Just as Smelian had thought, Graces’s side had long known about Cecil’s arrival. The reason they hadn’t stopped him was to test him.

After all, Cecil’s identity was a known factor. They were all Lu Xia’s companions, but Cecil also belonged to the Imperial Family. Graces was unsure how Cecil would choose to act once their identities were exposed.

Therefore, it was best to probe Cecil’s perception and thoughts on the Rebel Army beforehand.

Now, Cecil had firmly taken Lu Xia’s side and chosen to join them, which was undoubtedly excellent news.

As for Cecil, his heart was not nearly as calm as he appeared on the surface. He never would have imagined that the commander of the Rebel Army was none other than Graces.

’Then Graces’s disappearance wasn’t a coincidence, but an inevitability. And everything they’re doing is being hidden from Lu Xia.’

He knew perfectly well that this secrecy was a way of protecting Lu Xia. But he was also well aware that if the truth came out, there was no telling if Lu Xia would be angry.

But since he had already given Smelian his word, he had no regrets. He himself was a product of the Imperial Family, and he was keenly aware of its current decay. Its glorious façade could no longer hide the rot within.

’If we can establish a new system, that would be a good option. Most importantly, I don’t want Lu Xia to suffer any more injustice or be forced to compromise.’

’Our little female should live a happy, joyful, and blissful life.’

Seeing Smelian and Cecil return together was a rare sight for Lu Xia. She asked in surprise, "How come you two came back together today?"

Smelian smiled and said, "We just happened to run into each other outside the door, so we came in together."

Lu Xia didn’t doubt Smelian’s words. She nodded with a smile. "Perfect timing, dinner’s ready. Go wash your hands so we can eat."

No matter how chaotic things were outside, it was always warm and comforting at home. Cecil glanced at the smile on Smelian’s face and thought, ’This guy really knows how to put on an act.’

Sensing Cecil’s gaze, Smelian gave him a look that told him to keep calm.

Cecil turned his head away and said to Lu Xia, "I’m going to go change first."

Lu Xia acknowledged him and watched Cecil leave. Then, she turned back to Smelian and asked, "When are you planning to inject that Ice Spirit Gene?"

"Tomorrow, probably. I have the day off."

"In that case, I’ll have the butler prepare a room for you ahead of time."

"Okay, thank you." After speaking, Smelian reached out and gave Lu Xia a hug.

*

「The next morning」 After Cecil left the Duke Mansion, Smelian took the Ice Spirit Gene Extraction Liquid and entered the empty room the old butler had prepared for him.

Lu Xia had originally wanted to accompany him, but Smelian refused. He didn’t know if something bad might happen during the injection process. If it did, and he lost control and hurt Lu Xia, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Lu Xia understood this, so she didn’t insist. As she watched Smelian enter the room, she simply reminded him, "I’ll be right outside. Call me if you need anything at all."

She handed Smelian a glass of Spiritual Spring Water, motioning for him to drink it.

Smelian didn’t object. He took the glass, downed it in one gulp, and turned to enter the room.

He took the Ice Spirit Gene Extraction Liquid from its sealed container. The ice-blue liquid was beautiful and shrouded in mystery.

It was a type of Superpower Gene Liquid that no male Beastman could refuse—something utterly priceless.

And yet, Lu Xia had given it to him so easily.

Smelian slowly pushed the liquid into his body. A bone-chilling cold immediately followed, and a thin layer of frost coated the arm he had just injected.

He endured the chill spreading from within, knowing it was the Ice Spirit Gene Extraction Liquid taking effect. The process wasn’t actually long, but the piercing cold was almost too much for Smelian to bear. He fell to one knee, and the spot he touched was instantly sealed in a layer of frost.

The temperature in the room plummeted. If anyone else had been present, they would have marveled at the magical scene: Smelian had become a man encased in ice.

But soon after, white wings suddenly unfurled from his back, stirring up a gust of frigid wind.

Then, the shell of frost covering his body began to crack and shatter, revealing Smelian’s original skin tone. The wings on his back slowly vanished, and Smelian’s body swayed before he collapsed to the floor.

As the overwhelming sensation of the superpower faded from his body, only an endless emptiness remained.

Smelian felt completely drained of strength. ’This must be the weakness period Lu Xia mentioned,’ he couldn’t help but think. ’It’s definitely more severe than I imagined, but it’s not unacceptable or unbearable.’

A knock came from the door. Smelian looked at the closed door, knowing it must be Lu Xia.

He wanted to speak and tell her he was fine so she wouldn’t worry, but he found he couldn’t even make a sound.

The person outside must not have heard a response, because they opened the door themselves.

The moment Lu Xia opened the door, she felt the frigid temperature inside. Then, she saw Smelian lying on the floor.

The young male’s face was extremely pale, but his gaze was still fixed gently on her. Lu Xia hurried inside and rushed to Smelian’s side. "Are you okay?"

Smelian nodded lightly, signaling that he was fine, but he just couldn’t produce any sound.

Lu Xia noticed this and quickly asked, "You can’t talk right now, Smelian? The weakness period can be a little tough. Just hang in there. I’ll have the butler take you to your room to rest."

Before long, the old butler came in with some servants and carried Smelian back to his room. Lu Xia fed him some more Spiritual Spring Water, hoping he would recover faster.

After doing all this, Lu Xia didn’t leave. Instead, she stayed in the room to keep Smelian company through this difficult weakness period.

She couldn’t help but wonder if Graces had suffered just as much when he injected the Fire Spirit Gene. But she hadn’t been by his side back then.

’He never mentioned it to me. Graces probably didn’t want to make me worry.’

Thinking of Graces again, Lu Xia still felt a sense of melancholy. ’I wonder how he’s doing right now?’

’But I know that with how strong Graces is, he should be living well no matter where he is.’

As time passed, the color gradually returned to Smelian’s face. Seeing the little female asleep by his bedside, Smelian’s heart melted. He reached out to gently stroke Lu Xia’s hair, but he didn’t dare to wake her.

He rolled over and slipped lightly out of bed, then lifted the sleeping little female onto the bed so she could rest more comfortably.

But the movement still disturbed Lu Xia’s dreams. He heard the little female’s soft, sleepy voice say, "Smelian, are you feeling any better?"