The news that Duke Lu Xia had been awarded a Merit Medal, personally presented by Her Majesty the Queen, was publicly announced the very next day.

It was much sooner than Lu Xia had expected.

This was the first time Her Majesty the Queen had proactively awarded a Merit Medal since ascending the throne. Duke Lu Xia would become the first non-Imperial Family member to be granted the title of Prince during Her Majesty’s reign.

Once the news was made public, it immediately captured everyone’s attention. Both the common people and the nobility were stunned—

"This news is so sudden. Who is Duke Lu Xia? Why does that name sound a little familiar?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"For anyone who doesn’t know Duke Lu Xia, look here. She used to be the tabloids’ favorite subject, with tons of scandals. But she seems to have changed a lot recently. Now she’s the founder of the No. 1 Institute—yes, the one behind the famous beauty cream and hair growth liquid everyone’s talking about. She’s also the founder of the No. 2 Institute, which developed the gene fusion agent. Honestly, based on these achievements alone, I think Her Majesty the Queen was right to award her the Merit Medal!"

"The difference between her past and present is huge. What made Duke Lu Xia, the wild woman, change her ways?"

"People with power and influence just do whatever they want. They play around when they feel like it and change when they feel like it. Must be nice to be so carefree!"

"No need to be so snarky, ’person above.’ Duke Lu Xia’s achievements have genuinely benefited the Empire and made a real contribution. No one else could have done it. There are so many nobles out there—have you seen a single one of them accomplish anything like this?"

...

Compared to the heated discussions online, Lu Xia’s terminal was just as busy. Duke Leslie and Lady Rafaelde both sent personal voice messages to congratulate her. Others who did business with the institutes also sent their well wishes.

Everyone also asked when she would be holding a celebratory banquet, reminding her not to forget their invitations.

Lu Xia, however, felt that her household had been hosting banquets too frequently lately. It was really time to keep a lower profile.

Still, a Merit Medal bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen certainly called for a grand banquet to show respect. But Lu Xia wasn’t planning on hosting one right away. She wanted to wait until Graces returned safely.

That evening, the old butler still had the staff prepare a sumptuous dinner. Smelian and an awkward Cecil sat down together, both congratulating Lu Xia on receiving the Merit Medal. The only person missing from the table was Graces.

After dinner, Smelian even gave Lu Xia an exquisite necklace as a congratulatory gift.

When he took it out, Cecil, who was sitting to the side, turned his head and rolled his eyes. ’That guy Smelian has absolutely no spine,’ he thought. ’He never misses a chance to show off.’

’But even after all this, it’s not like Duke Lu Xia shows him any special favor. What’s the point? I really don’t get it.’

Lu Xia hadn’t expected Smelian to have prepared a gift. She accepted it with a smile and looked at the diamond necklace in the box. "It’s beautiful. I love it. Thank you, Smelian."

"I’m glad you like it. Shall I help you put it on?" Smelian’s eyes were full of anticipation. Seeing this, Lu Xia nodded, not refusing his offer.

A delighted smile instantly spread across Smelian’s face. He stood up and carefully fastened the diamond necklace around Lu Xia’s neck.

He had this necklace custom-made a long time ago, and now he finally had the chance to give it to her.

Once it was on, the old butler thoughtfully brought over a mirror. Lu Xia looked at her reflection. A teardrop-shaped diamond rested on her fair, slender neck, glittering beautifully under the lights.

Smelian had excellent taste.

The necklace on her neck seemed to make her skin look even more radiant. It wasn’t gaudy, either—it was a style she would like.

"It really is lovely."

The old butler held up the mirror and nodded with a smile. "It suits you very well."

"I think so too. Smelian has excellent taste," Lu Xia praised sincerely, which was the best possible response for Smelian.

Watching the interaction between the three of them, Cecil, sitting off to the side, felt an inexplicable sense of isolation, as if he were an outsider who couldn’t fit in at all.

He was unwilling to admit it, but he was actually a little bothered by it.

After dinner, Lu Xia returned to her room.

The others also went their separate ways.

Not long after, Cecil came out of his room with just a bath towel wrapped around his waist, his upper body bare. He happened to run into Smelian, who was dressed in a black tactical jacket, looking like he was about to go out.

They both looked at each other at the same time, surprise in their eyes. "What are you going to do?"

"What are you trying to do, dressed like that?"

After speaking, they both fell silent again, staring at each other.

In the end, it was Smelian who broke the silence. "You shouldn’t walk around the house dressed like that. It’s unbecoming."

"You said it yourself, this is ’at home.’ What’s wrong with me dressing like this? Or are you just jealous my body is better than yours? Worried Duke Lu Xia will like me instead of you?"

"You’re overthinking things. In any case, put on some proper clothes before you come out. I doubt Lady Daina ever taught you to be so improper."

Hearing Smelian mention Lady Daina, Cecil’s expression turned cold. He looked at him and said, "Don’t you dare use my mother against me. You’re dressed like that and going out this late. What are you up to?"

"Business, of course." Smelian glanced at the time, not intending to waste any more of it on Cecil. He turned to leave, but Cecil suddenly stepped forward to block him. "You’re going out now, but have you informed Duke Lu Xia?"

"She doesn’t meddle in my affairs. You’d best not meddle either. Move!"

"So that’s a no, then. How do you know she won’t care if you don’t tell her? You’re coming with me to tell her!" As soon as the words left his mouth, Cecil reached out to grab Smelian. But suddenly, a white feather appeared and, with a sharp SMACK, it struck his arm, instantly leaving a bloody gash. "Get lost. Don’t be a busybody!"

Leaving those words behind, Smelian walked away.

Cecil stood rooted to the spot, staring silently at the gash on his arm. But in his mind, he couldn’t help but wonder, ’Is this the power of a Gene Fusion Expert?’

’I didn’t even see how Smelian did it,’ he thought. ’All I saw was a flash of white.’

But he knew with certainty that Smelian had held back. Otherwise, his hand would probably be gone.

"Gene Fusion Expert," Cecil muttered, clenching his fist before turning back to his room.

He had originally planned to find the butler to get the bathroom fixed.

The water system in his room, likely from disuse, wasn’t working properly. The water would frequently switch between hot and cold.

But now, he was in no mood. He wanted to be alone.

Smelian’s late-night departure had only disturbed Cecil; no one else noticed.

The next morning, when Cecil saw Smelian at the breakfast table, the man acted as if nothing had happened. Cecil had no idea when he’d returned the previous night.

However, he could smell the faint scent of blood on him.

The smell wasn’t strong, and it seemed like it had even been treated to mask it, but Cecil’s sense of smell had always been exceptionally keen.

He wasn’t mistaken.