Leon scratched his head. Fortunately, the Dragon Mark didn't glow, or tonight would have ended with more than just words.
The Queen tilted her head, her silver hair cascading as she teased, "Since your change of heart was after Constantine's invasion, should we thank him?"
Leon shrugged. "His last head is nowhere to be found, not even a memorial tablet. How would we thank him?"
Rossweise covered her mouth and laughed softly. "What if his remaining clan uses some kind of sorcery to resurrect him? Turn him into a super zombie dragon or something? What would you do then?"
"What would I do? I killed him once; I can kill him a second time." When it came to dragon-slaying, General Leon was never half-hearted. "If that happens, I'll step on his zombie head and tell him that winning the resurrection match doesn't matter. Getting the final victory is what counts."
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The next day, Leon's family of five traveled to the Red Dragon Tribe.
At the border of the Red Dragon territory, the remnants of war were still visible. However, compared to the Silver Dragon territory a few months prior, the situation here was relatively better.
Leon could roughly guess why Isha's tribe had been attacked and harassed. The Empire, having cooperated with certain dragon tribes for a long time, would have gathered extensive intelligence on the Silver Dragon Tribe. This naturally included the bloodline connection between Rossweise and Isha. Therefore, while the Empire and its dragon allies aimed to eliminate the Silver Dragon Tribe, they also had to guard against Isha providing support. However, Isha wasn't their primary target, and conquering the Red Dragon territory would require significant manpower and resources. Thus, their tactics against Isha were lighter, designed merely to tie her down and prevent her from aiding the Silver Dragons.
This strategy had proven effective, aligning perfectly with Leon's understanding of the Empire's methods. But plans could never keep up with changes. Who could have predicted that the general, missing for six months, would suddenly descend from the sky and reverse the entire situation? Since the prolonged human-dragon war was a grand chess game manipulated by the Empire, Leon, deemed an "off-the-board piece," was naturally compelled to make unexpected moves. Otherwise, the title would be a disgrace.
Crossing the border, it wasn't long before the family arrived at Isha's temple. The silver dragon descended slowly into the courtyard. Having notified Isha and her maids a day in advance, they were already waiting. After landing, Rossweise transformed into her human form.
Isha, lifting her skirt, hurried down the steps to meet them. After months apart, the two sisters rushed into a tight embrace.
Leon stood a short distance away with their daughters, quietly observing the reunion. He recalled the Empire's dragon scholars claiming that dragons cared little for blood relations, that over a millennium, any emotions and bonds would gradually wither like flowers. Yet, since marrying Rossweise, the mother dragon of the Melkvey family had continuously challenged Leon's preconceived notions about dragons.
He didn't know if the Melkvey family's emphasis on family ties was typical among dragons, but he saw nothing wrong with it. At least, when everything settled down, he and Rossweise would still get to go through the normal "meet the parents" process.
After the sisters exchanged greetings, Isha's gaze shifted past Rossweise's shoulder to Leon and the three little ones. "Sweethearts! Auntie has missed you so much~ Come, give Auntie a hug~"
She quickly walked over and began hugging them in order of age, starting with Noah. "Mm~ Little Noah has grown so tall! Auntie can barely lift you now. Come, let Auntie give you a kiss—muah!" The enthusiastic aunt didn't give Noah a chance to respond, planting a firm kiss on her cheek and leaving a clear lipstick mark. It almost seemed as if the pleasantries were just a pretext for the kiss.
Next was Muen's turn. "Yay~ Little Moon! Come to Auntie~ A kiss, a kiss, muah!" This kiss felt less like an affectionate peck and more like a territorial "marking."
When it came to Little Light, who bore a slight resemblance to her, Isha could barely contain her delight. While she'd at least exchanged words with the first two, with Little Light, she went straight for the kiss. However, noticing the lipstick mark was fainter—likely due to the force used on Noah and Muen—Isha paused. "Wait, let Auntie fix her lipstick and kiss you again." With a wave of her hand, a maid promptly handed over a lipstick. Isha reapplied it and gave Little Light's cheek another firm kiss. Seeing the bright red mark, she nodded in satisfaction and gently pinched Little Light's chubby cheek. "Did you miss Auntie, Little Light?"
"Yes~" Little Light managed to reply, though nearly overwhelmed by the lipstick assault.
Leon watched Isha's seamless operation and muttered inwardly, She even prepared the lipstick in advance. You just wanted an excuse to kiss all three of your nieces, didn't you?
After finally releasing Little Light, though still holding her, Isha finally turned her attention to Leon. "Long time no see, brother-in-law."
"You too, sister."
"Why does your complexion look a bit off? Have you been tired lately?"
"Ah… no, it's probably just from staying up late." Sister, you're the one with two Dragon Marks, and you're worried about my complexion?
Isha nodded thoughtfully, her tone meaningful. "Take care of yourself, brother-in-law."
"...I know, sister."
Isha smiled. "Let's go, come inside."
The group entered the Red Dragon Temple. In the reception room, the maids had already prepared hot tea and snacks. "Since dinner is still some time away, let's chat here for a while," Isha said, gesturing for her sister and brother-in-law to sit.
Leon and Rossweise sat together on a large sofa. Isha raised an eyebrow upon seeing this. She remembered the last time the couple visited, they weren't this close—one sat on the inside, the other on the outside. Now, without a word, they sat together. Tsk, tsk. Things are certainly different after the third child. Their relationship has improved. Well, for the happiness of the Melkvey family line, more children were certainly better, Isha mused.
"Auntie, hug~" Little Light's voice interrupted Isha's thoughts about her sister's reproductive future. She looked down at the little pink-haired girl beside her, bent down to pick her up, and settled her on her lap. After squeezing Little Light's cheeks and planting two more affectionate kisses, Isha lifted her gaze to Rossweise.
"Have you gathered all your people?"
"Yes, I completed the gathering a while ago," Rossweise replied. "What surprised me was that no one had given up on the Silver Dragon Tribe. No matter how far away they were, they all rushed back as soon as they heard the call."
Isha smiled. "That means you're doing well as Queen. Everyone is willing to follow you."
Rossweise nodded slightly. "Sister, you flatter me."
Isha was about to ask another question when her eyes fell on the pendant necklace around Rossweise's neck. "This necklace is beautiful. Did my brother-in-law give it to you?"
"Oh, this? Grandma sent it to me through a messenger a while ago. She said it was a wedding gift and instructed me to wear it often."
Isha raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"It's made from a very special magical material. Wearing it can effectively prevent skin aging and such…"
Isha smirked. "You're only two hundred years old, dear sister. Why are you worried about skin issues already?"
Rossweise laughed helplessly. "I can't help it. But since it was Grandma's request, I'm just following it."
"Well, I suppose. It looks nice on you anyway." Isha then said, "Speaking of Grandma, she sent me a letter a few days ago saying she would come to see me soon."
"Oh? But Principal Olette also mentioned that Grandma would be back sometime soon. The person who delivered Grandma's gift was Principal Olette."
Having graduated from Saint Heath Academy herself, Isha naturally knew Principal Olette. "Grandma knows Principal Olette? How did I not know about this…" Isha thought carefully but couldn't recall any past interactions between her grandmother and the principal.
"I heard they became acquainted through an exploration project in the Far North."
"An exploration project? What were they exploring?"
Rossweise shook her head. "I don't know. It seems Grandma and Principal Olette didn't want to make it public, so I didn't press for details."
Isha nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject. She looked at Leon, who was attempting to style Muen's hair into pigtails. "Brother-in-law, I heard you performed another heroic feat recently."
Leon set down Muen's hair and looked at Isha. "What feat?"
"Justice fell from the sky, taking down six Dragon Kings in a matter of seconds. That's quite a historic accomplishment in the dragon world." Isha smiled. "Tell me, did love and justice give you the strength to repeat such a performance?"
The story of "Leon's Six Dragon Kings in Ten Seconds" had even reached Saint Heath Academy, so it was no surprise Isha had heard of it.
Leon awkwardly scratched his forehead, then straightened up with a serious expression. "Yes. To protect the wife I love, I'm willing to give everything, even my life—"
"Alright, alright, you two lovebirds," Isha interjected, waving a hand. "Save that for when you're alone. I've been single for centuries; I can't handle all this mushiness."
Her brother-in-law was truly an enigma: he could slay six dragons in ten seconds, a feat that shook the world, and then in the next moment, spout cheesiness that could make one's teeth ache. But judging by Little Rose's reaction, she seemed to enjoy it. Sigh…
Just as she was sighing internally, Rossweise spoke up. "Sister, you're at that age. You should consider finding someone."
"Me? I'm not in a hurry." As she spoke, Isha lowered her head and kissed Little Light's cheek again. "Anyway, I still have my lovely nieces. Whether it's marriage or the next generation, there's no rush. Right, Little Light~"
Nestled in her aunt's embrace, surrounded by her lovely perfume, Little Light rubbed her cheek against Isha's.
Rossweise blinked, then suddenly had an idea. "By the way, sister, are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Muen and Little Light are taking the entrance exam for Saint Heath Academy next month. They need a family photo for the application." Rossweise explained, "We thought, since we're visiting you, we could take the family photo here. If you have time, you could join us."
"Oh? That's a wonderful idea! We haven't taken a proper family photo with Little Light since she turned one." Isha said, "Grandma mentioned in her letter she'd return soon, but didn't give an exact date. Delaying for the entrance exam wouldn't be good."
"Mm. We can take another one after Grandma returns."
"No problem. We'll do it tomorrow."
As the night deepened, the Melkvey family continued chatting about their plans for the trip to Sky Castle the next day.
Unbeknownst to them, a soul returned from hell was silently closing in.
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That evening, Isha arranged rooms for the little dragon girls and then led the couple to another chamber.
When the door opened, a subtle, floral fragrance wafted out. Leon and Rossweise stood in the foyer, taking in the room's furnishings: a soft, oversized waterbed, a bathtub filled with rose petals that couldn't seem to drain, and a cabinet seemingly stuffed with an assortment of... little props.
It was a classic rerun!
"Sister…" Rossweise began, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Did you redecorate this room to be exactly like last time?"