Some things are simply inevitable.

Even though Graces had given her a heads-up before she came, Lu Xia hadn’t expected Lady Daina to be so direct, even giving her a choice.

If she didn’t like him, they would help her find another one she did like.

’As if the males in her household were cabbages at the market, to be swapped out at her whim if she didn’t like them.’

This was certainly a sign of high regard, but it also let her feel the cold indifference of the Imperial Family.

’Perhaps all the females in the Empire were selfish and heartless to the bone.’

Hearing this, Lu Xia smiled and said, "Thank you very much for holding me in such high regard, Lady Daina. But there’s no need for a change. I have no dissatisfaction with Cecil. I’ve just been rather busy lately and have neglected them. I thought they also have their own work and careers to focus on, and it wouldn’t be good for them to always revolve around me, so I let them be. I didn’t expect it would cause a misunderstanding."

She didn’t know what would await Cecil if she were to refuse him.

Based on her understanding of this society, a male rejected by his Female Master would likely not meet a good end. Besides, since she had already accepted Graces and Smelian, a few more really wouldn’t make a difference.

She would treat every single one of them equally.

"So that’s how it is. It seems I misunderstood you. Since Duke Lu Xia has her own considerations, I will not involve myself in your affairs from now on. However, if Cecil does anything to displease you, you can come to me at any time."

’I can’t believe Lady Daina even includes after-sales service,’ Lu Xia thought wryly.

Although Lu Xia was thinking this, she showed no hint of it on her face.

After that, there was no more mention of Cecil. The three of them chatted for a while longer before Lu Xia stood up to leave with Prince Li Mang. By then, there wasn’t much time left until the end of the banquet, and Duke Leslie had already come looking for her.

"Your Highness, thank you for introducing me to Lady Daina today. If you need anything in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask." She knew that while Lady Daina had her own reasons for wanting to meet, Prince Li Mang’s role in connecting them was undeniable. It was only right to say what needed to be said and express her gratitude.

By accepting this favor from Prince Li Mang, she would have more opportunities to interact with him in the future.

"You’re being far too polite with me. Meeting Lady Daina had nothing to do with me; it was all you. If you weren’t so capable, my cousin wouldn’t have met you no matter how hard I tried. Didn’t you see? She came to the banquet and stayed in the lounge the whole time without even stepping out. She’s quite the character." At this point, Prince Li Mang looked at the approaching Duke Leslie and chuckled. "Speaking of which, I truly envy you. It’s a pity I don’t have any suitable males in my family. If I did, I would certainly send one to build a connection with Lu Xia."

Hearing this, Lu Xia felt a headache coming on and quickly said, "Your Highness, even without such a union, I feel very close to you."

After the banquet ended, Lu Xia returned to the car with Duke Leslie. Once the door was closed, Duke Leslie asked curiously, "Did Prince Li Mang take you to see Lady Daina just now?"

There was nothing to hide. Lu Xia nodded. "Yes. I also didn’t expect Lady Daina would want to see me."

"Of course she’d want to see you. You’re the hottest topic among the high-society females of our Empire right now. Setting aside the hair growth liquid and beauty cream, just the fact that Graces became a Gene Fusion Expert is enough to make many people want to meet you."

As Duke Leslie said this, her tone was filled with an unconcealed sense of pride, as if she were basking in the reflected glory of Lu Xia’s current achievements.

Lu Xia was amused by her exaggerated tone. "I won’t argue about the hair growth liquid and beauty cream, but Graces’s business has nothing to do with me. How can you pin that on me?"

"Who made you his Female Master? Even if it’s his honor, you get half the medal for it. How could it have nothing to do with you? Don’t be too modest. You have to take credit where it’s due. Who knows, maybe my male just benefited from your good luck. Otherwise, when he was injured before, how come I never saw him activate his Beastification Gene?"

Unexpectedly, Duke Leslie managed to convince herself as she spoke. Lu Xia just smiled, nodded, and didn’t argue anymore.

"Don’t you worry about the celebration banquet for Graces. Since I’m the one organizing it, I’ll take full responsibility. You just need to bring him with you when the time comes. I’ll have Hugheska come too and make him apologize to Graces. He’ll do what he’s supposed to; I’ll make sure of it."

"Is that really okay?" Lu Xia was a little surprised that Duke Leslie was willing to do this.

"What’s not okay about it? He doesn’t get a say in the matter."

Although Lu Xia felt that Graces might not care whether Hugheska apologized or not, she thought the process of making someone who had always bullied him apologize was still very worthwhile, so she didn’t plan to refuse.

Duke Leslie personally drove Lu Xia to her door. As she watched Lu Xia get out of the car, she couldn’t help but ask, "My dear, I wanted to ask... do you have any thoughts on who your main husband will be?"

Main husband?

Suddenly hearing those two words, Lu Xia froze for a moment. She clearly hadn’t expected Duke Leslie to abruptly bring up the position of main husband.

’Is it because of Graces’s recent change in status?’

Since Duke Leslie was asking, she definitely wasn’t just asking casually.

"Not at the moment. I probably won’t consider it in the near future. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking that if you had any ideas, I could help you look for someone."

"I see. That won’t be necessary. I don’t have any plans for that right now. Thank you for your concern, and for worrying about my affairs."

"Isn’t that what I should do? What’s our relationship? Alright, since you don’t have any plans, I won’t worry about it either. It’s getting late, you should get some rest."

The fact that Lu Xia had no intention of elevating Graces to main husband, nor any intention of choosing a main husband at all, was, in any case, good news for Duke Leslie.

Before, she would never have coveted the position of Duke Lu Xia’s main husband. After all, Graces was just a ’defective’ male; fantasizing about the main husband position was a fool’s dream.

But now that Graces had become a Gene Fusion Expert, it got her thinking.

’There was no chance before, but isn’t there one now?’

Based on Duke Lu Xia’s current achievements, even members of the Imperial Family had taken notice. As long as she didn’t make any foolish mistakes in the future, she would surely be able to restore the Duke Mansion to its former glory.

So, if Graces was fortunate enough to become her main husband, the Leslie Duke Mansion would be tightly bound to her. How could she not be tempted?

But Duke Leslie told herself not to be too hasty. At the very least, she couldn’t let Duke Lu Xia think she was greedy for the main husband position, and she couldn’t let Duke Lu Xia come to dislike her.

Lu Xia had no idea Duke Leslie was having so many thoughts. When she returned and stepped into the house, she saw Graces, Smelian, and the old butler all in the living room. Hearing the sound, all three turned their heads in unison.

Smelian was the first to react, stepping forward to take the coat and bag from Lu Xia’s hands.

Seeing him take the initiative, Lu Xia was a little surprised and couldn’t help but give him a second glance.