Faced with Smelian’s mockery, Cecil could not retort.

He knew full well that, even if he was unwilling to admit it, his feelings for Lu Xia were already wavering.

After all, he lived in this home day after day, seeing with his own eyes how Lu Xia treated Graces and Smelian.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t envious, but he just couldn’t bring himself to actually admit it.

So he stood before Smelian, his face devoid of expression. He even looked a bit fierce, as if Smelian had just prodded a sensitive spot deep in his heart.

Smelian was completely unfazed. He continued to watch the silent Cecil. "Lu Xia is a good person, and very soft-hearted. But her kindness isn’t a reason for you to provoke and question her. If you want to win her heart, you still have a long way to go. Consider this a friendly reminder from me."

Cecil sneered. "Since when are you so kind?"

Smelian’s expression was neutral, his tone light. "This place isn’t like the Imperial Family you grew up with. The last thing that should ever happen in front of Lu Xia is us fighting over her. I hope you can at least pretend, and you’d better make it convincing."

After saying this, Smelian didn’t spare another glance at the blank expression on Cecil’s face. He knew very well what Cecil had been taught from a young age. He had seen males compete with each other to please his mother, and he probably thought all families were the same. But here, the one thing they never wanted Lu Xia to see was the ugly side of them that emerged when they fought for her affection.

Watching Smelian leave, Cecil was deeply shaken. ’He actually thinks that way? Does that mean Graces does too? Is that why the two of them get along so peacefully at home?’

’So not all families are as sordid as the Imperial Family I grew up in.’

Cecil suddenly let out a soft laugh. Raising a hand to his forehead, he murmured with self-mockery, "What am I going to do? Only now do I realize how ridiculous I’ve been."

No wonder Smelian always looked at him with such pity. He, too, felt that he was pathetic and laughable.

Lu Xia was unaware of the conversation between Smelian and Cecil. After leaving the study, she didn’t return to her bedroom but went to the nursery to see Little Pu Tao.

The little cub had just had his milk and was now lying in his bed, gleefully gnawing on his little treasures. When he saw her approach, he even thoughtfully, kindly, and generously offered one to her, as if inviting her to have a chew as well.

Her previously troubled mood was instantly healed the moment she saw Little Pu Tao. Lu Xia gathered the little cub into her arms, kissed his soft little face, and couldn’t help but think, ’Even if it’s just for this adorable little cub, Graces has to stay alive.’

Tickled by Lu Xia’s kisses, Little Pu Tao giggled happily. He was the only one who could remain so carefree, even with his Male Father heading off to the battlefield. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

She said to the Breeding Master, "Little Pu Tao will sleep with me tonight. You get some rest."

With that, Lu Xia carried Little Pu Tao and left the nursery.

Back in the bedroom, Little Pu Tao’s eyes widened with curiosity as he looked around, seemingly interested in everything. Lu Xia placed him on the bed. Little Pu Tao paused for a moment, then flopped onto his stomach and began sniffing around, as if searching for something.

Lu Xia asked, a little curious, "Little one, what are you sniffing for?"

Little Pu Tao looked up and let out a couple of coos, then transformed into a small, black dragon right before Lu Xia’s eyes.

Lu Xia’s eyes widened instantly. This was the first time Little Pu Tao had entered his full Beastification Form since he was born.

Lu Xia also realized in that moment what had been strange about Little Pu Tao’s behavior just now.

Graces had just slept in this bed yesterday, and his scent still lingered on the sheets that hadn’t been changed yet.

Little Pu Tao had been sniffing for Graces’s scent.

Little Pu Tao had completely inherited Graces’s dragon genes. As they were both dragons, it was perfectly normal for Graces’s draconic aura to attract Little Pu Tao.

But now, Lu Xia couldn’t stop her eyes from turning red. ’If Graces could see this,’ she thought, ’he would be so happy.’

Having suddenly entered his full Beastification Form, Little Pu Tao didn’t seem to have good control of his wings yet and was full of curiosity about the two appendages on his back.

With his red eyes wide open, he flapped his wings with fascination, wobbling into the air from the bed. Like a toddler learning to walk for the first time, he flew crookedly, occasionally bumping into things in the room, but Lu Xia didn’t stop him.

Recalling the comical scene of Smelian nearly diving into a glass of water when he first learned to fly with his wings, Lu Xia seemed to have anticipated Little Pu Tao’s flight attempts.

It seemed that winged Beastmen all had to learn how to use their wings first.

But this was also their innate skill, and soon, Little Pu Tao seemed to have mastered flying with his wings.

Having gotten the hang of it, Little Pu Tao flapped his wings and flew around the room in circles, letting out a happy cry from time to time.

It was as if he were saying to Lu Xia, ’Look, I can fly!’

Lu Xia played along, offering timely encouragement. "Little Pu Tao is amazing! You’re flying so well!"

Understanding her words, Little Pu Tao chirped happily twice. Then, his flapping wings gradually brought him to a hover in front of Lu Xia, his large red eyes as beautiful as the finest rubies.

Comparing Little Pu Tao’s Beastification Form to Graces’s, the only difference was size; every other detail was identical. Even as his mother, Lu Xia had to admit he was truly Graces’s cub.

Lu Xia held out her hand, and Little Pu Tao consciously landed on it, obediently retracting the sharp points of his claws so as not to hurt her in the slightest.

It was as if he instinctively knew how to protect his mother from harm.

Lu Xia reached out and stroked the small, black scales on Little Pu Tao’s body. Their texture was completely different from Graces’s; Little Pu Tao’s scales were much finer and softer.

The gentle stroking must have felt very comfortable, as Little Pu Tao started purring and nuzzling Lu Xia’s hand with his little head, asking for more. Lu Xia didn’t hold back, petting him until he fell asleep in her arms.

After Little Pu Tao fell asleep, Lu Xia took a picture and sent it to Graces.

Aboard the Starship, en route to the battlefield, Graces saw the photo, and his heart instantly softened.

"He’s already learned to transform into his beast form?"

Lu Xia received his reply and typed back with a smile, "I don’t know if he’s learned it properly yet. He just suddenly entered his Beastification Form. It was probably because I brought him back to our room and he smelled your scent."

Graces saw the message and was about to reply when the Starship suddenly jolted. His adjutant looked out the window, his face paling. "Major General, it’s a rebel fleet."

Graces shut off his terminal screen and looked out the window, his tone indifferent. "I know."

’What’s coming will always come. There’s no escaping it.’