He refused to admit his own mediocrity, his own incompetence. He couldn’t understand how Graces had so easily accomplished what he himself had spent countless years and so much effort failing to do.

He refused to admit he was incompetent.

Graces gave a slight nod. He didn’t press the matter further. The truth was, the answer wasn’t important to him. He and Lustan had never shared a deep father-son bond.

If anything, the thought of Lustan only brought back memories Graces would rather forget.

"Go on, kill me. Use my blood to pave your road to success. I’m willing."

"Don’t think so highly of yourself. I’m not going to kill you, but you will never be free again. I’m sending you back to the Dark Prison, where you’ll live out the rest of your days."

Lustan let out a soft chuckle. "Graces, do you know why I chose to do this at the very moment you were about to succeed? Besides my own bitterness, there was another reason. You’re not ruthless enough. You have no great ambition. You’re only doing all of this for that Female Master of yours. This was a golden opportunity for all males to seize the upper hand, yet you deliberately chose not to. You think fighting for equality will make those high-and-mighty females bow their heads? You’re wrong. Your actions won’t change anything. I’m waiting for the day you regret it all."

Graces listened in silence, paying no mind to the tirade. He almost felt that Lustan, raving like this, was finally acting normal.

He curled his lips, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "What do other people’s lives or deaths have to do with me? My only goal has ever been to make her happy."

The savage expression on Lustan’s face froze at Graces’ words. He stared at Graces, whose eyes held a smile, and for a moment, it was as if he were meeting his own son for the very first time.

Graces continued, "Don’t waste any more thought on it. None of this is your concern anymore. This will be the last time we see each other. Take care of yourself."

With that, Graces turned and left without a moment’s hesitation.

After Graces was gone, Lustan seemed to find his voice again. "Lunatic! You’re a complete lunatic!"

The iron door slammed shut, cutting off Lustan’s furious screams.

*

The news that the Alliance Army would soon be garrisoned on the Imperial Star was officially made public, heralding the end of the Empire’s era.

The public’s reaction was fervent—

"We’ve finally made it to this day. The hypocritical Imperial Family has fallen at last. We won’t have to live in constant fear anymore."

"I think everyone should hold off on celebrating. Who knows if the Alliance Army coming to the Imperial Star is a good thing or a bad thing? What if they’re even worse than the Imperial Family?"

"Honestly, it doesn’t make much difference to people like us who’s in power. But at least I’m a Gene Fusion Expert now. That’s a real, tangible benefit."

"Exactly! If it weren’t for this, who knows when we’d have become Gene Fusion Experts. But at least we all are now."

"I work with population data, so you all might not know this, but ever since the gene fusion agent was rolled out, the number of abandoned ’defective’ males has dropped dramatically!"

"A relative of mine is a researcher at the No. 2 Institute. He said they’ve never stopped their research on the gene fusion agent. The 80% success rate isn’t the end goal. They’re dedicated to developing a 100% agent to completely eliminate the existence of ’defective’ males in the Empire."

...

Lu Xia saw this news as well, of course. But unlike the general public, her focus was on something else: she knew Graces would be home soon.

Smelian came downstairs and noticed Lu Xia still on the sofa. "Has Cecil not returned yet?"

Lu Xia nodded. "Yes, he’s probably a bit busy today."

"Then shall I accompany you to your check-up with Doctor Eugene?"

"Don’t you have things to do today, Smelian?"

"I’m not in a rush. I can head to the hospital a little later."

Lu Xia smiled at him. "No, it’s all right. I’ll wait for Cecil. You should go take care of your own things. I’m not in any hurry, either."

Just as Smelian was about to say something more, Cecil rushed in from outside. "I’m so sorry, Lu Xia! I’m sorry for keeping you waiting."

He then noticed Smelian standing there and asked in surprise, "Oh, you haven’t left for work yet?"

Smelian nodded. "Since you’re back, take good care of Xiaxia. I’ll be going now."

After watching Smelian leave, Cecil came to Lu Xia’s side. "Should we head out now, Lu Xia?"

Today was the day for her physical examination at the No. 3 Courtyard. Lu Xia could have gone by herself, but Cecil had insisted on coming along, worried for her. She had relented and let him.

"Let’s go. I’m ready."

The two of them left the Duke Mansion, boarded a hovercar, and headed straight for the No. 3 Courtyard.

Doctor Eugene had already prepared everything. He always personally conducted Lu Xia’s physical examinations. This time, however, was a little unusual; Duke Lu Xia’s pregnancy was showing more than it had previously, which was why she had come in for this specific check-up.

When Lu Xia arrived at the No. 3 Courtyard, Doctor Eugene greeted her personally and led her into the examination room. "You’re looking very well. Have you been feeling any discomfort?"

Lu Xia replied, "You know my symptoms have been mild, but I’m showing more this time compared to my last two pregnancies."

As she spoke, she was helped onto the examination table.

Doctor Eugene personally performed the ultrasound.

The moment he saw the image, Doctor Eugene gasped. "Duke, you’re carrying twins this time."

Lu Xia froze for a second. Of course, she knew what "twins" meant.

Cecil, however, who was standing nearby, didn’t quite understand. "What does that mean?" he asked worriedly. "Is there a problem? Is it serious?"

Doctor Eugene looked at the nervous Cecil, a smile in his eyes. "The Duke is carrying two cubs. That’s what twins are."

Hearing Doctor Eugene’s explanation, Cecil finally understood what "twins" meant.

His blue eyes widened instantly. He stared at the screen next to Doctor Eugene in utter disbelief. He couldn’t make sense of the images on it, but he had understood the doctor’s words.

Cecil was so stunned he couldn’t react. Doctor Eugene smiled and said to Lu Xia, "I never expected you to have twins. No wonder you’re showing so much more this time around."

Lu Xia sat up. She truly hadn’t expected to be carrying two cubs.

’That would explain it, though.’

Lu Xia nodded, finding the news easy to accept.

Cecil cautiously leaned in closer and asked in a soft voice, "Are they really twin cubs, Lu Xia?"

His voice trembled as he spoke, and he kept it hushed as if afraid that speaking too loudly might startle the fetuses in Lu Xia’s womb.

Lu Xia smiled, reached out to pat his head, and nodded. "I trust Doctor Eugene wouldn’t be mistaken."

At her words, Cecil couldn’t contain himself and pulled Lu Xia into a hug. "You’re amazing, Lu Xia! And I’m amazing, too!"