Lady Fray changed into a black nightgown and quietly sneaked into Leon's room, only to be met with disappointment—he was already fast asleep. She smiled softly, gently caressing his childish face.
"Well, I can't go back now. I'll just sleep here," she whispered to herself. Wrapping her arms around his small body, she fell asleep beside him.
The next morning, Leon woke up as usual, rubbing his eyes as he took in his surroundings. "Looks like Aunt already left," he mumbled, not surprised that she had slept beside him again. It had become routine; no matter how much he protested, Lady Fray always found a way to sneak into his bed whenever she visited.
Soon, maid Lily arrived to help him dress for his morning training. Once at the training grounds, Lady Fray, now dressed in her usual armor, greeted him with a wooden pole in hand. She grinned, revealing her pearl-white teeth.
"Little brat, today's training master will be me," she said with a mischievous smile.
Leon shivered at the sight of her grin but nodded obediently. The training was grueling, and after two hours, Leon was left with two large bumps on his head from his aunt's 'lessons.'
Looking up at her with a pleading expression, Leon silently begged for mercy.
Lady Fray chuckled at his cute face, then, with a teasing smile, said, "Since you've completed my tasks, I'll take you to a special place."
Leon's ears perked up as he quickly stood, walking toward the mansion with unusual speed.
Lady Fray, noticing his strange behavior, chased after him. "What's wrong, brat? Not interested?"
Leon nodded and sighed dramatically. "Yes, last time you tricked me into leaving the mansion, and I lost two months of free time. I'm not falling for it again."
Lady Fray made a face as if she had lost nothing and muttered, "Well, if you don't want to go, so be it. I was planning on going to the Moon Cliff Festival, and I thought my cute nephew would join me. But now I'll be going alone." She glanced at Leon from the corner of her eye.
Leon stopped in his tracks, curiosity piqued. "Is it the 30-year Moon Cliff Festival near Moon Cliff City?"
Lady Fray nodded with a sly smile. "Why? Interested now, my little nephew?"
Leon's eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically like a small child. Seeing his excitement, Lady Fray's smile grew wider.
"Then, do you want to come with me?" she asked sweetly.
"My great aunt, I'm going to pack my luggage!" Leon shouted, already running toward his room.
Lady Fray laughed, covering her mouth. "Look at the big man who was acting tough."
Just then, a gust of wind blew past, and Karen appeared before her, kneeling in respect. A teasing smile crossed Lady Fray's face.
"Karen, prepare the carriage. You're coming with us. This trip is going to be fun," Lady Fray ordered, licking her lips with excitement.
Karen suddenly felt a chill down her spine but gathered her courage. "Lady Fray, the elders won't agree to this."
She still remembered the chaos the last time young master Leon went on a trip with Lady Fray, causing the entire family to panic. Even the ancestors had been forcefully awakened.
Lady Fray smiled confidently. "Don't worry. I've already informed them. Originally, my sister-in-law and I were going to take the little brat on this trip, but she had a mission. So, you're her replacement."
Karen reluctantly nodded and disappeared.
Lady Fray sighed. "I thought sister-in-law would join the fun, but I guess it's just me now." She too vanished into the shadows.
By noon, the sun was high in the sky as a dark silver wagon, pulled by two magical wind horses, sped down the road. Though the wagon appeared small from the outside, its interior was as large as a house, thanks to magical arrays and special materials.
Inside, Leon sat quietly, focused on a book. His concentration irritated Lady Fray, who quickly snatched the book from his hands and stashed it in her storage space.
"What?" Leon looked at her in disbelief.
Lady Fray put her hands on her hips, scolding him. "I brought you out here to have fun, but you're acting like an old man, always studying!"
Leon scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, Aunt. I still have my mage studies to keep up with."
Without a word, Lady Fray picked him up and brought him to the front of the wagon, sitting him in her lap as she hugged him tightly. Leon, knowing better than to resist, simply leaned into her, letting his small body relax in her embrace.
"Aunt," Leon began in a calm tone, "I heard you once participated in the Moon Cliff Festival?"
Lady Fray smiled as memories flooded back. "Yes, I did. But I didn't win because your mother snatched the prize from me."
Leon's eyes widened. "Mom participated too?"
Lady Fray nodded with a chuckle. "She was a nightmare for all the participants, except for me. I was just a second too late and missed out on the prize."
She laughed, continuing, "Even the royal prince tried to take advantage back then, but your mother kicked him in the face. You should've seen his pig-like expression."
Leon smiled, unable to picture the scene but amused by the story.
He asked curiously, "Aunt, I heard there are Legendary Moon Demon Foxes in the Moon Cliff Forest. Did you see any?"
Lady Fray's expression turned serious as she shook her head. "The Moon Demon Fox tribe was hunted to near extinction centuries ago by the Royal Family and Red Moon Pavilion."
Leon sighed in disappointment. "I was hoping to catch a Moon Demon Fox for my first magical spirit."
Lady Fray raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You were planning to contract with one? You know your father and the ancestors are making a list of suitable magical beasts for you. If you contract randomly, you'll be in big trouble." She gave him a sweet smile, but it was terrifying in Leon's eyes.
Leon shook his head. "I wouldn't contract randomly, Aunt. I chose the Moon Demon Fox because its moon energy would benefit me greatly."
Lady Fray smiled fondly, rubbing his cheek. "Well, you're right. The Moon Demon Fox is indeed a good match for you. Maybe we'll find some information about them in the city."
Leon's eyes sparkled with hope but didn't ask further questions.
As they neared their next stop, Lady Fray suddenly said, "Well, the next stop will be Silver Maple Town. And don't forget, brat—you promised me a massage for bringing you on this trip. You're not getting away!"
She grabbed Leon by the arm, pulling him back into the wagon.
Leon sighed, resigned to his fate, as he followed her inside.