My guess is that the place wasn't actually too far away from her estate and that in the time it took for her to explain, teleport and have that little exchange, he just got on a horse and went back.
My 1st impression was also "What a waste."π But now I think it may have been worth it to get that big affection increase.π€ Maybe now he won't sabotage her coming-of-age ceremony.π
I love her personality, Penelope is so adorable.
And on another note, I saw all the future chapters and omg!!! Thank you for all the hard work. Pushing out so many chapters must have been difficult.