Mr. Kadan in the Deep Forest - Chapter 61

Luna walked alongside Kadan toward the audience chamber. Her mind was completely blank.

She muttered to herself in Inut, “Hello, I am Luna Dheim.” If only she had studied the Inut language more diligently. Living day after day under Kadan’s desire, from early evening until dawn, had caused her to waste time without even realizing it.

‘But still, I’ve learned a lot while studying.’

While learning Inut, Luna had discovered that their script resembled ancient runes. She now understood why Kadan hadn’t been surprised when he saw her tattoos, or when he read the runic inscriptions on the stone so fluently.

Luna held Kadan’s hand as they stood before the audience chamber doors. She silently wished that Kadan’s family would like her. Taking a deep breath, she prayed quietly.

Then, suddenly, a troubling thought crossed her mind.

“U-um, Kadan?”

“What is it?”

“Did you change the throne seat? You did, right?”

Just thinking about that day made her cheeks flush with embarrassment, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Aah.”

Kadan looked down at her for a moment, his brow raising slightly, before turning his gaze back to the door.

“Kadan?”

“I don’t really remember.”

As he answered, the door to the audience chamber opened. Luna, caught off guard, opened and closed her mouth like a fish, trying to regain composure.

The red carpet leading to the throne was exactly the same color as the one Luna had soiled. The throne, the one Luna had dirtied, now had Emperor Mazzer II, the Emperor of the Inut Empire and Kadan’s father.

With striking features and a tall stature, Kadan clearly took after his father.

Luna’s steps faltered as she approached. The Emperor himself, sitting on the seat she had soiled, made her entire body feel drained of color. Despite the overwhelming discomfort, Luna’s lips continued to practice her greeting: “Hello, I am Luna Dheim.”

『Ha ha, how have you been, Kurua?』

The Emperor greeted his second son with open arms and a booming voice. In stark contrast to his jovial father, Kadan remained calm and composed.

『I’ve asked you to call me ‘Kadan,’ haven’t I?』

『You rascal. Are you going to disregard the name your parents gave you and choose the one your lover gave you instead?』

It was clear that this boy had lost not only his memory but also the affectionate bond between family members. Emperor Mazzer furrowed his brow, but his face still showed the love he had for his second son.

『What would you have done, Father?』

『Naturally, I would have chosen the name your mother gave you.』

The Emperor smiled sadly as he remembered his late wife, before returning to his stern expression. His dark eyes fixed on Luna as he studied her.

Luna’s face turned red as an apple. She alternated glancing between the carpet and the throne seat before her eyes met the Emperor’s.

‘Ah, this is the moment.’

Luna took a step back and bent her upper body forward to offer the Inut-style greeting. Balancing on one foot was difficult, causing her body to tilt sideways, but Kadan secretly supported her back.

Thanks to that, Luna was able to maintain her balance and give the greeting she had prepared. It was time to show off the Inut language she had been tutored in by the diplomat.

『Hello, I am Luna Dheim. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The weather is quite lovely today. How have you been? I’ve been doing well, and I hope you have too.』

Luna spoke in a monotone, reading off the words without pausing to breathe. Her delivery, with no rhythm or grace, echoed the clumsy speech patterns of the inept diplomat.

It would have been better if she had learned the Inut language from Kadan himself, but she didn’t want to bother him with her studies, so she had chosen the second-best option.

Of course, Luna still believed the diplomat was quite skilled.

The Emperor widened his eyes, then burst out laughing.

『Your partner’s Inut is still rough.』

『Rough? Isn’t it impressive that she can speak it fluently?』

Kadan looked down at Luna with a proud smile. Luna, feeling proud that she hadn’t mispronounced anything, lifted her lips into a small grin.

But she then glanced at the stain on the carpet and quickly turned sullen again. It was so adorable that Kadan chuckled again.

The Emperor watched his second son’s reaction with disbelief.

Who would have thought that the stoic stone of a man would laugh like that? Even when he regained his memory and reunited with his family, Kadan had only briefly shown a hint of joy before returning to his usual serious demeanor.

But now, in front of his woman, he was practically smitten.

The Emperor got up from his throne and slowly approached Luna. Luna turned her head to face him. The Emperor’s massive form, just as large as Kadan’s, cast a shadow over her.

『It was you, wasn’t it? The one who gave us the opportunity to come this far.』

Having read all the letters about their situation, the Emperor extended his right hand to Luna.

What does that mean? Luna hesitated, deep in thought, before recalling the ceremonial gestures she had performed in the temple and gently placed her forehead against his palm.

『Hahaha! Yes, yes. If you want it, I’ll pat your head.』

The hand he extended was meant for a handshake, but Luna, not daring to shake hands with the Emperor, instead offered her head. Perhaps impressed by her action, the Emperor gave her scalp a firm pat.

Huh? Luna blinked, surprised. Her well-combed hair quickly became messy under the Emperor’s hand.

『Enough. Luna is in pain.』