Chapter 264: Chapter 264: An Audience

When Lu Xiao heard the news that Her Majesty the Queen had suddenly summoned Ares, she couldn’t make sense of it. But what was done was done. There was nothing to do but face it.

Sensing his little female’s anxiety, Ares smiled. “It’s probably just something minor. Don’t overthink it.”

Lu Xiao nodded. “I know. It’s useless for us to worry about it at home. We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. But… I wasn’t this nervous when I went to see Her Majesty the Queen. Now that you’ve been summoned, Ares, I don’t know why I feel so flustered.”

’This must be what they call worrying yourself sick.’ When Ares heard she was going to see Her Majesty the Queen, he couldn’t sit still either. Now the tables had turned, and she finally understood how he felt. If she could, she would have gone to see Her Majesty the Queen in his place. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been summoned.

If it were anyone else, maybe it would have been fine. But since it was Her Majesty the Queen, she was completely helpless.

Still, Lu Xiao grabbed Ares’s hand and urged him, “If Her Majesty the Queen asks you to do something you don’t want to do, just refuse her. It’s okay. Don’t overthink it, just think about whether you’re willing to do it or not. Oh, and if she tries to use me to threaten you, don’t listen to her. No matter what happens, we can face it together. The most important thing is that you’re okay. Only then can our home be okay. Ares, you understand what I mean, right?”

Lu Xiao wasn’t worried about anything else. ’I’m just worried that the Queen will use me to threaten Ares, forcing him to do things he doesn’t want to. Then he’ll just bottle it all up and not tell me, and I’ll seriously go crazy!’

Seeing the worried look on his little female’s face, Ares pulled her into his arms. “Okay. I won’t let her threaten me.”

“You have to promise me you’ll do what you say!” Lu Xiao urged him repeatedly, afraid he was just saying what she wanted to hear and would forget later.

Ares nodded seriously. “I will keep my word.”

Lu Xiao found that no matter what she did, she couldn’t seem to calm down. That night, she even had trouble sleeping.

When Ares noticed, he leaned over and hugged her. “Can’t sleep, Xiao Xiao?”

“Did I wake you?” Lu Xiao turned her head to look at him, wondering if she had disturbed him by tossing and turning too much.

Instead, Ares gave her a light kiss. “If you can’t sleep… how about we do something else?”

Though it was a question, Ares didn’t give Lu Xiao a chance to respond before kissing her deeply. ’Maybe if I tire her out,’ he thought, ’she won’t let her imagination run wild.’

The next morning, Lu Xiao walked Ares to his car. “You have to tell me what happens the moment it’s over.”

“Okay. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.” Ares gave Lu Xiao a hug, patting her shoulder gently. “Wait to hear from me.”

With that, Ares turned, got into his car, and drove to Sofie Manor.

Meanwhile, Lu Xiao drove to the Fifth Research Institute. The moment she walked in, Teacher Ai Li noticed she wasn’t in high spirits.

“What’s wrong? You look so down. Did picking out your gown with Ares not go well yesterday?”

Lu Xiao shook her head. “No, it went very smoothly. The designer did a wonderful job, and we’re very happy with it. But this morning, Ares went to see Her Majesty the Queen. It was a sudden summons, and I don’t know what it’s about. I’m a little worried.”

“Her Majesty the Queen summoned Vice Admiral Ares?” Teacher Sherry was surprised to hear that. “It’s unlikely to be about military affairs. If it were, she would have summoned Admiral Kula Peng.”

“That’s what I was thinking, which is why I’m so worried.”

Teacher Ai Li tried to comfort her. “Don’t overthink it. Maybe she just wants to meet with him. Don’t work yourself up. I didn’t see you this nervous when you went to see Her Majesty the Queen. This is no time to let your concern get the better of you.”

Lu Xiao knew Teacher Ai Li was right, but sometimes, it’s just hard to stay calm when it comes to the people you care about.

’I’m only human, after all,’ Lu Xiao thought.

Meanwhile, Ares had arrived at the gates of Sofie Manor and rung the bell.

He didn’t have to wait long. An elderly female appeared at the gate. She approached without a word, simply staring at him with a strange look in her eyes.

Ares spoke respectfully. “Greetings. I am Vice Admiral Ares. I am here at the request of Her Majesty the Queen.”

The elderly female nodded. “I am aware. I just didn’t expect Vice Admiral Ares to be so young. Please, come in. Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you.”

The main gate opened, and the elderly female invited Ares to board a shuttle cart, which then headed toward the main villa.

Along the way, the elderly female asked, “Who is in your family, Vice Admiral Ares?”

Ares was taken aback by the sudden personal question, feeling a bit stunned. “I have a spouse…”

“That’s not what I meant. I was asking if you have any other relatives besides your spouse.”

“I also have a Father.”

“A Father!” The moment the words left his mouth, the elderly female’s voice cracked. She looked extremely agitated.

Ares was silent for a moment. “…Do you know my Father?”

The elderly female, realizing she had lost her composure, quickly reined in her emotions. “What is your Father’s name?”

“Buck.”

’That wasn’t the name she had been thinking of.’

The answer clearly disappointed the elderly female. Then, she couldn’t help but scoff at her own foolishness. ’What was I expecting? For a dead man to come back to life?’

’Don’t be ridiculous.’

Seeing that the elderly female said nothing more after he mentioned the name “Buck,” Ares, though full of questions, did not press the matter.

After they got out of the cart, the elderly female led him to Her Majesty the Queen’s study.

After she knocked, a voice called from inside. The door was pushed open, and Ares saw Her Majesty the Queen seated on a sofa. She wore a long black gown and was elegantly holding a glass of red wine.

“Go on in, Vice Admiral Ares.” The elderly female stepped back from the doorway, gesturing for him to enter. Once Ares was inside, she closed the door behind him.

Ares walked into the study and approached Her Majesty the Queen. He was just about to remove his cap to offer a salute when the Queen suddenly set down her wine glass and stood up, her expression agitated. “Don’t move! Don’t move! Let me see you!”

As Her Majesty the Queen drew near, Ares’s body stiffened slightly. He remained still, but his eyes were filled with bewilderment.

Her Majesty the Queen leaned closer, her eyes fixed on Ares, unblinking, as if trying to find something in his face. Her reaction was far beyond anything Ares could comprehend.

“The resemblance… it’s so strong!” As Her Majesty the Queen spoke, her hand unconsciously reached for Ares’s cheek. Just before she could touch him, Ares took half a step back and dropped to one knee. “Your Majesty, I must ask you to compose yourself!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep