Cecil’s plan was actually quite simple. Since Duke Lu Xia was determined to keep a distance, he decided that if he couldn’t bear to lose his connection to this family, he would just have to integrate himself in his own way.

Smelian watched him, thinking Cecil was acting a bit strange today. ’When did he start caring so much about his status in this family?’

But he didn’t press the issue. Whatever Cecil wanted to do posed no threat to him.

He asked the old butler passing by, "Is Xiaxia back yet?"

The old butler stopped and replied, "She is already in her room."

Smelian acknowledged this and went upstairs.

He knocked on the bedroom door, and Lu Xia’s voice drifted out from within. Smelian pushed the door open to see Lu Xia just coming out of the dressing room, having just changed her clothes. She had clearly only just gotten home. Seeing Smelian return, she smiled and said, "No overtime today?"

"Yeah, I can’t work overtime all the time. I need to have a life of my own, too."

He smiled as he walked over to her, his gaze gentle. "How are you today? Are you feeling unwell at all?"

"Don’t worry. My morning sickness is very mild, almost negligible."

Compared to Graces’s direct and forceful personality, Smelian was much gentler and more considerate.

Hearing this, Smelian nodded. "Xiaxia, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

Noticing his serious expression, Lu Xia spoke gently. "Alright. What is it?"

"Well, I’d like to arrange for some people to protect you in secret when you go out. Would that be okay?"

Lu Xia looked at Smelian, confused. "Why? Everything’s fine. Why do you suddenly want to arrange protection for me?"

"I’m just a little worried. Your situation is delicate right now, and I’d feel more at ease if you had protection. I wish I could be with you every day."

Lu Xia couldn’t help but laugh. "Smelian, don’t you think you’re being a little too anxious? No one knows I’m pregnant, so there won’t be any issues. But if it will give you peace of mind, I’ll agree—as long as they don’t interfere with my life."

’He hadn’t expected Lu Xia to agree so easily.’

Smelian nodded. "I’ll arrange for you to meet them. And don’t worry, I won’t let them disrupt your life. They’re only there to ensure your safety."

"Alright, you can arrange it."

Lu Xia gave Smelian a reassuring smile. She didn’t mind him having his own ideas. As long as he discussed things with her and his requests were within reason, she wouldn’t refuse this kind of concern. She trusted Smelian to be sensible.

She just didn’t expect that wouldn’t be the end of it. That same evening, Cecil came to her, saying he wanted to establish a trust fund for everyone in the family.

Lu Xia was also perplexed and asked Cecil why he wanted to do such a thing.

Cecil’s explanation was the same as before: he was a member of this family.

Lu Xia fell silent for a moment in thought. "Cecil, I know this is a kind gesture, but wouldn’t it be too much trouble for you?"

"Duke, I know I misunderstood you before. I was short-sighted. I thought you were no different from the other females in the Empire, but now I understand that you’re different. I truly want to be a part of this family. I hope you can give me a chance to prove myself, Duke, to let me make up for my past mistakes. Please?"

As he spoke, Cecil suddenly rose and knelt on one knee before Lu Xia.

Lu Xia was startled by his sudden action and subconsciously reached out to help him up, but Cecil caught her hand, holding it tight against his chest. "Duke, please don’t push me away. Even if, in your heart, I can’t compare to Graces and Smelian, could you still leave a little space for me? Just a little is enough."

His gaze was sincere, with a hint of pleading. His voice was even hoarse with nervousness and anxiety. For a moment, Lu Xia was caught off guard by Cecil’s sudden and direct confession.

’I haven’t shown him any particular warmth since he arrived,’ she thought. ’We’ve barely even interacted. Why would Cecil’s attitude toward me change so suddenly?’

"Cecil, you’re still young. You don’t need to make such a big decision so soon. You might meet a female who’s better for you in the future. If that happens, and you’re willing and she truly likes you, I can..."

Before Lu Xia could finish, an anxious Cecil cut her off. "I don’t need that! I don’t want any other female! Duke, you don’t have to like me or accept me right now, but can you please not push me away? Please, just pay more attention to me. Just look my way a little more. Please?"

As he spoke, he buried his face in Lu Xia’s lap, looking utterly pitiful, like a big, guilty cat trying to beg for forgiveness.

Lu Xia looked down at Cecil’s blond head buried in her lap, feeling a little lost for a moment. But she was, after all, several years his senior. After composing herself, she gently patted his shoulder. "Alright. If you want to establish a trust fund for the family, then go ahead."

Cecil looked up, a smile on his face. He was still holding Lu Xia’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go. Meeting Lu Xia’s dark eyes, he asked tentatively, "Duke, may I stop calling you ’Duke’?"

Lu Xia couldn’t help but smile. "Then what would you like to call me? Xiaxia, like the others do?"

Cecil shook his head. "Can I call you Sister?"

The answer surprised Lu Xia. She looked at Cecil’s hopeful face. "Why ’Sister’?"

"Because it feels more intimate, more like family."

Lu Xia hadn’t expected him to think that way; he seemed terrified of not truly becoming part of the family. Seeing her hesitation, Cecil worried she wouldn’t agree and quickly added, "Just at home, is that okay? In private, or when it’s just the two of us, so no one else will hear? Please?"

Seeing how earnest he was, Lu Xia nodded. "If that’s what you want to call me, then go ahead."

’She was, in fact, older than Cecil, so it wasn’t inappropriate for him to call her Sister.’

Elated to have her permission, Cecil immediately changed how he spoke to her. "Sister, rest assured, I will take care of the trust fund. Or, Sister, are you short on money? If you are, I can invest. I’m very wealthy."

Seeing his eagerness, Lu Xia was amused. "Alright. If I’m ever short on money, I’ll be sure to let you know."

’She wasn’t exactly short on money right now. The Daferno family had just transferred 300 million into the institute’s account as compensation. In fact, she was quite flush with cash.’

Hearing this, Cecil stood up, his joy plain to see. "Sister, let’s go downstairs. The butler should have had the whole roasted lamb prepared by now. Let’s go have some."

And just like that, he led Lu Xia by the hand out of the study.

Smelian noticed them coming downstairs holding hands and raised an eyebrow slightly, though he said nothing. Cecil, on the other hand, gave Lu Xia’s hand a little swing in front of Smelian, as if to prove a point.