Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Reward

Admiral Hans watched Her Majesty the Queen’s rapidly shifting moods and was at a loss for words. Like Lu Xiao, he could only stand there in silence and listen.

After a long while, Her Majesty the Queen seemed to have vented all her frustration. She sat down again. “You two don’t need to stand. Sit.”

She even poured them tea herself.

“Lu Xiao, is your grandmother well?”

“She was ill for a time, but she has recovered now. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

“That’s good. As people age, their health isn’t what it used to be. You must remind her to take better care of herself.”

“I will, Your Majesty.”

“How is your research progressing? Have you made any headway?”

Lu Xiao wasn’t surprised by Her Majesty the Queen’s sudden question. She answered truthfully, “We haven’t made any significant progress yet, but everyone is working very hard. I believe it’s only a matter of time before we see results.”

Her Majesty the Queen nodded. “If only Prince Li Ke had met you back then. I’m sure he would still be alive and well today.”

At this, Her Majesty the Queen gave a self-deprecating laugh. Without waiting for Lu Xiao’s response, she continued, “I hear your main husband is only a Major General?”

“He is a Major General, but it’s a rank he earned through his own efforts. He only recently returned victorious from the front lines.”

“In that case, let’s find a day to promote him to Vice Admiral.” Her Majesty the Queen’s tone was casual, as if it were a trivial matter she could decide with a single word.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Think nothing of it. You’ve earned this. Now, what do you want? You’re already a Merit Earl, so granting you another title wouldn’t be appropriate. If there’s something you desire, just say it. Otherwise, I’ll truly have to wrack my brain.”

“Then I will be direct, Your Majesty. On behalf of my Father, I would like to request an exemption for divorce. My Father and my mother have been on bad terms for many years, tormenting one another all that time. I can’t bear to see them go on like this. I’m asking for this exemption so they can divorce smoothly. This is my father’s wish as well, of course. He’s already preparing to file for divorce, regardless of the cost.”

The moment he heard this, Admiral Hans looked at Lu Xiao. He’d never imagined Admiral Clan would actually want a divorce.

Although he’d heard the stories of how Admiral Clan got married, he never imagined that after all these years, the man was actually preparing to get a divorce.

Her Majesty the Queen clearly hadn’t expected this to be the reward Lu Xiao wanted.

’How should I put it? I thought she might ask for money, or perhaps refuse entirely. Or maybe she hadn’t decided on anything and would ask for her reward at a later date.’

’But I never imagined she wouldn’t ask for something for herself, but for her Father instead.’

“Your father is Admiral Clan of the First Military Region?”

“Yes, Admiral Clan is my Father.”

Her Majesty the Queen nodded. “Very well, I will grant you this exemption. If Admiral Clan wishes to divorce, he will not be subject to punishment. His assets will be divided fairly, and he may take his entire share with him. From that day on, he will have no further ties to your mother. Is that acceptable?”

Lu Xiao rose and bowed formally to Her Majesty the Queen. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Admiral Hans swallowed hard. ’I’ve been shocked so many times today, I’m starting to feel numb.’

’Her Majesty the Queen didn’t even ask any questions, she just agreed.’

’Why do I feel like Her Majesty the Queen is more inscrutable than ever today?’

Before he could make sense of it, Her Majesty the Queen looked at him. “Admiral Hans, the S-Class Shelter under your management has shown remarkable results. The number of recovering S-Class males is increasing daily. Your previous proposal can be implemented. As for the rewards for you and the researchers at the Fifth Research Institute, someone will be sent to bestow them later.”

Admiral Hans quickly rose to his feet to express his thanks.

’I hadn’t even brought the matter up today, yet Her Majesty the Queen approved it. It’s almost as if… she’s returned to her old self.’

After saying this, Her Majesty the Queen looked at Lu Xiao again. “You’ve done well, Lu Xiao. I’m very happy to have met you today. If you have time in the future, bring your partner to see me. I’m quite curious to see what kind of man this main husband you’re so determined to protect is.”

“I will.”

As she and Admiral Hans left the study, she saw him wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

The elderly female attendant who had been waiting outside the door escorted the two of them out.

When the attendant returned, Her Majesty the Queen was standing by the window. “What do you think of Lu Xiao?”

“She is very young and very brave, not like those spoiled young females of the Empire who are nothing but arrogant, willful, and utterly irresponsible.”

“Yes. She reminds me of Cecilia in her youth.” At this, Her Majesty the Queen suddenly smiled. “She had the courage to refuse my gracious offer of an arranged marriage today. She’s very brave and has firm principles. Not like me. If I had been that resolute back then, things wouldn’t have ended up this way.”

“Your Majesty, so much time has passed. You should look to the future. I believe that if Prince Li Ke were still alive, he would not wish to see you like this.”

“No. If he were still alive and saw me like this, he wouldn’t feel a thing. He was completely and utterly disappointed in me.” Her Majesty the Queen turned and smiled at the elderly female. “Today, Lu Xiao showed me something. A female’s fickle heart isn’t an innate trait; it can be controlled. All those excuses I used to make… none of them hold up.”

’Because even when faced with me, Lu Xiao could refuse so calmly. She didn’t compromise or agree just because of my status.’

’In that moment, I knew what separated me from Lu Xiao.’

Lu Xiao and Admiral Hans walked out of Sofie Manor and both let out a breath at the same time.

Then, Admiral Hans suddenly laughed. “So, Your Excellency Lu Xiao gets nervous too?”

Lu Xiao touched her forehead. “Please, Admiral Hans, don’t put me on a pedestal. I’m just an ordinary person. Of course I’d be nervous in front of Her Majesty the Queen.”

In fact, her palms were still slick with sweat.

“But I think you were incredibly brave.” ’Not only did she refuse the Queen’s offer of marriage, but she also secured a divorce exemption for her Father.’

’Who would have thought that in a moment like that, Lu Xiao wouldn’t be thinking of herself, but of her Father?’

’For Admiral Clan to have a daughter who still thought of him at a time like this… he’s truly blessed.’

Lu Xiao smiled. “Ah, I wasn’t thinking too much at the time. But now that I reflect on it… hmm, Her Majesty the Queen is actually quite good-tempered.”

’She accepted my firm refusal and even agreed to grant the divorce exemption. How could you not call that good-tempered?’

’My impression of Her Majesty the Queen has changed a bit. Maybe she isn’t just putting on a show for the world, pretending to be full of deep feelings. Maybe she’s truly repenting.’

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