At the end of the Castle Mystery game, each participant gained something, while losing something as well.
- Claudia learned how to interact more naturally with her daughter, breaking down the formal barriers that had always existed between them.
- Helena fulfilled her long-held wish of playing an immersive interactive game with Noah, strengthening their friendship.
- Noah emerged victorious, obtaining the precious Night Spirit Crystal, which could significantly enhance the efficiency of her primal energy accumulation.
- Muen managed to protect her elder sister throughout the game, successfully thwarting the attempt of the "small sea dragon" Helena to "capture the tower" and steal Noah's attention.
- Aurora witnessed the grand "father-daughter showdown of the century" and thoroughly enjoyed the ultimate spectacle, storing away fresh blackmail material for years to come.
- Isha got a firsthand taste of just how terrifying her sister and brother-in-law could be when they joined forces, a lesson in strategic humility.
Meanwhile, Leon—despite losing the game with absolute abandon—won himself a "bunny girl experience card" for the night, valid upon returning home.
This once again validated the saying in the Silver Dragon Clan: "You all might gain a little, but I, Leon, never lose out."
The two families left the game arena. The usual duration for this game was intended to be seventy-one hours—a full three days. But who would have thought that Aunt Isha would go on a rampage during the game, practically transforming into an honorary dragon slayer, while Leon and Rossweise eventually raised their own "dragon-slaying swords," ending the match outright.
With the combined, overwhelming might of the Melkvey family, it seemed no game... would ever last until its scheduled end.
However, since it was a rare chance for the family to go on an outing together, they couldn't just head home after one game, so they decided to continue enjoying the day. Aurora and the others expressed a stubborn desire to explore more of Sky City, and the adults naturally agreed.
As always, Isha attracted the children like a magnet, the little ones pulling her along as they darted through the vibrant streets and alleys, their laughter echoing off the crystalline structures.
Leon trailed a short distance behind them, a quiet, observant shadow.
"Your sister really seems to love children," Claudia remarked, walking beside Rossweise.
Rossweise nodded in agreement, a soft smile touching her lips. "Although my sister is committed to a life without marriage, she absolutely adores kids. She says they remind her that the world isn't all politics and power."
Claudia, slightly pensive, shifted the topic, asking the question that had likely been on everyone's mind. "Then, does she know about you and Leon?"
"What—?" Rossweise's gaze followed her sister's carefree silhouette, her beautiful face showing hints of worry and hesitation. "After the Imperial showdown concluded, Leon and I did discuss whether or not we should tell her the truth."
"And the result?" Claudia pressed gently.
Leon chimed in with his own thoughts, hands tucked in his pockets, squinting slightly as he, too, watched Isha and the kids from afar. "For the past three years, though she hasn't noticed anything, secrets can't stay hidden forever. Sooner or later, either we'll have to come clean for some reason, or she'll discover it herself."
He sighed softly. "After the uproar we caused at last night's banquet, it's unlikely she hasn't caught wind of something. That's why I sometimes wonder if it's better to approach her first, rather than waiting for things to come out awkwardly."
After listening to Leon, Claudia paused thoughtfully, then spoke. "That does make sense. But what if Isha can't accept that her sister married a human?"
Leon and Rossweise halted in their tracks at this question, the weight of it settling between them.
"What are you saying?" Leon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Big Sis is an incredible person. She's not like the other dragons—savage or violently prejudiced—so I can't imagine her being on opposing sides just because of my race." He looked at Rossweise, his expression somber. "But if she truly can't accept it, then... perhaps I'll just have to leave."
Claudia raised an eyebrow and asked, "Leave? Where would you go?"
"Back to the Empire, to lead the Lionheart Society in strengthening the new nation," Leon replied, his tone grave. "This is also why I believe now is the best time to come clean. The Empire has changed; without Canter's rule, I can return to my roots. No matter what, that place will always be a part of my home."
Without much hesitation, he took Rossweise's hand in his, their fingers interlacing. "And I can't allow my presence to ruin the bond between Rossweise and her sister. If Big Sis can't accept me, staying there would only destroy the family Rossweise and I have worked so hard to build."
He looked at their joined hands, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Our beginning may have been a mistake, but the ending must not be. The best choice would be for us to leave the Silver Dragon Clan and, from time to time, let Rossweise and the girls visit."
Claudia slowed her steps, contemplating his words. The sounds of the bustling city and the children's distant laughter created a stark contrast to the heavy conversation.
After a moment, she spoke softly, her voice imbued with the wisdom of centuries. "Why are you so focused on the beginning and the end?"
"Hmm? What do you really mean?" Leon asked, puzzled.
"You may have started on the wrong foot, but that mistake led to a beautiful future," Claudia remarked, a gentle smile gracing her features as she glanced at the couple. Her ocean-blue eyes held a warm, knowing gaze. "I've seen so much with you all these years. This journey has been more thrilling and meaningful than many in my centuries of life."
"Why only focus on the beginning and the end?" she repeated. "During these past five beautiful years, hasn't Isha been there too, witnessing and joining in? Hasn't she been a part of this beautiful 'middle' you've built?"
Leon and Rossweise exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Memories, vivid and warm, flooded their minds.
They remembered being forced to reveal that Rossweise was pregnant with Aurora. They recalled Aurora's first words being "Aunt Isha," much to everyone's surprise and delight. They pictured the whole family gathered in Sky City when Grandmother Veronica had returned—a truly rare, joyous day in the history of the Melkvey family. They even remembered fighting side-by-side with Isha, the three of them joining forces to fend off Constantine's resurrection attack.
In that string of shared memories, Leon realized he had occasionally overlooked the quiet, steady contributions of another presence—the Red Dragon Queen, Isha. She wasn't just Rossweise's sister; she had become part of their family's fabric.
After a brief silence, Claudia continued, her words measured and kind. "I agree; now is the best time to come clean. But it seems to me that, even if the timing is ready, the two of you might not be."
Rossweise pressed her lips together and nodded slightly, her grip tightening on Leon's hand.
"Do you know how I felt when I found out Charlotte chose a human to be with?" Claudia asked, her face showing a flicker of that old, complex emotion—a mix of confusion, protectiveness, and eventual acceptance.
"I was confused. I didn't understand why my sister would fall for a human, a being with such a fleeting lifespan," she admitted. "But what could I do? Charlotte is her own person, with her own life and choices. If she doesn't have the freedom to love as she wishes in her long, long life, what's the point of living for centuries?"
She looked over at Leon, her gaze firm yet compassionate. "In the end, I accepted Charlotte's choice not because of society's expectations or some grand philosophical reason—" she paused, ensuring her words landed with their full weight, "but because I knew, without a doubt, that my sister had married the man who loved her the most, and whom she loved most in return."
"As her sister," Claudia concluded, her voice softening, "all that truly matters is her happiness. I suspect Isha feels the same."