neutralized.

He hovered in mid-air, his posture as graceful as if he were strolling among the clouds.

Some even had the leisure to slowly and deliberately pick out a blooming artificial glass flower from a vase on the nearest floor...

With a gentle flap of its wings, it landed steadily.

Holding flowers and standing with her hands behind her back in front of the landing point of the hanging basket, she instantly became the focus of everyone's attention in the hall.

The noble ladies stared in disbelief, their earlier shock transforming into utter amazement.

Their gazes were fixed on Richard's tall, straight back. They couldn't help but glance at Yekaterin, who was about to land in the gondola, their eyes practically overflowing with envy.

To be treated so well by such a handsome and powerful member of the royal family—what a lucky thing that must be!

Meanwhile, the other blond-haired guys nearby were livid, their teeth itching with jealousy...

As the basket slowly descended, Yekalin was blocked by Richard, who was trying to look cool, as soon as she stepped out.

He stepped forward and handed the glass flower to her.

He didn't say a word, displaying the demeanor of a cool and aloof young master.

"Would they die if they didn't show off?"

"Didn't you tell me to show off? I'm here to be cool today."

Richard looked sincere.

The duchess was speechless, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she ruthlessly slapped away the hand holding the fake flowers, muttering disdainfully:

"Seriously! Fake flowers? They have no thought whatsoever!"

But Richard was prepared, and with a flick of his wrist...

He actually transformed the Shadow Cocoon Cloak into a bunch of black roses!

Yekalin was both amazed by his ingenious use of the fourth-order cocoon and amused by his rascal-like behavior, which left her speechless.

She rolled her eyes at Richard, unable to hide her arrogant tone:

"What exactly do you want?"

"Even though you want me to be a cool and handsome guy, I still want to ride in a carriage with you..."

This sudden, strange remark made Yekalin mutter in embarrassment:

"Alright, stop fooling around. As long as you don't do anything reckless, you can do whatever you want... What kind of talk is this...?"

These casual words were undoubtedly tacit approval.

Since the girl had said that, Richard certainly couldn't hold back.

He stepped forward and placed the black rose into Yekaterin's arms.

Then I picked her up and carried her horizontally.

In the eyes of the nobles,

Fei rushed towards the luxurious carriage at the entrance.