Chapter Twenty-One: Returning Home.

After the test report came out, everyone couldn’t help but grow tense. Dr. Eugene glanced at the report in his hand, surprise flickering in his eyes. “How did I not think of this?”

Hearing this, Grace immediately asked, “Do you know what the cause is?”

Eugene didn’t take his eyes off the report and nodded. “It does seem related to you. Since Lord Lu Xia became pregnant, you two haven’t had any physical contact, have you?”

Though Dr. Eugene’s words were subtle, Grace understood perfectly.

For a moment, her expression froze, as if surprised that he would ask such a question, but she quickly composed herself and answered naturally, “No, we haven’t.”

It wasn’t just concern about risks at such a time, but also because their first time together was part of that obedience contract.

If the rumors about Duke Lu Xia were true, perhaps they would have continued afterward, but Lu Xia was nothing like those rumors suggested. They never were intimate again, and what Grace didn’t say was that she felt Lu Xia wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about such things.

Hearing her clear answer, Dr. Eugene couldn’t help but sigh. “I should have warned you earlier. Artificially cultivated embryos require various nutritional supplements, let alone natural conception. It’s not something the female alone should handle; the male must participate. Duke Lu Xia’s current condition shows the fetus lacks the vital essence of the father, which manifests as a kind of malnutrition.”

Grace immediately understood from Dr. Eugene’s explanation and couldn’t help but ask, “Isn’t that dangerous for the fetus at this stage?”

“Of course, some caution is needed. Normally, it wouldn’t require frequent supplementation, but now, at just over two months, there hasn’t been any nutrition provided at all. That won’t do. According to the current data, you’ll need to provide supplements three to five times within the next week to alleviate symptoms. For complete recovery, it depends on how diligent you are.”

At this, Eugene patted Grace’s shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t be too shocked. This is actually a kind of atavism. Long ago, in the era dominated by males, offspring needed to absorb the father’s vital energy in the mother’s womb to survive. The more the father favored the child, the healthier it grew. This is recorded in our national history, but it’s been so long I only just recalled it. Natural conception by the female has never changed this fact.”

Grace nodded, understanding. “I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll also explain this to Lord Lu Xia once she wakes. She’s been given medication just now, which should ease things, but it only soothes symptoms; it doesn’t solve the root cause. Their safety depends on you,” Eugene said, glancing at Grace, who had remained steady throughout. He thought to himself the Duke was truly a unique person, and this ‘defective’ male before him was no less exceptional.

When Lu Xia awoke, her body had returned to normal. She found her surroundings unfamiliar but soon Eugene and Grace entered together. Seeing her awake, Eugene smiled. “How do you feel now?”

“No sensation anymore. What happened to me?” Lu Xia asked calmly, casting a faint glance at Grace.

Eugene then repeated to her what he had just explained to Grace.

After hearing the explanation, Lu Xia was silent for a moment before asking, “Do I have to maintain this throughout the pregnancy?”

“I’ll make a plan for you. Since symptoms have appeared, supplementation will need to be more frequent now. Once you recover, the frequency can be reduced to a balanced level,” Eugene replied.

Lu Xia nodded. “I understand. When can I be discharged?”

“If you have no other symptoms, you can go home now. I’ve already explained everything to Mr. Grace. If any questions arise, we can communicate anytime.”

Eugene’s tone was casual, as if this matter were as simple as eating or drinking.

Hearing this, the two exchanged a glance, their expressions quite different from Eugene’s calmness.

They weren’t as composed as the doctor.

Outside the hospital, the old butler was waiting. Seeing Grace carefully escort Lu Xia out, he promptly opened the car door and quietly asked, “Are you alright?”

Lu Xia replied, “I’m fine now. Sorry for making you worry.”

The butler breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re well, that’s what matters. Shall we go home now?”

“Home,” Grace answered.

Lu Xia appeared calm, but inside her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. She had never imagined that natural conception here differed so greatly from her understanding of pregnancy.

After all, she had never heard that one must increase intimate relations during pregnancy!

Usually, people worried such things might harm the mother or child.

Here, it was the opposite—not doing so would harm the fetus. Her worldview was completely overturned, and she hadn’t yet rebuilt it.

Moreover, this meant she had to redefine her relationship with Grace.

She had thought that after their one encounter, the task was complete. Who would have guessed it had truly become a task?

Lu Xia was reluctant to admit it, but she felt awkward. Previously, she believed that as the mother, carrying the child, Grace, as the father, had the right to know and care for her. Pregnancy couldn’t be a burden borne by her alone. Now, it couldn’t be said that Grace hadn’t contributed.

Thinking this, Lu Xia glanced at Grace, only to find him staring at her unblinkingly.

Before she could speak, Grace suddenly asked, “Something wrong?”

“Nothing… why are you looking at me like that?”

“Weren’t you the one who looked at me first?”

Hearing this retort, Lu Xia tilted her head, surprised that Grace would accuse her first.

Caught in her gaze, Grace seemed to concede, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. “Yes, I looked first.”

Lu Xia was speechless.

“Just joking. You seem a bit tense now.”

Lu Xia pressed her lips. “And now you dare to joke?”

He no longer cowered or played the submissive role as before.

Grace didn’t deny it; instead, his smile grew warmer. He softly replied, “Because I believe that even like this, you wouldn’t truly be angry with me.”

“...Hah, you’re much more confident than before.”

At that moment, Lu Xia wasn’t eager to admit she had been seen through so clearly.