After hearing Smelian’s account, Lu Xia fell silent.

’I didn’t expect that guy Graces to be so resourceful,’ she thought.

Seeing Lu Xia go quiet, her expression unreadable, the two of them felt a growing unease.

Cecil said, "Lu Xia, if you’re unhappy, just punish us. Please don’t be angry over this."

Lu Xia glanced up at him. "I am, in fact, not very happy. Although I can understand your intentions, I also hate it when you hide things from me and take matters into your own hands, thinking you’re doing what’s best for me."

"Can you contact Graces? I want to speak with him personally."

Smelian spoke up. "He’s usually the one who contacts us. The next time he does, I’ll let you know."

Hearing this, Lu Xia nodded. "All right, I understand. It’s getting late. Let’s get some rest."

With that, Lu Xia stood up and walked toward the door.

Cecil was about to follow her but was stopped by Smelian.

Cecil looked back at Smelian. "What do we do? Lu Xia seems really angry. She’s not going to ignore me now, is she?"

He had just started to feel that his relationship with Lu Xia had grown much closer. He didn’t want to go back to how things were at the beginning, like they were strangers. He really didn’t want to go back.

Smelian patted his shoulder gently. "We were in the wrong here. However Xiaxia treats us, we have to accept it. Let’s give her some space for now."

Cecil knew Smelian was right, but he was still panicking. "Then you need to talk to her properly."

After all, Smelian was still living with Lu Xia.

Smelian nodded slightly. "You should head back first."

After Cecil left, Smelian didn’t return to the master bedroom. Instead, he went to find Simon.

When Simon saw Smelian, he knew Lu Xia had already spoken with them. He wasn’t surprised by Smelian’s visit and said, "What do you want to talk about?"

Smelian got straight to the point. "Did Xiaxia ask you to investigate Graces and us?"

"Actually, the Duke only asked me to investigate Graces. She suspected he had ties to the Alliance Army. She must have noticed something from the recent incidents. The matter concerning you and Cecil was just a trace I came across during the investigation."

Hearing this, Smelian nodded lightly. "Okay, I understand."

He didn’t blame Simon for reporting to Lu Xia. After all, Simon had no obligation to hide any of this for them.

What Simon did was a display of his loyalty to Duke Lu Xia, a fact they couldn’t deny or criticize.

Because they would have done the same thing in his position.

Simon looked at Smelian and asked reflexively, "The Duke is very angry. Her physical condition is delicate right now, so it’s best not to provoke her."

"I know. Thanks for the reminder."

Smelian said this, then turned and went upstairs back to the master bedroom.

When he came in, Lu Xia said nothing.

Smelian walked over and knelt on one knee before her. "Xiaxia, if you’re angry or upset, you can punish me. Don’t keep it bottled up inside."

Lu Xia looked at Smelian kneeling before her and sighed. "Get up. You know I don’t like people kneeling to me."

At her words, Smelian stood up again. "I’m sorry, Xiaxia, for upsetting you. No matter our reasons, we really shouldn’t have hidden this from you."

Lu Xia said, "I know what you’re thinking, and I know what you want to give me. But this is a very dangerous undertaking. Have you ever considered what would happen if you failed?"

Smelian was silent. They were all well aware that by following Graces down this road of no return, they had to win.

They couldn’t afford to lose.

Lu Xia also understood that things had already progressed to this point. It was impossible to change course now. She asked, "Is Graces all right?"

Smelian nodded slightly. "He’s not in any danger where he is now. He’s commanding from the rear, not fighting on the front lines. And now that Admiral Snop has joined the Alliance Army, everything is moving in a good direction. Xiaxia, we’ll be able to see each other soon."

Lu Xia understood the current situation was tilting entirely in favor of the Alliance Army. She nodded lightly. "I understand. It’s late. Let’s rest."

Looking at Lu Xia’s calm expression, Smelian didn’t feel relieved. On the contrary, he felt a little worried.

「The next morning,」 on his way to work, Smelian contacted Graces.

He told him that Lu Xia now knew his identity.

Graces was silent for a long moment before asking, "Is Xiaxia very angry? Did she say anything?"

Smelian sighed. "It’s because she’s so calm that I’m worried. If she’d had an outburst, I actually wouldn’t be as concerned. Graces, I think we really made Xiaxia unhappy this time."

This time, Graces fell silent. His expression looked grim. After a while, he finally said, "I’ll go back and explain it to her myself."

"Now?" Smelian asked. "What if you come back at a time like this and you’re exposed?"

"The time is about right. There’s no need to keep hiding. It’s time to bring the Alliance Army completely out into the open."

This wasn’t a reckless, impulsive decision on Graces’s part.

Smelian said, "Since you’ve already made up your mind, when are you planning to come back? What do I need to arrange on my end?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"I’ll confirm the time and place and let you know."

After they agreed, Graces suddenly asked about Simon.

"What are you planning to do to Simon?" Smelian asked subconsciously after explaining Simon’s situation.

"If he was able to dig up this information, he must have his own channels. I need to know if he’s secure."

Smelian didn’t object. "I’ll leave it to you then."

After the call ended, Kading clearly sensed that something was off about Graces’s aura.

He asked tentatively, "Your Female Master found out what you’re doing, didn’t she? Is she angry? Is she going to punish you or... break up with you?"

Graces heard those last two words and his head snapped toward Kading. "I will not break up with her!"

He said these words with extraordinary firmness. Even if Lu Xia wanted to leave him, he would never let go.

Sensing the hostility in Graces’s tone, Kading didn’t dare ask any more questions. He knew very well that if he pushed it, Graces’s attitude would be far worse than it was now. He quickly forced a smile. "Uh, if there’s nothing else, I’ll just head out."

Graces didn’t speak, but he didn’t stop him either.

Clearly, he didn’t care whether Kading stayed or left. He had more vexing matters to deal with at the moment.

Kading didn’t dare stay and continue to test Graces’s patience. After hurrying out, he happened to run into Admiral Snop. He immediately sidled up and asked in a low voice, "Your Excellency, how much do you know about Graces’s Female Master? If Graces’s identity is exposed, do you think his Female Master will abandon him?"

Admiral Snop raised an eyebrow and glanced at Kading. "That’s a dangerous thought you’re having!"