That evening, the family didn't get to dine at the quaint rooftop restaurant they had in mind. Instead, they were warmly, and quite insistently, invited by the Tower Master to an exclusive banquet held within the grand halls of the Twilight Tower itself.
Leon and Rossweise had wanted to decline at first. It wasn't often that Leon's Master and Mistress visited, and they'd genuinely hoped to spend a quiet, intimate evening together as a family, without the politics and posturing.
However, the Tower Master was profoundly insistent, smoothly suggesting they could bring the "whole delightful family" along to make the event more lively and personal. Out of consideration for his hospitality and the unspoken pressure of refusing such a figure, the couple reluctantly agreed.
At the lavish banquet, the seats surrounding the prestigious head table were occupied by various Dragon Kings and high-ranking emissaries from different clans, including the Golden Sand Dragon King, Morgan, and other prominent, powerful figures.
Leon sat alongside his master at one of the lower-tier tables, a placement that spoke volumes to those who understood the subtle hierarchies at play. The old man gazed around the opulent banquet hall, where dragons of all kinds, colors, and tail types were gathered, laughing and conversing, and he sighed in sheer amazement.
"Even back in Claudia's Sea Dragon Sanctuary, I saw dragons every single day. But being in a room filled with so many different, legendary Dragon Kings... it's an entirely different, overwhelming experience."
Leon, hands casually tucked in his pockets, seemed far less impressed. Unlike his master, he had long grown used to such scenes, having dined, fought, and negotiated with these beings for years.
"You'll get used to it, Master. It's just another dinner. And if any of these stuffy Dragon Kings annoy you, just let me know—I'll take every single one of them down for you," he said with a lazy, confident grin.
The old man, Tiger, chuckled, a rough sound as he rubbed his own graying hair. "Ah, to have the boundless energy of youth. I truly envy it."
"What do you mean?" Leon asked, picking up on the older man's wistful tone.
"Having that drive, that fire, that ambition. Unlike me, an old man who can only sit around and wait to be served wine and food. I feel like I'm just one step away from full-blown senility most days."
"Master, you've always had quite the self-deprecating sense of humor."
The old man laughed again, but this time, his smile carried a unmistakable hint of melancholy and deep-seated helplessness.
Leon, perceptive as ever, immediately picked up on the somber undertone in his master's words.
Seated next to him, Leon silently observed the old man—this once-indomitable figure who had now truly passed his prime, his body and spirit bearing the weight of more than fifty human years.
Leon knew all too well that the Heartshield Dragon Scale his master and mistress possessed had significantly enhanced their physical condition and vastly extended their lifespans. Yet, as his master had just implied, the human heart and spirit aged in their own time, regardless of the body's vitality. The passions of youth could still fade.
Years ago, the old man had been a figure brimming with revolutionary passion, shaking the very foundations of the empire alongside Rebecca. But after being gravely injured by a Blade Trio, narrowly escaping death, and subsequently undergoing a long, quiet recovery, he had gradually started behaving like a true retiree, often seeming distant and uninterested in the world's affairs.
Leon couldn't blame him. Even someone who had personally experienced these magical phenomena would find it hard to reconcile the differences between an ageless body and a weary soul.
He wondered if, ten years or a hundred years from now, he himself would still be able to face the world with the same fierce passion and enthusiasm, or if time would eventually wear him down too.
"Dad! Grandpa! We found the most delicious cake over there—you have to come and try it!"
Noah's bright, cheerful voice cut through the heavy silence, effectively shattering the reflective mood between master and disciple.
Looking in the direction of her voice, Leon saw Noah pulling a amused Isha along, carefully carrying a large tray piled high with an assortment of colorful desserts.
Noah held the tray up proudly, bending slightly to offer it to her father and grandfather. Leon took it from her with a small, genuine laugh, patting her head affectionately.
"Thanks, Noah."
"No problem, Dad! You and Grandpa have to try the one with the blue swirls—it's really tasty."
"Alright, we will."
Leon stood upright, handing a piece of the mentioned cake to his master. The old man took a small bite and nodded slightly, a real smile touching his eyes for the first time that evening. "It really is quite good."
In that moment, watching his master's guarded expression soften at Noah's simple gesture, an idea sparked in Leon's mind. Raising an eyebrow, he thought briefly before finally understanding the root of the old man's underlying feelings. It wasn't just about aging; it was about feeling disconnected, obsolete in a world that had moved on without him.
"Grandpa, there's plenty more good food over there by the ice sculpture. Let me take you to see."
"Ah, alright then. Let's go."
The old man still appeared somewhat reserved, but he was noticeably more relaxed than when he had first, nervously met Noah earlier in the day.
To Leon, who knew him better than almost anyone, the subtle change was crystal clear. Despite his master's awkward, often gruff words, he could sense the simple, profound joy blooming in the old man's heart at being included, at having a family role again.
In Leon's mind, there were only two things that could ever make his stoic master truly, unreservedly happy:
First, when his wife, Charlotte, was happy and smiling.
Second, when a younger Leon had finally, finally brought home a nice girl instead of constantly obsessing over his training and his "donkey" of a first sword.
Now, it seemed, there was a third: spending quiet, uncomplicated time with a granddaughter who saw him not as a retired legend, but simply as "Grandpa."
Perhaps for every old soul who felt abandoned by the rushing river of time, a little angel like Noah could restore a part of their weary spirit, reminding them they were still needed, still loved.
"I used to think you were just an excellent husband and a surprisingly good father."
Isha, holding a babbling Muse in her arms, approached slowly. Her tone carried a hint of genuine admiration as she said, "But now, seeing you like this, so attentive to your master's mood... I think you're also a pretty good son."
"That's meant to be a compliment, right? So why does it sound vaguely like an insult?" Leon teased back, falling into their familiar banter.
Isha snorted, shooting him a sidelong glance. "I spent some time with your master and his wife earlier today. They're truly wonderful people. Kind, strong in their own way. No wonder they managed to raise a rascal like you to be so... presentable."
"Sis, 'presentable' isn't nearly grand enough a word to describe someone as outstanding and magnificent as me."
"Oh? Is that so, dear brother-in-law?" Isha's eyes glinted with challenge. "In that case, do you want to play another round of 'I Have What You Don't'? I believe I still hold the title."
"No, thank you," Leon conceded quickly, the memory of his last humiliating loss in that game still fresh.
Isha chuckled softly in victory, her gaze shifting around the crowded room. "Where's Rossweise? I haven't seen her in a while."
Leon tilted his head toward the ornate staircase leading to an upper balcony. "Upstairs. She's chatting with my mistress."
After a brief pause, Leon let out a deep, theatrical sigh.
Isha raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Why are you sighing like the world is ending when Rossweise is merely having a conversation with your mistress?"
"You wouldn't understand, Sis. In human society, the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has been a notoriously complex and challenging dynamic since ancient times. It's a battlefield more terrifying than any I've faced."
Leon squinted slightly, his eyes drifting up to the second-floor balcony railing, where he could just see the silhouettes of Rossweise and Charlotte standing together, deep in conversation.
"I just wonder if my proud, magnificent dragon queen is prepared for that particular kind of battle."
"She can! She can do it!"
Leon and Isha both turned to look at Muse, whom Isha was holding.
The little one waved her tiny fists in the air with surprising vigor, as if passionately cheering for her mother in the unseen conversation happening upstairs.
"Although your master's wife lived among humans for over thirty years, she's still a Sea Dragon Princess at her core," Isha reasoned, trying to sound reassuring. "Surely she won't subscribe to those petty human dynamics."
"If she does, well..." A mischievous smile played on Leon's lips. "It might be a little interesting to watch."
"And now," Isha said, following his gaze upward, "the two strongest women in your world must be having the most intense conversation ever held on a balcony."
.
.
.
"Rossweise, would it be alright if I called you 'Rose'? Would that be too forward or rude?"
"Not at all."
Rossweise waved her hands lightly, a faint, genuine smile gracing her lips. "My sister and my closest family call me that all the time. It would be... nice."
"Oh, wonderful, wonderful."
The Queen and her mother-in-law—though the term felt both new and significant—had initially been a bit tense and formal in their exchange, the air thick with unspoken expectations.
In truth, this wasn't Rossweise's first time meeting Leon's family.
She had met his master, Tiger, many times before and had always maintained the regal, somewhat detached composure expected of a queen dealing with a human, even one so closely tied to her husband.
Years ago, she had even spoken to his master alone while formally investigating his and his wife's whereabouts on Leon's behalf, a conversation steeped in strategy and duty.
Back then, Rossweise had also been the picture of calm and collected authority, engaging in an in-depth, clinical negotiation with the old man.
This time, the situation felt entirely, profoundly different.
Back then, Rossweise and Leon hadn't been as deeply, inextricably close as they were now. Facing his master or mistress had felt far less complicated—she could discuss anything, from threats to alliances, without overthinking or personal hesitation.
But now, with Leon as her sworn husband and the father of her fourth child, their soul-deep bond was undeniable. If she were to claim, "We're just allies," or "We're just friends," not even she could believe it, let alone anyone else.
In this new, intimate context, being alone with Leon's family, especially the woman who was like a mother to him, added a layer of subtle pressure she hadn't anticipated.
Rossweise found herself overthinking simple phrases, wondering how to leave a good impression on Charlotte or how to approach anecdotes about Leon naturally without sounding either too critical or too adoring.
Even as a Dragon Queen who commanded armies and wielded primordial magic, she wasn't immune to the universal, awkward scrutiny that came with in-laws.
"Actually... Rose, I've wanted to have a proper chat with you for a long, long time, but the right opportunity never seemed to come up."
Charlotte's soft words gently broke the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
Rossweise looked up, instinctively brushing a stray strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Really?"
"Yes, really. Ever since you and Leon first visited the Sea Dragon Temple all that time ago, I wanted to speak with you, just the two of us."
Charlotte smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "But at the time, Tiger was critically injured, and I had just... removed the Heartshield Dragon Scale. I was far too weak, both in body and spirit, and I just didn't get the chance."
"I'm sorry about that, Ma'am. We left in rather a hurry back then, and afterward, with one crisis after another... we didn't find the right time to visit you both properly. I truly apologize for that oversight."
"Oh, it's perfectly fine! Don't you worry. As the Silver Dragon Queen, you're bound to have countless responsibilities and burdens. I understand completely. Just please don't think of me as some sort of demanding, traditional mother-in-law, alright?"
"Demanding mother-in-law?"
Rossweise was visibly startled by the unfamiliar phrase. Her elegant, composed face showed clear, unguarded confusion.
Charlotte noticed immediately and clarified with a gentle, knowing smile.
"Oh, 'mother-in-law' is a term from human culture—it simply means the mother of one's husband. Since Tiger and I have lived hidden among humans for so many decades, some of their expressions and customs have become second nature to us. I hope you don't mind the informality."
Rossweise nodded, filing the term away for later contemplation. "I see. Thank you for explaining, Ma'am."
In truth, even if Charlotte hadn't explained, Rossweise wouldn't have been worried or offended.
After all, Charlotte wasn't some ordinary woman from a human village—she was the second princess of the ancient Sea Dragon Clan. There was absolutely no chance she would behave like a stereotypical, unreasonable human mother-in-law from the stories Leon sometimes teasingly referenced.
"I've heard bits and pieces about you and Leon from my sister over the years, and I'm truly comforted by what I've learned. The fact that you've walked this far together, through all the chaos and pain, is truly admirable. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking care of our Leon all these years, Rose."
Rossweise reflected briefly, and a little guiltily, on the specific nature of the "care" she had provided in their earlier days:
Forcing him to redo official scrolls and assignments three times over just because the penmanship wasn't to her royal standards.
Waking him in the middle of the night to peel apples for her because she had a craving.
Using the intimidating pressure of her dragon markings to silence him when his jokes annoyed her.
And during their more... intimate "role-playing" moments in various cramped spaces, she always insisted on playing the dominant, commanding role. She loftily called it "exploring contrasting sensuality," but in truth, it was often just a chance to playfully get back at him for his infuriating confidence.
Looking back... yes, one could certainly say Leon had been "well cared for."
Rossweise maintained a perfectly composed demeanor and responded with utter sincerity, "It is merely what a wife should do."
If Leon had been present to hear that, he would have exploded, shouting in mock outrage: "This is just 'should'? Are you kidding me? She's gone way beyond any wife's duties! This is advanced-level spousal tyranny! Damn it!"
After a brief, thoughtful pause, Rossweise added, a softness in her amethyst eyes, "But if I am to be entirely honest, Leon is the one who takes care of me most of the time. He is... a wonderful husband."
"That's absolutely true," Charlotte agreed, her smile deepening. She could see the genuine affection in Rossweise's gaze.
Despite her occasional stubborn pride, Rossweise never spoke ill of Leon to others, never diminished his role.
After all, she knew better than anyone that Leon was an exceptional husband—so perfectly suited to her in his infuriating, wonderful way that there was no real fault to be found.
Of course, she would never, ever say that to his face. Otherwise, he'd become unbearably, triumphantly smug for weeks.
"Both of you being so outstanding in your own ways is precisely why you can understand each other so deeply and have come so far together."
"You are absolutely right, Ma'am."
"Oh, Rose, there's something I've been meaning to give you."
With that, Charlotte reached into a small, hidden pocket of her elegant robes and pulled out a small, intricately carved jewelry box. It was slightly aged, the wood smooth with handling, but it was clearly well-maintained and cherished.
She slid it delicately across the small table between them and opened the lid. Inside, resting on a bed of dark velvet, was a beautifully crafted jade bracelet, its green hue deep and serene, seeming to capture the light within its polished surface.
"Ma'am, this is—"
"It's the bracelet Tiger gave me when he proposed to me, all those decades ago," Charlotte said, her voice warm with memory.
"No, no, I cannot accept this. It's far too precious! It's a part of your history." Rossweise immediately tried to gently push the box back, but Charlotte reached out and laid her hand softly over Rossweise's, stopping her.
"Rose... please."
"The size of this bracelet was custom-made for me, but looking at your wrist, I think it happens to suit you perfectly as well. I've always felt, in my heart, that I wanted you to have it one day."
Charlotte's voice carried a deep, heartfelt sincerity that touched Rossweise profoundly, bypassing all her royal defenses.
At that moment, Rossweise felt a kind of pure, familial warmth she hadn't experienced in a very, very long time.
Having grown up without parents, she and her sister Isha had been raised under their grandmother's stern, if loving, care. That relationship was built on duty, legacy, and strength.
For someone like Rossweise, who had never truly known a father's playful teasing or a mother's nurturing embrace, the gesture felt both foreign and deeply, achingly comforting.
She carefully, almost reverently, clasped the cool jade bracelet around her wrist, but her gaze wasn't fixed on the beautiful piece itself. Instead, her eyes lingered on her own hand, as if seeing the tangible proof of this new connection.
"Rose, the moment you decided to spend your life with Leon, you became our family."
"For years, Tiger and I wondered, feared even, if a human and a dragon could truly remain together forever. If the differences were too great."
"Even though our own union proved it was possible, we were still uncertain, anxious about what the future held for a human-dragon couple like Leon and you, in a world far less forgiving than our hidden sanctuary."
"But eventually, we came to a realization. We understood that it's not about focusing solely on the longevity or the final outcome of a relationship."
"What truly matters is cherishing every moment of mutual understanding, respect, and love. Whether a bond lasts forever or simply for a glorious chapter is simply fate's design—why waste energy fretting over its conclusion?"
"So, I want you to have this bracelet. No matter what trials or joys lie ahead for you both, it carries Tiger's and my most sincere blessings for your marriage."
"Please, take it, Rose. Having someone as strong, kind, and wonderful as you in our family is our greatest joy and pride."
No matter how time moved on, no matter how the seasons changed and the years etched their marks, Rossweise Melkvey would never forget the gravity and warmth of that day.
It was a day when her and Leon's unlikely, hard-won marriage received an earnest, heartfelt blessing from the people who mattered most to him.
A blessing, and more importantly, a full and loving recognition from his family—her family.
With trembling fingers that belied her royal composure, Charlotte herself clasped the bracelet securely onto Rossweise's wrist.
Feeling the cool, smooth touch of the ancient jade against her skin, Rossweise's silver eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Thank you... Thank you, Ma'am."
"Are you still calling me 'Ma'am' after all this?" Charlotte chided gently, a playful glint in her eye.
"Ah? Then... then... what should I..." Rossweise faltered, a rare blush rising to her cheeks.
Charlotte simply gave her a patient, knowing look.
Rossweise quickly realized what was being asked of her. She hesitated, her mind racing, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. After a moment of internal struggle, she steeled herself—it was inevitable anyway, and it felt... right.
"Mo-mother." The word was soft, hesitant.
"What was that, dear? Sorry, I'm old, my hearing isn't what it used to be," Charlotte said, leaning forward with a poorly concealed smile.
"...Mother." This time it was clearer, firmer.
"Oh dear, the wind up here on the balcony must be carrying your voice away~ I still didn't quite catch that."
Why did Rossweise suddenly see a reflection of Leon's dumb, infinitely teasing personality shining so clearly in Charlotte's kindly face?
Truly, it must be said: like mother, like son. The capacity for gentle, loving torment was clearly a family trait. Damn it!