Though the Empire's central districts were now seeded with undercover members of the Lionheart Society, Rebecca had been right to insist on disguises for Leon and Rossweise. If they were to venture out, they needed to blend in completely, and they had to be mindful of their timing.
In a private room within the Lionheart Society's safehouse, the transformation began with the help of several female members.
Leon's disguise was simple: a pair of non-descript dark glasses and a change into common, slightly worn traveler's clothes.
Rossweise's, however, presented a greater challenge.
Her brilliant silver hair was her most recognizable feature. While not entirely unique in the Empire, it was rare enough to draw unwanted attention and scrutiny.
Then came the makeup. The women assisting them quickly realized their usual techniques were inadequate. Rossweise's features were so striking that no amount of cosmetics could diminish her ethereal beauty; they could only enhance it or change its character.
And the sheer intimidation of applying makeup for a Dragon Queen had them all on edge. They were experts at disguising undercover agents—turning Nacho into a convincing beggar was simple. But making a Dragon Queen look like an ordinary human woman? That was a first for any of them.
Sensing their nervous hesitation, Rossweise offered a warm, reassuring smile. "I can manage this part myself. Thank you for your help."
She picked up a comb, considering how to style her hair into something less conspicuous. Perhaps an updo?
The women exchanged uncertain glances until one finally found her voice.
"We... we have a selection of wigs in various styles. Would you like to try one?" she offered, carefully avoiding any formal title, unsure of the proper way to address a Dragon Queen.
Rossweise's expression brightened. "A wig? That could work perfectly."
"Excellent. Miri, fetch the wigs," the woman instructed.
"Right away."
Soon, an assortment of wigs was laid out before them.
Rossweise examined them thoughtfully, her gaze finally settling on one with long, sleek black hair.
"This one," she said decisively.
"Yes, black hair is certainly more common. It will help you blend in," the woman agreed.
While the practical discretion was a factor, Rossweise's choice was more personal. She liked black. It reminded her of a certain someone's hair, of the deep color of his eyes in certain lights.
"Please, allow us to help you put it on," one of the ladies offered.
"Thank you," Rossweise replied with a gracious nod.
Though still inherently wary of the Dragon Queen, the women found themselves put at ease by her composed demeanor and innate grace. She was intimidating not because she was fierce, but because her presence was so regally calm.
After a few minutes of careful adjustment, the wig was secured.
Rossweise stood and faced the mirror, pausing in mild surprise. After two centuries of silver hair, the reflection of herself with long, dark tresses was undeniably strange.
As for whether it suited her... she wasn't sure.
"Are you ready? We should get going."
Leon's voice came from the doorway as he entered.
His eyes immediately found Rossweise, taking in the cascade of black hair that flowed over her shoulders.
Like her, his first reaction was one of shock. But as she turned fully to face him, only one word formed in his mind to describe his wife: breathtaking.
The jet-black hair created a stunning contrast against her fair, porcelain skin, elevating her natural beauty to a new, almost dramatic level. The soft light caught her profile, making her look like a living masterpiece.
"Well?" she asked softly, a hint of playful uncertainty in her voice. "How does it look?"
Snapping out of his brief stupor, Leon answered with complete sincerity, "Beautiful."
"Oh? A straightforward compliment?" she teased, a pleased smile touching her lips. "I expected you to twist your words a bit before admitting it."
Seeing her proud expression, Leon quickly backpedaled, "Actually, it's... just average."
"Then why did you say it looked good?" she pressed, tilting her head playfully. A few strands of the dark hair fell across her face, framing it in a way he found utterly captivating.
Leon felt his cheeks grow warm. "I'll be the judge of what looks good on my wife."
She let out a light, amused huff.
"Your disguises are complete. You two are free to depart whenever you're ready," one of the women informed them, giving Leon a respectful nod before they quietly filed out of the room.
Rossweise reached up and twirled a strand of the synthetic black hair around her finger as she walked over to Leon.
"Do you prefer me with black hair or silver?" she asked.
Leon thought for a moment. "Silver." It was his honest answer; that had always been his weakness.
"Oh? So you don't like how I look now?" she feigned a pout, though her eyes sparkled.
"...I like it now, too," he conceded.
"So, which is better? Black or silver?" she pressed, playfully narrowing her gaze.
"I'll just shave it all off. How does that sound?" he retorted, a smirk tugging at his lips.
She laughed, letting the teasing drop, and her eyes fell on the rolled parchment in his hand. "What's that?"
Leon unfolded it on the table, revealing a detailed map of the district. Rebecca had marked it with red lines indicating safe routes and circles around points of interest and shops they could visit without fear of detection.
"Rebecca prepared this. It shows the safe areas. As long as we stay within these zones, we shouldn't have to worry about patrols."
Rossweise nodded, impressed. "Very thorough."
"Yes... I never imagined that in just a few years, the Lionheart Society would have become so well-organized. Master and Rebecca have done incredible work."
Tucking the map securely inside his jacket, Leon patted the coin pouch fastened to his belt.
"And this is our 'operational budget' for the day."
Rossweise raised an eyebrow, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "You mean our date budget?"
Leon stiffened, his face flushing instantly. "Wh-what date! We are only going out to purchase recording stones!"
"Alright, alright," she acquiesced, still smiling. "Let's go."
It was rare to see Rossweise so visibly eager, which piqued Leon's curiosity, but he decided not to question it further. Leading her out through the safehouse's discreet back entrance, they merged into the flow of foot traffic in the Empire's lower districts, confident they wouldn't attract any unwanted attention.
The lower district was a world away from the desperate poverty of the slums. The streets were lively, lined with stalls and shops selling everything from practical goods to simple pleasures.
Rossweise walked beside Leon, her hands clasped gently in front of her. She wore a dark, modest dress provided by the Lionheart Society, paired with sturdy black boots. The ensemble, combined with the black wig, gave her the elegant air of a noblewoman traveling incognito.
As they walked, her eyes continuously scanned the bustling street, taking in every detail. Everything fascinated her: children gathered in a circle playing marbles, a rickety stall selling brightly colored pinwheels that spun in the breeze, the enticing, unfamiliar aromas of street food. Even the stray cats and dogs napping in patches of sun captured her attention.
While Leon was inside a magic shop purchasing their first batch of recording stones, he glanced out the window to see Rossweise crouched in a corner, gently stroking a pair of contented tabby cats.
He finished his transaction and walked over to her. "Don't dragons keep pets?" he asked.
"You lived with me for five years," she replied without looking up, her focus on the purring feline. "Did you ever see any cats or dogs in our territory?"
[Leon's internal thought: Well, to be fair, I was unconscious for two of those years.]
He thought back and realized she was right. He hadn't. Their daughters, too, had only known such animals from pictures in books.
Rossweise had once explained that dragons, proud and fierce by nature, considered keeping small, fluffy creatures as beneath their dignity. Later, she had privately grumbled about this rule, lamenting, "Which stuffy ancestor decided it was 'improper'?"
"Cats are so adorable! Why can't we keep them!" she had complained on another occasion. "It's unfair! I'm over two hundred years old, and today is the first time I've ever even petted one!" she now added with a genuine pout.
"Then, why don't we buy one and take it home?" Leon offered.
Rossweise blinked, then shook her head, a soft, warm smile gracing her features. "No need. I already have three little kittens and one big, clumsy dog waiting for me at home."
Leon blinked, then pointed a thumb at his own chest. "Am I the 'big, clumsy dog'?"
She simply smiled and shook her head, leaving the answer tantalizingly ambiguous as she stood up.
Leon rolled his eyes fondly as Rossweise giggled, her gaze then falling on the bag of recording stones in his hand.
"Is that all? Won't we need more?" she asked, knowing the quantity was insufficient for their festival plan.
"We will," he confirmed. "But we can't buy them all from one place. That would look suspicious."
"Understood," she replied, and they continued their mission.
After they had walked a short distance in comfortable silence, Leon's curiosity finally got the better of him.
"Rossweise?" he began.
"Hmm?"
"Why do I get the feeling you're especially... excited about this trip?"
She paused her steps, then replied with a small, somewhat shy smile, "Is it that obvious?"
Leon nodded. "From the moment we set out, you've been... eager. Urging us to see the next thing."
The Dragon Queen lowered her gaze for a moment, tucking a stray strand of the black wig behind her ear. When she looked up, her eyes were looking down the bustling street, seeing more than just the shops and people. She began walking again, slowly, as she explained.
"Ever since the girls left for St. Heath Academy, you're often at home alone. With my duties, I can only occasionally sit with you, chat for a little while. Having you near me brings me comfort, but... I also don't like seeing you wandering the gardens alone."
"I noticed you had started sneaking out, walking the paths through my clan's territory."
"At first, I wasn't sure why you enjoyed those solitary walks so much."
"Then, one day, you told me it was because you wanted to walk the paths I had walked, to see the sights I had seen."
"I wanted to ask you more about it that day... but you didn't elaborate."
Leon stood still, listening intently, her words sinking deep.
When he looked up, Rossweise was already several steps ahead.
She turned to face him, walking backward with her hands clasped behind her back, a playful yet tender smile on her lips.
"I kept that question in my heart, wondering why you wanted to walk my path, to see my world."
"Now, as I stand here, in your homeland, I think I've found my answer."
"To truly know someone, one must not only stand by their side but also understand their past and all the things that have shaped them."
"I wanted to see what made you the man you are today."
She tilted her head, a faint, beautiful blush coloring her cheeks. A gentle breeze swept through the street, lifting the dark strands of her wig and, for a fleeting moment, revealing a few glimmering strands of her natural silver hair beneath, shining like stardust against the backdrop of the mundane world.
"And, more than that..." she said, her voice soft but clear, filled with a vulnerability she rarely showed.
"I wanted to know... where the one I love came from."