In the past, Rossweise would never have let personal feelings influence her decisions. But after so much time with Leon, she was quietly changing.
She was willing to embrace new ideas and incorporate them into her commands. She was also willing to "lead by example," putting her relationship with Leon on display for the clan so they could better understand true "love." Even after fifty years as queen, she was still evolving.
What Leon admired most was her thirst for the unknown and her determination to pursue it. They were similar in many ways. Beyond their physical attraction, the admirable qualities in her deeply drew him in.
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.
Leon withdrew his gaze and looked up at the night sky, exhaling slowly. He was not much of a drinker, so he had not joined the bonfire party. Plus… Rossweise's speech had been so heartfelt that every time he recalled it, he cringed with secondhand embarrassment.
He looked at the courtyard. What was all over the ground? Nothing but the goosebumps General Leon had shed!
"Did it really need to be that cheesy…?" he muttered, shaking his head to dispel the awkward memory.
He turned and headed to the room where his daughters slept. It was late, and the children were fast asleep. Leon only peeked in from the doorway, not wanting to disturb them.
After leaving, he made his way to the temple hall. Rossweise's new throne had been completed, and before the party, she had mysteriously told him to wait for her here.
Leon's eyes fell on the newly constructed throne at the top of the steps. "Don't tell me she's just going to show off her new office chair," he grumbled inwardly.
Call it a queen's throne; call it her workstation. It was the truth.
He hesitated, then stepped up the stairs. "Whoa, it's a lot bigger than before. You could fit two people on here."
As he spoke, he gingerly sat down.
The moment he touched the cushion—Mmm! Heaven!
Leon closed his eyes, savoring how perfectly the soft cushion conformed to his body. He had an epiphany. "No wonder they rebuilt it. This isn't a throne; it's a lazy chair! Dragoness, you've grown slack! As a workaholic, how can you use such a comfy chair? Might as well move this into my bedroom, and you can use a stool!"
He sprawled on the throne, trying various positions: lying down, sitting upright, feet up, flipping over… "Damn, this is amazing!" Even the well-traveled General Leon was impressed.
But after a while, he realized, "Wait… something's not right. With her personality, she wouldn't rebuild such a comfy throne for no reason. She dislikes indulgent spending."
He touched the armrest, puzzled. Why rebuild it? And why was it so spacious? Spacious enough for military drills.
"I will just ask her when she gets back. If it is wasteful, I will have to educate her properly!"
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Leon waited patiently. He did not know how much time had passed, but the bonfire in the courtyard eventually died down, and the noise faded. By now, he was feeling drowsy.
In a daze, he heard the crisp sound of high heels behind him. He knew who it was just by the rhythm.
"Little lion~ My little lion~ Are you there?"
She was humming a nonsensical tune, clearly drunk.
Leon stared ahead, rolling his eyes silently. Drinking this late, and she still remembered she had a home?
The scent of wine reached him as he lifted his head to look. Rossweise's face was flushed, her gaze dreamy, a silly smile on her lips. She held a half-finished bottle of red wine.
"Good morning!" she greeted.
"How much did you drink…?"
She hummed, then held up two fingers.
"Only two bottles? If you can not drink, do not drink."
"Two cases."
"😐"
Leon silently gave her a thumbs-up.
Rossweise squinted, smiling, and casually plopped onto his lap. She was not light, and he felt her full weight. "You are certainly not shy," he teased, but he carefully supported her waist to keep her from falling.
"This is the temple. What if someone sees?"
"It is fine. No one will see." Rossweise said, "I gave everyone the night off. Tonight, the entire hall is just for us."
Leon sighed. "So why did you ask me to wait? Do not tell me you are too drunk to find the bedroom and need me to carry you."
"Of course not. I remember the way." She proudly puffed her chest.
Leon was skeptical. "Which floor is our bedroom on?"
"Em… the third floor!" She held up five fingers.
"It is the fourth floor."
"Aah! I was going to say the fourth! Yes, the fourth!" She lowered two fingers, leaving three.
Leon slapped his face. She was hopeless.
He gently pressed her hand down and sat up straight, leaning close to her, face-to-face. "Put the bottle down. Let us go back to sleep."
"No."
"Why not? You are drunk."
"It is rare to be just us. Going to bed so early would spoil the mood."
Leon snorted. "What mood? Just go to sleep."
"I! Will! Not!"
Rossweise dug in her heels, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and coiling her tail around his leg. Her warm, wine-scented breath brushed his lips.
He had to admit, a tipsy Rossweise was more alluring than usual. He could not resist her and had to wait until she sobered up.
She sat on his lap, her soft chest pressing against his, her red lips hovering near his mouth—close, but not touching. She knew if she kissed him now, he would not refuse. But she held back, teasing him, letting the fire in their hearts burn stronger.
"How was my speech today?" Rossweise asked.
"Do you want the truth?"
"Of course."
"It was way! Too! Cheesy!" Leon was not afraid to be honest. "I got goosebumps all over."
"How was it cheesy? Did you not see how my people were rooting for us?" Rossweise said, "This shows our act is convincing. Everyone thinks we are truly that loving. I used it to promote the live-birth plan. You do not understand anything."
Leon's thoughts stirred. He tightened his grip on her waist. "So, those words… were they from your heart?"
Rossweise raised her beautiful eyebrows. "What do you think? Of course not."
She leaned on his shoulder, playing with his earlobe. "It was all to make everyone believe in love. I had to make it sound touching. You did not… take it seriously, did you?"
"Hmm, I did. Are you going to take responsibility?"
She sat up, surprise and joy flashing on her drunk face. Then she snorted. "Well, you are out of luck. I am not taking responsibility. I said those words to deceive people. If you believe them, that is your problem. It has nothing to do with me."
"Is that so, Rossweise?"
His hand moved down to the base of her tail, and he gently stroked the root with his fingertips.
Her body softened, but her mouth stayed stubborn. "O-Of course! I do not love you… not even a little."
She lay on his chest, her fingers gripping his clothes. She bit her lip as the alcohol surged, and a wave of unwillingness rose in her heart.
Finally, she grabbed his collar, sat up abruptly, and looked him in the eyes, boldly denying her earlier words. "I like you. Everything I said during the day was true. I have fallen in love. I am done for. So what?"
Leon had long guessed the little dragoness was being contradictory. The alcohol would eventually bring out the truth.
"What are you laughing at? I am only saying this because I am drunk. When tomorrow comes, I will not admit to anything! Got it? Say something!"
She coquettishly pushed his shoulder. Leon continued to smile faintly.
He sat up slowly, one hand stroking her tail, the other caressing her smooth back. "Say a little more, Melkvey."
"I do not want to."
"Did you not say that since you are drunk, anything you say does not count? You will not admit to it in the morning. So, saying a bit more does not hurt, does it?"
Soothing a drunk dragon was like coaxing a child. And General Leon was an expert with kids!
Rossweise was swayed. She averted her eyes, her face red as a tomato, and murmured in a voice soft as a mosquito. "Then… what do you want to hear?"
"Say you want to be with me for a lifetime."
Rossweise pouted. "No… Ah~ do not squeeze my tail, you bad guy…"
She made a half-hearted attempt to push his hand away, but her tail remained firmly in his grasp.
"Say it. You want to be with me for a lifetime." Leon pressed step by step.
The blush spread to the tips of her ears. She pursed her lips, too shy to speak. Being together for a lifetime… even drunk, it was incredibly embarrassing!
This wicked man, always taking advantage of her!