"Welcome back Young master.", The familiar old butler greeted Grant as he stepped inside the Ashdown family's mansion.
"I shall go and inform the master of your arrival."
"Go ahead."
The old butler left after giving Mio who was standing beside Grant a peculiar look.
"Is this where you live master?", Mio asked her enchanting black eyes filled with the treasure called curiousity.
"Yes.", Grant said as he handed his coat over to a maid before sitting down on the sofa.
The previous month was a bit too hectic for Grant, especially when he was returning back from the desert with Mio and found out that they completely forgotten about the guide who brought them there.
Thus having no one to point out the direction, they were stranded in the desert for days before finally meeting another human being and asking for directions.
Even Grant who possess the body of a Demi-God couldn't help but feel tired.
It was as if the softness of the sofa acted as a trigger making Grant's eyelids feel heavy but just before they were about to close, Grant felt something press against his shoulder.
Moving his eyes he saw Mio resting her head in his shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
"Resting.", Mio replied with a smile on her face as she rested her head against his shoulder before closing her eyes.
Feeling too tired to reply Grant also rested his head on top of her's, since she was using his shoulder as support there should be no problem with him using her head as one either.
----------------------
A week later, the news of the Empire taking back the Stella Fort under the lead of the Hero was spread throughout the capital, people rejoiced and the Empire celebrated, it was already the 2nd major victory for the humans after the descend of the Hero, making the name Grant Ashdown spread out like a sensation.
"Young master.", Mio called out in a lifeless voice as she rolled around on the sofa.
"..."
Not getting a reply, she puffed up her cheeks before grabbing a pillow and throwing it at the Grant who was going through some documents.
Without even looking, Grant tilted his head making the pillow miss its target and hit the wall behind him.
"Young master!"
*Sigh*
Finally Grant put down the paper in his hand and said.
"What is it?"
"Mio is getting bored!", Mio said in a righteous voice while raising her hand like a five-year-old.
"Then go and read some books."
"All the books are about political affairs!, Mio doesn't like them!"
"How about visiting the garden?"
"I'm sick of visiting the same place again!"
"Then how about visiting the capital?, I can ask the servants to take you to some good places..."
"Mio doesn't want to spend time with lowly humans!"
Grabbing his forehead, Grant released another sigh before saying.
"In short you just want to spend time with me?"
"Yes! that's exactly right young master! let's go out and explore, we've been stuck in this place for a week now and you are always busy with your work neglecting Mio....."
Ignoring the blabbering Mio, Grant covered his ears with magic blocking all sound before once again picking up the paper and reading
But before he could continue, a pair of soft but strong hands grabbed his face making his magic disappear before forcefully turning his head towards her.
"Don't ignore me."
It seemed as if time itself had come to a halt.
As the two pair of golden eyes stared at each other in silence.
"Fine."
Grant was the first one to break the silence.
A victory smile appeared on Mio's beautiful face before she let go of him and asked in excitement.
"Where are we going young master? Oh I know! the wishing well? I have heard stories about it from the housekeeper, there is a legend that it will fullfill all your wishes fir but a single gold coin! Or maybe the endless lake!-----"
"Royal palace."
"...."
"I have an audience with the emperor today and since you have nothing else to do I can bring you along."
"....."
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"How long are you going to keep making that face?", Grant asked as he pulled his gaze away from the window of the carriage.
Sitting beside him was Mio, whose cheeks were puffed up in anger, having no intention to reply to Grant she even turned her head away as if ti show her stance.
"You're acting like a child."
"...."
"Okay don't be mad, here I'll let you hold my hand.", Grant said as he raised his left hand.
*Grab*
The corners of Grant's mouth raised up as he felt the warmth travelling through his hand.
Although Mio was ignoring him, he could still very well see the back of her ear turning beat red in happiness.
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[Royal Palace, Gritonia Empire.]
Inside the Emperor's throne room, Grant stood on one knee with his head lowered and his hand placed across his chest.
Suddenly he raised his head and stared straight at the old Emperor with his beautiful golden eyes.
"I want the Stella Fort, Your majesty."
His words sounded like thunder to the ears of everyone present.