Smelian didn’t know where his mother’s confidence came from. ’What would she think if she knew I still haven’t received Duke Lu Xia’s favor?’

As he thought this, a sarcastic smile touched his lips. "Mother, I have been with Duke Lu Xia for a long time, and she has never once shown me her favor."

With that one sentence, the smile on Lady Rafaelde’s face fractured. She stared at Smelian in disbelief, and when she spoke again, her voice cracked. "How is that possible?"

She couldn’t believe it. ’A female who keeps a male by her side without touching him? Even if Duke Lu Xia isn’t promiscuous and the rumors are false, it’s impossible she wouldn’t have favored Smelian at all after so long.’ She was well aware of the effect the beauty of the Rafaelde family males had on the Empire’s females. That was why she couldn’t believe Smelian’s words.

But she also knew that Smelian wouldn’t lie to her about this. That made her even more confused. ’Why could this be?’

’Could it be that Duke Lu Xia only wants Graces?’

Smelian saw the dazed look on his mother’s face and spoke calmly. "I have tried, but Duke Lu Xia did not agree. So I can’t guarantee that I can accomplish what you want. Please don’t harbor any unrealistic ideas. Even without my connection to Duke Lu Xia, as long as you treat her with sincerity, she won’t let you down."

Because of what Smelian said, Lady Rafaelde was clearly no longer as cheerful as before. The way she looked at him grew complicated. "I hope you’re not just saying this to upset me."

Smelian smiled faintly. "More than anyone, I want to receive Duke Lu Xia’s favor. Why would I lie to you about something like this?"

Not wanting to speak with him any further, Lady Rafaelde waved him away. When Smelian emerged from the study, he saw Cecil approaching Duke Lu Xia with a tray of food.

"You should still eat some dinner. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for you."

Though she hadn’t wanted to eat, Lu Xia reached out and took the tray, thanking Cecil.

Noticing Smelian’s return, she smiled and asked, "Did your talk with Lady Rafaelde go well?"

Smelian nodded. "Mhm. Is this all you’re eating for dinner? Shall I have the kitchen prepare some hot food for you?"

Lu Xia shook her head. "No, it’s fine. I don’t have much of an appetite."

Smelian knew. Ever since Graces had gone to the battlefield, he hadn’t sent Lu Xia a single message in days. Although Lu Xia said nothing, she must have been worried sick.

After Lu Xia had a few bites, she set the tray aside. "It’s getting late. Let’s go home."

By now, most of the guests had left. Lu Xia said her goodbyes to Lady Rafaelde, then took her three companions home.

When they returned home, the butler had already prepared a sobering tonic and served it to her three companions. At the same time, he brought out an invitation and presented it to Lu Xia. "This was just delivered by a messenger from Lady Dain. It’s for the public banquet for Victoria’s main husband. She hopes you will attend."

Lu Xia was a little surprised. She reached for the invitation and glanced at the names. Other than Victoria, she didn’t recognize the second name at all. ’I wonder which family’s male is to become Victoria’s main husband. And why would they invite me to his public banquet?’

The butler asked, "Will you be attending? Should I have a new gown prepared for you?"

Lu Xia hesitated for a moment. "I’ll let you know once I’ve decided."

She returned to her room and made a voice call to Lady Daina. It connected almost immediately, and before Lu Xia could speak, Lady Daina asked, "You received an invitation to the public banquet for Victoria’s main husband, didn’t you?"

Lu Xia wasn’t surprised that Lady Daina knew. Lady Daina had obviously been invited to the public banquet as well. After all, Lady Daina and Lady Dain were sisters. Regardless of their personal feelings, Lady Daina would always attend an event like this.

She would go, even if only for the sake of the Imperial Family’s dignity.

"I just don’t understand—why would they invite me?"

"The answer is simple. Her Majesty the Queen wants to see you two reconciled. Even if it’s just to keep up appearances, you must present a friendly face to the public. For the sake of ’face,’ our dear Queen is capable of anything."

This gave Lu Xia a new perspective on the Queen. "So I can’t refuse this invitation, can I?"

Lady Daina’s reply was just as direct. "Correct. It may look like an invitation from Lady Dain, but it’s actually at Her Majesty the Queen’s behest, so you can’t refuse. You can come with me, though. Just think of it as going to watch the drama unfold. And did you know? The choice for Victoria’s main husband was handpicked by Her Majesty herself. That male has a gene fusion degree of 80%. Countless females in the Empire want to bond with him and conceive naturally."

Lu Xia was confused. "What do you mean? What does the gene fusion degree have to do with natural conception?"

It was the first time she had ever heard of such a thing.

Lady Daina chuckled. "Who knows? That’s what the rumors say, and plenty of people believe it. Males with an 80% gene fusion degree are rare, but they do exist. Yet to this day, there hasn’t been a single case of natural conception. That should be enough to prove the gene fusion degree has nothing to do with it, but some people are just hopelessly unrealistic."

’The gene fusion degree really has nothing to do with natural conception,’ Lu Xia thought. She and Graces were the perfect example. Although she still didn’t understand how she had conceived naturally, it was most likely linked to her long-term consumption of the Spiritual Spring Water.

She didn’t discuss the topic further with Lady Daina. After all, natural conception was something every citizen of the Empire yearned for, but to this day, it had never been achieved. No matter how hard the Fertility Research Institute worked, there had never been a glimmer of hope. Lu Xia didn’t want to reveal her secret just yet.

It was best not to linger on such a sensitive topic.

"Since I can’t refuse, I might as well go and watch the drama."

After arranging to go with Lady Daina, she ended the call. Then, she informed the butler to have a gown prepared for her.

Upon learning this, the butler inquired, "Who will you be taking with you to the banquet?"

The choice was obviously between Smelian and Cecil. With almost no hesitation, Lu Xia chose Smelian. Their relationship was closer, after all. With Graces away, Smelian had become Duke Lu Xia’s first choice.

The butler wasn’t surprised. He smiled and replied, "Very well."

He would prepare Smelian’s formal attire at the same time he prepared Duke Lu Xia’s gown. What Cecil might think about it was none of his concern. Still, with a touch of wicked delight, he found himself wanting to see the look on Cecil’s face when he found out.