Chapter 21: Planet Ryan

Luo Fei and Emile stayed overnight at a hotel on Planet Ryan. Early the next morning, the two set off together to see the snow.

The weather forecast was spot-on. The next day indeed brought heavy snow.

Emile often traveled to Planet Ryan with his father for business, so snowy scenes were nothing new to him. But for Luo Fei, leaving the Capital Star for the first time, it was also his first time seeing snow with his own eyes.

Goose-feather-like snowflakes drifted down from the sky in profusion. Luo Fei stood in the snowfield, tilting his head back to let the snowflakes fall on his face, and took a deep breath of the fresh, icy air. “Experiencing it myself really is so much more vivid than reading any written description or watching any video clip.”

Emile walked to his side. Watching his excited expression, Emile’s feelings were somewhat mixed.

Being a prince brought noble status, but also many restrictions. Certain things couldn’t be said; certain things couldn’t be done. There were too many rules to follow in life. Luo Fei, since childhood, had always been obedient, consistently showing a sensible, steady front before His Majesty. Applying for leave this time to travel alone, walking around, seeing the sights—this was the real Luo Fei.

He was just an eighteen-year-old youth, after all.

Emile suddenly felt that he, having grown up alongside him, was far more fortunate. He couldn’t help but step to Luo Fei’s side and gently pat his shoulder. “Anyway, your Royal Father isn’t here, and the Royal Guard isn’t tailing you. Play however you want. No need to worry about your image.”

Luo Fei stroked his chin, musing for a moment. “I want to build a snowman. Will you think I’m childish?”

Emile laughed heartily. “Nah. I used to love building snowmen too. Every time I came here on vacation with my father, I’d always find a chance to play in the snow.”

The two hit it off and found an open space to play.

At this moment, Luo Fei didn’t need to concern himself with his status; he was just a young man who liked snow. Together with his cousin, they made snowballs, had a snowball fight, and built a snowman, playing joyfully for the entire day.

Over the following days, they continued touring Planet Ryan, visiting many famous scenic spots. Luo Fei finally saw the legendary Mount Bell Snow. The towering snow peak was incredibly steep. He had Chongming carry the two of them high into the sky to overlook the magnificent scenery at the summit, incidentally shooting many video recordings for later reminiscence.

Luo Fei also visited a very ordinary household in the residential area of Planet Ryan—the place where his dad had grown up. Later, his dad had left this place at eighteen, entering military academy, where he met the then-Fourth Prince, Xize. From there, his life underwent a monumental change.

After becoming the Imperial Queen, his dad had brought his adoptive mother and older sister to the Capital Star. This house on Planet Ryan remained unoccupied, but robots were regularly scheduled to clean it. Luo Fei entered the password and stepped inside, finding that the place was still preserved in its original state. Even the potted plants inside were regularly watered by robots, growing lush and verdant.

Emile walked around the room and noticed a photo hanging on the bedroom wall.

The youth in the photo was holding a military academy acceptance letter, his features handsome and his eyes exceptionally bright.

It was exactly what the Imperial Queen, Lin Yuan, looked like at eighteen.

Emile said curiously, “They say the Queen pretended to be a Beta back then and was super good at fighting.”

Thinking of his deeply respected dad, Luo Fei couldn’t help but smile. “He’s still super good at fighting now. I was pretty mischievous as a kid and often bullied my younger brother. So Dad would beat me up according to a three-meals-a-day schedule, until I was beaten into being well-behaved. Come to think of it, Royal Father never once hit me—he’s always been very gentle with us brothers. But Dad… if he gets angry, he uses his fists. In his view, when kids cause trouble, there’s no problem a punch can’t solve. If one doesn’t do it, then punch them a few more times.”

Emile held back a laugh. “No wonder your combat skill level is so freakishly good. Seems your dad trained you well.”

Luo Fei gazed at the photo on the wall, his eyes gentle. “Whenever he has time, he comes back here too. Planet Ryan still has some of his old friends.”

Emile said, “Speaking of, your Royal Father was quite impressive too. Back then at the military academy, with so many Alphas and Betas around, how did he pick out your dad at first glance? And it turned out your dad was exactly an Omega disguised as a Beta. Such precision of intuition.”

Luo Fei said, “When Royal Father fell for him, he still didn’t know he was an Omega, let alone the powerful background he came from. Actually, Royal Father never minded Dad’s identity or gender. Even if he hadn’t been an Omega, Royal Father would have married him without hesitation. Their love is very pure. It has little to do with pheromones—the more crucial reason is that they admire and cherish each other. That’s why their feelings have lasted so long.”

Listening to this, Emile also couldn’t help but feel a bit envious. “That kind of love is truly rare.”

Yes, two people mutually in love with each other—something rare, something not easily found.

Luo Fei thought to himself, he had now met such a person. Someone he admired, adored, and was willing to go against all odds to be with.

Therefore, he absolutely had to put in the effort to pursue Mo Han. He must not miss this chance.

After leaving Planet Ryan, Luo Fei traveled to many more places. His footprints almost covered every galaxy within the Empire’s domain. The results indeed didn’t disappoint him.

The immersive, firsthand feeling was far better than wearing a helmet and viewing things in a virtual world. This trip away from the Capital Star fulfilled the dream he’d held since he was very young, to travel and tour the Empire’s major star systems. And he’d gotten to know Mo Han. It was truly a worthwhile journey.

On January 8th, Luo Fei began his return journey from the Pavo Starfield.

This time, he didn’t take an interstellar passenger ship. Instead, he had Chongming carry him directly back. Chongming was faster, and as the First Prince’s personal mecha, it possessed the highest clearance throughout the Empire, allowing it to bypass the security checkpoints at all major interstellar ports. This saved a tremendous amount of time.

Luo Fei departed in the afternoon and reached the Capital Star after just over three hours. He didn’t make any stops along the way and went directly to the Imperial Palace.

Upon detecting Chongming, the Royal Guard immediately granted passage.

Luo Fei had Chongming land on the Imperial Palace’s landing pad and emerged from the cockpit.

The Royal Guard Captain, Major General Mond, along with a contingent of Guard soldiers, saluted respectfully. “Your Highness.”

Luo Fei nodded at them. “Is Royal Father busy?”

Major General Mond said, “His Majesty is currently receiving several military generals. Her Majesty the Queen asked you to come over. She said she has some questions for you.”

Luo Fei turned and headed towards Lin Yuan’s palace.

As soon as he walked through the door, a fierce palm wind struck at his face again. The opponent’s strike was fast as lightning, aimed directly at the vital point of his throat.

Already well-accustomed to his father’s way of greeting his sons, Luo Fei sidestepped immediately, laughing. “Dad wants to spar with me again?”

His younger brother, Luo Ning, was also sitting inside. Watching the father-son scuffle, he smiled faintly and ignored them, continuing to read the book in his hands.

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Did you go stay at the family house on Planet Ryan for two days?”

Luo Fei answered honestly, “Right. I wanted to experience the life Dad lived as a kid.”

Lin Yuan didn’t pursue the matter. He said, “The day after tomorrow is the birthday banquet. The procedure is the same as before. Your Royal Father will say some official words first, then lead you and Luo Ning to thank the guests. You just need to make sure your conduct is decorous and appropriate at the banquet. You both know the royal etiquette. Don’t slip up.”

Luo Fei nodded. “Understood.”

Lin Yuan pointed to some clothes hanging nearby. “Ceremonial robes, custom-made to your measurements. Try them on.”

Luo Fei went to the changing room to put them on. Luo Ning looked up, glanced at him, and smiled. “Brother, when you wear those robes on your birthday, you’ll probably dazzle another batch of Omegas. Royal ceremonial robes are a bit complicated, but they do highlight one’s bearing.”

Luo Fei looked at the exquisite patterns on the cuffs and hem, frowning slightly. “These robes are too ornate. I still prefer simple casual clothes.”

Luo Ning agreed. “Same here. But we can’t dress too casually for the banquet the day after tomorrow. Royal family ceremonial wear is just this retro, lavish style. Just bear with it.”

Luo Fei had no objections. He changed out of the clothes and addressed Lin Yuan. “Dad, the day after tomorrow is our coming-of-age ceremony, after all. Will Luo Ning and I need to say a few words?”

Lin Yuan nodded. “Indeed, that segment was arranged. You should think over what to say carefully. If you really can’t think of anything, go ask the Royal Etiquette Secretary for a draft speech to memorize. Your speech will definitely be reported by the major media. Keep it simple. The more you say, the more chances for mistakes.”

Luo Ning said, “Brother, you can give the speech for both of us. As an Omega, I don’t need to steal the spotlight on this occasion.”

Luo Fei turned back to him. “You’re just too lazy to think of one, aren’t you?”

Luo Ning smiled faintly. “This is the advantage of having a twin older brother. As the younger one, I don’t need to talk. I’ll just stand by your side like an attendant.”

Luo Fei said helplessly, “Fine. I give up on you.”

Naturally doting on his younger brother, Luo Fei accepted the responsibility of giving the speech at the birthday banquet.