Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Follow-up Appointment

Prince Li Mang hadn’t intended to mock Duke Leslie. Though her words seemed aimed at the Duke, weren’t they, in truth, also a reflection of herself?

Like Duke Leslie, she couldn’t bring herself to risk her life and give everything for someone, the way Duke Lu Xia could. They were both shackled by too many obligations.

After leaving the banquet with Graces and returning to their car, Lu Xia couldn’t help but ask, "Did you hear their apology?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Graces nodded. "I did."

A smile touched Lu Xia’s lips. "How does it feel? They might not have been sincere, but I think the outcome is what matters, whether they meant it or not."

Graces smiled and squeezed Lu Xia’s hand. "I never dreamed they would apologize, not even insincerely. This is all because of you, Xiaxia. You’ve given me so many things I never dared to hope for. Thank you."

"I played a part in it, sure, but Graces, you can’t deny your own worth in all this." Lu Xia had always known how exceptional Graces was.

In an Empire so hostile to the advancement of males, for him to become a Colonel in the military despite his status as a "flawed" male... She could only imagine the effort and hardship it must have taken. Even without having witnessed it, she knew it couldn’t have been easy.

Graces gazed at her, his eyes soft. ’I might meet many people in my life,’ he thought, ’but only Lu Xia would ever tell me not to deny my own worth.’

Only Lu Xia could truly see his value.

He pulled Lu Xia into his arms. ’After everything she’s done for me,’ Graces thought, ’I’d be a real bastard not to be a good man for her.’

Lu Xia figured Graces must be overwhelmed with emotion after the evening’s events; his excitement was perfectly normal. She reached out and gently patted his shoulder in a comforting gesture.

It was late by the time they got home, but the old butler and Smelian were still up, apparently waiting for them.

"Why are you still up?" Lu Xia asked, changing her shoes in the entryway.

"We were just about to turn in when you arrived. Did everything go smoothly?" the old butler asked, pouring them each a glass of warm water.

"There was a minor incident, but nothing serious. Overall, it went very smoothly." Lu Xia set down her glass. "It’s late. You two should get some rest."

At this, Smelian spoke up. "You’re seeing Doctor Eugene tomorrow, aren’t you?"

"That’s right. Did you have other plans?"

"No, I just wanted to confirm the time. I was afraid I’d misremembered. I’ll go with you."

"Alright. I’ll be counting on you tomorrow, then. Now, both of you get some rest." Without another word, Lu Xia headed upstairs to the master bedroom with Graces.

*

Doctor Eugene arrived at his office early to prepare for his follow-up appointment with Duke Lu Xia. As her pregnancy progressed, the list of necessary tests grew longer. He had to be extremely cautious to keep the Duke’s pregnancy a secret.

Fortunately, as the department head, he could dispatch his staff as needed. The previous evening, he had assigned his subordinates to make rounds outside the hospital.

Once a month, they had a "public service day" and were required to provide free consultations at various charity homes.

Thus, when Lu Xia and her companions arrived, the sprawling department was empty except for Doctor Eugene.

He saw that two males were accompanying Duke Lu Xia today. Doctor Eugene recognized one of them—Graces. He knew him to be the Male Father of the child Duke Lu Xia was carrying. The other man, however, was a stranger.

Duke Lu Xia graciously made the introduction. "This is Smelian, a surgeon at the Imperial Hospital."

Although she didn’t specify their relationship, Doctor Eugene guessed he must be another of Duke Lu Xia’s husbands.

The man showed no signs of beastification, which told the doctor that Smelian was not a Gene Fusion Expert.

Still, Duke Lu Xia’s attitude toward her husbands never ceased to amaze Doctor Eugene, even though this wasn’t the first time he’d witnessed it.

Females who treated their husbands with such kindness were rare enough, but her level of consideration was practically unheard of.

Without further comment, Doctor Eugene professionally began Lu Xia’s various examinations. Throughout the process, the two males at her side, Graces and Smelian alike, remained somber and listened intently.

After the check-up, Smelian even made a point to ask about precautions and what to look out for.

In truth, the cub in Lu Xia’s womb was exceptionally healthy and strong, a result that was undoubtedly thanks to Graces’s efforts over the past several weeks.

The cub was thriving thanks to the combined efforts of its mother and father.

The imaging scan clearly showed the fetus’s shape. Curled into a tiny ball, the fetus looked adorable, even in the scan’s muted colors.

Seeing it so clearly for the first time made the pregnancy feel all the more real to Lu Xia.

The little cub in her belly was so quiet. If not for her swelling abdomen and the occasional flutter of movement, she might have forgotten she was pregnant at all.

"Could I get a copy of the scan?" Graces asked.

Doctor Eugene smiled and nodded. "Of course."

In fact, he completely understood how Graces felt. Being a husband, especially a "flawed" male, meant that he should never have had the chance to become a Male Father. But Lu Xia had given him a miracle.

As a male himself, he understood Graces’s emotions perfectly.

Naturally, he wouldn’t refuse the request.

Smelian quietly gazed at the image of the cub, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and envy.

He didn’t know if he would ever have the chance to become a Male Father, but Lu Xia had undeniably given him hope.

"The due date is in two months. Just keep doing what you’re doing. If anything feels off, contact me immediately," Doctor Eugene advised, personally seeing them to the door.

Lu Xia nodded. "I will. Thank you for your trouble today. The Fertility Research Institute hasn’t contacted you again, have they?"

"They contact me regularly, but it’s just routine business."

"Of course I trust you." Lu Xia said no more. As they left Doctor Eugene’s office, Graces suddenly spoke up. "I just got a message. I have to hurry to the military district. Smelian, could I trouble you to take Xiaxia home?"

"Of course. It’s my responsibility, after all."

Seeing Smelian agree, Graces turned to Lu Xia. "Don’t worry, it’s not a dangerous mission."

"I know. Go on." Lu Xia waved to Graces and boarded the hovercar first. Once Smelian was inside, she said, "I’m not going home. Take me to the No. 2 Institute. Is it alright if you’re late for work?"

"I took the day off," Smelian said with a smile as he closed the door. For him, this chance to be alone with Lu Xia was a rare and precious opportunity.