After all, in just one day, the Empire had lost six Dragon Kings in their attempt to eliminate him—a feat that would have taken Leon half a year to accomplish in the past.
Such efficient "downsizing" was more than Leon could handle, and certainly more than the Empire and their Dragon allies could sustain.
Therefore, the Empire would likely explore other methods to deal with Leon in the future.
What exactly they would try remained to be seen.
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Not long after, Rossweise emerged from the temple's main gate. She scanned the area from the top of the steps and, spotting Leon in the pavilion, made her way toward him.
Hearing her footsteps, Leon turned his head, then raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"A rare sight, Your Majesty. You're wearing casual clothes."
Rossweise was indeed dressed casually today, in a white spaghetti-strap dress and a pair of delicate sandals that revealed her cute, rounded ankles.
The warm breeze gently lifted the hem of her dress, offering glimpses of her shapely calves.
No wonder Leon was surprised—she usually dressed very formally within the temple grounds and rarely appeared so relaxed.
Rossweise sat down beside him, stretched out her long legs, placed her hands on her knees, and gazed down at the tips of her shoes.
She replied softly, "Most of the clan members have been sent away, and there are hardly any people left in the temple. I thought it would be fine to dress casually."
Leon blinked. "So, without any subordinates, does that mean you can't call yourself a queen anymore?"
"Why not? Even if I'm no longer a queen, you're still my prisoner."
"Hey!—"
"Not convinced?"
Leon snorted and turned away, not wanting to argue, muttering under his breath, "I'm convinced."
Rossweise chuckled. "I've already sent Anna and the others to reassemble the clan. We're also taking this opportunity to rebuild the Silver Dragon Temple. So I suppose I have… about a week off. And since it's a break, there's no need to dress so formally."
Leon sat beside her, silently listening while sneaking a glance at her delicate, fair feet.
He wasn't trying to be a "pervert," but a certain mother dragon's feet were truly beautiful.
They were like masterpieces carved by a sculptor—elegant and proportionate lines, skin as smooth as jade, with a playful and cute touch of soft pink nail polish.
Everyone appreciates beauty, right?
It doesn't matter which part I admire; if it's beautiful, it's fine to admire it.
Perhaps noticing his gaze, Rossweise wiggled her toes and then suddenly raised her leg, placing her foot on Leon's lap.
"Here, here, here, look all you want. If you're not satisfied, you can even touch them."
"Uh, uh, uh! Take it away! Take it away! Such lewd and corrupt things should not come so close to a pure person like me! This is simply a breach of etiquette, utterly disrespectful!"
Rossweise gasped, squinting slightly and squeezing out a few words through her teeth, "You are a righteous gentleman, my prisoner."
The queen snorted, lowering her leg and covering it with her skirt.
"Of course, I've always been upright. Do you think I'm some kind of foot fetishist? Absolutely not."
"Then why were you secretly staring for so long just now? I bet you didn't even hear what I was saying."
"I did hear! You said you're on a break."
"For how long?"
"Uh… three days?"
"I'm going to hit you, you foot fetishist!"
Rossweise turned to face him and made a move to choke Leon's neck.
But Leon reacted quickly, retracting his neck and tucking his chin down, leaving the silly dragon unable to get a grip.
After failing to grab him, she gave up.
She pouted and crossed her arms. "This is how you are, Leon—timid and cautious, never daring to say directly what you like."
"Wuwu, don't scold me, I'm breaking down." Leon surrendered and lay back.
Rossweise glared at him angrily.
"Bastard, you went to the future and came back with more abilities, but your face has also thickened by several inches."
Fine, if that's how it is, this queen is going to fight back.
You like my feet but won't admit it, huh?
Then today, I'll force you to say it out loud!
Making Leon do what he didn't want to do, say what he didn't want to say, and admit what he didn't want to admit was one of Rossweise's favorite pastimes.
She loved seeing him reluctant and helpless.
What?
I can't torture him just because I can't beat him?
What's the point of this marriage then?
"Let's go, it's breakfast time."
Rossweise stood up and walked toward the temple.
Leon followed behind her.
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The two entered the dining hall, where Muen and Little Light had already finished breakfast and left. Only Noah remained.
"Good morning, Mom and Dad," the eldest daughter greeted them.
"Good morning, Noah."
They sat down.
Breakfast was simple: bread, milk, jam, and some vegetable salad.
Leon skillfully spread jam on a slice of bread, carefully smoothed it out, then placed another slice on top and handed it to Rossweise. "Here."
Rossweise smiled but didn't take it. Instead, she leaned forward and took a small bite.
Leon grimaced. "Can't you take it yourself?"
"What's with the attitude? After being apart for six months, are you already so impatient with me?"
Leon took a deep breath.
Here we go again.
At times like this, Leon knew it was best to just obey her and not argue.
Moreover, since Noah was still here, he had to maintain his role as the "good husband."
So, he could only hold the bread and feed it to Rossweise bite by bite.
Anyone who didn't know better would think the queen was pregnant and needed to be served like this.
Rossweise slowly savored the breakfast Leon handed her, watching him with a smile.
Her chewing was graceful and unhurried, a stark contrast to Leon's impatient yet unable-to-complain expression.
"I'm thirsty," Rossweise said.
Leon picked up the milk beside him and handed it to her.
She took it, sipping lightly.
The milk flowed warmly into her stomach, leaving a small trace at the corner of her mouth.
That white streak against her red lips looked somewhat provocative.
The milk slowly dripped from her lips to her chin. Rossweise seemed to realize this was a bit inappropriate but calmly used her finger to wipe it away.
"Sorry, I lost my composure."
I see, you're the one being perverted, Mother Dragon.
Even eating breakfast can be so seductive.
If Noah had understood, who knows what outrageous material she would add to her next essay about her parents' love story?
Leon thought to himself but continued feeding the queen her bread.
After a few more bites, Leon opened his mouth, intending to joke.
But before he could speak, he suddenly felt something lightly brushing against his calf.
Looking down, it was Rossweise's foot.
She had crossed her long, beautiful legs, slipped off one sandal, and was slowly rubbing her smooth, bare foot against Leon's calf.
The pressure was neither too light nor too heavy, but it still made him feel an itch deep inside.
"What's wrong?" Rossweise asked knowingly.
"You're putting your foot—"
Mid-sentence, Leon glanced at Noah, who was still eating.
He pursed his lips and lowered his voice. "Our daughter is still here. Don't go too far."
"Huh~ Honey, speak up, I can't~ hear~ you~"
With each teasing pause, Leon could feel that mischievous jade-like foot brushing against his calf again.
Her foot pressed against his leg, and her five small toes lifted one by one before gently falling back down.
The sensation was incredibly clear.
Meanwhile, Rossweise, sitting at the table, rested one hand on her cheek, smiling as if she had no idea what was happening beneath it.
"Daddy, Mommy, I'm done eating."
Noah set down her fork and knife, hopped out of her chair, and skipped toward the exit.
Rossweise calmly withdrew her foot, simply slipping her shoe back on, and reminded her, "Be careful when you're out playing."
"Got it, Mommy."
Noah responded and left the dining room.
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Once the sound of footsteps faded, Leon slammed the bread down onto the plate in front of Rossweise and glared at her.
Rossweise looked innocent. "Honey, you're scolding me again."
It seemed… it was indeed time to teach this fire-playing dragon lady a lesson.
Leon said nothing. He suddenly stood up, bent down, and scooped Rossweise up into a bridal carry.
Rossweise was slightly startled and quickly wrapped her arms around Leon's neck. "What are you doing?"
Leon still didn't answer. He quickly carried her out of the dining room and upstairs to their bedroom.
Rossweise pursed her lips and chuckled lightly but still asked in a pitiful tone, "Leon, don't bully me, okay? I was wrong."
"Now you know you're wrong? Too late!"
Aiyo, aiyo, as expected of a man who never looks back at explosions—he's already putting on an act this quickly~
Well… it was time to revisit the couple's homework lessons.
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Her soft, delicate body was tossed onto the large bed.
Rossweise clasped her legs together and covered her chest, looking pitiful and helpless.
But the strap of her dress had quietly slipped off, revealing her round, tender shoulder, which seemed to reflect a faint glow in the sunlight.
"I know you're in a hurry, but it's still daytime. Can't you wait until tonight?" Rossweise said.
"You're the one who provoked me first."
"I was just teasing you! Why are you actually getting angry?"
"I'm not angry. I'm just playing along."
Leon took off his shirt, revealing his solid upper body.
Although Rossweise was still playing the role of the "innocent girl," when she saw that familiar, perfect male physique, she couldn't help but widen her eyes slightly.
Last night, exhausted from the endless war, the two had been too physically and mentally drained to properly admire each other before falling asleep.
But now, being able to appreciate this man's perfect body in the bright morning light…
Hiss…
She thought to herself, I'll definitely have him feed me shirtless from now on, so I can truly experience what a "feast for the eyes" means.
With these thoughts swirling in her mind, she feigned innocence and asked, "Are you hot? Why are you taking off your clothes?"
"I'm not hot yet, but I will be soon."
"Oh, then—"
Leon didn't let her finish, pressing her down swiftly.
His movements were so practiced that it was clear they were an old married couple.
Rossweise immediately tried to respond to him.
After all, after a bit of teasing banter, it was time to get down to business, which didn't interfere with her plans to have him at her feet later.
But just as they were about to get more intimate, a sharp pain shot through Rossweise's ribs.
Hiss…
She furrowed her brows. "Wait, wait… It hurts a little."
Leon wasn't the kind of husband to let his impulses override his judgment. Knowing his wife was in pain, he wasn't going to push things.
He held her by the shoulders, pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and finally said in a low voice, "Let's leave it for another day."
Rossweise noticed the reluctant look on his face and couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.
This man still had a conscience and cared about her well-being. Even with his clothes already off, he didn't want to worsen her injury.
But this was all part of her plan.