CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 134: A GUEST

Axelius looked interested now as he raised a brow. "Let me see the forge one."

"Yes yes nyah, here—look here!" Lyrielle leaned closer, pointing excitedly at the sketch of the land. "It’s not big enough for a mansion, but perfect for a blacksmith or inventor workshop, nyah! Not too far from the markets either. Oh—and it’s still in good standing, no debts, and the old owner signed a release three months ago. All ready nyah!"

Axelius nodded, a grin slowly tugging at his lips. "Then I’ll take that one."

Lyrielle gasped. "Y-you’ll take it already nyah?! No visit?!"

"Like you said... I can just send Millie to check later," Axelius replied with a shrug, and instead of just a single payment, he placed two pouches of gold coins on the table, the sound of heavy metal clinking softly filling the air.

Lyrielle’s eyes widened as her ears perked up sharply, her hands hovering above the table l "T-this is too much nyah! The land doesn’t cost this much, nyah!" she said, her voice almost a squeak as she stared at the overflowing gold.

Axelius leaned back again into the couch, his arm resting casually as he waved a hand lazily. "That extra is for rebuilding. I want it clean, new, and ready for what I have planned. Keep it quiet too."

Lyrielle blinked, her tail twitching behind her as she finally nodded, gently placing her hands on the two pouches like she was cradling treasure. "Y-you want it fixed up nyah? I can do that! I’ll even call a team myself, nyah!"

As she rushed toward another chest for a contract form, practically floating with excitement.

At that moment, Lyrielle shouted from the corner, "Nyah! The pen and contract is ready! I’ll draw up the deed and ownership transfer now!"

After a few more minutes of scribbling and stamping, Lyrielle finally placed the contract on the table and held out a feathered pen with both hands. "Alright nyah! Just sign here, and it’ll all be official, nyah!"

Axelius didn’t say anything at first, simply took the pen, leaned forward, and signed his name. Once his name was on the paper, he placed the pen down, stood up from the couch, and dusted off his coat.

"I’ll be back in three days. Have everything ready by then,"

"Y-yes nyah! I’ll make sure of it! Trust me, nyah!" Lyrielle said quickly, rushing to follow him out the door. As Axelius stepped outside with Millie behind him and the two disguised knights already moving to escort him, Lyrielle stood by the shop entrance, waving both her hands high above her head.

"Trust me! I won’t disappoint you nyah! Moonpaw Estate never fails nyah!" she shouted happily, her tail swaying excitedly behind her as they walked off.

Axelius didn’t look back and simply raised one hand to wave lazily before they continued walking down the street.

The trip back to the Grand Duke’s estate was quiet. As they stepped into the grand halls of the estate, the air suddenly grew a little heavier, and standing at the bottom of the staircase, dressed neatly in noble robes, was the Grand Duke himself.

His cold eyes locked on Axelius, lips parting to speak—but before he could even get a word out, Axelius spoke first without even pausing his steps.

"I haven’t even been out for an hour," he said plainly, walking past him without looking up as if reminding the man of his own words earlier.

The Grand Duke frowned slightly, his mouth still half-open, but no words came out. He simply watched Axelius walk away toward the hallway with Millie following close behind.

Axelius entered his room and the first thing he saw was little Ellory standing near the window, cradling something carefully in her arms. As he stepped closer, he realized she was holding Owen—who was completely still, his body now in a stone-like form.

Ellory’s eyes were wide and watery, her voice trembling as she asked, "Brother... what is happening to brother Owen?!"

It was clear this was the first time she had seen Owen in this state Axelius took off his coat and handed it to Millie without a word, before gently patting Ellory’s head.

"He’s fine, Ellory," he said in a calm voice, "Owen is just in his pertacyst evolution phase."

Millie knelt beside them and gently wiped the tears off Ellory’s cheeks with a handkerchief.

Ellory sniffled once but then brightened, her expression turning curious and amazed. She held the stone-like Owen up a little as if admiring him,

"Brother Owen is evolving? Wow! I wonder what brother will look like after." then gently placed him back on the window ledge where the sunlight touched him slightly. She turned to Axelius, tilting her head.

"Where did you go, brother?" she asked.

Axelius stood up and stretched a bit. "Somewhere in the town," he replied simply, reaching into his pocket and pulling out something small. He tossed it lightly toward her.

Ellory caught it with both hands and gasped, her eyes sparkling as she realized what it was. "Waahh! Candies! Thank you, brother!" she said cheerfully, rushing over to give him a quick hug around the waist. She looked up with excitement. "Can I share this with Julie?"

Axelius shrugged slightly and said with a small smirk, "It’s yours, so your choice."

"Yay!" she chirped, already running toward the door with excitement, then stopped and looked back, her expression suddenly curious again. "Also, brother... someone is waiting for you in the guest room and she’s so pretty!"

With that, she ran out, leaving the door open behind her.

Axelius stood still for a moment, blinking. "A guest?" he muttered, frowning. "Pretty?" His eyes narrowed as he turned to the side and rubbed the back of his neck. "Wait... Elena? What does she want now?"

Axelius walked down the hallway, heading toward the guest room with Millie quietly following behind him, but as they passed through the inner halls near the sitting area he heard the hushed murmurs of several maids nearby

"Did you see young master Axelius’ guest? She’s so beautiful!"

"I want to know what she wants with the young master!"

Hearing all that, Axelius frowned slightly, his steps slowing down for just a second. So it’s not Elena? he thought, confused.

He didn’t like surprises—especially when they came in the form of unknown noblewomen.