On the weekend, Leon and Rossweise made their way to Saint Heath Academy.
Typically, their daughters spent weekends at home, but with less than a month remaining before the academy's play competition, everyone needed to dedicate extra time to rehearsals, which were held in an empty classroom on campus.
As for why they didn't rehearse at each other's homes, the reason was straightforward:
A play rehearsal wasn't considered a valid "formal reason" for travel among the dragon tribes, especially for high-ranking members. If someone were to visit another tribe's territory for such informal gatherings, it could easily spark political friction. Any mishap involving an important figure would create a diplomatic crisis for both tribes.
Therefore, using the neutral ground of the academy was the safest and most sensible choice.
On the weekend, the school was quiet.
Most of the dragons milling about were older students, busy with graduation tasks and maximizing every minute. Occasionally, they passed younger dragons dressed in various costumes.
Rossweise recognized that these outfits weren't tribal attire but likely props for play rehearsals.
As they walked, she turned to Leon. "So, when we meet Claudia, how do you plan to approach her?"
Leon strolled casually, hands in his pockets. "I'll just chat with her as a fellow parent. It'd be pretty strange if I walked up and asked, 'Ms. Claudia, do you happen to know Tiger Lawrence? He's my mentor. What's your relationship with him?'"
Rossweise stifled a laugh. "Yes, that'd probably make your first sentence with Claudia your last."
"Right. The Sea Dragon Clan went into seclusion thirty years ago, so they're likely quite guarded against outsiders."
Leon paused thoughtfully. "Considering that, it's actually remarkable that Noah's friend Helena managed to convince Claudia to join the play."
Rossweise shrugged. "It's not a miracle."
"Oh? Then what is it?"
The Queen stopped walking, looking at Leon with a knowing smile. "It's a mother's support for her daughter."
Leon blinked, then chuckled, meeting her silver-eyed gaze.
"Ever since Aurora was born, you've been radiating that 'motherly' vibe more and more. Nowadays, you could just stick a 'Mother of Three' sign on your forehead, and it wouldn't be far from the truth."
Rossweise rolled her eyes, her tail giving a light, dismissive flick. "It's not that exaggerated."
"Please. I don't even have to look; you're definitely holding back a smile right now."
She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress a grin, but that brief hesitation betrayed her.
Leon sighed dramatically. "Ah, I miss that cold, fierce queen who was always plotting her revenge against me."
"Hmph. If you really miss her, I can bring her back."
"No, that's quite alright."
She nudged his arm playfully, and with their light-hearted banter, they soon reached the empty classroom Noah had mentioned.
The door was ajar.
Leon peered inside and saw no other adults. Even their daughters were absent. Only a girl with flowing blue hair was quietly sweeping the floor.
Leon hesitated, wondering if they had the wrong room. He knocked on the door frame. "Excuse me, is this Noah's rehearsal room?"
Hearing him, the blue-haired girl turned around.
Leon and Rossweise recognized her immediately; she was the same girl Noah had introduced to them recently—Helena.
While blue hair was rare among humans, it wasn't uncommon among dragons. In his years here, Leon had seen dragons with hair of every hue imaginable.
Of course, his favorite would always be silver.
Still, to avoid any awkwardness, Leon had knocked to confirm.
"Uncle Leon, Aunt Rossweise, you're here!" Helena set down her broom and approached, greeting them warmly.
"Hello, Helena. Why are you here alone? Where are Noah and the others?"
"Oh, they went to prepare the props and costumes. They'll be back soon."
"Seems like you've got everything well-organized, down to the props and costumes." Rossweise smiled approvingly.
Helena nodded eagerly. "Yes! Noah is always so dedicated to any competition. We're giving our all in every rehearsal to be ready for the big event!"
Hearing this, Rossweise leaned toward Leon and whispered, "You used to complain that Noah should take after you more. Well, here it is. Her obsession with winning is pure inheritance from you."
"Like you're not competitive yourself."
"Me? Competitive?"
"You even compete with me over who our daughters kiss first."
"...Tch."
"Uncle, Aunt, please have a seat." Helena set up two chairs and poured them each a cup of warm water.
After sitting down, Helena handed them the play script.
Leon flipped through it. The storyline was much as Noah had described: a brave knight falls in love with the princess of an enemy kingdom, leading to a happy ending.
"Helena, Noah mentioned you wrote this script?" Rossweise asked.
"Yes, I did," Helena replied modestly.
"That's impressive, Helena. You're so young, yet you've written such a structured, cohesive story."
While reading the script, Rossweise had felt as though she were reading her own biography. But she couldn't deny that for a ten-year-old to write such a complete script was a remarkable feat.
"Oh, it's nothing, really," Helena said with a bashful smile, scratching her head. "I got a lot of inspiration from my mom while writing it."
Keyword detected: her mom.
Leon and Rossweise exchanged a glance, sensing an opportunity to learn more about the elusive Claudia before the rehearsal began.
"Your mother… does she often write stories like this?" Rossweise inquired.
"Hmm… I wouldn't say she specializes in it," Helena replied, pulling up a chair to sit nearby. "My mom often works with ancient texts and manuscripts, so she's very skilled in language and narrative structure. As for this script…"
She swung her legs lightly under the chair, her white stockings looking as soft and delicate as melting snow in the sunlight.
Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Leon and Rossweise. "My mom said the inspiration for this script came from real life."
At that, the couple couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
Could it be… the Sea Dragon Clan had also experienced some epic dragon-human romance?
No, that seemed… unlikely. Right?
At least, Leon found it hard to believe there could be another "Dragon Knight" as audacious as he was.
Rossweise shared his skepticism.
But one thing intrigued her: Even if the Sea Dragon Clan hadn't experienced a grand dragon-human love story, they might still have some connection to humans.
More specifically… a connection to Leon's mentor, Tiger.
It was only a theory, a bold one based on the two martial manuals she'd seen. But without concrete evidence, she would need to keep observing.
"Your mother sounds like an amazing person," Rossweise praised genuinely, then asked, "But… why isn't she here yet?"
"Oh, our clan lives quite far from here. My mom left early this morning and should be arriving any—"
Click-clack—click-clack—
The rhythmic, deliberate sound of high heels echoed from the hallway outside, each step steady and purposeful.
The sound grew progressively louder.
Finally, it stopped just outside the classroom door.
Leon, Rossweise, and Helena all turned their attention toward the entrance.
A tall, elegant woman stood there. Her long blue hair cascaded down her back like a tranquil, wave-less ocean under the soft light.
Though she appeared older than Rossweise, her beautiful face held a timeless grace, her features refined and dignified.
With her poised bearing and regal demeanor, she exuded the unmistakable aura of true royalty from the Sea Dragon Clan.
Her deep blue eyes swept across the classroom, pausing briefly on Rossweise and Helena.
But ultimately, her gaze settled firmly on Leon.
Leon maintained his composure, recognizing her instantly. Her face matched perfectly the woman he had seen in his daughters' photos from the future.
There was no doubt; she was the legendary—
"Claudia Poseidon…"