As Graces stepped out of the First Military District’s main gate, he saw Secretary-General Rheinska standing not far away. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Upon seeing him, Rheinska waved to get his attention.

Graces walked over. "You were looking for me? What’s this about?"

Rheinska said apologetically, "I came to offer you my sincerest apologies."

"What have you done wrong?" Graces asked, his expression perfectly calm, as if he truly had no idea why Rheinska was there.

Rheinska sighed. "It’s all my fault. I spoke out of turn without knowing the full story. When Lady Victoria asked about you, I just assumed she was curious and told her you were Duke Lu Xia’s husband. I didn’t know at the time that you had already become the main husband. And I certainly never imagined Victoria had such intentions. I’m truly sorry. My loose tongue has caused trouble for you and Duke Lu Xia, and I feel deeply remorseful."

Graces nodded. "I see."

"I can compensate you, if you’d like."

"I’ll contact you if the need arises." Graces didn’t refuse, which made Rheinska, who felt guilty for his mistake, feel a bit better. "Congratulations on becoming the main husband."

"Thank you," Graces said. "I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you."

"Of course. Please, contact me anytime."

After watching Rheinska leave, Graces lit a cigarette. As the smoke curled around him, he seemed to make some kind of decision.

He stubbed out the cigarette and waited for the scent to fade from his clothes before opening the door to his hover car. Lu Xia often rode with him.

He didn’t want Lu Xia to smell the smoke on him.

Not even a trace.

*

In a long, damp, and gloomy corridor, dim yellow lights cast an even more oppressive pall over the surroundings.

Graces handed his coat to the guard at the entrance, then strode inside.

The prison cells lining the corridor were pitch-black, like the gaping maws of beasts ready to devour a person whole at any moment.

Graces walked without pause until he reached the end of the corridor. He raised a hand, removed his black glove, and scanned his fingerprint. A mechanical voice confirmed his identity, and the large door before him slid open.

As the door opened, a sliver of warm sunlight streamed out. Graces looked at the gray-haired, middle-aged male sitting on the floor before casually shutting the door behind him.

No one would believe that here, in a place like the subterranean Dark City, a room could exist that received sunlight. The space was filled with books and mechanical equipment, arranged in a state of chaotic order.

It looked as if someone had been living here for a long time.

"Well, what a rare guest. Graces. I thought you’d be so lost in your lover’s arms you would have forgotten your old father even existed."

"If I didn’t remember you, you probably *would* be forgotten by the world. After all, as far as anyone knows, you’ve been dead for years."

Graces kicked aside some spare parts at his feet and sat on the sofa, watching the man tinker with a scattered collection of components.

"Hah. I’d almost forgotten, if you hadn’t reminded me. What brings you here? Hasn’t your great Female Master already promoted you to main husband? So why the long face? Has she cast you aside already?"

Graces’s silence seemed to surprise the man, who turned to look at him. "Or could it be... you’ve finally come around? Decided there’s some truth to what I’ve been saying?"

"Don’t just sit there in silence. I know you’re upset because you’ve caused trouble for your precious Female Master. You’re blaming yourself, aren’t you? That just proves you’re still not strong enough! The Empire is holding you back, limiting your potential. Maybe you were afraid to consider it before, but now you’re a flawless Gene Fusion Expert. For the sake of your dear, beloved Female Master, you *must* become stronger. Overthrow the tyrannical Imperial Family, establish a new alliance, and seize power for yourself! That is the only right path. Graces, I understood your reluctance before, but what about now? What reason could you possibly have to refuse?"

"Do you want to stand by and do nothing, watching helplessly, the next time your Female Master is threatened? Or are you content to live your entire life sheltered by her? Duke Lu Xia is a Duke, yes, but she isn’t all-powerful. What happens when she runs up against someone stronger, or a situation she can’t handle? Besides, you know better than anyone that her current undertakings are attracting all sorts of dangerous attention, don’t you?"

"Now is the time for you to step forward, Graces!" the man proclaimed, his face wild with fervor as he preached before Graces like a soldier ready to die for his utopia.

And yet, the words that spilled from his lips were nothing short of high treason.

This wasn’t the first time Graces had heard such words. It had started when he was just a child, when Lustan first brought him here and told him that this Dark City would one day be his foundation.

"Graces, you know full well that the Empire’s system is no place for a male to thrive. No matter how exceptional you become, you will never be able to overcome the mountain that is your gender. The only way is to tear it all down, to change the system, so that males can rise up and take control! After everything that’s happened, surely you understand that now!"

"Don’t worry about how your Female Master will see you. Once you succeed, you won’t have to fear losing her. Maybe she’ll even understand! Didn’t you yourself say how wonderful she is?"

Seeing Graces remain silent, Lustan refused to give up. He could see that Graces was wavering!

’He was so close. His dream was almost within reach!’

Graces looked up, his gaze meeting Lustan’s barely concealed, excited eyes. "I will give it serious consideration."

"Yes, yes! Consider it carefully! Think it over!" ’After all these years, Graces was finally wavering, finally willing to consider it. Wasn’t that progress?’

"You’re right to think it over carefully. This is a momentous decision, after all. But rest assured, once you’ve made up your mind, your father will support you. I’ll always support you!"

Lustan was beside himself with excitement, pacing back and forth in the cluttered room.

’He felt he really ought to thank Duke Lu Xia. If not for her, he might never have seen Graces waver in his entire life. This was wonderful. He would have to send Duke Lu Xia a grand gift.’

Graces didn’t stay long. As he rose to leave, Lustan called out to him. "Graces! I had thought all hope was lost in my lifetime. I never imagined I’d have the chance to place this key in your hands. Our Frederick family has always fought for its independence; we have never given up hope. Once you’ve made up your mind, use this key to unlock the treasure the Frederick family has left for you. It will be your greatest asset."

Graces looked down at the Dragon Lion Badge Lustan had pressed into his hand. He’d seen it as a child—it was the insignia that only the Frederick Family Leader was permitted to inherit.

That was right. In the Frederick family, only a male could inherit the title of Family Leader. They had been one of the most unique families in the Empire, but they had since been lost to the river of time. With Lustan’s "passing," the Frederick family had faded completely into obscurity.