Graces returned two days earlier than Lu Xia had expected. When she suddenly saw him at the main gate after work, she thought she was hallucinating, until the man in his military uniform walked toward her. "Xiaxia, I’m back."

He was still wearing his uniform. He had clearly just returned and hadn’t even had time to change before coming to pick her up.

Lu Xia smiled and looked him over. ’He’s been gone for over a week, but he looks good. He hasn’t lost any weight, and he looks healthy.’

Her anxieties finally settled, and she stepped forward to hug Graces. "Welcome home."

The moment she hugged him, warmth spread through Graces’s heart. With a smile in his eyes, he pulled the small female in his arms tighter.

"Did everything go smoothly this time? Can you talk about it?"

"Yes, quite smoothly. An insect cocoon unexpectedly appeared on A11 Star, and the Insect Race was after it. But it’s their dormancy period right now, so they weren’t very strong. Dealing with them wasn’t difficult."

Lu Xia listened intently, nodded, and then asked, "You weren’t injured, were you?"

"Not at all. Thanks to the Fire Spirit Gene Extraction Liquid you gave me, Xiaxia, we achieved a total victory with minimal losses."

"That’s good!" Hearing Graces’s words, Lu Xia was completely relieved.

But in his heart, Graces silently apologized. ’I’m sorry.’

He didn’t want to deceive Lu Xia. It was just that letting her know what happened on A11 Star right now wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing. He still needed to ascertain Her Majesty Queen’s stance. Besides, he couldn’t allow Lu Xia to be implicated in what he planned to do next. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Oh, right, Graces, you probably don’t know yet. Shortly after you left, Her Majesty Queen’s reward arrived. It was a Merit Medal."

"I know."

"You know?" Lu Xia was surprised. She hadn’t mentioned it to Graces, and he wasn’t even on the Imperial Star. ’How could he possibly know?’

"Because I’m always paying attention to you, Xiaxia. No matter where I am, I find a way to know what’s happening with you."

His words delighted her. "Alright, then. I suppose I have you to thank for this Merit Medal, Graces."

"What does it have to do with me?"

"I have a feeling Her Majesty Queen decided to award me this medal because of your performance on A11 Star. Otherwise, why didn’t she give it to me sooner?"

Graces didn’t think so. It wasn’t likely a reward granted to Lu Xia on his account. After all, to Her Majesty Queen, the influence of a mere male was worthless.

’Only Lu Xia, with her high opinion of me, would think it had anything to do with me.’

Back at home, Smelian and Cecil were already there. When they saw Graces return, Smelian greeted him casually, and Cecil gave a wave.

Graces nodded to them both and followed Lu Xia upstairs.

Cecil stood beside Smelian, watching him. "What are you staring at? Now that he’s back, there’s even less room for you with Duke Lu Xia."

Smelian glanced back at him. "You talk way too much."

"..." Cecil looked incredulous. He watched Smelian turn and leave, then tilted his head to ask the old butler, who was walking past, "I talk too much? Me, talk too much?"

The old butler glanced at him. "You don’t talk too much, sir."

Cecil instantly felt vindicated. "See? I knew it! I’m an introvert, I barely say a word. How could I possibly talk too much?"

"You’re just... verbally dense," the old butler added, before turning and walking away as well.

Cecil, who had just been feeling comforted by the butler, was stunned. "...Hah! None of you understand me at all!"

’There are times I’m so quiet at home I don’t say a single word, okay?!’

’People’s prejudices really are like a mountain!’

’They don’t understand me at all! Hmph!’

*

「The next morning.」

Graces left home and went directly to the Imperial Palace for an audience with Her Majesty Queen.

He had received the summons while on his way back.

He now stood before Her Majesty Queen, his eyes slightly downcast in a picture of respectful deference. Her Majesty Queen silently sized him up for a moment before speaking. "I heard you were once a ’defective’ male. Did you only change after getting together with Duke Lu Xia?"

"It was merely a coincidence. I was injured once, and in a blessing in disguise, it activated the Beastification Gene within me."

"So, you’re saying you didn’t become a Gene Fusion Expert by using the gene fusion agent developed by Duke Lu Xia. Is that correct?"

"That is correct."

"Then you are indeed fortunate. However, does this not also suggest that the gene fusion agent developed by Duke Lu Xia is not necessarily as effective as claimed? Correct?"

"It merely improves the odds."

"Mm, I see. You performed well on A11 Star. Is there anything you wish to say?"

Graces knew this was the true reason Her Majesty Queen had summoned him today.

"It was just a routine support mission. I have nothing to report."

"Hah. I don’t believe you made a trip there and discovered nothing. Graces, I have a very good impression of your Female Master... and by extension, I have a rather good impression of you as well. I’m well aware that you are both pillars of the Empire. I greatly value talent, but I also require your loyalty."

Graces dropped to one knee. "I have never mentioned the events on A11 Star to any outsider, nor would I ever question Her Majesty Queen’s decisions. Your Majesty must have your reasons, and I will not presume to speculate on them. I ask for Your Majesty’s understanding."

Her Majesty Queen was reasonably satisfied with his performance. Her tone softened. "You didn’t even tell Duke Lu Xia?"

"Without Your Majesty’s permission, everything that happens during a mission is subject to a principle of confidentiality. I would not dare to speak of it."

"Mm, you did the right thing. Do not let Duke Lu Xia learn of this matter. She is a kind person and would surely be upset if she knew. You performed well this time. Now, tell me, what reward would you like?"

"It was merely my duty. I dare not ask for a reward."

"Then I will double your merit points to speed up your promotion. Graces, I know Admiral Snop intends to groom you. Work hard, and the First Military District will be yours in the future."

Graces was well aware that Her Majesty Queen was using these promises to win him over.

Graces bowed his head in respectful thanks, no longer refusing.

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Graces went directly back to the First Military District, where Admiral Snop was already waiting for him.

Seeing him return, the admiral immediately greeted him with a smile. "You went to see Her Majesty Queen?"

Since Graces hadn’t reported to the First Military District first thing in the morning, Admiral Snop was bound to ask why.

When he learned Graces had been summoned by Her Majesty Queen, he assumed it was for something good. So, without even waiting for a reply, Admiral Snop asked, "Did she reward you?"

"For my performance on the mission, my merit points were doubled."

"That’s not bad at all! You earned quite a few merit points this time. At this rate, you’re not far from making lieutenant general!" Admiral Snop smiled and patted Graces’s shoulder, genuinely happy for him.