Although no one was speaking at the table, Smelian could sense that the intimacy between Duke Lu Xia and Graces was not an act.

They would occasionally comment on which dish was particularly good, creating a natural and warm atmosphere that was pleasant rather than uncomfortable.

Everything was unnaturally harmonious.

It wasn’t until she was halfway through her meal that Lu Xia remembered Smelian was also at the table.

She couldn’t help but look over, her gaze landing on the man who was staring down into his bowl, lost in thought. "Smelian, is the dinner to your liking? If you have any dietary restrictions, you can tell the butler."

In that moment, Smelian truly felt like a guest, and Duke Lu Xia was treating him as a hostess would.

Ordinarily, this wouldn’t have meant anything, but it was a stark contrast to how she treated Graces.

"It’s delicious, thank you. I don’t have any dietary restrictions."

"That’s good." Lu Xia seemed to breathe a sigh of relief before asking, "What do you do for work?"

Upon hearing the question, Smelian thought to himself, ’Just as I thought.’

’So it’s true. Duke Lu Xia doesn’t remember who I am, and she’s never tried to learn anything about me.’

"I work at the Imperial Central hospital; I’m a surgeon." This was a common career path for ’defective’ males. A body that hadn’t undergone the ’baptism’ of the Beastification Gene was generally incapable of high-intensity, physically demanding work.

In any era, being a doctor was a stable and respected profession.

Even though he was ’defective,’ in a life-or-death situation, who would care about his status?

However, becoming a doctor wasn’t easy, and only Smelian himself knew the hardships involved.

Lu Xia was somewhat surprised. She hadn’t expected him to be a surgeon.

But before she could say anything, Smelian had already spoken. "If you dislike me going out to work, I can stay at home."

Though he said this, he clearly wasn’t happy about the prospect.

This made Lu Xia glance involuntarily at Graces. Graces had once said the same thing.

Hearing it again, it just sounded familiar. She wasn’t surprised at all. ’Habit is a terrifying thing.’

"Work is a part of your life. You don’t need to give it up for anyone; that’s not required here." Lu Xia stood up as she spoke. "Besides, having a doctor in the house is, for some reason, very reassuring."

When Lu Xia rose, Smelian instinctively stood up as well, then watched as she and Graces left the dining table together.

He thought about Duke Lu Xia’s last words before she left. ’Was that a compliment?’

’I never thought Duke Lu Xia would actually be willing to let me continue working.’

’Another thing that’s different from the rumors.’

’Is this how Graces was won over?’

"Smelian, are you finished?" the old butler suddenly asked, snapping Smelian out of his daze by the table. "Yes, I’m finished. Thank you."

"Then I’ll have the table cleared. If you need anything, you can let me know at any time."

"I understand. May I ask... where is Graces’s room?"

"He lives with the Duke in the master bedroom now. If you’re looking for him, you can go there." The old butler didn’t stop to wonder why Smelian was suddenly asking where Graces was staying.

In his view, there had always been a competitive relationship between males, even if they were both husbands to Duke Lu Xia. That was an unchangeable fact.

But they could always compete to be the most favored one.

’This house is about to get much more lively.’

Smelian, however, was once again stunned by the old butler’s answer.

’Duke Lu Xia actually allowed one of her husbands to live with her.’

’This was a privilege that even a main husband might not enjoy, right?’

Lu Xia had no idea what was going through Smelian’s mind. After returning to her room, she received another video call from Prince Li Mang.

Seeing Lu Xia appear on screen, the Prince was even more enthusiastic than last time. "My dear, are you free the night after tomorrow? How about you and Duke Leslie come to my place for dinner? It’s just a small dinner party, not many people invited, all good friends. A chance for us to have some fun!"

Seeing Prince Li Mang again, Lu Xia felt her spirits were even higher than last time, as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart. She was visibly more relaxed and at ease.

Lu Xia knew the hair growth liquid must have had an extraordinary effect, which explained Prince Li Mang’s enthusiasm.

Naturally, she wasn’t about to push away this enthusiasm. She smiled and said, "Of course I’m free. I’ll definitely be there. I could never bear to refuse an invitation from the Prince."

"Then it’s settled! You and Duke Leslie can come together. I’ll introduce you to my friends—they all want to meet you, you know!"

Not long after ending the call with Prince Li Mang, a video call from Duke Leslie came in. She had evidently received the Prince’s invitation as well.

The moment the call connected, Duke Leslie said excitedly, "My dear, I really have to thank you this time. If it weren’t for you, there’s no way I could have gotten into Prince Li Mang’s social circle so quickly."

"Nonsense. If we’re keeping score, I wouldn’t have even met Prince Li Mang if you hadn’t made the introduction."

"Hahaha, I love the sound of that! Then let’s just say we’re even. I’ll come pick you up the day after tomorrow, so you don’t need to drive. I’ll take you home afterward as well."

"Alright, then I’ll be bold enough to take you up on that. Thank you for the trouble."

"It’s my absolute pleasure! Oh, by the way, I heard something about when Prince Li Mang asked you for that hair growth liquid. Turns out, there was no ’friend’ involved. The Prince used it herself, and apparently the results were excellent. Just yesterday, I heard she was even sharing the story with others. It looks like her issue is completely resolved."

’Duke Leslie’s information network really is extensive.’

To know something so private and to deliberately tell her... she was clearly giving Lu Xia a heads-up, so she wouldn’t misspeak and create an awkward situation by asking Prince Li Mang about her supposed "friend."

Lu Xia understood Duke Leslie’s intentions, of course. She thanked her with a smile and ended the call.

Since she was going to attend Prince Li Mang’s dinner party, Lu Xia decided to prepare some beauty cream to bring as a gift.

Seeing how happy Lu Xia looked after ending her call, Graces said softly, "Members of the Imperial Family will likely be at the Prince’s private banquet as well."

Lu Xia was a little surprised by Graces’s reminder. She knew the Empire was controlled by the Imperial Family, but she hadn’t had any contact with them so far.

’On second thought, given Prince Li Mang’s status, it’s perfectly normal for members of the Imperial Family to attend.’

’I just wonder which of them will be there.’

As the thought crossed her mind, she asked, "Do you know who it might be?"

Graces reached out and casually straightened Lu Xia’s collar, which had become rumpled. "You have another husband who’s a member of the Imperial Family—Cecil. His mother is Lady Daina, Her Majesty the Queen’s younger sister. She and Prince Li Mang are also distantly related."