Luca also noticed that they were starting to genuinely understand each other and he decided to use this optimal moment for his next plan of action so with a slightly, more serious tone he said,
"In that case, since we've established some level of friendship, I'd like to use that trust for something."
Luna blinked. "Use it...how?"
He stood up slowly, brushing off his clothes before saying,
"I'd like you to trust in me and take me to your village."
Both sisters froze.
"I need to speak with your people." He said in a solemn but gentle tone. "Preferably everyone in one place. A gathering, a meeting, something as there are things I need to discuss that concern all of you."
Luna's brow furrowed, unsure how to respond.
But Lulu, on the other hand, immediately leaned toward her sister and whispered loudly,
"See? I told you! He's planning to charm the whole village! He's going to take our wombs one by one!"
"Lulu!" Luna shot her a look so sharp it could've pierced armor.
But Luca didn't seem offended. He simply chuckled.
"If it makes it easier, I'll settle for meeting just one person—the leader of your village. The matriarch."
At that, both sisters went silent.
Then, suddenly, Lulu burst out laughing—loud, proud, and incredibly smug.
"Ha! So that's what you're after, huh? You want to meet our Queen? Well, let me tell you that normally, that's almost impossible! The matriarch doesn't just meet anyone, you know."
She folded her arms proudly, tossing her hair.
"Most elves wouldn't even get the chance to stand in her presence. But lucky for you…" she smirked and patted her chest dramatically. "...you're talking to one of her daughters!"
"Here we go…" Luna sighed quietly.
But Lulu simply ignored her sister and struck a pose, chin lifted, eyes gleaming with pride as she boasted saying,
"That's right! I am Lulu Silverleaf, the daughter of Leona Silverleaf, the Matriarch of the Elven Forest!"
"One of her two precious daughters, flesh and blood!"
She then pointed to her sister grandly.
"And this gloomy one beside me? That's Luna, my dear sister, the other daughter. We are the heirs of our mother's will! So, in other words…" She grinned haughtily. "...you're in the presence of royalty, human! Tremble before my noble bloodline!"
She folded her arms and smiled smugly, expecting Luca's jaw to drop in awe. Even Luna crossed her arms, secretly curious to see his reaction—after all, she'd been the one constantly surprised by him so far.
But Luca...simply tilted his head, looking completely unfazed.
"Oh." He said mildly. "I already knew that."
Both sisters blinked.
"What?!" Lulu exclaimed. "How?! There's no way you could've known that! It's not like we're wearing our formal garments or crowns or anything!"
Luna frowned as well. "She's right, we didn't mention it once…"
"Don't tell me you..." Lulu squinted suspiciously, before pointing at him. "...were spying on us! Were you lurking around the village before this?!"
"No, no spying." Luca chuckled at her outrage. "It's just...obvious."
He then glanced at both of their pretty visages and went on to explain using flowery words,
"I mean, you two are beautiful—too beautiful to be ordinary elves. Your posture, your speech, the way you carry yourselves, everything screams 'nobility.' So, it's only natural that you'd be the daughters of the matriarch. Besides..."
He added with a teasing smirk.
"...you both have that royal glow, the kind that says 'we're gorgeous and we know it.'"
Hearing this barrage of praise, Luna's long ears immediately flushed red, her composure cracking as she looked away, flustered.
"W-Well...that's…"
Lulu, on the other hand, nearly puffed up with joy.
"Ha ha ha! You really do have a keen eye, human!" She said, grinning ear to ear. "Not bad at all! You noticed my greatness right away!"
"Yes, I am beautiful!" She flicked her hair proudly. "But even I must admit my mother is even more breathtaking than me! Truly, our beauty runs in the bloodline!"
Luca laughed softly at her self-satisfaction, then turned to Luna, who was still trying to hide her flushed face.
"Well..." He said gently. "If your mother's anything like you two, I'd say meeting her will be worth the trip."
Luna's ears twitched again, and though she tried to glare at him, her lips curved into the faintest, most reluctant smile.
'This human really doesn't know when to stop.' She thought.
And yet...she didn't entirely mind it since it made her feel really good.
Luca then lifted his head, the faintest trace of hope in his expression as he looked at Luna.
"So..." He began, voice calm but sincere. "What do you say? Are you willing to let me come along with you to meet your mother?"
Luna blinked, surprised at the sudden gentleness in his tone.
"I promise..." He continued. "...I mean no harm to you or your people and really do have some important business with your mother and the others as well."
"It would help me greatly if I could go with you both. Things would go far more smoothly if I had two people who could vouch for me by my side."
"Besides..." He turned his head slightly toward Lulu, who was still sprawled on the grass, happily licking her lollipop and said with a wry look, "Your sister here can't exactly walk properly right now."
"Huh?!" Lulu froze mid-lick, eyes widening.
"You've got an arrow wound on your butt." Luca gestured toward her rear casually. "Even with the ointment, walking's going to hurt like hell. And I doubt Luna here can carry you the whole way. So…"
He smiled, that mischievous, disarming smile again.
"...I'll carry you myself. And all you have to do is agree to take me to your mother, Luna."
Both sisters turned to stare at him, one in surprise, the other in excitement.
"W-Wait, carry me? As in...a piggyback ride?" Lulu asked, her eyes sparkling like a child's.
"Yes." He said simply. "A piggyback ride."
Immediately, she looked at Luna with pleading eyes, clutching her lollipop as if it were her last hope.
"Lunaaaa! Please say yes! I can't walk! I'll die of butt pain before we reach the gate!"
"Lulu, you are not going to die of butt pain." Luna sighed, but her voice lacked conviction.
Still, seeing both of them looking at her—Luca with his calm, patient smile, and Lulu with the desperate expression of a kicked puppy—she groaned and threw up her hands.
"Fine, fine! I get it!" She said, exasperated but not unkindly. "After everything you've done, I think it's fair to take you to the village. Not to mention…" She folded her arms and smirked slightly. "…I was already planning to bring you back anyway. I want to show you to my mother myself."
"Splendid." Luca said, smiling brightly.
"But!" Luna quickly added, raising her finger. "Don't get any ideas! I still have this string around your neck, and if you try anything, I'll pull it tight without hesitation."
"Of course." He said smoothly. "Safety first."
She nodded firmly, then glanced down at her hand—
—only to freeze in horror.
The string was no longer taut between them.
In fact...she wasn't even holding it.
"W-Where's the string?"
"You dropped it ages ago." Luca blinked innocently.
"What—when—how—?!" Luna's face turned pale.
Meanwhile, Lulu buried her face in her hands.
"Oh, wonderful. My life-line was lying in the dirt while you two flirted and talked about medicine. Splendid work, sister."
Luna blushed profusely seeing that her own sister was mocking her and picked up the string, while Luca went on to say,
"Well then, that's that. I'm happy you've agreed. And since you've decided to trust me enough to bring me along...I'll even fix your dress as a token of gratitude, Lulu"
Before both of them could even say anything, he had already taken out the same needle and thread he'd used to demonstrate stitching earlier.
Within seconds, his hands moved in smooth, swift motions—thread looping, pulling, knotting—and before she knew it, the torn section of her dress had been neatly sewn back together.
"Oh my god!" Lulu gasped. "My dress is completely fine! It's like...magic!"
"Just skill." Luca smiled faintly. "I told you I'm good with my hands."
And then, before Luna could even question what he was doing next, he stood up, turned to Lulu, and without warning—scooped her up in his arms.
"W-Wait—WHAT?!" Lulu squealed, flailing as he adjusted her easily onto his back.
"Relax." He said with a grin. "You're my patient who can't walk, remember? And I'm your personal carrier."
Hearing this, her protests immediately turned into a delighted giggle as she clung to him like a koala, her soft chest pressing against his back.
"Ohhh, this is nice! Warm, sturdy, and high off the ground! Human, I might start liking you after all!"
"You really have no shame, do you, Lulu…" Luna groaned, facepalming.
"None whatsoever." Lulu replied cheerfully, resting her chin on Luca's shoulder. "Forward, noble steed!"
"Gladly." Luca said, taking a confident step forward—
—straight in the wrong direction.
"You're going the wrong way!" Luna shouted. "The village is that way!"
He froze mid-step, then turned his head slightly, laughing awkwardly.
"Ah—right, right! Sorry! But at the same time, I'm still blind, so you can't blame me."
"Then take the blindfold off already before you walk yourself and my sister off a cliff."
Luna sighed, but despite herself, a small smile crept onto her face.
And so, under the golden light filtering through the trees, a strange trio began their journey—a serious elf princess, her cheerful candy-loving sister, and a blindfolded human whose every step seemed to pull them all further into something new.
Whatever awaited them in the elf village, one thing was certain:
This meeting was going to change everything.