The Queen's conscience remained intact, and eventually, she allowed Leon back into the bedroom in the middle of the night.
After the couple played around for a while, they both fell asleep.
Just playing around, family. Nothing else, do not overthink it.
Early the next morning, Leon woke up slowly.
Rossweise was no longer by his side. He reached over to touch her side of the bed.
By the residual warmth, he estimated it to be around 7:40 in the morning.
Leon got up and looked at the wall clock.
Sure enough, it was 7:40.
Using the warmth of the bed to estimate the time of getting up this seemingly cool but actually useless abstract behavior was something only General Leon would do day after day, tirelessly.
Everyone has their little quirks.
He lifted the quilt and got out of bed to get dressed.
Suddenly, a tickling sensation filled his nose.
"Achoo"
A sneeze?
His master once said that a single sneeze means someone is thinking about you.
Hmm~ It must be Her Majesty the Queen. Even if she is buried in work, she takes time to think of me. Looks like it is hard to say who will confess first, Leon thought smugly.
But then
"Achoo!"
The second sneeze.
His master said two consecutive sneezes mean someone is cursing you.
Hiss~ Could it be that dragoness again? Thinking and cursing at the same time? Well, do not expect me to confess to you!
And then
"Achoo!"
The third sneeze.
One sneeze means missing you, two sneezes mean cursing, what about three sneezes?
Master said, if you have time to wonder what three sneezes mean, it means you are catching a cold! Go take some medicine!
Leon rubbed his itchy nose. Indeed, it was a bit stuffy, a sign of a cold.
"The Nine Hells Gate for strength and rebirth cannot even prevent a cold?"
It must have been from being left on the balcony for a while last night until he was allowed back in the bedroom in the middle of the night. He got a bit chilled.
But it did not matter.
This mild cold did not even require medicine for General Leon. He would just tough it out.
He got dressed, washed up, and went to the backyard training ground.
His daughters were there too.
Noah was teaching Muen some basic magic.
She had recently taken a short break and, after playing with Muen for several days, she could not hold back anymore. But she did not want to leave her sister alone, so she compromised by practicing and consolidating her magic while teaching Muen at the same time.
Two birds with one stone.
Leon did not disturb them but quietly sat on a bench by the training ground.
The morning sun was warm, and the breeze on his face was pleasant.
But Leon's nose was still uncomfortable, and he had a headache.
He did not pay much attention and continued watching his daughters practice magic.
Before long, he heard footsteps beside him.
Leon turned to look and saw Little Light.
His youngest daughter had sneaked out of the sanctuary again, followed closely by two anxious maids.
This scene reminded Leon of the winter when Rossweise was pregnant with Little Light.
Anna was also worried about Her Majesty's health and would not let her run around in the freezing weather.
But Rossweise was very stubborn back then. The more she was told not to do something, the more she wanted to do it, engaging in a battle of wits with Anna for a long time.
Unexpectedly, Little Light inherited her mother's traits from during pregnancy.
Always disobedient, always sneaking away.
"Daddy~"
No doting father could refuse such a sweet and tender call.
Leon picked up his youngest daughter and signaled the approaching maids to stop.
The maids paused, bowed slightly, and left.
Leon placed Little Light on his lap and pinched her chubby cheeks.
"Why did you sneak out again? Have you finished all the books Mommy gave you?"
Unlike other little dragon girls who caused trouble around four or five months old, like destructive huskies, Little Light preferred quiet reading.
Any book would do.
History, novels, science if it was a book, she would read it.
When encountering unfamiliar characters, she would look them up in the dictionary
The dictionary was also a book she found very interesting.
In terms of acquiring new knowledge, Little Light was a very independent child.
Just like she had told Leon while chatting at the training ground recently, she was researching a study method suitable for herself.
"Mm-hmm, all finished!"
Little Light nodded, looking at her father with her beautiful pink eyes.
"Daddy, are there more books?"
The Silver Dragon Sanctuary lacked nothing if not two things: the couple's stubbornness and a vast collection of books.
Before becoming queen, Rossweise was a genuine scholar. Even now, with her intense workload, she occasionally read classic literature, demonstrating her love for books.
Leon was naturally delighted with his youngest daughter's enthusiasm for knowledge and was happy to take her to read more books.
But before that, he had some questions for Little Light.
"Little Light, why do you like reading so much?"
When Little Light first showed an interest in reading and learning, Leon did not ask much and let her absorb knowledge from various books.
After confirming her genuine love for reading, Leon wanted to understand the reason behind it.
Knowing why she enjoyed reading would help him guide her better in the future, helping her find the path most suited to her.
Little Light blinked, thought for a moment, and replied,
"Because reading is relaxing~"
Leon raised an eyebrow, "Relaxing?"
"Mm-hmm. I think, compared to the magic Big Sister and Second Sister are learning, reading is much easier."
Little Light said, "I have told you before, Daddy, I do not think I can be as hardworking as Big Sister or as talented as Second Sister. So reading, for me, is an easy way to make up for my shortcomings."
Making up for shortcomings.
This was something even Noah had never discussed with Leon.
To make up for oneself first requires recognizing one's flaws and wanting to correct them.
It sounds simple, but not many can do it.
And Little Light was only five months old.
Sweetheart, are your thoughts a bit too advanced?
"What shortcomings do you think you have now, Little Light?" Leon asked.
"Hmm A lot, like not knowing enough words."
Leon was stunned, then could not help but laugh.
Alright, it seemed Little Light had not fully grasped the concept of "making up for oneself" yet, so Leon did not probe further.
He held his daughter, gently pinching her soft little hands, and asked instead, "What do you want to be in the future, Little Light?"
"Be?"
"Yes, what kind of profession or field do you want to pursue? A warrior on the battlefield or a strategist assisting royalty?"
Little Light's pupils sparkled as she thought for a moment. She then replied seriously, "I want to be a scholar. Or a scientist."