At the public banquet celebrating Graces’s appointment as main husband, Duke Leslie was the picture of glory. Everyone knew that her family’s male, once considered ’defective,’ had not only become a Gene Fusion Expert thanks to Duke Lu Xia, but had now also been elevated from a husband to the main husband.

It seemed every stroke of good luck had fallen into Duke Leslie’s lap.

Duke Leslie was overjoyed. Even as she stood there, accepting the sincere and insincere congratulations from others, she still felt as if she were in a daze. It was like a dream—no, it was something she wouldn’t have even dared to dream of.

Even as Graces’s mother, she had never imagined he could bring her so much pride!

The frustration she’d endured because of Hugheska had finally been soothed. Hugheska was ruined, but Graces had more than made up for it! 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Lu Xia had also invited Mandela, Hugheska’s former Female Master, to today’s event. Mandela had specifically mentioned at the Government Affairs Hall that she wanted to attend, so Lu Xia had added her name to the guest list.

Seeing Duke Leslie, Mandela approached to greet her, arm-in-arm with her new main husband, her demeanor perfectly casual.

Even though Duke Leslie disliked her, she didn’t show the slightest hint of it. After all, today was a joyous occasion for the Leslie Family.

"Congratulations, Duke Leslie."

"Thank you. Is this your new main husband?" Duke Leslie sized him up, forced to admit that, in terms of looks, he was a significant improvement over her son, Hugheska.

Mandela smiled and nodded. "Yes. Velare, greet Duke Leslie."

"Good day, Duke Leslie."

Duke Leslie nodded in response.

Meanwhile, Lady Rafaelde was also in high spirits. Although today’s public banquet had nothing to do with Smelian, she was delighted to see him wearing formal attire similar to Lu Xia’s and being included as Lu Xia mingled with the guests.

This banquet might not be about Smelian, but who was to say the next one wouldn’t be?

Perhaps the next event would be a public banquet for her Smelian to become a secondary husband.

There was only one main husband, a position Graces had luckily secured, but the role of secondary husband was still something to aspire to.

As Lady Daina returned with Cecil, her gaze met Lady Rafaelde’s. The two women exchanged friendly smiles.

In reality, however, their minds were each racing with their own calculations.

Lady Rafaelde made a point of glancing at Cecil’s attire, which was a completely different style from what Lu Xia, Graces, and Smelian were wearing, and she felt even more pleased.

’Clearly, our Smelian is the one pulling ahead. He can’t compete with Graces, but at least he hasn’t been surpassed by Cecil.’

’He wasn’t even included when the custom attire was made. He’s clearly not a priority for Duke Lu Xia.’

Lady Daina naturally saw through Lady Rafaelde’s thoughts. She felt a sting of resentment but was helpless; the fact was that Cecil was indeed falling behind Smelian.

This wasn’t just a matter of clothing.

Lady Daina shot Cecil a fierce glare but said nothing more. She didn’t want to appear petty; the dignity of the Imperial Family had to be upheld.

Lu Xia, however, was very tactful. After exchanging pleasantries with the other guests, she came over to speak with Lady Daina. Noticing Cecil, she even made a point to ask if he had gotten something to eat.

Even someone as critical as Cecil couldn’t find a single fault with the Duke at that moment.

Especially after witnessing how Lu Xia treated Graces and Smelian tonight... The comparison was painful.

And he was the one getting hurt by it.

But he couldn’t blame anyone. He had made his choice. He just wasn’t willing to admit that he was, in fact, quite envious.

After Lu Xia left to attend to other matters, Lady Daina shot Cecil a sidelong glare. "A Female Master so capable and so considerate of her partners... open your eyes. Can you find another one like her in the entire Empire?"

Cecil didn’t respond, which was a tacit admission. Still, a part of him remained defiant, and he couldn’t help but think, ’I haven’t met that many Female Masters. How would I know if there are others like her?’

"If you don’t know how to appreciate her, plenty of others do. The next banquet we attend might just be for Smelian’s appointment as secondary husband. I can see Lu Xia is quite fond of him. And why wouldn’t she be? Who doesn’t like a partner who is both handsome and sensible?"

"Mother, I’m not as bad as you make me out to be, am I?" ’My looks aren’t bad, either.’

Daina just sneered, her silence full of scorn.

The banquet lasted late into the night. After the guests had departed, Lu Xia couldn’t help but feel a little weary.

She left the remaining arrangements to the old butler and returned to her room with Graces.

Watching them leave, Cecil sauntered over to Smelian. "Tsk, tsk. I thought with me gone for so long, you would have already secured your place and won our Female Master’s favor. Looks like your progress hasn’t been that great after all."

Smelian looked at Cecil, who was clearly trying to feel better at his expense. "Thank you for your concern, but I don’t think that day is far off. Not that you’d care, I imagine. It’s late. I’m going to rest as well. Good night."

"Hey!" Cecil stared at Smelian’s retreating back, wanting to say more, but Smelian showed no sign of stopping.

’Does this guy not realize I’m mocking him?’

’He’s not even getting angry?’

Cecil found it hard to understand. He had originally planned to leave the moment the banquet was over. After all, Lady Daina had already gone, and Duke Lu Xia clearly didn’t care whether he stayed or left. His departure would go completely unnoticed.

He didn’t want to stay here and have to walk on eggshells around Duke Lu Xia. Living here was nowhere near as freeing as being on his own.

But now, he was wavering. He found himself wanting to know just how Duke Lu Xia won people over. Both Graces and Smelian were utterly devoted to her. What kind of magic did she possess?

With that thought, Cecil turned and headed back to his room.

The old butler saw him go upstairs, somewhat surprised. He had assumed Cecil would leave immediately after the banquet but was not expecting him to stay.

’As expected,’ the butler thought. ’Some males are experts at saying one thing while feeling another.’

’No matter how firm they sound, their resolve still wavers.’

’It’s hardly surprising. Who could possibly resist our lady’s charm?’

After Lu Xia returned to the room with Graces, he hugged her from behind. "Thank you, Xiaxia. I was so happy at the banquet tonight."

"I’m glad you’re happy. From now on, no one will question your status, Graces. You can hold your head high and do whatever you wish. I will always be on your side."

"Even if I were to do something that crosses a line?"

Lu Xia tilted her head, looking at Graces in confusion. "What do you mean, ’something that crosses a line’?"

"Something bad. But if I had my own reasons for it, would you still be on my side, Xiaxia?"