Chapter 30

On the day the expedition was brought forward, Lukas must have been in meetings until late, as he returned to the mansion just before Viela went to bed.

As Viela gazed absentmindedly out the window, she saw Albertina flying over the mansion.

She should have welcomed him inside the mansion, but for some reason, her feet headed outside that day.

Exiting through the back door, she saw Lukas walking through the garden from the stable to the mansion.

He seemed tired or lost in thought, his gaze lowered, and he hadn't noticed Viela.

"Lukas-sama, welcome back."

"Viela? Why did you come out here?"

Lukas's expression, though slightly surprised, showed no coldness. His usual, endearing gesture of tilting his head slightly made Viela realize he was being his genuine self.

Relieved, the tension in Viela's shoulders eased.

"Um, is something wrong?"

"During the day, you had that heroic aura, but I prefer the usual Lukas-sama. Hehe, welcome back."

While his dignified and cool demeanor was indeed impressive, Viela preferred the familiar, approachable young man.

Though she answered honestly, she felt a bit embarrassed afterward and laughed to cover it up.

Lukas then wore an expression as if he found it curious.

"Most people prefer your daytime appearance, so you're rare, Viela."

"Well, it's just too intimidating. You're the third son of the Ambrosch Duke and a hero who saved the country. Add a cool demeanor, and it's just... "

"--- Viela, you're that type. Are you still nervous around me now?"

"I think it's partly because I'm used to it, but I know you're someone I can talk to easily, so I'm not that nervous now."

Except for the fact that his proximity as a member of the opposite sex made her a bit nervous, Lukas was a pleasant companion to be around.

"I'm glad you didn't say you preferred my daytime appearance or that you're still nervous."

He clearly showed a look of relief. Then, with a pleased expression, he relaxed his mouth, as if he had been afraid of being rejected for his true self by Viela.

Given his status, background, and appearance, Lukas was in a position where he didn't need to consider Viela's feelings. Yet, he had a timid side, which was somewhat surprising.

It was endearing and stimulated her eldest daughter's nature.

"You can act however you like in front of me. I'll accept you whether you want to joke around or be affectionate! For example, I can submit an application to the technology department to get permission to use an air bed during the expedition. What do you think?"

She said this with a proud chest.

"An air bed is tempting, but if everyone envies it and it gets mass-produced, it might be you who gets detained next time, not me. I want to avoid delaying our marriage. But if you could, I'd like something for good luck before the expedition... Can I ask you for it?"

"Good luck, huh. Do you have anything in mind?"

"Something you can carry around would be helpful. You'll be busy, so a simple, store-bought item is fine."

In the Kingdom of Tresst, a standard good luck charm was a handkerchief embroidered with the divine beast Griffin.

However, Viela lacked the skills and time to complete it. Lukas's indirect consideration that "embroidery isn't necessary" was appreciated.

Still, giving a plain white handkerchief would be dull. She wanted something that conveyed her wish for his safe return.

"I'll prepare it before you leave. Can you wait for me to think about it?"

"Thank you. I'd be happy to receive it in the square just before the expedition leaves."

"Then I have plenty of time. What should I get..."

As Viela started to think, Lukas took her hand and led her into the mansion.

She followed, surprised at how naturally she accepted holding hands.

They had only met a month ago, but he was becoming a presence she took for granted.

(Our marriage was a contract based on mutual benefit, and now that we know Father is alive, our relationship can be dissolved at any time based on Lukas-sama's feelings... I used to think it was inevitable, but now it feels somehow undesirable.)

Though they had agreed that a divorce could happen at any time, she wished to continue their good relationship.

To do so, she needed to make Lukas find her presence beneficial, either in terms of interests or emotionally.

Of course, her initial resolve to "cherish the future groom" remained unchanged, and this was an additional feeling.

(First, I need to prepare a good luck charm that will make Lukas-sama happy!)

Before considering the reasons for wanting to continue their relationship, Viela started listing potential good luck charms in her head.

She was unaware of Lukas's pleased gaze on her serious expression.

Thus, two weeks passed as they busily worked, and the day of the expedition arrived.

The destination was the eastern region, where the forest, most active with monsters, meets the territory inhabited by humans. It was a rugged and steep land with the highest number of boundary stones in any region.

The team consisted of selected divine beast knights and palace knights, all the mages from the second division of the boundary office led by Clement, and Zen, the former leader of the first division, who had experience leading teams.

Although Clement had little experience as a division leader, the second division had many members with large-scale expedition experience, so the support seemed minimal.

The goal was to update the magic formula of the boundary stones within a month.

The main concern was the reason for the expedition being brought forward. All the boundary stones were consuming magic power faster than expected, and their remaining power was low. They would need to check the condition of the stones and possibly replace them.

If there were issues with the stones themselves, they would need another large-scale expedition to replace them.

(If that happens, Lukas-sama's retirement will be delayed for an important expedition, and I'll be detained to make equipment. He'll be disappointed, but for now, I can only pray for the success of this expedition.)

Viela, who usually stayed in the office to work, went to the square where the expedition team gathered to watch the final preparations.

The tension in the square made her spine straighten.

According to what she had heard, there were more divine beast knights and palace knights on this expedition than usual. The second division of the boundary office was chosen because they had many young, energetic members who could quickly avoid danger if they encountered monsters.

It was an expedition with the assumption of encountering danger.

Viela clutched a small box to her chest and moved forward, reaching her fiancé, Lukas Herring, who was already on his divine beast.

"Lukas-sama, I've brought the good luck charm as promised."

"Viela, I've been waiting. Can I have it now?"

Lukas's face was stern, befitting a leader, but his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Viela opened the small box and held it up to show him the contents.

Inside was a light blue ribbon with a small, crooked olive motif embroidered at the end.

Lukas took the ribbon from the box, examined the embroidery, and was slightly surprised.

"Did you embroider this, Viela?"

"Hehe, I'm not good at it, but I tried to put my wish for your safe return into it."

"You must have been busy and tired—thank you. I'll treasure it."

Lukas touched the ribbon to his chest, then wrapped it around the end of his long hair, which was tied with a rubber band, and tied it securely.

"Did you choose the ribbon for this reason?"

She had chosen the ribbon so he could put it in his pocket or tie it to his equipment, but she hadn't thought he would use it to tie his hair.

She was surprised by its important use but decided it suited him.

"Yes, it looks good on you. And this is for Tina."

From another small box in her pocket, she took out a brooch with a bow tied in a butterfly knot, the same light blue ribbon as Lukas's.

"A matching set."

His lips curved slightly.

"Yes. If you could wear it somewhere it won't get in the way, I'd be happy."

"Good for you, Tina."

In response, Albertina chirped happily and rubbed her head against Viela's body.

Viela held her head with both hands and stroked it, saying, "Please be careful."

"Lukas-sama, Tina-sama, please be safe. I'll be waiting for your return."

"Sure, we'll be back."

"Chirp!"

Viela bowed her head once, filled with hope, then left them and returned to where her colleagues from the technology department were. She watched the expedition team prepare to depart.

As Clement, mounted on a horse, declared the start of the expedition, the departure whistle echoed through the square.

Albertina led the way, and the divine beasts, Griffins, soared into the sky. The palace knights and boundary office mages followed on horseback, galloping out of the gate.