Chapter 217: Selene, Luke Second Wife Is Coming
There was no reason to refuse.
Whether for himself Or for Blackstone.
Having a Platinum Knight guarding the territory would bring benefits that far outweighed any potential drawbacks.
"Of course." Luke added another condition.
"The Platinum Knight’s presence must remain a secret."
"At the very least, it cannot be made public."
Jasper nodded without hesitation.
"That’s fine."
As hidden guardian was, in many ways, even more valuable than one whose existence was known to everyone.
Jasper smiled faintly.
"My grandfather prefers it that way as well."
With that matter settled, Luke stood up, preparing to leave.
Just as he about to completly stood up...
Jasper spoke again. "Sir Luke."
Luke stopped and sit down again.
"My eldest daughter, Isaria, is currently a professor at Horizon Astralis Academy."
"You should meet her."
A trace of fatherly pride appeared on Jasper’s face.
"She is a remarkably intelligent woman."
"I’m certain you’ll appreciate her personality."
Luke maintained a polite smile.
Inside, however.
’Another matchmaking attempt.’ The thought surfaced almost instantly.
Ever since his identity as a Hero had spread, people seemed strangely enthusiastic about introducing him to their daughters.
Still.
Another question quickly replaced that thought.
’Horizon Astralis Academy?’
’What kind of place is that?’
’And... why he was talking, like I am going there?’
Seeing the confusion on Luke’s face, Jasper blinked in surprise.
He frowned slightly before asking,
"Sir Luke, has Lady Selene not sent you her invitation?"
Luke’s confusion only deepened.
"Why would Selene send me an invitation?"
"And even if she did. Wouldn’t it be from Empyrean Academy?"
Jasper looked at him for a moment before realizing that Luke genuinely knew nothing about it.
"I see..."
Then he began explaining.
"Recently, Empyrean Academy decided to hold an academic exchange at Horizon Astralis Academy, located in the Eldric Sunborn Kingdom, which is the kingdom, currently we are residing."
"It will be a gathering where professors and scholars from numerous academies across the continent will meet with the professors of Empyrean Academy."
"The purpose is to exchange knowledge, discuss magical research, and strengthen academic ties."
He paused before adding,
"And Miss Selene will be attending as one of Empyrean Academy’s representatives."
Luke’s pupils contracted.
’Selene? She’s coming to the Human Continent?’
’And to the very same kingdom I’m in?’
For a brief moment, his thoughts came to a complete stop.
It had been so long since they last met.
Without realizing it, memories of her playful smile, teasing voice, and cheerful laughter surfaced one after another.
A faint smile almost appeared on his face.
Then confusion replaced it.
’Why didn’t I know about this?’
Jasper had already mentioned an invitation several times.
Yet no matter how hard Luke searched his memory. He couldn’t recall receiving anything during the past week.
Seeing the bewilderment on Luke’s face, Jasper continued.
"The exchange is scheduled for the first day of the Month of Fructus."
"That is..."
"Twenty days from now."
Those words echoed in Luke’s mind.
Only twenty days remained before Selene would arrive in the Eldric Sunborn Kingdom.
And somehow, he hadn’t heard a single thing about it.
Jasper spoke once more, pulling Luke out of his thoughts.
"Sir, I also confirmed that the letter from Empyrean Academy was delivered to Blackstone."
"It may still be somewhere inside your mansion."
Luke nodded absentmindedly.
His mind was already racing.
’If it reached the territory. Then where did it go?’
He quickly eliminated one possibility after another.
No one in Blackstone Manor would dare steal something addressed to him.
Especially a letter bearing the seal of Empyrean Academy.
Then...
A single name surfaced in his mind.
Luke’s eyebrow twitched.
’Aurielle.’
There was probably only one person in the entire mansion bold enough to "temporarily keep" a letter meant for him.
And somehow, the more he thought about it. The more believable that possibility became.
"Alright, Sir Jasper." Luke stood up and gave him a courteous nod.
"I’ll take my leave."
"Safe travels, Sir Luke."
Just as Luke was about to walk out of the room.
Jasper suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right."
He took out a small metallic card from his spatial ring and handed it over.
"This contains my eldest daughter’s information."
"If you ever visit Horizon Astralis Academy."
"You can use it to find Isaria."
Luke accepted the metal card with a nod before storing it inside his spatial ring.
Only then did he leave the room.
At this moment, there was only one thing on his mind.
’Aurielle, where did you hide that invitation?’
Jasper walked to the window and watched Luke’s figure gradually disappear toward Blackstone Manor.
A faint smile appeared on his aged face.
"I just hope Isaria will like Sir Luke."
He muttered those words under his breath before letting out a helpless sigh.
Among all his children.
The one who worried him the most was his eldest daughter.
Not because of her talent.
Nor because of her career.
In fact, she excelled in both.
As one of the youngest professors at Horizon Astralis Academy, her future was already brighter than that of countless nobles.
The real problem was her marriage.
No matter how many outstanding young men were introduced to her. She rejected every single one of them.
Her answer never changed.
"I’m not interested."
At first, Jasper thought it was because none of the candidates met her standards.
But after years passed. He finally realized the truth.
His daughter simply had no interest in marriage at all.
That alone gave him endless headaches.
So, when he met Luke. An extraordinary Hero with limitless potential.
He couldn’t help but hope that, perhaps...
For the first time, his daughter might show even the slightest interest.
***
A few moments later, Luke finally returned to the mansion before making his way toward the Time Chamber.
Soon, he arrived in front of the cozy bungalow that served as their home.
"Huff..." He let out a long breath, trying to steady himself.
’Why am I this nervous?’
Shaking his head, he reached for the door.
Creak.
The wooden door slowly opened. Luke stepped inside the bedroom.
Aurielle was sitting quietly before the dressing mirror, gently combing her long black hair. Fresh droplets of water still clung to the silky strands, occasionally sliding down onto her shoulders. It was obvious she had only recently finished bathing.
She wore her usual purple nightgown—the one she only ever wore inside the house.
The room was silent.
Only the soft sound of the comb gliding through her hair echoed faintly.
Aurielle didn’t turn around. She simply continued combing her hair as though she hadn’t noticed Luke’s arrival.
Luke, however, knew better.
She definitely noticed. She’s just pretending she didn’t.
For some inexplicable reason his heartbeat sped up.
’Why do I suddenly feel like an employee walking into his boss’s office to ask for a salary raise?’
The absurd comparison popped into his mind, making the corner of his mouth twitch.
Taking another quiet breath. Luke cautiously walked into the room.
Step by step, he approached Aurielle, who was quietly humming to herself as she continued combing her damp hair.
"La~ la~ la~"
Her gentle voice filled the room, as soothing as ever.
Without even turning around, the corners of her lips curved into a soft smile.
Luke caught the reflection of that smile in the mirror.
"So..."
"My darling is back."
Her tone was light and cheerful.
"What happened?"
"You came home unusually early today."
She asked casually, still combing her long black hair.
Normally, Luke spent most of his time inspecting Blackstone and patrolling its surroundings, rarely returning before late at night.
Today he had come back much earlier than usual.
"Nothing." Luke smiled warmly.
"I just missed you."
Closing the remaining distance, he wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind.