Rossweise told Leon in detail about the one-year agreement she had made with Tiger that day.
After listening, Leon felt a mix of emotions.
However, he did not think Rossweise had intentionally hidden it from him. After all, his master had stipulated that he could not return to the empire for a year. If he had known earlier, his mind probably would not have been at peace for that entire year.
Rossweise sat on the sofa, speaking softly, "Your master did not tell me his plans for this year. But I guess he might be going back to the Empire to deal with some matters. And during this time, there might be some danger. That is why he decided to keep you away."
Leon's expression turned serious. He walked to the sofa and sat beside Rossweise. "But my master is just a retired dragon slayer. He has been managing his farm for years. He rarely talks about his time in the Dragon Slayer Army. My mistress said he was quite ordinary during his service. How could a man in his fifties handle anything in the Empire…"
"Your master seldom speaks of his past. What you know about his years of service is only from your mistress's biased accounts. So, Leon, in my opinion, your master may not be as ordinary as you think, just a farmer," Rossweise said earnestly.
She remembered the immense pressure Tiger gave off when she first met him. It was far greater than any other human except Leon.
She believed that to train someone as strong and exceptional as Leon, Tiger could not be simple.
Leon frowned, unsure what to say for a moment. Rossweise sat quietly beside him. She had already told him about his master and the one-year agreement.
Now it was his turn to choose. But to keep this fool from overthinking, Rossweise decided to help him understand the situation first.
"Leon, before I met your master, he did not know you were still alive. He was just praying… or hoping you were alive. At that time, he took your mistress and hid in a mountain stream. They lived a peaceful life, away from the world. It was safe there. The Empire's people could not easily find them."
"But when he learned you were still alive, he seemed to make a decision right away."
"I think he is going back to the Empire to do something dangerous for you."
"Actually, at first, I did not plan to tell you any of this. Whether it is one year or two, I cannot let you go until I have had my revenge on you."
"And our home… even if it is fake, you have become a part we cannot do without. You are Noah and Muen's father, and my…"
She said a lot in one breath but stumbled over this part. Her silver eyes avoided his gaze. She turned her head slightly, her voice lowering. "You are my husband."
"If you leave, this home will not be a home anymore."
"But I understand, Leon, in the human world, you have another home."
"Your master, your mistress, they are all waiting for you to return."
"Now, your master might need you more than we do… You have the right to know all of this."
"And the right… to choose."
Leon stared blankly at the former enemy beside him. Had she really given the choice to him?
Not only that, she had even laid out the conditions and situations of both sides clearly for Leon, afraid he might get confused and make the wrong decision.
And what she just said—"Your master needs you more than we do"—Leon understood what it meant. Not long ago, he had defeated the arrogant Crimson Flame Dragon King, Constantine. That greatly raised the status and prestige of the Silver Dragons among all dragon clans.
For now, no other dragon would dare challenge Rossweise's Silver Dragon clan. So, their daughters were safe, and Rossweise herself was safe.
But his master was still missing, his fate unknown. According to his master's request, a year had passed. He could return to the Empire now without delaying Rossweise even a day.
She—wait. Leon suddenly realized, was this why Rossweise had been so down these past few days?
"Rossweise… you know what choice I will make, right?" Rossweise nodded silently.
"So, that is why you have been so unsettled these days?"
She sighed, her slender fingers brushing across her face, pushing back strands of hair from her forehead. "At this point, what is the use of saying all this, Leon?"
With that, Rossweise slowly stood up. "If you have made your decision, we… will leave tonight."
Even a fool could see Rossweise had her own selfish reasons. She did not want Leon to leave this home, to leave their daughters.
But she was the Silver Dragon Queen, not a selfish little girl. She knew which battles to fight and which not to. Leon was the same.
He could have pretended not to know anything, continued to stay here as the Silver Dragon Prince, enjoyed the love and admiration of countless people, watched his adorable daughters grow up day by day, and finally aged peacefully as he once dreamed.
But if he did that, he would not be Leon Cosmodeous anymore. A man who bears duty and responsibility cannot let his foster father face unknown dangers alone.
When Rossweise gave the choice to Leon, both of them clearly knew he would eventually choose to return to the Empire. He had to go back to help his master and find the traitor who framed him.
Leon stared at her for a long time, feeling he had so much to say to her. But in the end, a thousand words became a simple "Thank you, Rossweise."
Rossweise did not say "You are welcome." She just half-turned away, her calm expression unable to hide the choked tone in her voice.
"Before we leave, do you want to hold our youngest daughter?"
Hold their daughter… So, when she asked him to play with Noah and Muen earlier and then hold them, it was… a goodbye?
[Hell. No!]
Unfortunately, Leon had not realized it, and the goodbye hug felt a bit rushed. He sighed, stood up, and walked slowly to the bedside.
Looking at his sleeping youngest daughter, a smile appeared on Leon's heavy face. He slowly bent down and gently kissed her forehead.
"When you grow up, listen to your sisters and protect Mommy."
The little daughter in her dream made a soft sound.
Leon did not know if that was her response.
Reluctantly, he took one last look at his daughter, then straightened up, gathered the things he might need, and strode toward the balcony.
Rossweise had already transformed into her dragon form, hovering outside the balcony. Leon easily flipped over the railing and landed on her back.
"Will Noah and Muen think I am a terrible father?" Leon asked quietly.
Without hesitation, Rossweise replied, "No, you are the best father in the world."
And the best… husband in the world too. But perhaps it was a little late to say that now.
The silver dragon beat her wings and disappeared into the night.
The curtains in the bedroom fluttered gently from the wind of the dragon's wings. The baby on the bed clenched her little fists tightly, tossing and turning restlessly.
In the quiet room, the sound of the door lock clicking suddenly broke the silence. The door slowly opened, and a small figure walked in, calling softly for Mommy and Daddy as she entered.
But the only response was her younger sister's whimpering.
Mommy and Daddy were not here.
She walked to the bedside, humming a lullaby. After soothing her younger sister back to sleep, she stepped out onto the balcony.
The balcony window was open. There were marks on the railing from someone stepping on it, signs that someone had left from here not long ago.
Noah slowly raised her head, gazing at the deep night sky.
"Mommy and Daddy… what happened?"
[Author Note--- Rossweise was conflicted despite Leon loving his daughters. Would he ever come back from his own home once he swore to protect? And Leon was worried that it might be too long a time things sought things in the Empire. Eventually he'll return; he must return. Because our general Leon is a daughter-con.
Phase two: From archenemy to husband and wife]