The first task in preparing the play was assigning roles and responsibilities.
"Noah-chan will be the director of this play, and I'll be the writer. Neither of us will have set roles, but we'll fill in for some minor characters if we're short on actors," Helena explained, holding the script. The first page wasn't filled with dialogue or scenes but rather her personal notes and ideas. "Mom will help me revise the script during rehearsals, and Uncle Leon and Aunt Rossweise can chime in if they have any suggestions about the plot. Muen and Aurora can join in too~"
After all, this play was organized by the academy's division for young dragons, so it was only natural that the children took on the primary creative roles.
It wouldn't be as meaningful if everything was left to the adults to handle.
Besides, their division of labor was quite logical.
Noah had previously directed a "documentary," so she already had some experience. It was a few years ago, back when Leon and Rossweise went on their first date to Sky City as part of Noah's school assignment.
Noah had "documented" the entire date, determined to capture the most "genuine" side of her parents. Fortunately, it was Noah's version of "genuine" and not the messy secrets they were constantly hiding. Otherwise, the "family harmony" essay might have turned into A Historical Account of the Dragon-War Incited by Miss Silver Dragon.
In the end, Noah completed a heartfelt essay that earned high marks, and the affection between the foolish couple had indeed warmed a bit—if only on a cosmic scale.
And Helena as the writer was fitting, too, given her mother's profession. She'd been exposed to the craft from a young age, and everyone had confidence in her abilities.
"Alright, with the director and writer set, let's decide on the main cast for the play," Director Noah announced seriously. "Since the plot centers around the romantic entanglements of the main characters, it would be best if the actors playing them are in a real relationship."
Everyone's gaze naturally turned to the only couple present.
Both Leon and Rossweise had anticipated they might bear this "burden," but before the decision was finalized, Leon tried one last shot.
"Noah, Helena, do you think there's a chance that having a bit of contrast between the characters and the actors might pleasantly surprise the judges and the audience, creating an unexpected effect?" Leon suggested, grasping at straws.
Noah frowned, her expression firm. "There's no chance, Dad. In fact, Helena said that these two roles were specifically tailored for you and Mom."
"...Tailored, huh?"
Is this play meant for the academy's competition, or just an elaborate excuse for his kids to make him and his wife publicly display their affection?
"No problem, Noah. Your dad and I will follow the arrangement," Rossweise said with a calm smile, accepting their fate.
Leon looked at Rossweise, who gave him a subtle, reassuring nod.
Seeing this, Leon didn't argue further. Since he'd already agreed to join the play for Noah's sake, he might as well go along with her wishes.
"Muen's role is that of the maidservant to the princess, our lead character. She's responsible for taking care of the princess and will even help her bravely pursue love when necessary," Noah said, looking at her sister.
Muen, thrilled, wagged her little antenna-like strands of hair, looking adoringly at Rossweise. "Yay~ It's Muen's turn to take care of Mom~"
Rossweise smiled and patted her head. "Thank you in advance, Muen."
Puffing up proudly, Muen placed her hands on her hips, lifted her head high, and even gave her tail a confident curl. "Taking care of Princess Mom is Muen's solemn duty!"
Perfect! Such spirit!
You'll make a committed actress someday, my dear daughter.
"Aurora's role is a small sprite who guides the male lead step by step out of his troubles and back to the princess," Noah continued.
"I know this one!" Aurora raised her hand eagerly. "It's inspired by Cupid! I read about him in a book; he's a little sprite that helps grown-ups fall in love~"
"Well... your role isn't exactly like Cupid," Noah clarified gently.
Aurora tilted her head, curious. "Oh? What's the difference?"
"Cupid doesn't wear any clothes. But you won't have to go that far."
Aurora: ...
"Haha, you've got quite the sense of humor," Leon whispered with barely contained laughter from behind Aurora.
There weren't many people who could outwit his feisty youngest daughter, but her big sister was definitely one of them.
"What about Lady Claudia?" Rossweise asked proactively, steering the conversation.
Noah had intended to bring up Claudia's role anyway, but Rossweise was strategically raising the topic to leave a positive, considerate impression in their first significant interaction. She planned to keep it subtle, ensuring Claudia didn't feel cornered or offended.
"Aunt Claudia… will play the role of the male lead's mother!"
Leon: ?
"Why would a romantic story have a character from the previous generation so involved?" Leon asked, puzzled.
"A love story isn't always smooth sailing! There's got to be someone to add some obstacles and conflict," Noah explained patiently. "It raises the dramatic stakes and makes the final happy ending all the more rewarding for the audience."
Rossweise raised a delicate eyebrow. "Obstacles? So, Lady Claudia's role will be an antagonist?"
"Hmm… not exactly an antagonist," Helena interjected, searching for the right words. "It's just that my mom can really bring that... intimidating, authoritative aura the role needs, while still subtly showing her underlying concern for the male lead."
Understood.
It's a complex role that requires conveying both stern authority and hidden emotional nuance—too challenging for the young dragons to portray convincingly, so it's best suited for an experienced adult.
"Helena."
For the first time since the role discussion began, Claudia spoke up, her voice calm but commanding attention.
"Yes, Mother?" Helena looked up, meeting her mother's suddenly serious expression.
Leon silently sympathized with the little sea dragon.
As the writer, it was perfectly normal—even commendable—for her to design a multi-faceted, morally complex character. If executed well, this role could become one of the highlights of the entire play.
But, dear child, did you really have to phrase it so bluntly—"my mom fits a role with an intimidating aura"? Leon could only imagine the fallout if Noah had casually told Rossweise that she would make a great villain. He shuddered to think how his wife might have chosen to "vent" her feelings about that later in the evening.
Let's just hope Claudia has a decent sense of humor about this.
Claudia's gaze softened slightly as she looked down at her daughter, but her tone remained intensely serious:
"Do I really look like an evil queen?"
"Umm…" Helena pondered, her brow furrowed in genuine thought.
Oh, please, child, Leon mentally urged, your mother is handing you a perfect opportunity to backtrack gracefully—think very, very carefully before you answer!
Finally, after a moment of careful consideration, Helena nodded firmly. "Yes, you do."
This time, even the unflappable Rossweise was taken aback by the child's daringly honest comment.
Rather than counting on Claudia to be forgiving, Rossweise could only hope she wasn't the kind to hold a grudge over a child's frank observation. Otherwise, they'd have little chance of conversing about anything substantial beyond the confines of the play.
It was ironic—though the conversation was solely between the sea dragon mother and daughter, the silver dragon couple found themselves mentally drenched in nervous sweat.
"Yes, Mommy feels reassured, Helena." Claudia's response was not what any of them expected. "You've learned the most important lesson in 'creating'—never let anyone's doubt or external pressure sway your artistic vision."
"But..." Claudia continued, her tone shifting to one of gentle correction, "Mommy has to clarify one thing."
"Mommy may look a little fierce at times, but she's actually a very kind person."
"Got it?"
Helena nodded vigorously, her earlier tension melting away. "Got it, Mommy."
Satisfied, Claudia's stern expression finally broke into a warm, genuine smile. She then turned her gaze, which now held a hint of that warmth, toward Leon and Rossweise.
Without saying a word aloud, her expression and the slight softening around her eyes seemed to silently repeat the phrase she'd just imparted to her daughter—
But I'm actually a very kind person.
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly, his mind racing. He was deeply curious as to why Claudia Poseidon felt the need to make such a pointed, almost defensive, clarification about her fundamental nature to near-strangers. It felt less like a simple statement and more like a carefully placed piece of a much larger puzzle.