After several rehearsals, Leon and Rossweise gradually became more comfortable around Claudia.
Once they got to know her, the couple realized that Claudia wasn't as intimidating as she might have seemed. She was intelligent, possessed high emotional intelligence, and carried herself with such refinement that it left no room for criticism. Being around someone like her was… easy.
"Congratulations, Leon. Now you can call me 'Mother Empress' without hesitation," Claudia teased during a break, a faint, genuine smile on her lips.
"Still feels a bit awkward, but if it helps the kids succeed, anything goes, Claudia," Leon replied with a lopsided grin.
By now, they'd dropped the more formal "Mr. Cosmodeous," "Miss Melkvey," and "Ms. Claudia," opting instead to use each other's first names, a clear sign of their growing familiarity.
"Speaking of children," Claudia continued, her tone light with amusement, "Helena couldn't stop praising the warm atmosphere in your home after her visit. You must've put a lot of thought and effort into creating that environment."
"The girls are well-behaved, so we don't have to do much," Rossweise responded modestly, though a flicker of pride shone in her silver eyes. "When it comes to family atmosphere, I don't think there's a single definition of 'good' or 'bad'—it's more about what's suitable for the specific family."
"Oh?" Claudia's elegantly arched eyebrows lifted with curiosity. "Suitable?"
Rossweise gave a slight, deliberate nod. "Our family's particular way of interacting suits Noah and the others, but it might not work for every child. Helena may have enjoyed the novelty of it, but that doesn't mean the same dynamic would be successful in every household. Don't you agree, Claudia?"
Rossweise subtly emphasized Claudia's name, the pause carrying a hidden subtext: Do you understand what I'm really saying?
Claudia's smile deepened, becoming more thoughtful, and a hint of something else flashed in her eyes—satisfaction, and perhaps a touch of… pride?
Rossweise recognized the look of satisfaction; it was often the same expression her grandmother, Veronica, wore when she or her sister Isha accomplished something noteworthy.
Maybe Claudia is just still lingering in the role of 'Mother Empress' from the play, Rossweise thought.
After a bit more discussion about parenting and children, Claudia smoothly shifted the conversation to a lighter, more personal topic.
"In dragon culture, live births are relatively rare. Even my Helena was born from an egg. So, if you don't mind my asking," she began, her tone casually inquisitive, "how did the two of you ultimately end up together?"
The couple exchanged a swift, knowing glance, the same unspoken thought passing between them: Why does everyone always ask this?
They were just a married couple, not some grand, scandalous mystery.
But for most dragon couples, answering this question was straightforward. The problem lay in the fact that Leon and Rossweise's relationship was… decidedly unconventional. So each time someone asked, they had to carefully craft a story that was believable yet effectively concealed the more complicated truth.
"Ah, well, it's a bit of a long story," Rossweise began with a practiced, pleasant smile. "After Leon's previous… clan… disbanded, he came to the Silver Dragon Clan, and… well, I suppose it was love at first sight."
"Right. Love at first sight," Leon echoed smoothly, falling into the familiar routine.
"Love at first sight" had become their perfect, all-purpose excuse to politely dodge any deeper, more probing conversation.
Why did they fall for each other?
Love at first sight.
When did they realize their feelings?
Love at first sight.
What was the defining moment they knew they wanted to be together?
Love at first sight.
It was an answer that was frustratingly difficult to argue with.
"How romantic," Claudia said, a touch of genuine admiration in her voice. "Unfortunately, like most traditional dragons, I've always been a bit of a loner and have never experienced such a whirlwind romance myself."
Consider yourself lucky, Leon thought wryly. You don't know what I went through when Rossweise was pregnant with the twins…
"But my sister did fall in love with someone," Claudia added, almost as an afterthought.
Leon's interest was piqued. "Helena mentioned she has an aunt—so this must be your sister?"
Claudia nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, that's her."
"She fell in love? And then what happened?"
Claudia gave a small, airy chuckle and shrugged one shoulder elegantly. "They ended up together, of course. But unlike your charming 'love at first sight' story, theirs was a rather classic… hero-saving-the-damsel tale."
Leon and Rossweise exchanged another, much more eager glance.
Ah, now we're talking. Some proper gossip.
They mentally took back their earlier thoughts—there was absolutely nothing wrong with a little gossip; in fact, the world would be a far duller place without it!
Claudia noticed their suddenly keen expressions and let out another soft laugh. "Their story is a long one, truly. Many years ago, my sister found herself in grave danger, and a powerful, courageous man saved her… and so, in time, they got married."
Leon & Rossweise: ?
Hold on. That's it? A 'long story' that you summarized in barely fifty words?
What about the details? We need the juicy details!
It was like reading a thrilling romance novel where, right at the most climactic moment, everything steamy and descriptive was replaced with a bland paragraph of ellipses. Were they just supposed to be satisfied with that?
Seeing their openly puzzled and expectant expressions, Claudia covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "Oh, you were hoping for more specifics?"
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "To be perfectly honest, I don't know many of the intimate details myself. But I can assure you, they are very much in love."
It was a brief, sweet love story. Incredibly short, sure, but hey, at least they had managed to extract a tiny bit of gossip from the formidable Sea Dragon.
Then Claudia's tone shifted almost imperceptibly, taking on a slightly more distant quality. "However… my family, including myself, didn't entirely approve of their marriage at the time. But in the end, we couldn't sway her determination, so we let it be."
As if on cue, the children returned noisily from their break, chattering and laughing, and the afternoon rehearsal was called to begin.
But as Leon took his place and glanced over his script, his thoughts lingered on the conversation.
While Claudia had willingly shared a small, seemingly innocent snippet of her family's background, he couldn't shake the distinct feeling that she had chosen her words with deliberate care. It was almost as if she had specifically wanted him and Rossweise to hear that particular story, and to hear it in that particular way.