The next morning, under the meticulous care of her maids, Rossweise was adorned in the formal regalia of the Dragon Clan. It was an attire she rarely wore. A silver crown was placed upon her head, complemented by a long, intricate gown, earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet. Even her makeup was a masterwork, taking the maids a full two hours to perfect. She stood transformed into the embodiment of a queen—elegant, imposing, and untouchable.
Gatherings among the Dragon Monarchs were events of grave importance. Firstly, each dragon king was sovereign over their own territory; frequent travel could leave borders vulnerable and invite incursions from enemies. Secondly, with their vast lifespans, time held a different meaning. There was no human urgency for frequent family reunions to maintain bonds.
It had been a long time since Rossweise had last seen her sister, Ishabella. The previous occasion was roughly a year ago, on the day of Muen's birth. A part of her was deeply reluctant for Ishabella to meet Leon. Her sister was perceptive enough that, given enough exposure, the carefully constructed facade might crumble. Rossweise felt a quiet, persistent anxiety; hiding a secret of this magnitude, even from family, was a delicate and draining task for a queen.
While Dragon Monarchs of their stature did not convene often, when they did, every detail mattered. Rossweise could not afford for the news of her… entanglement with a human to spread. It would be a cataclysmic scandal, causing upheaval throughout the entire dragon clan. Dragons, for all their power, shared a very human love for gossip—stories would spread like wildfire, accompanied by judgment and whispered condemnation.
"Sigh..." Rossweise closed her eyes, forcibly banishing the chaotic thoughts from her mind. She stood before the full-length mirror. Her reflection was more polished and severe than usual, her silver hair a brilliant cascade under the light. She had never been particularly sensitive to aesthetics, including her own. She rarely bestowed compliments on anyone's appearance, with the singular exception of her sister Ishabella's beauty, which even she acknowledged was peerless.
The thought triggered an unexpected memory. 'He is indeed a tough and handsome man. The scar is simply the perfect touch to this face.' The words she had spoken to herself two years ago, standing over Leon's broken body, surfaced in her mind with startling clarity. The recollection gave her a moment's pause.
Back then, Leon had been at death's door, and Rossweise had believed him utterly powerless. Yet, with a single, unforeseen spell, he had irrevocably bound their fates and created this child. Rossweise chastised herself internally, a familiar mix of anger and something more complicated—a flicker of regret for the words that now felt like a twisted prelude to their current reality.
Given that Rossweise was not one to be swayed by mere appearances or charm, it was strange, even to her, that she had offered a compliment—however barbed—to her most hated enemy. It hinted at a hidden layer, a grudging acknowledgment of his formidable spirit, even in the depths of her hatred.
"Hmph, it was merely the victor's taunt to the vanquished," Rossweise muttered to herself, dismissively brushing the memory aside. She refused to entertain the notion that it signified anything more.
"Everything is prepared, Your Majesty. You may now proceed to the main gate of the Sanctuary to await Her Highness Ishabella," announced the head maid, Anna, her voice a model of respectful efficiency.
"Yes. I will check on Muen first," Rossweise replied.
"Very well, Your Majesty."
Rossweise walked at a measured pace toward the rooms shared by Leon and Muen. This time, she surprised herself by actually knocking on the door first—a rare gesture that acknowledged the fragile normality of the moment.
Soon, the quick, light patter of small footsteps sounded from within. It was unmistakably Muen. She tiptoed, stretched to reach the doorknob, gave it a gentle twist, and pulled the door open.
"Good morning, Mother~!" Muen beamed, her smile radiant.
"Good morning, Muen."
"Mother, you look so beautiful today! Daddy, come and see! Mother looks super, super beautiful!" Muen called out excitedly, turning back into the room.
Leon lay sprawled across the bed in a starfish shape. Hearing Muen's summons to admire the 'beautiful mother,' he didn't stir. The exhaustion from the previous day was a physical weight, and his body ached in protest.
What was his place, and what was Rossweise's? Even if she dressed herself up as the most dazzling mother dragon, it was all a performance, a gilded cage for his humiliation, constructed for the eyes of others.
"Only the identity of a Dragon Slayer is real!" Leon affirmed internally, clinging to the last vestiges of his former self.
The familiar tap of high heels sounded on the floor. Rossweise, holding Muen's hand, glided into the bedroom.
"I've dressed up for the occasion. Can you not even spare me a glance, Leon?" Rossweise asked. Her voice carried a hint of feigned injury, a performance clearly for Muen's benefit.
The Mother Dragon should watch her tone and demeanor, Leon thought scornfully. When Muen wasn't present, she would happily torture him to the brink of death. Pretending to be this wounded and vulnerable—did she truly think she could deceive him?
Childish! Leon critiqued internally, seeing straight through her act. Yet, he slowly sat up regardless. Muen was here, and the child was innocent. For her sake, Leon would play his part in maintaining this charade of a family. He had no desire to hurt Muen's feelings.
Sitting up, Leon lifted his gaze to the silver-haired vision standing before him.
In an instant, the dullness in Leon's eyes was replaced by a spark of genuine, startled appreciation. Rossweise had shed her casual home attire for a formal gown of stunning craftsmanship. The skirt was layered exquisitely, and the jewels adorning it were plentiful yet tasteful, enhancing her brilliance without overwhelming it.
Her silver hair was intricately styled at the back of her head, revealing the elegant, swan-like line of her neck. Her delicate collarbones were accentuated, straight and graceful. The long gown hugged her form perfectly, clearly a piece tailored specifically for her.
The gentle curve of her bust was supported elegantly by the structured bodice. There was no vulgar display, nor was it overly modest. It was a masterful balance, radiating an aura of pure, unassailable royalty.
"Daddy?" Muen called.
"Daddy!!" she repeated, louder.
"Daddy, look! Even Mother has caught your eye!" Muen giggled, delightedly noting his captivated stare.
Muen's shout jolted Leon back to reality. He shook his head, intending to utter some dismissive remark like, "It's passable."
But the truth was, in this moment, Rossweise could objectively be described as a beauty of the highest order. Her appearance commanded not just admiration, but respect and awe, fitting for a queen preparing for a significant state event.
"Yeah... good-looking," Leon finally conceded. The compliment was terse, lumped in with the countless others Rossweise had doubtless received throughout her long life.
Good-looking, beautiful, peerless... they were all the same to her.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Rossweise's lips. She mentally filed Leon's comment away with all the others. It was nothing special.
"Yeah," she acknowledged simply, turning to leave. Her movements were fluid and graceful, ready to face the day's formalities.
"Hey, wait a moment," Leon suddenly called out to her.
Rossweise paused, half-turning. "What is it?" she asked, a trace of puzzlement in her calm expression.
Leon swung his legs off the bed, walked over to Rossweise, gently took her arm, and guided her back toward the full-length mirror.
Under Rossweise's slightly bewildered gaze, Leon raised his hand. He carefully tidied a few stray strands of silver hair near her ear, tucking them neatly behind it. Then, his fingers lightly adjusted the angle of the silver crown resting upon her head.
"When you walk, try not to turn your head too much. pivot from your waist instead," Leon advised. "Otherwise, the crown might tilt slightly." His touch was surprisingly careful, his tone pragmatic, as if helping a comrade prepare for inspection. The gesture felt strangely genuine, surprising even himself.
Rossweise's pupils dilated slightly. A complex swirl of emotions rose within her—surprise, an unwelcome warmth, and confusion.
In the past, those who offered her compliments never dared to point out such minor imperfections. And yet, she had just moments ago mentally categorized this man with all the others... The contradiction gave her pause, creating a tiny fissure in her cold, fortified exterior.
"Yeah, I understand," she said, her voice softer than intended.
Rossweise instinctively lifted the neckline of her dress a fraction. "Is it better now?"
Leon nodded. "It's fine now."
With a final, unreadable glance, Rossweise left the room, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Leon's small, practical act of assistance lingered with her, an unexpected touch of humanity in her storm of revenge.
Muen eagerly pulled Leon back into the bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed, then clambered onto his lap.
Leon moved to hold her, but the usual way of supporting a child—by the back or waist—was complicated by the presence of Muen's tail at the base of her spine. He found himself uncertain where to place his hands.
In the end, he settled for gently supporting her upper back, careful to avoid putting any pressure on the sensitive appendage.
"Daddy, Daddy, what exactly is a donkey?" Muen asked, her large eyes wide with curiosity.
"Emmmm, it's a very stubborn creature," Leon explained simply.
"What does 'stubborn' mean?"
"Just like your mom," Leon said with a grin, unable to resist the tease.
"Oh~~~ Mother is a stubborn donkey," Muen repeated, nodding sagely as if she had uncovered a great truth.
The little dragon girl was a quick study, and Leon felt a perverse sense of accomplishment. "Exactly, Mom is a stubborn donkey! Say it again, Muen."
"Mother is a stubborn donkey!"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Daddy is also a stubborn donkey! Muen is a little stubborn donkey!" she added triumphantly, laughing.
"Good girl, you're really quick on the uptake." Leon chuckled, hugging her close. Deep down, a genuine, warm affection for her innocence bloomed within him, a small, defiant light in his otherwise dark existence. But his plans for revenge and escape still smoldered, waiting for the right spark. The impending visit of the sister, he mused, might just provide the perfect opportunity to shake the foundations of Rossweise's carefully constructed world. As he held his daughter, his mind was already weaving new strategies, finding a strange strength in this twisted, domestic battlefield.