The messenger dragon from Saint Heath Academy had arrived at the Silver Dragon Sanctuary a few hours ahead of Leviathan, delivering news of the events in the examination grounds. This made Leon's explanation much easier. Once the briefing was complete, they lingered at the doorway for a while before heading to the sisters' room.
In the shared bedroom, Leon gently laid Noah down on the large bed, still wrapped in her academy cloak. Rossweise didn't leave. Instead, Leon fetched a chair, guiding Rossweise to sit on it with care.
As he had suspected, the past four months had clearly shown their effects. Rossweise's figure had changed slightly, and even beneath her loose-fitting gown, faint contours were discernible.
Noticing Leon's gaze, the queen smiled softly, placing a hand on her slightly rounded abdomen.
"Two months after you left, I started feeling the symptoms of morning sickness. By my calculations, this little one will be here in another six months."
"That's... really wonderful."
Leon sat on the edge of the bed, his hands fiddling nervously. He kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with Rossweise ever since they entered the room.
Rossweise, of course, noticed. Their reunion after several months apart had made him a little stiff and uncertain. Perhaps it was guilt for not being by her side during this time, or maybe it was the sudden end to their long-distance separation. Either way, the usually confident man seemed at a loss.
Rossweise chuckled, reaching out. Her soft, warm hand lightly rested on Leon's large, calloused one. The moment their skin touched, she could feel the tension in his body ease significantly. The simple contact dissolved the awkwardness and silence that had lingered.
"I missed you so much," she said, her voice tender, her gaze deep as she looked at the man before her.
"I... I missed you too," Leon murmured.
Rossweise let out a light laugh. "I know you missed me, but that's not what I want to talk about."
"Hm? Then what is it?"
"I want to tell you not to turn my longing into a burden. I don't think it's fair to me for you to feel guilty about not being here."
Rossweise extended her other hand, gently holding Leon's slightly clenched fist, running her fingers over the scars and calluses that brought her so much comfort.
"My longing should be your strength, the reason you keep fighting and moving forward."
She smiled, her voice growing softer. "I hope that when you face challenges or feel cornered, just thinking of me will give you the strength to keep going."
"And if that's the case..."
Her fingertips brushed along the back of Leon's hand, finally resting lightly against his cheek. "Then each time we meet again, it will feel as it should."
Rossweise had a unique ability to guide Leon out of the emotional mazes he occasionally trapped himself in. She understood him better than anyone else, perhaps even better than he understood himself.
Her words struck a chord in Leon. The tension in his expression finally softened into a smile.
"Got it. I understand now."
"Good."
"Mm-hmm."
"And tonight, we'll settle the rest."
"S-settle what exactly...?"
"You've been away from home for so long. Of course, I have to make a little fuss about it," she replied with a serious expression, as if making a fuss were an official procedure that had to be followed. Rossweise, being a workaholic, was always thorough with necessary steps.
"Alright, alright," Leon conceded.
One moment she was the understanding and considerate wife, and the next, she revealed her true self, fully expressing her concern in her unique way.
"What's this called again?" Leon asked with a half-smile.
"This is called 'formalities first, then the storm.'"
Rossweise's mastery of her methods was undeniable. Watching Leon's expression shift from "safe haven with a kind wife" to "terrifying queen's domain" filled her with satisfaction. And yet, she didn't hold back from delivering a final jab.
"And it will be a storm of epic proportions~"
Maybe I should spend a couple of 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. "Losing your little sulk already, are you? Ready to start bickering with me?"
"Doesn't Her Majesty enjoy sparring with me the most?"
"Maybe, but I'm a pregnant woman now. Do you remember your status when I was pregnant with Little Light?"
"Uh... thank you, Your Majesty—" Leon started, memories flooding back. The realization nearly knocked him backward.
"Say it. What was your status back then?"
"Can we not talk about it..."
"Nope. Say it. I want to hear it."
"But weren't you going to start making a fuss tonight? It's only afternoon."
"If making a fuss had a time limit, it wouldn't really be making a fuss."
"Wow, that's so logical, Your Majesty. I can't argue with that."
"What? You still think about arguing with me?"
"... You don't love me anymore."
"No, that's not it—"
"You don't care about me anymore."
"That's not what I meant—"
"Then I'm going to start making a fuss."
"My queen, have mercy—"
Before they could escalate further, a sudden shout broke the moment.
"Adam! I'll kill you!"
Both turned toward the bed, startled.
"Noah? Noah, are you having a nightmare?"
"Don't scare Noah," Rossweise whispered softly.
Noah, still sitting up with her eyes closed, continued muttering.
"Adam, you dared to scare Helena? I'll kill you. And, Dad... your Lightning Thrust wasn't fast enough back then. Watch how it's done..."
With that, she collapsed back onto the bed, fainting again.
Leon 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 "fainted," sneakily cracked open one eye.
"Whew! If I hadn't intervened, Mom might've completely roasted Dad. Silver Dragon's top support strikes again!"
Satisfied that her work was done, 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 she left off.
"I forgot."
"Hmph, idiot."
Of course Leon remembered where they had left off. But could he say it?Absolutely not.
After so many years of married life, General Leon had long since mastered the "Art of Dragon-Taming" In situations like this, he must never say.
If he did, the mother dragon would seize the momentum and keep wrecking his state of mind.
Of course, Rossweise didn't continue "pressing" either.
Whether it was the gentle, understanding wife mode just now, or the jealous queen making a fuss, it was all just to help Leon relax.
Now that the goal was achieved, it was time to do something serious.
She looked at Leon, crossed her legs, curled her finger, "Come here."
"What for?"
"Prince, after all the long journey, surely you're parched. Isn't it right for me to... moisten your lips?"
And so, the still-pretending-to-sleep Noah heard the following conversation, "In our daughter's room, isn't that... not good?"
"What's not good? Hmm? Then come over. Once we get back to our room, I'll properly serve my prince~"
Then came the sound of rising. The sound of hugging. The sound of walking toward the door.
And along with it, a kind of sound Noah couldn't describe.
She had only ever heard something similar when Muwen ate jelly.
"Hiss..."
"So strange... Let me listen again!"