A messenger dragon from Saint Heath Academy arrived at the Silver Dragon Sanctuary a few hours before Leon, bringing news of the attack in the examination grounds. This made explaining everything to Rossweise much simpler. After the briefing, they stayed by the doorway for a quiet moment before going to check on their daughters.
Inside the sisters' shared bedroom, Leon carefully laid Noah down on the large bed. She was still wrapped in her academy cloak. Rossweise did not leave. Instead, Leon brought a chair over and guided his queen to sit down, treating her with immense care.
As he had suspected, the past four months had left their mark. Rossweise's figure had changed slightly. Even under her loose gown, the gentle curves of her pregnancy were now visible.
Noticing Leon's gaze, the queen gave a soft smile and placed a hand on her slightly rounded stomach.
"Two months after you left, the morning sickness began," she explained. "By my calculations, our little one will arrive in about six months."
"That's... truly wonderful news," Leon said.
He sat on the edge of the bed, fidgeting with his hands. He had been keeping his head down, avoiding direct eye contact with Rossweise ever since they entered the room.
Of course, Rossweise had noticed. Their reunion after such a long time apart had made him stiff and uncertain. Perhaps he felt guilty for not being with her, or maybe he was just overwhelmed by the sudden end to their separation. Whatever the reason, her usually confident man seemed at a complete loss.
Rossweise let out a gentle chuckle and reached out. Her soft, warm hand settled lightly over Leon's large, calloused one. The moment their skin touched, she felt the tension in his body begin to melt away. That simple contact broke through the awkward silence that had hung between them.
"I missed you so much," she said, her voice tender and her gaze deep.
"I... I missed you too," Leon murmured in reply.
Rossweise laughed lightly. "I know you did. But that is not what I wish to discuss."
"Oh? Then what is it?"
"I want to tell you not to turn my longing into a burden on your heart. I do not think it is fair to me for you to feel guilty about your absence."
She brought her other hand over, gently holding Leon's slightly clenched fist. Her fingers traced over the familiar scars and calluses that always brought her such comfort.
"My longing should be your strength. It should be the reason you keep fighting and moving forward."
She smiled, her voice growing even softer. "I hope that when you face challenges or feel trapped, the thought of me will give you the power to persevere."
"And if that is the case..." Her fingertips brushed along the back of his hand before coming to rest lightly against his cheek. "...Then every time we reunite, it will feel just as it should."
Rossweise had a unique gift for guiding Leon out of the emotional traps he sometimes set for himself. She understood him better than anyone, perhaps even better than he understood himself.
Her words found their mark. The tension in Leon's expression finally broke, softening into a genuine smile.
"I understand," he said. "I understand now."
"Good."
"Mm-hmm."
"And tonight, we will settle the rest."
"S-settle what?" Leon asked, a flicker of concern in his eyes.
"You have been away from home for so long. Of course, I must make a little fuss about it," she stated with a serious expression, as if making a fuss was an official procedure that had to be followed. Rossweise, ever the thorough queen, believed in following necessary steps.
"Alright, alright," Leon conceded, recognizing the shift in her mood.
One moment she was the understanding and considerate wife, and the next, she revealed her true self, preparing to express her pent-up worries in her own unique way.
"What is this method called again?" Leon asked with a wry smile.
"This is called 'formalities first, then the storm,'" Rossweise declared.
Her mastery of this technique was undeniable. She watched with satisfaction as Leon's expression shifted from "safe haven with a kind wife" to "terrifying queen's domain." She did not hold back from delivering a final, teasing jab.
"And it will be a storm of epic proportions~"
Maybe I should spend a few days with Constantine to avoid the fallout, Leon thought to himself.
"Why are you silent? Say something," Rossweise teased, bumping her knee lightly against his.
Leon snapped out of his daze. "I thought you were sentencing me to execution tonight."
Rossweise rolled her eyes playfully. "Losing your little sulk already, are you? Ready to start bickering with me?"
"Doesn't Her Majesty enjoy sparring with me the most?"
"Perhaps. But I am a pregnant woman now. Do you remember your status when I was pregnant with Aurora?"
"Uh... thank you, Your Majesty—" Leon started, the memories rushing back. The realization nearly made him recoil.
"Say it. What was your status back then?" she pressed.
"Can we not talk about it..." he pleaded.
"No. Say it. I want to hear it."
"But weren't you going to start making a fuss tonight? It is only afternoon."
"If making a fuss had a time limit, it would not truly be making a fuss."
"Wow, that is so logical, Your Majesty. I cannot argue with that."
"What? You still think about arguing with me?"
"... You do not love me anymore."
"No, that is not it—"
"You do not care about me anymore."
"That is not what I meant—"
"Then I am going to start making a fuss."
"My queen, have mercy—"
Before their playful bickering could escalate further, a sudden shout broke the moment.
"Adam! I will kill you!"
Both of them turned toward the bed, startled.
"Noah? Noah, are you having a nightmare?" Leon asked.
"Shh, do not scare her," Rossweise whispered softly.
Noah, still sitting up with her eyes closed, continued muttering.
"Adam, you dared to scare Helena? I will kill you. And, Dad... your Lightning Thrust was not fast enough back then. Watch how it is done..."
With that, she collapsed back onto the bed, seemingly fainting once again.
Leon quickly checked her pulse and heartbeat, confirming they were steady and returning to normal.
"It seems she was just having a bad dream," he said, relieved.
Meanwhile, Noah, who had been "fainting," sneakily cracked open one eye.
Phew! If I had not intervened, Mom might have completely roasted Dad. The Silver Dragon's top support strikes again!
Satisfied with her work, Noah resumed her act.
As peace returned to the room, Rossweise turned her sharp gaze back to Leon.
"Now, where were we?" she asked, clearly ready to pick up where they had left off.
"I forgot."
"Hmph, idiot."
Of course Leon remembered. But could he say it? Absolutely not.
After so many years of marriage, General Leon had long since mastered the "Art of Dragon-Taming." In a situation like this, he must never speak the truth. If he did, the mother dragon would seize the momentum and keep wrecking his composure.
Of course, Rossweise did not continue "pressing" him either. Whether it was the gentle, understanding wife from before, or the jealous queen making a fuss, it was all just to help Leon relax. Now that her goal was achieved, it was time for something more serious.
She looked at Leon, crossed her legs, and curled her finger. "Come here."
"What for?"
"My prince, after such a long journey, you must be parched. Is it not right for me to... moisten your lips?"
The still-pretending-to-sleep Noah then heard the following conversation.
"In our daughter's room, is that... not a good idea?" Leon whispered.
"What is not good about it? Hmm? Then come over. Once we get back to our room, I will properly serve my prince~"
Then came the sound of them rising, the sound of an embrace, and the sound of footsteps heading toward the door. Along with it was a kind of sound Noah could not quite describe. She had only heard something similar when Muen noisily ate jelly.
Hiss...
So strange... Let me listen again!