'I knew it!　It's really Luke!　Oh, you're all grown up!　You look just like your father when he was young!
That's because you'll be taller. I was only 15 when I left the village.

　Mom threw out a basket of wild vegetables and ran over to me and began to flatten my face with a smile as if I was about to cry.

She smiled as if she was about to cry and began to pat me on the face.　Did you have a proper meal?
I'm fine. Come on, he's healthy.

　At least now, I add in my mind.

　If I had been an adventurer for fifteen years, there was a normal period of time when I was short of money and unable to eat, and if I told you about the 'Thousand Year Corridor of the Abyss' not long ago, you might have a stroke.

　After all, Mom was the kind of person who would be distraught if I had a minor injury in the forest.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I've told you to come home whenever the going gets tough, but I didn't expect you to come home for fifteen years. ...... The lack of news is a sign of good health, but your father and mother have been worried about you for a long time.
I'm sorry, ....... You didn't even listen to me, and you ran off without any convincing, and you didn't get much of an accomplishment the whole time. I just didn't know how I was going to leave with a face.
It's okay ...... that you've come back properly and well. Why don't we go live in the village from now on?
Oh, no, no, I'm not.

　Apparently, my mom thinks I gave up on my dream and came back home.

　I'm sorry for putting off explaining the details, but that's a big mistake.

'I don't intend to return to the village yet. I didn't make it as an adventurer, but I've gained quite a bit of recognition for my other work. I just wanted to report on that and the rest at .......

　When I look at Garnett behind me, that's the first time my mom noticed her presence, and then she walked over to me, letting out an exclamation.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us.

"Uh, who is this?
It's a long story, but he(-)woman(-) is helping me with my business.

　I dared to choose an expression that would clarify Garnet's gender.

　Garnett's face crumpled in surprise.
　Mom seemed surprised at the discrepancy between the two, but she soon came to her senses.

'Well, if you're going to travel, it's probably safer to do so.
'No, I'm not dressing up as a man for safety: ...... or rather the white wolf!　Don't say that out of the blue!
Didn't you come here for this?
...... Yeah, but... You know, all sorts of things ...... like mental preparation.

　Seeing Garnett's blushing cheeks and slurring her words, Mom put her hand to her mouth with a look on her face as she realized what was going on.

'Oh?　By any chance: ...... What, Luke, is it true?
'Yeah. As a matter of fact, ......
'Well, well, well!　I didn't know Luke had such a big kid!　Do I look like your mother?
...... No, no, no, no.

　I immediately deny it because I've been given a ridiculous misunderstanding.

　It is true that in my father and mother's generation, it wasn't uncommon for a teenager to have a family, and even become a parent at 15 or 16, so it's possible to be a parent and child with an age difference between me and Garnett.

　However, if this misunderstanding is not cleared up right now, we will indeed have a serious problem later.

"What?　Isn't it?
'What can I say, I'm embarrassed to talk about that ...... change and talk about this stuff. You see, that's the one ...... step before that, or rather .......

　My plan was to report it more clearly and crisply, but when I tried to actually talk about it, it was hard to get the words out, and it would be an awkward way to tell the story.

　Even though this didn't happen when I rode into the Count's night party and confronted Rembrandt, the former Knight Commander and Garnet's father.

　If Rembrandt found out about it, he would be sincerely taken aback by the fact that I would be more nervous than anything else to report to the wife of a mere village chief and my mother in a small village in a corner of the forest.

　But I don't want to end on a limp.

　I cut off my words, breathe, calm myself down, regain my resolve, and then open my mouth.

　Don't be so roundabout about it. It's not cool to misrepresent your embarrassment in this place.

I am dating this girl with the intention of marrying her. Her parents say that we won't be able to admit our engagement until we've moved up in the world. But I still wanted to tell my mom and dad.

　He interrupted Rembrandt's attempt to find Garnett's fiancée for the prosperity of the Argentean family, and said boldly that I was the one who was going to be entrusted with the knightly order by His Majesty's will.

　Then there is no reason to mislead me here. You must not deceive yourself.
　It's irresponsible to do such a mimicry.

　Mom seemed not to have caught up with the suddenness of the situation and moved her gaze towards Garnett as if seeking confirmation, with her mouth gaping open and pressed silent.

　-- Garnett covered her reddened face with one hand and turned over, affirming my statement in a voice so small it was no different than a whisper.

'Um, um, ...... yes. That's what happened the other day ...... thankfully.

　Where was the usual blunt and powerful behavior?

　Garnett has become as quiet as a borrowed cat, and has been completely swept away by the flow of the place.

　Watching Garnett's reaction, I couldn't help but loosen my mouth, but there are more priorities right now.

'I have other terrific and surprising reports, but I wonder if my dad will be in the village today. I can't stay too long, so if he's traveling somewhere, we'll have to wait until another day to see if he's at .......
...... Well, well, well!　It's true!　I can't believe you're dating such a pretty girl!　I'm sure your father would have a fit if he knew!

　Mom ran up to Garnett with a joyful smile on her face and complimented Garnett's loveliness with every word she could muster.

　To be honest, she didn't have much of a vocabulary, but that's how you could tell that it wasn't just appropriate flattery.

　Garnett couldn't deny the pure goodness and joy, but that didn't mean she couldn't accept the compliments outright, she was blushing and troubled by Mom's momentum.