After more than a decade, Gu Qing, Milton, and Ace finally returned to the small villa in the outskirts. Pushing open the long-unseen door, the interior was as pristine as ever; the household robots continued their daily cleaning duties as if time had stood still, as though they had never left.
Once everything was in order, the aroma of cooking wafted from the kitchen. Gu Qing rolled up his sleeves, calmly simmering a hot soup while preparing Milton’s favorite braised meat. In the living room, the little celestial entity lazily sprawled across Milton’s lap, snuggling and whining softly, “Mi Mi~ I’m hungry~ need cuddles~”
Milton shed the sternness of the battlefield, his expression gentle as he continued reviewing military reports while soothing, “Just a bit longer, Gu Qing will have it ready soon.”
In the courtyard, Ace practiced with a wooden sword, the sunlight glinting sharply off its blade. Every swing and thrust was precise, almost severe in its perfection. Even away from the battlefield, he spared no effort, honing the techniques he had spent the past ten years perfecting. Sweat soaked through his vest, each movement measured and powerful, evidence of unwavering discipline.
The tranquility shattered abruptly with a sudden, insistent “ding-dong.”
The household robot opened the door to reveal three alpha security officers, dressed sharply, bearing an air of arrogance as they swaggered inside. The leader’s tone brooked no argument: “Sir Gu Qing, long time no see. We hear you went to the Onia Star and married General Milton without approval… such unilateral action is outrageous. An alpha should remain on the home planet under protection. Should anything happen, who would be responsible?”
He cast a contemptuous glance at Milton on the sofa, his voice colder still. “As an alpha consort, the General should understand this more than anyone, not allow you to act recklessly.”
Gu Qing extinguished the flame, dried his hands, and strolled calmly from the kitchen. Sitting naturally beside Milton, he spoke with quiet authority: “My alpha consort fought valiantly for the Empire on Onia Star. As his mate, it is only natural for me to stand by him. Moreover—”
He turned to Milton, a glint of warmth in his eyes. “I simply could not wait any longer to bring him home.”
The security officers stiffened, about to speak, but Gu Qing cut them off coldly: “Now that you’re here, what is your business?”
One produced a heavy stack of documents, reciting formally: “Even if registered in the field, upon returning to the home planet you must sign a formal post-marriage agreement. If General Milton wishes to retain his military post, your written consent is required. Otherwise, he must be relieved of duty and remain at home to serve the alpha. Additionally, all assets—movable and immovable—under his name shall be transferred to you, to ensure your livelihood—”
Milton remained silent, watching them icily.
Ace sheathed his sword and entered the room, seating himself on Milton’s other side, eyes sharp.
“May I refuse this?” Gu Qing interrupted softly, gaze cold. “I have no interest in my consort’s property.”
“This is protocol, to ensure—”
“I said I don’t need it.” Gu Qing tapped the table lightly with long fingers, quietly but with a force that sent a shiver through the three officers.
The air froze. One turned to Milton, assuming an air of authority: “Even as a high-ranking officer, you must obey the ‘Alpha Consort Code’ at home. The alpha is supreme. No disobedience—”
Gu Qing’s lips curved, tone playful yet sharp: “If you claim he must obey me, serve me, then shouldn’t his comings and goings also be up to me?”
The officers froze, quickly agreeing, “Naturally. Should your consort displease you, the security bureau has special disciplinary chambers to ensure obedience.”
Gu Qing’s gaze turned icy. He drew Milton close, fingers brushing his snow-white hair, voice ironclad: “No need. I will care for my consort myself. No outside intervention is required.”
The officers then brought out a box labeled a “wedding gift.” Upon opening it, they revealed an assortment of chains, sharp blades, and barbed whips.
“Milton is not a toy!” the little celestial entity nearly leaped, trembling with fury. Ace’s eyes remained cold as if assessing a corpse.
The officer, oblivious, produced a silver collar device from the box: “This is a mental restraint lock. By protocol, General Milton must wear it for three months after marriage to ensure the alpha—during mating—is not affected by the consort’s higher-level mental energy. It is protection, not punishment.”
Gu Qing’s eyes hardened. He lowered his head, pressing a kiss to Milton’s tense forehead, then lifted his gaze, frost in his voice: “My consort does not need this.”
“This is Imperial law! All high-level alphas must wear it after marriage for your protection!”
Gu Qing snorted sharply, tinged with derision: “First time I’ve heard that an institution meant to protect alphas forces them to accept protection they don’t need. You claim it’s for my good, yet ignore my will. What’s the difference between protection and coercion?”
The room froze.
Milton remained silent, yet in his violet eyes a storm brewed—the killer instinct of a top-tier alpha consort—sending sweat to the officers’ foreheads.
The little celestial entity hopped angrily into Milton’s lap: “Mi Mi is not dangerous! He’s the gentlest consort in the world!”
The officers tried to explain, “Sir Gu Qing, we are merely following regulations—”
“Then I formally reject this ‘protocol.’” Gu Qing shielded Milton behind him, eyes razor-sharp. “Go back and tell your superiors: no one touches my consort.”
The leader’s face darkened, voice deadly serious: “If you insist—then may you never regret this choice.”
Gu Qing’s lips curved into a detached, elegant smile, as if their threats were trivial amusements: “No need to trouble yourselves with that.”
Silence lingered for a few moments. The three officers exchanged glances, stiffly packing their documents, and left with their bureaucratic airs intact.
With the door closed, tension finally dissipated in the villa.
Gu Qing softened, looking down at the still-silent Milton, voice gentle and reassuring: “Don’t mind them. I won’t let any of that touch you.”
The little celestial entity snuggled into Milton’s arms, puffing indignantly: “Hmph! Mi Mi doesn’t need ‘discipline’! He’s obedient, affectionate, and the best consort ever. Gu Qing truly found a treasure!”
Gu Qing chuckled softly. Milton reached for his hand, violet eyes reflecting him, voice low and sincere: “Gu Qing… thank you… for always protecting me.”
Ace watched them, frowning, awkwardly rolling his eyes, muttering lowly, yet a subtle flicker of concern crossed his gaze: “Hmph. If it were me, I’d have thrown those old fools out long ago—hearing their nonsense hurts my ears.”
Yet his voice trailed off.
He remembered his past self—never questioning the tyranny of the security bureau, the harsh marriage system, or the rules treating alpha consorts as subordinate.
In his memories, his alpha parent had lived that way, bowing silently to the bureau’s dictates, wearing the so-called “protection devices,” surrendering property and freedom as proof of loyalty. At the time, he had believed it was the Empire’s most stable “common sense,” privileges granted for the alpha’s secure life.
But now, everything had changed.
Living alongside Loes and the alpha females, fighting alongside the military alphas, he had seen them passionately debating strategies, risking their lives for each other in battle. He had heard their laughter, witnessed the unyielding will they unleashed in life-or-death moments.
Most of all, seeing Gu Qing and Milton standing side by side, without orders or obedience, simply trusting and protecting each other—it was natural.
Ace realized, for the first time, he could never return to that old “common sense.”
All those things once taken for granted now seemed absurd. He watched Gu Qing hold Milton’s hand and quietly asked himself for the first time:
Even in the name of love,
if it is not built on equality and freedom,
is it still… another kind of cage?