Andrew gently ruffled Bonnie’s hair, his voice unusually tender. “You’re the woman I have my eyes on. How could I possibly let you marry someone else?”
Bonnie’s face flushed crimson, and she buried her head in his chest. Andrew held her close, frowning slightly as he whispered, “You’ve lost weight.”
Bonnie looked up. “I miss the cafeteria food.”
Andrew gave her an indulgent smile and nodded. “Alright, we’ll go back, and I’ll make sure you get your fill.”
The others remained largely unfazed by the couple’s affection. The two walked hand-in-hand to Yvette, Jeremiah, and the others. Bonnie tried to pull away when she saw Yvette.
Andrew flashed a roguish grin and held firm, making Bonnie’s face flush even deeper. Embarrassed, she nodded to the group. “Hi, Yvette, Jeremiah.”
Just then, the poisonous insect king, previously inside Holden, flew out and landed on Yvette’s shoulder. It shook its wings, seemingly proud of itself.
Bonnie gasped, “Oh my gosh, Yvette, that’s the poisonous insect king! Where did you find it?”
Everyone turned to look at Bonnie. Andrew, puzzled, asked, “You know about this poisonous insect king? What is it?” Emmett and Charles shared his curiosity. Bonnie clearly possessed considerable knowledge.
Bonnie examined the insect before speaking. “For hundreds of years, Dungo Village has prided itself on raising poisonous insects. Those who successfully cultivate them gain higher status. But it’s not easy. Lower-grade insects are common.
“This, however, is a high-grade insect. In the last hundred years, Dungo Village has only produced two. Then there’s the legendary poisonous insect king, known only from books. No one has ever successfully created one.
“So, I’m unsure, but this golden insect, from its appearance and markings, strongly resembles the king described in the books.”
Bonnie swallowed, finding it almost unbelievable to witness such a creature.
Andrew looked at her in astonishment, pointing at the insect. “You’re saying this chubby little thing is the poisonous insect king? That seems… unlikely.”
The insect suddenly fluttered its wings and flew aggressively toward Andrew.
“Come back,” Yvette commanded sharply.
Mid-flight, the insect halted at Yvette’s voice, sullenly returning to her shoulder. It lay dejectedly on its back, even closing its eyes.
Bonnie, who had been watching nervously, relaxed and glared at Andrew. “Don’t speak carelessly! Angering it could cost you your life in seconds.”
Observing the insect’s fear of Yvette, Bonnie twitched. The books were right; an intelligent poisonous insect king possessed the intellect of a five- or six-year-old.
Andrew, recalling Holden’s death, felt a chill.
Emmett urged, “Go on, Bonnie.”
Bonnie glanced at Yvette, who nodded. “The poisonous insect king is a legendary creature, known only from ancient books. It grows stronger over time, born in toxin-rich environments. If it develops intelligence, its mind resembles a young child. Andrew’s words angered it.
“If Yvette hadn’t stopped it, Andrew would be dead. Poisonous insects can be used for good or ill, depending on their master's intentions. This is especially true for the king.
“Legend says it can kill and heal, but the ancient texts don’t explain how it heals.”
Bonnie paused. “The king’s obedience to Yvette suggests it’s already acknowledged her as its master. Once a poisonous insect king chooses a master, it won’t leave unless one of them dies.”
Bonnie, having access to all the ancient texts, possessed extensive knowledge, though purely theoretical.
Emmett and Charles looked serious. From Bonnie’s explanation, the insect king was firmly attached to Yvette.
Charles said gravely, “Yvette, keeping it is too dangerous. Perhaps it’s best to…”
Emmett agreed. “Yvette, this is unpredictable. It shouldn’t stay.” Yvette’s skills negated the need for such support.
Bonnie wanted to defend the insect but hesitated. As precious as it was, it couldn’t compare to Yvette. She’d feel lifelong guilt if something happened because she insisted.
Looking at the insect, a creature Dungo Village had longed to see, Bonnie nodded reluctantly. “Yvette, Mr. Chavez and the others are right. Everything I know comes from ancient texts. Keeping it is dangerous.”
Jeremiah watched Yvette intently. He knew getting rid of it wasn’t likely.
Yvette glanced coolly at the group, her face impassive. Raising an eyebrow, she tilted her head towards the sulking insect. “Get up. Show your loyalty.”
The four stared, stunned. They didn’t expect Yvette to demand loyalty from an insect. Even if intelligent, it was still an insect. How could it possibly show loyalty?
Jeremiah rubbed his temples. ‘Yvette’s at it again. Only she would do something like this.’
As Andrew was about to speak, the insect launched from Yvette’s shoulder. It circled everyone, then hovered before Yvette, flapping its wings and wiggling its rear.
Charles, Emmett, Andrew, and Bonnie were utterly shocked. The sight of this chubby insect, which had just drained a man dry, now wriggling its rear was almost too much.
Only Jeremiah remained calm.
After two minutes, the insect returned to Yvette’s shoulder.
The group remained speechless.
After a long pause, Andrew stammered. “Bon, are you sure the insect king described in the texts… is this chubby insect that was just wriggling?”
Emmett and Charles shared his doubt.
Bonnie nodded vigorously, still shocked at the obedient insect. ‘What kind of person is Yvette?’ she wondered.
Bonnie remembered her grandmother’s words about the grueling process of a king accepting a master, a process that could nearly kill the master. Now, Bonnie wondered if her grandmother had exaggerated.