Cecilia looked at Her Majesty the Queen’s regretful expression, and her heart finally softened. Thinking back on the years Prince Li Ke had faked his death, Her Majesty the Queen had indeed been living in agony.

For them to be able to let it go now was perhaps for the best.

"Forget it. It’s all in the past, so let’s not talk about it. Bringing it up will only make things unpleasant. You’re both doing well now, and you can still speak normally when you see each other. The children are all outstanding, so there’s nothing left to dwell on or regret. You should try to move on, too."

"To hear such comforting words from you... I’m truly flattered. Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?"

"What is there to forgive or not forgive between us? Even if I hated you, if you summoned me, I’d still have to show up obediently!" Cecilia said, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

Her Majesty the Queen smiled and said, "Alright, I apologize. Don’t be angry. In the future, you can come here whenever you please, and if you don’t want to, that’s fine too. What could I really do to you, anyway?"

The two of them had practically grown up together. Even though a rift had formed between them, so many years had passed. Now that they were older, it was time to let go of the things that needed to be let go.

Cecilia had dinner with Her Majesty the Queen before being escorted back.

Once Cecilia had left, Her Majesty the Queen said to the old female attendant, "So many years have passed. Looking back carefully, I feel like the life I have now is what I’ve always wanted. I can’t believe I wasted half my life to finally figure all this out."

"Your Majesty is overthinking things. You have always done what you wanted to do. In my opinion, that’s what truly matters, is it not?"

"You have a point. For better or worse, they were all my own choices. When you put it that way, there’s really nothing to regret. And that child, Lu Xiao, she’s wonderful!"

This was not the first time Her Majesty the Queen had mentioned Lu Xiao.

The old female attendant did not respond, simply continuing her duties in silence.

On her way back, Cecilia sat in the car and let out a soft sigh. She had spoken a great deal with Her Majesty the Queen today. Deep down, she truly felt for her; it had not been easy for the Queen to get to where she was today.

’I hope everyone will be well in the future.’

*

With the revelation of the new potion’s development, many citizens actively applied to participate in the clinical trials. Some even gathered outside the doors of the Fifth Research Institute and the S-Class Shelter, wanting to contribute.

This was undoubtedly a good thing, reflecting the public’s enthusiastic response to the potion’s development across the nation.

However, this was no small matter. It concerned people’s lives, so it was impossible to actually accept their offers.

The matter was only resolved after media reporters were brought in to provide a detailed explanation online and appease the public.

Nevertheless, the public’s sentiments and enthusiasm were well received.

The first group of participants chosen for the potion trial were High-level Advanced males from the S-Class Shelter.

Before it began, consent was obtained from their families.

They were chosen largely because they had already reached the final stage of their condition. Even with Lu Xiao working day and night to treat them, it would have been impossible to cure them all.

Therefore, the potion was their last hope.

All of the patients’ families chose to use the potion.

Using it offered a chance of survival; refusing it meant their fate was already sealed.

But the good news was that within 24 hours of the first group receiving the injection, half of the black substance within their Spirit Seas disappeared. After 48 hours, the black substance vanished completely. At 72 hours, the High-level Advanced Male Beastmen regained their sanity.

Within 48 hours of the second injection, their bestial state receded. 24 hours after the third injection, their disorder levels dropped.

Afterward, they entered an observation period. One month later, the first group of users recovered and were discharged from the hospital, though they remained under observation.

Three months later, some of the first users experienced a relapse. They were given an emergency booster shot, and after a week of observation, there were no further signs of relapse.

Seven months later, another relapse occurred. A second emergency booster was administered. After a week, there were no signs of relapse, and observation continued...

Over the course of a year, after repeated experiments and observation, the potion was finally ready for its official launch.

The potion was divided into three types—Early Stage, Mid-stage, and High Stage formulas—to be used according to each male’s specific condition.

All males in the Empire would receive an 80% subsidy for the potion, meaning the Empire covered 80% of the cost. They only needed to pay the remaining 20% to have their Spirit Sea disorder cured.

The potion would be sold at all major hospitals, and those who had made outstanding contributions to the Empire were eligible for free treatment.

It could be said that the advent of the potion gave hope to all males.

As soon as it was released, countless males flocked to the hospitals.

At the same time, Admiral Hans held a press conference, publicly announcing the permanent closure of the S-Class Shelter. However, the S-Class Shelter would be preserved as a historical site and opened to the public as an exhibition, so that no one would forget the nightmare that had tormented Male Beastmen for centuries and would learn to cherish the present.

The Fifth Research Institute also changed its focus, becoming a prevention and treatment center for S-Class males. It would now focus on educating the public on how to prevent the onset of Spirit Sea disorder, striving to one day completely eradicate the condition and permanently end this nightmare.

"Teacher Ai Li, I’m going to head home for the day," Lu Xiao said, getting up to bid farewell to Teacher Ai Li before walking out.

"Go on. And tell Vice Admiral Ares ’happy birthday’ from all of us."

"Thank you, I will." Lu Xiao smiled, waved goodbye to the teachers, and then drove to the Seventh Military District to pick up Ares from work.

She stopped to buy a cake on the way.

The guards at the Seventh Military District saw her arrive and immediately opened the gate to let her in.

When Kevin saw Lu Xiao at the door, he greeted her with a smile. "Ms. Lu Xiao, you’re here to pick up Vice Admiral Ares again."

"I am. Is he in his office?"

"He is, he is! He’ll be so happy to know you’re here."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ares pushed the door open and stepped out. He had already changed out of his military uniform. The moment he saw Lu Xiao standing there, the coldness in his eyes melted away, replaced by a gentle tenderness.

"Ares, I’m here to pick you up from work." The scene sent Ares into a daze, as if he were reliving the first time Lu Xiao had ever appeared here.

Back then, Lu Xiao had said the very same thing.

Ares smiled and agreed, walking over to take the hand Lu Xiao held out to him. "Let’s go home."

As they walked out of the Seventh Military District, the orange-red glow of the setting sun washed over them, bathing them in a warm light.

They strolled home hand in hand, their silhouettes stretching out on the ground, making them look incomparably close.

At that moment, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but smile as she turned to Ares and said, "Happy birthday, Ares."

Ares turned his head to look at the young female beside him and said softly, "Thank you."

’Having Lu Xiao come into his life was the greatest gift heaven could ever give him.’

(End of Main Story)