Blond-haired Rie stepped out of the carriage, her face etched with resentment.

"Ahahaha..."

"Didn't you say you'd go ahead? Why are you just arriving now?"

"Rie, you've worked hard..."

We all greeted Rie with a mix of reactions.

Her face clearly displayed the fatigue from her journey.

"Really... you all..."

She gritted her teeth, glaring at us.

"Come on, let's go inside and rest."

Alfredo, Luna's butler, gestured for Rie to follow him into the mansion.

"Ugh..."

Rie, though clearly having more to say, was too tired to speak and followed Alfredo inside.

"Lets rest up and meet later..."

With that, she bid us a temporary farewell and disappeared into the mansion.

"They all eventually arrived..."

Robert, observing from a distance, sighed and then approached us.

"Its time to get to work."

"Work?"

Astina, confused, questioned Roberts statement.

"We're here to investigate Levians spellbook."

Astina, not knowing the purpose of our visit, was understandably puzzled.

"Uh, whats the plan?"

Hearing my question, Astina turned to Robert for answers.

"Now that you're here, Astina, I could use your help."

"Are you planning to take advantage of us without offering any anything?"

"If you dont want to help, feel free to leave."

Robert responded to Astina with indifference.

"Ha... Alright, I understand. I'll help. But..."

Astina then looked at me and Luna.

"What about them? What will they do?"

"Luna knows this area well. It would be efficient for her to investigate the surrounding territories, with Rudy assisting her."

Astina frowned, not entirely convinced by Robert's plan.

"Just do as youre told."

"Understood."

Astina agreed, though she clearly had reservations.

"Luna, focus on surveying the territories for any signs of old man Levian while you're out there. I'll speak with your parents and search the mansion. Someone familiar with the mansion might overlook details because it's all too familiar to them."

"Yes! Got it."

Luna replied enthusiastically to Robert's instructions and quickly glanced at me.

It seemed like she was excited to have some time alone with me.

I felt tempted to tease her, to say, 'Did the professor send you to work or to have fun with me?' and give her a playful flick on the forehead.

But then a thought crossed my mindhad Robert arranged this on purpose?

I remembered his odd comments in the carriage about starting a harem.

No way...

He must've just assigned us to investigate.

Still...

"This is a place I used to play around a lot when I was a kid."

"Back in your mischievous days?"

"Ah, no! Well, yes, I was mischievous, but..."

Luna and I began our stroll, watching Robert and Astina head into the mansion.

Though our purpose was to explore, it felt more like we were leisurely hanging out, with Luna sharing stories of her childhood.

We roamed open fields to small hills, covering every inch of the territory.

Luna was excited to show me her childhood playgrounds.

I couldnt help but smile at her adorable demeanor.

"Wow, I cant believe this is still here!"

"What is it?"

Luna exclaimed as she touched a large tree, bearing a prominent scar.

"When I was a kid, I was playing around, riding a cow, and it charged right into this tree!"

"Playing... riding a cow? And it ran into this tree?"

"Ah... cough, cough! Well, yes, but I was just a kid."

Examining the tree closely, I noticed the bark was slightly peeled, and there were two indentations that looked like they could have been made by a cows horns.

Judging from Lunas story, it seemed like the cows horns had indeed hit the tree.

"There was a cow farm nearby, and I borrowed one..."

"You stole a cow?"

"Its not stealing! I just borrowed it... and I returned it afterwards."

Lunas voice trailed off as she realized what she had just admitted.

"Anyway, lets check out some other places!"

"...Okay."

Just how mischievous was she as a child...

The more I heard about Lunas childhood, the more unimaginable it became.

Leading the way, Luna looked back at me and said,

"Ru-Rudy... about the letter earlier, my dad misunderstood because he secretly read my mom's letter. So dont worry about what he said! It was all a misunderstanding!"

"Oh."

Her words made me recall the earlier situation, causing my face to flush as I remembered her open confession of feelings for me.

"Th-That's good to know."

"Don't get me wrong... wait, no."

Luna paused, reflecting for a moment, then changed her expression and continued,

"Its not a misunderstanding! If you become my husband, you will be my dads son-in-law!"

"What?"

Suddenly, Luna shifted her approach, coming closer to me.

"If you just become my son-in-law, it wouldnt be a misunderstanding to my dad, but a fact!"

"But, I havent decided yet?"

At my response, Luna pouted.

"Do you want my dad to be mistaken? Are you saying its okay for him to misunderstand?"

Her tone was challenging, as if she was asking if I was ready to deal with her father's misconceptions.

"No, thats not it. It really was a misunderstanding. Everythings clear now."

"Uh..."

Luna turned her head away, looking frustrated.

Then my dad will be disappointed!

Huh?

He was so happy about the prospect of having a son-in-law and now suddenly he wont?

Luna threw me a sly glance as she spoke.

Rudy, youve done something wrong.

Is it really my fault?...

Though I felt wronged, I just nodded since Luna said so.

What exactly does she want, saying something like that?

She was definitely eager, almost picking a fight.

She seemed to have something she wanted to do by picking a fight.

Thats right. Its my fault.

Lunas demeanor brightened up as I accepted responsibility.

So you admit you were wrong?

Yes, yes. I was wrong.

Suddenly, Luna reached out her hand to me.

Then, you need to pay for your sins!

Hmm?

Ho-hold my hand. Lets walk holding hands.

I looked at her outstretched hand, realizing her playful and challenging demeanor was just a way to get me to hold her hand.

Alright. Ill hold your hand.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

Really?

Holding hands didn't seem like such a big deal to me.

Perhaps Ive become more open to the idea after that incident with Rie.

Regardless, I was willing to hold Lunas hand.

Without saying anything more, I took her hand in mine.

Eh

Hmm

Her hand was soft and warm.

Wait, my hand is sweaty

If you let go, then it's over.

Eek!

Luna, on the verge of releasing my hand, suddenly gripped it tighter.

So if we keep holding hands, well be together forever, right?

Try and see.

And so, Luna started walking beside me, holding my hand.

I initially thought holding hands was trivial and agreed to it without much thought, but it turned out to be quite special.

The warmth from her hand transmitted to mine.

It felt like we were a couple, and my heart was racing.

I wasnt sure how much strength to use or where to look.

It seemed I wasnt the only one feeling this way.

Uhah

Luna's eyes were twirling around while holding my hand.

She was leading the way, but I wondered if she actually knew where she was going.

Miss Luna?

In this dizzying situation, someone spoke to us.

It was a middle-aged man who looked like a normal farmer.

Oh um, hello sir. Its been a while!

Luna seemed to know the man and greeted him.

When did you get back? The lord has been talking about you every day, saying how much he misses you, Miss Luna.

The farmer spoke with a bright face.

Seeing him talk so lightly about the lord, I could feel how close Lunas father was with his subjects.

"But still...."

The farmer shifted his gaze towards me, glancing at our interlocked hands.

"Ha, even if you've returned, the young master must be feeling bitter! Bringing back such a handsome boyfriend like this!"

"Ah...."

Luna, with eyes wide in surprise, followed his gaze to our entwined hands.

She hesitated for a moment as if she was about to let go, but then she stopped.

She lifted her head and stared straight at me.

"If I let go...."

It seemed like she remembered my words about it being over if she let go, and she gripped my hand even tighter.

"Wow... It feels like just yesterday Miss Luna was playing and riding the cows at our house, and now shes brought back a boyfriend... Its quite a nostalgic feeling."

"Oh, Mister!"

Ah....

So what he said before was true.

"The marks are still on that tree, arent they? That mischievous Miss Luna, really... Phew! But its a relief to see shes grown up so well and beautifully.

Oh, and not just that..."

"Uwaa! Mister!!"

I thought some exaggeration was mixed in, but it looks like it was all true.

I wonder what kind of childhood she had...

Watching the farmer shiver as he recounted Lunas childhood made it seem like it was indeed an extraordinary one.

When he tried to continue with another story from her childhood, Luna frantically waved her hands to stop him, not forgetting to hold onto mine while doing so.

Seeing this, the farmer grinned contentedly.

"Hehe, its good to see. Oh my! Come to think of it, I believe Ive interrupted you two! I should be going now. Ha ha ha."

"Goodbye, take care!"

Despite the farmer being a commoner, Luna responded to him with polite language.

After bidding him farewell, she pressed her lips together tightly and looked at me.

"Uh.... Now I cant marry anyone else..."

"No, no. If we hadnt held hands, this wouldnt have..."

"I dont care! Uh...."

Blushing, Luna covered her face with both hands, all the while still tightly gripping mine.

"Is this about Levian?"

Luna's father had a significantly surprised expression upon hearing Robert's words.

Clearly, he was aware of who Levian was.

It was Luna's father who had passed the magic book to Luna.

Moreover, he had also allowed Levian to stay in their territory.

However, the strangest part was that he had not reported this fact to the empire.

"You are aware that this person was a great wizard, right?"

Levian was not just any wizard known to a select few.

Any noble would be expected to recognize his name, such a prominent figure he was, having left behind numerous accomplishments.

"...I am aware."

Lunas father replied, meeting Roberts gaze squarely.

"There is no need for caution. We are here to help."

"To help?"

"The magic book that Luna possesses. It is undoubtedly a magical tool of tremendous power, and its existence has become known to the world."

The fact that Luna held such a magic book had become known to a select few.

However, since Luna was at the academy, and there were always people to protect her when she went out, no one had dared to touch her.

"...Indeed, there was an incident recently where someone from the capital came to visit our territory."

"We are here to protect Luna from them."

Robert spoke with a serious expression.

"Is protecting Luna all you are here for?"

"Of course not."

"Then why are you seeking out traces of Levian?"

Taking a moment, Robert opened his mouth to speak.

"I was a disciple of Levian."

"A disciple?"

"Its a bit of two things; seeking revenge, and fulfilling my duty as his disciple."

Robert spoke calmly, but his hands were tightly clenched into fists.

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