Graces had never felt anything so clearly. The little one was so close to him, and he could distinctly feel its movements beneath his palm.

In that moment, he truly felt like he was about to become a father.

This was the bond connecting him and Lu Xia. It carried their blood, and its existence tied them inextricably together.

It was magical and deeply moving.

Graces knew he was surely the only male who could have an experience like this.

Lu Xia looked at the man before her, his eyes welling up, and couldn’t help but smile. "What’s wrong, Graces? Are you going to cry?"

Graces lowered his head, resting it on Lu Xia’s shoulder again. "Don’t laugh at me, Xiaxia. I’ve just never felt like this before. It feels like we’re incomparably close. I’m so happy!"

Lu Xia was a little surprised by Graces’ emotional words.

But on second thought, it wasn’t hard to understand. Although Graces had relatives, given Duke Leslie’s attitude toward him, he had probably never experienced true familial affection in his life.

In truth, this wasn’t just Graces’ issue. It was a product of the entire Imperial society—most males were born deprived of affection.

Lu Xia’s heart softened. She raised a hand and gently stroked Graces’ hair. "As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters. When the baby is born, you can teach it well. That’s your duty as a Male Father."

"Okay." Graces took her hand and looked up at her, then kissed the corner of her lips. He desperately needed to feel her presence right now.

To prove this wasn’t all just a dream.

*

On the night of the celebratory banquet Duke Leslie held for Graces, Lu Xia and Graces attended in matching formal wear.

Duke Leslie, who had arranged for attendants to greet guests at the door, smiled and came forward as soon as she saw them. "You’re finally here! Come with me backstage to get ready. You’re the guests of honor tonight, so you have to be the last to make an entrance."

Lu Xia had assumed Duke Leslie would arrange a simple family dinner and was surprised by how grand the preparations were. "Did you invite Prince Li Mang as well?"

"Of course. It’s too rare an opportunity not to invite her. It’s a shame Lady Daina declined, though."

Lu Xia wasn’t surprised to hear that Lady Daina had declined.

When they reached the private lounge, Prince Li Mang was already there. She was thrilled to see Lu Xia and waved her over. "Quick, come here! See if you notice anything different about me tonight?"

"You’re not wearing a wig today, are you?"

"Clever girl! I got extensions. The hair underneath is all my own. I couldn’t wait for it to grow out, so I just went for it. You can’t even tell, can you?" Prince Li Mang affectionately stroked her long hair, her happiness plain to see.

Lu Xia was happy for her, too. "Not at all. There’s no trace of them."

"It took ages, though. Once my own hair grows this long, I won’t have to bother with this again." Prince Li Mang held Lu Xia’s hand, her voice filled with an indescribable joy. The more she looked at Lu Xia, the fonder she felt.

’If it weren’t for Lu Xia, I’d still be worrying about my hair loss!’

"By the way, I heard those people from the Gene Research Institute are coming tonight too. You two should be prepared." As Prince Li Mang spoke, she instinctively glanced at Duke Leslie.

Duke Leslie paused, taken aback. "The director of the Gene Research Institute contacted me directly. I figured it was just one more guest, so I didn’t refuse. What’s the matter?"

Lu Xia hadn’t expected this. After the Gene Research Institute had approached both her and Admiral Snop of the First Military District, they had shamelessly gone to Duke Leslie.

"They’re here because Graces is a Gene Fusion Expert. Do you want him to participate in their ’voluntary’ research and sacrifice everything for it?"

Lu Xia’s question was blunt.

Duke Leslie blinked, not quite understanding why Lu Xia’s attitude had suddenly turned so cold. "Isn’t this a good thing? It’s a contribution to the Empire. Besides, Graces is a soldier. Shouldn’t he have that sense of duty?"

Clearly, Duke Leslie had never considered the matter from Graces’ point of view.

Prince Li Mang, standing to the side, couldn’t help but sigh. Even she could see how much Lu Xia cared about Graces, yet Duke Leslie was completely oblivious to the problem.

"And what if this research endangers Graces’s health, or even his life? Would you not care about that?"

Duke Leslie pressed her lips together. ’So what?’ she wanted to say. ’All research has risks. Besides, this is a contribution to the Empire. He should be prepared to make sacrifices for the Empire.’

But her intuition told her she couldn’t say that. If she did, Lu Xia would likely blow up at her on the spot. She still didn’t understand why Lu Xia was so opposed to the idea.

’From her perspective, it was a wonderful opportunity.’

"How could I not care? I only agreed they could attend the banquet. I haven’t promised them anything." As she spoke, it was clear Duke Leslie’s confidence was wavering.

Lu Xia looked at her and stated a plain fact. "You have never once thought about Graces. For over twenty years, he lived as a ’defective,’ and you never cared what he suffered. You’ve gotten so used to manipulating him as you please. But his status is different now. He is not only unrelated to the Leslie family, but he is also an exceptional Gene Fusion Expert. From now on, when you handle things, please try to consider his feelings and wishes."

Lu Xia paused before continuing. "I let you host tonight’s banquet because I thought you understood my intentions. But now it seems you only ever consider the interests of the Leslie family. Of course, that’s not entirely wrong of you. But if you had shown even a shred of consideration for Graces, you would not have allowed the Gene Research Institute to set foot in here. To be frank, Duke Leslie, your behavior today has disappointed me."

This last statement was a heavy blow.

The color instantly drained from Duke Leslie’s face.

She truly hadn’t imagined Lu Xia would be so vehemently against the Gene Research Institute’s presence at the banquet. But Lu Xia was right.

She really never had considered Graces’ wishes. She had only thought that forging a connection with the Gene Research Institute through this banquet would be a good thing.

Prince Li Mang stepped in at the right moment. "Lu Xia is just very protective of Graces, which is why she’s unwilling to deal with the Gene Research Institute. If you’d given it any real thought, you’d know what their motives are. But what’s done is done. We just need to find a way to handle it now."

"It’s my fault. I really didn’t think it through. They’re still in the guest lounge now. I’ll have someone watch them. I absolutely will not let them ruin tonight’s celebration."