Cecilia and Admiral Clan now also knew that Prince Li Ke was alive, and they had also learned Ares’s true identity.

Neither of them had ever imagined that Ares was the son of Prince Li Ke and Her Majesty the Queen.

When she heard that Her Majesty the Queen had summoned them, Cecilia knew exactly what the Queen’s purpose was. And she knew that Lu Xiao would certainly side with Ares.

Selfishly, she didn’t want Lu Xiao to get involved in the affair between Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Li Ke. However, she also knew that given the relationship between Lu Xiao and Ares, it was likely impossible to avoid.

So she could only advise Lu Xiao to follow her own heart when it came to Ares’s situation and not to worry. After all, the relationship between the Duke Gallodro Mansion and Prince Li Ke was decent enough.

Cecilia’s words were tantamount to telling Lu Xiao explicitly that the Duke Gallodro Mansion stood with her and Ares.

’Her grandmother was as dependable as ever.’

That afternoon, Lu Xiao and Ares arrived at the Royal Palace on time.

This was Lu Xiao and Ares’s first time here. The vast Royal Palace was heavily guarded. Seeking an audience required passing through multiple layers of security before finally reaching Her Majesty the Queen. It was nowhere near as easy as it had been at Sofie Manor.

However, the one who ultimately guided them was the same elderly female attendant who always accompanied Her Majesty the Queen. Upon seeing the pair, the old woman became much more deferential, especially toward Ares.

When they reached the wing of the palace where the Queen was residing, she stood in a magnificent gown. The moment she turned and saw Ares and Lu Xiao, she reached a hand out to Ares. "Come here, my child. Come to your mother’s side and let me have a good look at you. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you last time. How could I have been so foolish!"

Ares, however, did not approach as she asked. He simply knelt on one knee in a respectful salute. "Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Her Majesty the Queen lowered her hand in disappointment. "Ares, do you resent me?"

She walked over and helped Ares to his feet, her eyes rimmed with red.

"I have never resented you, Your Majesty." Ares kept his eyes slightly lowered, not looking directly at the Queen. He was dutifully performing the actions of a military officer, not those of a son toward his mother.

His eyes showed respect, but not a trace of affection.

He meant it when he said he felt no resentment. He truly didn’t, because he had never once considered Her Majesty the Queen his mother. To him, she was merely a sovereign with whom he was not yet familiar.

Her Majesty the Queen understood what Ares meant, and that understanding only made her sadder.

"I’m sorry, Ares. I realized my mistake far too late." Her Majesty the Queen withdrew her hand and turned to Lu Xiao, who was standing quietly to the side. She offered a small smile. "I hear you’re planning a wedding. Is there anything I can help with?"

Lu Xiao saw the hopeful look in the Queen’s eyes. After a glance at Ares, she presented the invitation they had prepared in advance. "All the wedding preparations are complete. We would be honored if Your Majesty could attend, should you have the time. Ares and I would eagerly await your presence."

Her Majesty the Queen accepted it with a reach of her hand, opening the invitation immediately to read its contents. She smiled. "I’ll be there. I promise."

Her Majesty the Queen had her elderly attendant put the invitation away carefully, then gave the order for dinner to be served.

They didn’t speak much during the meal. The atmosphere was quiet, yet Her Majesty the Queen kept a smile on her face as she ate with them. Afterward, she said, "Ares, I know it’s unrealistic to expect you to accept me right away. I never truly treated you with care in the past. I admit that. I was not a proper mother. But I will learn to be better from now on, and I hope you can give me a chance. I won’t force any particular outcome. I only ask that you don’t refuse my attempts to give back to you."

Lu Xiao understood what Her Majesty the Queen meant.

She wasn’t asking for anything in return from Ares, but she hoped he would give her the chance to make amends.

She could see that, in that moment, Her Majesty the Queen was humbling herself.

Ares nodded. "Alright."

That simple response was enough to make Her Majesty the Queen weep with joy.

Before seeing Ares and Lu Xiao out, Her Majesty the Queen said, "As for the matter between your Father and I, we will resolve it ourselves. You needn’t worry, and we won’t disturb you. Xiao Xiao, you are welcome to visit me here often in the future."

"I will, Your Majesty." Lu Xiao knew perfectly well that she wasn’t the one the Queen truly wanted to invite, but Her Majesty couldn’t bring herself to say it to Ares.

After leaving the Royal Palace, Ares was quiet on the way back. Lu Xiao didn’t say anything, simply reaching for his hand and lacing their fingers together.

Ares glanced down at her, then gently squeezed her hand. "Xiao Xiao, thank you."

Lu Xiao looked up at him. "What are you thanking me for now? I didn’t do a thing this time."

"You don’t have to do anything. Just being by my side is enough."

"Am I that powerful?"

"Yes. You’re the source of all my courage."

Hearing this, Lu Xiao smiled and looped her arm through his. "Ares, don’t be sad, and don’t dwell on the past. Life is full of all sorts of experiences, both good and bad. We just need to follow our hearts, that’s all that matters. As for the situation with Her Majesty the Queen, you don’t need to overthink it. It doesn’t matter whether you accept her or not. I just want you, Ares, to be your true, happy self."

From the moment they met until now, Lu Xiao’s wish for Ares had never changed. She had always hoped he could cast off his fetters, break free from his cage-like worldview, and be completely liberated—become a free, happy puppy. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Ares lowered his head, resting his forehead against Lu Xiao’s. They gazed into each other’s eyes.

Moonlight cascaded down upon them. In that moment, they only had eyes for each other.

Lu Xiao heard Ares’s reply, full of deep, lingering tenderness. "Okay."

Lu Xiao’s eyes curved into a smile as she reached out to pat his head. "I’ll be with you. I’ll never leave."

*

As news of Prince Li Ke’s survival continued to spread, Ares’s identity also gradually came to light.

Kula Peng had been enjoying all the gossip, only to discover that he was actually this close to the source of it all. He immediately ran to Ares’s office, knocked, and entered. He looked at Ares mysteriously, rubbing his hands together. "So, uh, I just have to ask, and you don’t have to answer... but is Prince Li Ke really your Father?"

Ares just stared at him in silence.

They stared at each other, eye to eye, for a moment before Kula Peng raised an eyebrow. "Why aren’t you saying anything? Have I got something on my face?"

He even tried to pick at the corner of his eye as he spoke.

Ares was so exasperated he could only respond with an even louder silence.

"Didn’t you say I didn’t have to answer?"

A look of shock crossed Kula Peng’s face. "But sometimes silence is an answer in itself! So it’s true? That means Her Majesty the Queen is your mother?"