The rain kept getting heavier.
Leon lay in bed, one arm behind his head, the other tossing a small, clear box containing the Dragon Power pill into the air and catching it. Even though the medicine was ready, he still had some doubts.
The problem was…
Leon looked at the few dragon peppers on the table.
Most dragon-style food was too much for a human body to handle. Leon had been trained to be incredibly tough by his master since he was a boy, which is why he grew up so strong. Eating a few dragon peppers was nothing. But this dragon-style nutritional supplement…
After taking it, would the effect be too strong? Could his body not handle it? Would it cause bad side effects? It might backfire. Instead of getting better, his body could get worse.
Leon felt tangled up inside. He sighed, let his head fall back, and stared at the ceiling. While he was struggling with his thoughts, he heard the door open.
Without opening his eyes, he hid the Dragon Power under his pillow. He didn't need to look to know who it was.
"Hi, Your Majesty," Leon said lazily.
Rossweise sat on the edge of the bed. "You greeted me first tonight."
"Yesterday, you started. Today, it's my turn. That seems fair," Leon said.
Rossweise gave a soft laugh. She didn't want to talk in circles anymore. "Muen told me you made a special medicine for me. She said it looks like chocolate and is for my health. But I know it's really for you, right?"
Hearing this, Leon immediately dropped his lazy act. He sat up straight and looked serious.
"Don't be nervous. I'm not here to blame you. I'm just surprised you could make such a rare medicine in a simple place like this. I've never even seen this kind of medicine before. Can you show me?"
Rossweise smiled. Her tone was honest. She really was asking Leon, not demanding. In fact, after she found out about the Dragon Power, she could have just taken it from him by force.
Leon hesitated for a moment, but then he took the Dragon Power out from under the pillow. Rossweise took it, held it in her palm, and looked at it carefully. When she saw it was a real, properly made Dragon Power pill, she had to admit Leon was talented.
Of course, Leon felt a little proud. As Rossweise watched him enjoying the praise, she laughed inside. See? Manipulating a little fool like you is so easy. Just a few nice words, and you get all confused~.
Of course, her praise a moment ago was real. Leon was stunned for a second. She didn't make fun of me?
He rubbed his nose, not used to Rossweise giving him a real compliment. But seeing the actual Dragon Power pill, she truly acknowledged his skill.
But then, Rossweise changed the subject. "But… you can't take this medicine. Or rather, it's not suitable for you."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"As a supplement made for dragons, the effect is too strong for a human body. You won't be able to handle it," Rossweise replied. Her voice was very serious.
"If you want to get your strength back quickly, I can have Anna and the others make a different kind of nutritional supplement for you."
"As for this Dragon Power… a weak human body truly can't bear the power of a dragon. There's never been a case of a human taking dragon medicine before."
She was trying to warn him kindly—which felt strange, warning her archenemy. But with her good intentions, Rossweise forgot one thing. How could Leon, a dragon slayer, easily admit weakness in front of a dragon?
"I'm not trying to trick you, Leon. You can keep this medicine. But your human body definitely won't be able to take it."
"Rossweise," Leon interrupted.
"…Yes?"
"You promised you wouldn't let me die, right?" Leon said.
Rossweise's eyes widened a little. "Leon…"
"Actually, I was still thinking about whether or not to take this pill. But after hearing what you said, I've made up my mind."
Boom—
Another loud roar of thunder sounded outside. Leon lowered his head. His black hair fell over his eyes, so Rossweise couldn't see his expression. He stared hard at the pill in his hand and spoke in a low voice.
"So what if it's the power of a dragon? I've defeated countless dragon kings. A little pill is nothing I can't handle. Rossweise… don't look down on me."
"Courage… that is humanity's song!"
He seemed to care a lot about what Rossweise thought of him.
"Leon, you—"
Click—
He put the pill in his mouth. Then, without any hesitation, he bit down and swallowed. The pill slid down his throat into his stomach.
There was silence for two seconds. Then, Leon immediately felt a burning feeling in his stomach.
Thud—
He clutched his stomach and fell to his knees. The burning sensation spread instantly through his whole body. A powerful force rushed through him, as if it was trying to break every vein and bone. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and didn't make a sound.
Rossweise quickly ran to his side and knelt down. She put her hand on his shoulder. Right away, gentle magical energy flowed from her palm into Leon's body, trying to help him manage the strong effect of the pill. This was the first time the Silver Dragon Queen had used healing magic, and she was using it on her greatest enemy.
Rossweise frowned, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
"Leon? Leon?"
She gently shook his shoulder, but he kept his eyes closed, his face twisted in pain. Ever since he woke up, Leon had shown signs of not caring about himself. If it weren't for his daughters being there, he might have tried to end his life long ago.
Seeing that her healing magic wasn't working well, Rossweise stood up quickly. She was going to find a dragon doctor to help Leon. But before she could take a step, he grabbed her wrist.
Rossweise turned back. Leon was still on his knees, one hand holding her wrist, the other pressed against his stomach.
"Watch closely, Silver Dragon Queen. This is the courage and… the will of humans."
Crackle, crackle—
A faint blue electric light suddenly shone from the hand covering his stomach. Leon's whole body shook slightly.
Rossweise's pupils shook. "You're using lightning magic on your own body… You really are… crazy, Leon."
Even as she said it, she crouched beside him again, holding his shoulders and trying to comfort him as much as she could. At the same time, she used her magic to help him control the wild power surging inside him. Without realizing it, she held Leon tightly, feeling his pain and his shaking.
After a while, Leon stopped trembling. The electric light from the lightning magic on his body slowly faded. He rested for a brief moment, then tried making a fist.
It was the familiar… feeling of strength.
Seeing this, Rossweise also let out a sigh of relief. But she didn't congratulate him or show happiness for Leon. Rossweise wiped the sweat from her forehead and suddenly realized how closely they had been holding each other. She quickly stood up and took a few steps back.
Seeing that Leon was okay, Rossweise turned to leave. But as she turned, she felt someone grab her tail.
Her face darkened. She turned back, gritted her teeth, and said, "Let go, you idiot."
Leon looked up with a dizzy smile. His eyes looked dazed, and his face was a little red, like he had drunk too much wine.
It was as if… he was under a spell or seeing things that weren't there.
In Leon's eyes at that moment, Rossweise wasn't the noble and distant Silver Dragon Queen anymore. She was sitting next to him with a sweet, cute smile and a voice as soft as water. She looked exactly like a loving wife who had been married for a long time.
And then, his next words were even more shocking.
"Where are you going?— My wifey~?"