Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Don’t be afraid.

Admiral Hans didn’t return until Lu Xiao was nearly finished with her meal. He looked rather tense.

Seeing this, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “Is something wrong, Admiral Hans?”

Admiral Hans looked at Lu Xiao. “The voice invitation was from one of Her Majesty the Queen’s old female attendants. She’s summoned me to see the Queen the day after tomorrow and told me to bring you.”

Surprise flashed in Lu Xiao’s eyes. “Her Majesty the Queen wants to see me?”

Admiral Hans nodded, looking slightly worried. “Yes. I wanted to ask why Her Majesty wanted to see you, but the old attendant didn’t say, only that I was to bring you there.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiao nodded. “Then we’ll go. There’s no need to be nervous, Admiral Hans. It might just be routine questioning.”

“If this were in the past, it would be nothing. But as for Her Majesty the Queen nowadays… it’s truly impossible to fathom her intentions.”

“But I haven’t done anything wrong or harmful. What can she do to me? Admiral Hans, we have a clear conscience about everything we’ve done, so there’s no need to overthink it.”

Seeing the young female’s sanguine attitude, Admiral Hans felt his own uneasy heart begin to calm. “You are right, Your Excellency Lu Xiao.”

She not only had her fill at Robin’s place but also packed a portion to bring to Ares.

As she parted ways with Admiral Hans, the two of them confirmed the time for their meeting with Her Majesty the Queen in two days.

Watching Lu Xiao leave, Admiral Hans hesitated for a moment before deciding to inform Teacher Ai Li of the matter.

Immediately after receiving the message from Admiral Hans, Teacher Ai Li sent him a voice invitation. The moment he accepted, she asked directly, “Why does Her Majesty the Queen want to see Lu Xiao?”

“I suspect she’s heard about the research institute. Your Excellency Lu Xiao has been involved from the beginning, so it’s natural for Her Majesty to be curious and want to meet her. The problem is, we don’t know if this is just a passing whim or if the Queen has other plans.”

“Her Majesty the Queen has become increasingly inscrutable in recent years. It’s impossible to know what she’s planning,” Teacher Ai Li said, then asked, “What did Lu Xiao say?”

“Your Excellency Lu Xiao is very sanguine about it. She even told me not to overthink things. She’s always like that, as if there’s nothing in the world that can trouble her.”

The young female was always so optimistic and positive.

“Yes, that’s why she’s the only one who could have accomplished so much. We don’t need to worry too much. Lu Xiao has the protection of Duke Galli Odello now. I imagine Her Majesty the Queen will have to think twice before she tries anything.”

Lu Xiao had no idea that Admiral Hans and Teacher Ai Li had this conversation after she left.

By now, she had arrived at the main gate of the Seventh Military District.

The young soldier on duty was already quite familiar with her. The moment he saw her get out of her vehicle, he opened the main gate for her without a word and simultaneously contacted Deputy Kevin.

As Lu Xiao walked in, she gave the young soldier a nod of thanks.

The young soldier, flattered by the gesture, snapped to attention and saluted her out of respect.

Upon receiving the message, Kevin immediately shot up from his seat and ran out. His actions startled the others. “What’s wrong? Why is he in such a panic again?”

“Who knows? But doesn’t this scene feel a little familiar?”

“Is it… Her Excellency Lu Xiao is here?”

Only the arrival of Her Excellency Lu Xiao could make Kevin react like that.

And sure enough, a moment later, they saw Kevin walking in with Her Excellency Lu Xiao.

They hadn’t seen Her Excellency Lu Xiao in a long time, and everyone was overjoyed, rising to their feet to greet her.

“Kevin, order everyone some food.” Treating them every time she visited had basically become an unwritten rule for Lu Xiao.

After giving Kevin her instructions, Lu Xiao took the lunch box and headed to Ares’s office.

After knocking on the door, she heard a cool, clear voice from within: “Come in.”

Lu Xiao pushed the door open to see Ares sitting behind his desk, head bowed as he focused on his work.

The man’s brow was slightly furrowed in concentration.

Lu Xiao smiled. “Ares, want to take a break?”

Hearing Lu Xiao’s voice, Ares’s head snapped up. A gentle smile surfaced in his eyes as he walked out from behind the desk. He took the lunch box from her hands. “Coming from the S-Class Shelter?”

“Yes. I brought you some of Robin’s pickled cabbage fish. It’s still warm.” Lu Xiao glanced at the pile of documents on his desk. “Busy?”

“It’s manageable.” Ares pulled her down to sit with him, then opened the container. “Have you eaten?”

Lu Xiao nodded. “Her Majesty the Queen wants to see me. I’m going with Admiral Hans the day after tomorrow.”

At her words, Ares froze. He looked at the calm Lu Xiao. “A direct order from Her Majesty the Queen?”

“Yes, relayed through Admiral Hans.” Lu Xiao’s lips curved into a smile. “I’m not surprised, really. More and more S-Class males are recovering and being discharged, and we even found Crystal Fruits. I’d be more surprised if Her Majesty *didn’t* summon me.”

Ares looked at Lu Xiao’s calm expression. “Her Majesty the Queen has rarely handled state affairs in recent years. Rumor has it she’s moody and unpredictable. Be careful when you go.”

Seeing Ares grow worried, Lu Xiao smiled and hugged him. “I know. But I don’t think she’ll do anything to me. After all, I haven’t done anything wrong. She’s probably just curious.”

Ares grunted in agreement. “You should tell Grandmother about this.”

’Understanding Ares’s point, Lu Xiao didn’t object. While she didn’t think the Queen would do anything, she couldn’t be one hundred percent sure. Letting Cecilia know would add another layer of protection.’

That evening, after she and Ares went home, Lu Xiao took the initiative to tell Cecilia about the situation.

On the other end of the communicator, Cecilia was silent for a moment after hearing Lu Xiao out. “She won’t do anything to you, but she’ll definitely try to make things unpleasant. Xiao Xiao, if she asks you to do something you don’t want to, you can refuse her. Don’t worry about her retaliating later. With Grandmother here, she wouldn’t dare touch you. If she does, Grandmother will make her regret it!”

’As far as Cecilia was concerned, she had lived a long life and knew more about the Queen’s affairs than anyone. If Her Majesty dared to wrong her precious granddaughter, she wouldn’t mind spreading a few rumors. Let the Queen, at her advanced age, have her subjects gossip about her old love affairs.’

’We’ll see who’s more embarrassed then.’

’Thinking that hiding away in Sofie Manor makes her look like some deeply devoted lover? What a load of crap.’

Hearing Cecilia say this, Lu Xiao felt her own confidence swell. “Grandmother, you’re amazing! You’re not even afraid of offending the Queen!”

“Her dignity isn’t nearly as important as my precious granddaughter. Grandmother will protect you!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep