MTLNOVEL Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Luna's Envy
After much thought, Leon decided that he needed to get those bunny girl photos developed as soon as possible.
He hoped there was some kind of photo studio around here, but if not, he could just find a secluded spot. While thinking this, Leon hung the camera around his neck and walked out of the room.
———
The scenery in Flowing Cloud Valley was delightful, and every spot was perfect for taking pictures.
Since Rossweise had taken the two little girls out, Leon had already snapped over twenty photos along the way.
His plan was simple: the more photos he took, the harder it would be for anyone to find the bunny girl group photo hidden among them.
But Leon wasn't taking random shots.
If the photos were sloppy, Rossweise might not let him continue.
So even though he had taken many photos, every single one was at a level where one could say, "Wow, this one's pretty good."
Actually, Leon felt that his photography skills weren't much different from his dragon-slaying skills from back in the day.
The key was stability, precision, and decisiveness.
Holding the camera/sword required steady hands.
Focusing on the distance/the dragon's nape required accurate aim.
Pressing the shutter/swinging the sword required determination.
It was roughly the same concept.
Dragon-slaying was truly a profession that drew on the strengths of all trades, Leon thought to himself.
From inside the castle to outside, they made their way under an ancient tree.
The two little dragon girls sat on a tree trunk. Leon was about to snap a few photos when a sika deer suddenly entered the frame and licked Luna's little face.
Luna laughed and patted its head. "Daddy, take a picture with the little deer too~"
"Alright, but make sure it stays still."
"Okay, okay!"
The wildlife in Flowing Cloud Valley was well-trained—not afraid of people, not harmful, and didn't beg for food.
The little sika deer quietly stood next to Luna, obediently looking at the camera.
After taking a few shots, Leon turned to Rossweise. "Let me take a few solo shots of you."
Rossweise raised an eyebrow. "So generous?"
"Of course, a beautiful view needs a beautiful subject."
"Hmph, sweet talker. What's the occasion? Suddenly enlightened?"
'Maybe not enlightened now, but once you see the bunny girl photos in the camera, one of us will definitely have an epiphany.'
Leon smiled and pointed to the spot where Luna and Noah had just been sitting. "Over there looks good—the lighting and angle are perfect."
"Alright."
Rossweise walked over and slowly sat down, her long, elegant legs folded to one side.
Her left hand rested gently on her knee, and her right hand supported her body.
Just then, the little sika deer came over again.
Rossweise turned her head to look at it, then slowly raised her hand.
She intended to pet the deer, but it sniffed her smooth, soft hand instead, then closed its eyes and rubbed against her fingers.
When taking photos with Luna and Noah earlier, the deer had clearly been cooperative only because of its "job."
But now, with Rossweise, it seemed as though it had inadvertently been tamed by a queen.
Leon seized the moment and pressed the shutter button.
Under the towering ancient tree, sunlight filtered through the mist and leaves, scattering onto Rossweise. She extended her hand, receiving the reverence and submission of the creature before her.
The queen's majesty and feminine allure were vividly captured in Rossweise's pose.
Even the two little dragon girls couldn't help but sigh, "Mom is so beautiful."
Even Leon found himself reluctant to look away from the viewfinder.
After the shoot, Rossweise came over. "How did they turn out? Oh, not bad. Let me see the earlier ones too."
As she reached for the camera, Leon snapped back to reality and held it protectively. "Ah, uh… let's take a few more shots first. We'll review them all together later."
Rossweise didn't press. "Alright."
"Let's head to the pedestrian street over there and try some different styles," Leon suggested.
"Sounds good~ The pedestrian street!" Luna cheered, grabbing Noah's hand and running towards the entrance.
Rossweise called after them to slow down and not fall as she followed.
"There should be a photo studio on the pedestrian street..." Leon muttered as he hurried after them.
The Flowing Cloud Valley pedestrian street retained its rustic, elegant style. Almost every corner and shop was a perfect photo backdrop.
Rossweise led the children to choose photo spots while Leon trailed behind, keeping an eye out for a photo studio.
Finally, from a distance, Leon spotted one.
But he needed a reason to slip away alone.
Scanning the area, he noticed a candy store near the studio. Inspiration struck.
"Noah, Luna, do you want candy?"
Noah stayed quiet, but Luna bounced excitedly. "I do, I do!"
"Okay, wait here with Mom. I'll get some for you."
"Yay~"
Leon crossed the street quickly, heading to the candy store.
"Mom, Luna wants lemon soda too!"
Rossweise nodded. "Alright, I'll let your dad know."
"Don't forget Noah's share!"
"I know. Noah, keep an eye on Luna and don't wander off."
"Yes, Mom."
Rossweise walked toward the candy store.
Meanwhile, the two little dragon girls sat on a bench, their tails and short legs dangling off the edge, swinging back and forth.
Noah kept her eyes on Rossweise's retreating figure until the mist obscured her view. She then looked away, turning to Luna.
Luna was idly hugging her tail, waiting for her candy and soda.
Noah's thoughts stirred. She pursed her lips and suddenly spoke.
"Sometimes, I really envy you, Luna."
Luna was startled and looked up at her sister in confusion. "Envy me? Why?"
Noah lowered her head, swinging her little shoes. Slowly, she said,
"I envy that you can tell Mom and Dad anything without holding back."
Luna still didn't understand. "You can too, can't you?"
"But I'm a big kid now. Big kids can't say whatever they want."
Though this was her answer to Luna, it also seemed like Noah was telling herself this.
From a young age, Noah had tried to play the role of a "grown-up" or a "big kid."
But she was only twenty minutes older than her twin sister, Luna.
Her self-imposed maturity had a reason.
Once, when Noah had just started to become aware of the world, she found everything fascinating—her sister, her mother, and the father she had only ever seen lying asleep in bed.
She and her sister grew under their mother's care, learning about the world. To them, their mother seemed omnipotent.
Until one day, when Noah visited Leon's room, she saw her mother already there.
She was about to greet her but noticed her mother seemed different.
Sitting silently by Leon's bedside, she looked sad and weary, a far cry from her usual refined and gentle demeanor.
Noah didn't ask what was wrong.
But that day planted a seed in her heart—a desire to grow up quickly so she could take care of her family.
This memory had shaped her into the "mature" Noah of today.
Luna's voice interrupted her thoughts. "I don't really get it, but I envy you too, Noah."
Noah tilted her head. "What do you envy about me?"
"You're smart and capable, always taking care of me like a grown-up. I want to be like you someday."
Blushing, Noah stammered, "But how do you know what I'll become?"
Luna blinked her big, bright eyes. "What do you want to become, then?"
Noah thought for a moment, then seriously replied,
"Someone worthy of being their daughter."
At that moment, Leon was trying to figure out how to print the bunny girl photos.
"Sorry, sir, we can only print photos from our studio's cameras. Yours isn't compatible," the staff explained.
"...Really? So touristy!"
'When the dragon-slaying army comes, your studio is first on my list.'
[T/N: Due to my upcoming exams, I will post 1 Chapter/Day instead of 2 till 19 February. After that we will be back to our 2 Chapter/Day schedule. Also, expect more novels after 19 February]
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