"Wait for me to come back, Xiaxia."

This was the last message Graces sent Lu Xia before he went into battle.

Lady Rafaelde placed great importance on Smelian becoming a Gene Fusion Expert.

She still remembered the splendor of the celebration Duke Leslie had thrown for Graces, and now, such an opportunity had finally fallen to her.

How could she possibly neglect it?

Besides, the Rafaelde family had been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time. Now that they finally had a chance to show the world their family’s prestige, they had to seize it and expand their connections as much as possible.

Early in the morning, Lu Xia arrived at the celebration banquet with Smelian and Cecil. When Lady Rafaelde saw the three of them, she took the initiative to greet them, her face beaming with a brilliant smile.

Her gaze toward Smelian was especially gentle, as if he were her most cherished male.

Her eyes swept over to Cecil, and she noticed his attire was no longer so unconventional. This outfit had clearly been prepared for him by Lu Xia.

’It seems Cecil has finally caught Duke Lu Xia’s eye. Still, it’s fine. Our Smelian has a greater head start.’

’At least Cecil isn’t a Gene Fusion Expert yet.’

Cecil clearly noticed the disdain in Lady Rafaelde’s eyes. But he had learned his lesson this time. When the old butler asked if he wanted to attend the celebration for Smelian becoming a Gene Fusion Expert, he had gladly accepted the invitation and told the butler that he had no formal wear for the banquet.

That was how he got the chance to wear formal attire similar to Lu Xia’s and Smelian’s, ensuring he wasn’t excluded. It was just as Smelian once said: some things you had to fight for yourself.

In the past, he would have scorned doing such things. But after meeting Lu Xia, he had started trying to earn her affection and attention, wanting to become a true member of this household and not be left out.

Lady Rafaelde had also invited Lady Daina to Smelian’s celebration banquet. When Lady Daina arrived and saw Cecil in formal wear that matched Lu Xia’s and Smelian’s, a smile finally appeared on her face.

Evidently, Cecil had finally wised up.

When Lady Rafaelde saw Lady Daina approach, her smile grew even brighter. When she sent the invitation, she had been prepared for it to be rejected. She never expected Lady Daina would actually come.

Of course, she wasn’t naive enough to think Lady Daina’s arrival was to celebrate Smelian becoming a Gene Fusion Expert. She was here entirely for Duke Lu Xia’s sake, and to pave the way for Cecil’s future.

Not long after, Duke Leslie also arrived. But unlike her dazzling appearances in the past, this time Duke Leslie looked somewhat weary. Thinking of how Graces was currently on the battlefield fighting the Rebel Army, Lady Rafaelde knew full well the source of her haggard exhaustion.

Putting herself in the other’s shoes, if Smelian were in Graces’s place right now, she would be just as worried. After all, it wasn’t easy for any family to produce such a promising male. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She tried not to think of the worst, not to be so selfish, but she couldn’t help but wonder: ’If Graces doesn’t make it back this time, will Smelian replace him as Duke Lu Xia’s main husband?’

After all, there wasn’t a male alive who wouldn’t covet the position of a Female Master’s main husband, and the Rafaelde family would certainly not pass up the chance to deepen their ties with Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion.

Lu Xia, unaware of Lady Rafaelde’s thoughts, accompanied Smelian in welcoming the day’s guests. Cecil stood quietly beside them.

Duke Leslie watched the three of them with a bitter feeling in her heart. ’If Graces were here, he would surely be standing by Duke Lu Xia’s side. Even if today was Smelian’s celebration, my Graces would still be the most dazzling one here.’

Lady Daina, however, was very pleased with the day’s events, because Cecil was finally standing by Duke Lu Xia’s side instead of being excluded.

As for Lady Rafaelde, she was the star of the day. All the guests were filled with envy for her. This was the second time; another of Duke Lu Xia’s husbands had become a Gene Fusion Expert.

Some even felt deep regret. ’If we had sent our own useless males to Duke Lu Xia back then, would they have had the chance to become Gene Fusion Experts now?’

’We were scared off by those dreadful rumors about Duke Lu Xia. Thinking back on it now, we regret it so much. How many of those rumors could have actually been true?’

Quite a few people were harboring such thoughts. Lu Xia soon noticed that many more females were coming to strike up conversations with her today. While this had happened before, they had never been this enthusiastic.

Lu Xia was no fool. She knew very well that their goal was simply a product of their own greed, sparked by seeing Smelian become a Gene Fusion Expert after Graces.

She didn’t want to pay them any mind, but there were always bold females who would approach her.

"Duke Lu Xia, good day. My male just came of age this year. He is exceptionally handsome and graceful. If you are interested, I can bring him to you for a look."

"Duke Lu Xia, my male is also a suitable age for you. I don’t ask for the status of a secondary husband; I just want him to be by your side as an ordinary husband to serve you."

Faced with these comments, Lu Xia’s expression turned cold. A chill emanated from Smelian’s eyes, while Cecil could barely conceal his anger.

’I haven’t even won Lu Xia’s affection yet, and these people think they have a chance? Dream on!’

But he was also keenly aware that Lu Xia was the decision-maker. Regardless of whether he and Smelian wanted it, as long as Lu Xia agreed, she could take home whomever she pleased. They had no right to interfere.

Lu Xia didn’t turn to look at Smelian or Cecil. She gave the women a cold smile. "You should save such wonderful males for others. The few I have at home are more than enough."

Her decisive refusal didn’t surprise them, but they were a little disappointed. They’d thought that if Duke Lu Xia was still the profligate from the rumors, they would surely be able to share in her current glory.

Lady Rafaelde had initially been worried that Lu Xia might agree. She was also furious that these people were so tactless, saying such things at Smelian’s celebration banquet. It was clear they had no respect for the Rafaelde family.

This was precisely why the Rafaelde family wanted to climb the social ladder and align with the powerful. In the Empire, merchants were always considered a lower class.

But thankfully, Lu Xia had not agreed. Lady Rafaelde turned to the two women. "Have you two forgotten that today is my male, Smelian’s, celebration banquet? To say such things at a time like this shows a complete lack of consideration for my male. In that case, please see yourselves out."

Neither of the two women had expected Lady Rafaelde to be so blunt as to ask them to leave, but they had indeed acted in a way that embarrassed the Rafaelde family.

Lu Xia watched the two leave without a word, clearly not minding Lady Rafaelde’s actions.

Witnessing this scene, some couldn’t help but wonder if the next banquet would be to announce Smelian as Duke Lu Xia’s secondary husband.