In that moment, Kading even sensed killing intent from Graces.

"I haven’t said anything yet, but... he really doesn’t know you have a male?" Kading couldn’t believe Graces had hidden something so important.

"Stay out of it, Kading. If Lustan finds out about this, I’ll come for you!"

"Hey, isn’t that a bit tyrannical? It might not even be me who tells him!" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Who asked you to meddle? If you don’t want to cause trouble for yourself, then keep everyone in line. Now you can get lost!"

Graces tossed out the words and turned to leave, showing no intention of lingering.

And Kading could see it now: Duke Lu Xia and the male child called Little Pu Tao were Graces’s breaking point.

’A person who once had nothing and suddenly gains everything will protect it with their life, especially someone like Graces.’

Kading had no doubt that in that brief moment, Graces had genuinely wanted to kill him.

"Has Graces’s Beastification Gene really gotten this powerful? Just a hint of his presence makes my legs go weak. Just how strong is that guy now?" Kading muttered as he walked toward the sea, then transformed into a fish and disappeared beneath the waves.

When Graces returned, he let the chill dissipate from his body before lying down again beside Lu Xia. His little mate was completely unaware he had left. Sensing a familiar presence, he snuggled closer and wrapped his arms around him.

Early the next morning, when Lu Xia came out of the bedroom, Graces had just returned from his morning run. Little Pu Tao was in the Breeding Master’s arms, clutching his big pearl and GULP GULP-ing down his milk.

His eyes caught sight of Lu Xia, and he let out a couple of little grunts, as if to say, ’I’m over here.’

Lu Xia went over and stroked the little cub’s head. He was sweating just from drinking his milk. Noticing the large pink pearl still clutched in his little hand, Lu Xia teased him with a laugh, "Pu Tao, can you give me the pearl, please?"

To his surprise, the little cub actually reached out and placed the pearl in Lu Xia’s hand. ’This little guy is pretty generous,’ Lu Xia thought, kissing him with a smile. "Thank you, sweetie. I love it, but how about you help me keep it safe for now?"

He placed the large pearl back into Little Pu Tao’s hand, and the little cub let out a couple of coos in response.

"Breakfast is ready." Graces came over after quickly washing up. When Lu Xia noticed the seafood congee on the table, his eyes lit up. "When are we heading back later?"

"This afternoon. I’ll have the butler pack some extra seafood to take with us."

"Okay! The seafood here is so fresh. We can bring some back for Smelian and the others to try." Lu Xia thought it was a great idea.

Before they left, Graces found a few more pretty seashells for the little cub, adding to his little treasure trove.

When they arrived home that afternoon, the butler heard the commotion and immediately called people out. Having been notified in advance that they were bringing back seafood, the staff was already prepared to receive it.

Smelian wasn’t home from work yet. He had more patients recently and had been working overtime for a few days.

Cecil, however, was home. Hearing the noise from upstairs, he glanced down through the window and saw Graces get out of the car with Little Pu Tao in his arms, alongside Lu Xia. The heartwarming scene was almost painful to watch.

So when Lu Xia and Graces came inside, they saw Cecil coming down the stairs.

Lu Xia noticed him, a little surprised. "Oh, you’re home, Cecil."

"Yes. Did the Duke have a nice time?"

"It was nice. The scenery by the sea is beautiful. You should go see it sometime when you have the chance." As if not detecting the sarcastic undertone in Cecil’s voice, Lu Xia smiled at him. "I’m going to my room to change. We’re having a seafood feast for dinner. Smelian isn’t working late tonight, is he, Butler?"

"I will inquire shortly," the butler replied quickly.

"Okay, I’ll head up then." After saying this, Lu Xia went upstairs. Graces handed the little cub in his arms to the Breeding Master, then glanced at Cecil, who was standing to the side. "If you want something, go fight for it. Xiaxia doesn’t owe you anything."

Cecil met Graces’s warning gaze. He wasn’t surprised that Graces could read his mind; after all, males tend to understand other males.

Seeing that he chose to remain silent, Graces said no more and headed upstairs.

Cecil stood there, watching the servants bustling about because of Lu Xia and Graces’s return, and felt it was all utterly pointless. "Don’t set a place for me at dinner. I have something to do."

Tossing out those words, he turned and went upstairs. A short while later, having changed his clothes, Cecil left Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion.

Cecil had been moody and unpredictable lately, so the old butler was already used to it. He said nothing as Cecil left. ’Duke Lu Xia probably won’t mind, anyway,’ he thought.

Sure enough, when dinner time came and Cecil was nowhere to be seen, Lu Xia only asked about him once. After learning he had gone out for something, he didn’t say anything more.

He did, however, notice that Smelian seemed to have gotten a bit thinner recently.

"Have you been busy lately, Smelian?"

Suddenly being shown concern, a smile touched Smelian’s eyes. "A little. But I’ve also been training recently to adapt to my Beastification Form, so I’ve slimmed down a bit."

"I see. Just make sure you take care of yourself. Your health is more important."

"I know. Thank you for your concern, Xiaxia."

"So how is your control over your Beastification Form coming along? Is it stable?"

"It’s stable now. I won’t have any more of those... unbalanced incidents like before."

Knowing he was referring to the time he almost plunged headfirst into a glass of water, Lu Xia nodded with a smile. "That’s good to hear."

The seafood dinner was sumptuous. Smelian clearly enjoyed it and ate a lot. The leftovers were distributed among the household servants.

During the meal, Graces stepped out to take a voice call. It was a message from military headquarters.

When he returned, his expression was grim. Lu Xia couldn’t help but ask, "What happened?"

"There’s been an uprising on a border mining star, instigated by the rebel army. I’ll probably have to go to the front lines." Although the order hadn’t been issued yet, as part of the First Military District, he was certain to be on the deployment list.

Knowing Graces had to go to the front lines again, and with no idea how long it would be this time, Lu Xia couldn’t help but worry, though he also knew this was the nature of his profession. "When will you get the specific orders?"

"Tomorrow." Graces looked at Lu Xia, his eyes filled with apology and guilt.

Lu Xia, however, remained calm. "Okay. Then leave as soon as you can and come back safe. I’ll be waiting for you at home."

"Okay!" As he said the word, a sharp pain lanced through Graces’s heart. He knew very well that this time, he probably wouldn’t be coming back in one piece. "Xiaxia, while I’m gone, take good care of yourself. Smelian, you’re a Gene Fusion Expert now. Protect him."

"I will, Graces. You don’t need to tell me; I would have done it anyway." Smelian didn’t need Graces’s special instruction.

Because Lu Xia was his Female Master, too.