After the chaos caused by Old Constantine's rampage and subsequent disappearance settled down, the enigmatic Shadow did not make any significant new moves. Leon's control over his power improved steadily, and he hadn't made any major mistakes. Life within the Silver Dragon Sanctuary gradually returned to a warm and peaceful routine, the familiar rhythms of family life a balm after so much turmoil.
However, due to the forced expulsion of Crimson Flame Dragon students from the academy, Rossweise's maids had now taken on the role of teaching basic magic to the young Hefei. Although they weren't professional instructors, their centuries of accumulated knowledge and practical teaching skills were more than sufficient for a dragon of Hefei's age.
Muse, having voluntarily left the academy to stay with her friend, now spent her days at home under the casual supervision of Leon and Rossweise, keeping the expelled Hefei company. The couple didn't oppose this arrangement. In dragon culture, young ones often didn't enter formal schooling at a very young age, and dropping out now wouldn't significantly impact their immensely long lives.
Leon and Rossweise were not the type of parents who believed their children had to "win at the starting line." In fact, considering that Muse's parents were the most powerful man on the surface and the Queen of the Silver Dragons, few in the world could even compete with her starting line.
So, quitting school wasn't a big deal. They believed that the children could learn what they loved no matter where they were. As for the distant future, they would deal with it when it came.
For now, Leon was determined to give both Muse and Hefei a truly carefree childhood. The little crimson dragon had been entrusted to them by Constantine, and he would honor that trust by taking good care of her.
One Morning, A Month Later
Shirley, the zealous captain of the Silver Dragon guard, found Leon on the sun-drenched rooftop of the Silver Dragon Sanctuary.
"Your Highness, the surviving members of the Crimson Flame Dragon Clan have been properly settled in the western valleys, as you instructed," she reported with a crisp salute.
Leon, who had been momentarily spacing out, held a ceramic watering can in one hand. He was carefully trying to water a small, potted cactus. As a married man of nearly eight years, he had decided he needed some peaceful hobbies to pass the time.
"Good, I understand. Thank you for handling it, Shirley," he replied without turning around.
"It is no trouble at all, Your Highness," Shirley said with a bright smile. She glanced at the cactus in his hand, her professional demeanor faltering for a second. "But, Your Highness... if I may? Cacti don't actually require frequent watering."
"What? Really?" Leon raised an eyebrow, looking down at the prickly plant. "I thought all plants needed consistent water. Is this why it's looking a bit... droopy?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Cacti are drought-tolerant plants native to arid environments. They thrive on a cycle of thorough watering followed by a complete dry period, especially during the winter months when watering should be minimal."
Leon sighed, scratching the back of his head as he set the watering can aside. "I see... Guess I've failed at cultivating this hobby too."
As he walked away from the rooftop, Shirley watched his retreating figure and muttered under her breath with a slight wince, "Oh dear... did I just accidentally hurt His Highness's confidence?"
Leon descended the spiral staircase to the grand hall, where Rossweise was seated at her ornate desk, deeply engrossed in a stack of paperwork. Without a formal greeting, he headed straight for the music room where the children were likely practicing.
Just as he turned, Rossweise's playful, melodic voice rang out, "Let me guess. You killed another cactus."
Leon paused mid-step, his expression darkening slightly. "So what if I did? Everyone has things they're good at and things they're not. I just happen to not be gifted with plants."
Rossweise, her lips curved in a soft, knowing smile, set her pen down. Resting her chin on her hand, she looked down at her stubborn husband from her raised dais. "Oh, I know. You're also not particularly good at mixing drinks, reading constellations, or swimming, either."
"..."
Smiling mischievously, she clasped her hands together and pressed them to her cheek in a gesture of mock adoration. "Oh, my dear husband, you really are a treasure trove of hidden... inadequacies."
Leon's eye twitched, but he had no real counterargument. After all, Rossweise had just listed every hobby he'd recently attempted—and failed at—with hilarious results.
With a defensive huff, Leon crossed his arms over his chest. "It doesn't matter if I'm bad at a hundred trivial things. As long as I excel at the one thing that truly matters, that's enough."
Rossweise arched a perfect silver brow. "And what might that one thing be? Being a clumsy dragon?"
"Exactly—Ow!"
Rossweise, without a shred of her usual dragon queen decorum, balled up a sheet of official parchment and tossed it with perfect accuracy, hitting him squarely on the head. "Stop spouting nonsense, you fool."
After a brief, more serious exchange about the settlement of the Crimson Flame Dragon survivors, their conversation turned to weightier matters. Rossweise asked, "By the way, when are you finally going to Sky City to question the Tower Master about Shadow and the Ultimate Fear? You mentioned it to him over a month ago."
Leon smirked, a cunning glint in his eyes. "No rush. Believe me, the Tower Master is growing more anxious than we are."
Rossweise frowned, her regal composure returning as she was genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"
Leon climbed the few steps to her throne, leaning close so his voice wouldn't carry as he explained, "The Tower Master claims we're all on the same side, but he's still deliberately withholding key information. By doing so, he maintains control and a position of authority. If he shared everything he knows upfront, he'd lose his leverage."
Rossweise's expression sharpened with understanding as she caught on. "So, by stalling, you're turning the tables and making him nervous. He needs you to act, so his inaction becomes a liability."
Leon grinned, pleased she followed his reasoning so quickly. "Exactly. He'll come to us soon enough, desperate to reassert his upper hand and guide the situation."
"Not bad, husband. You're getting much better at these political tactics," she said, genuinely impressed.
Leon scratched his head sheepishly. "All thanks to your subtle teachings, my wise Queen."
"Flatterer," she teased, though her smile betrayed her deep delight.
As their conversation wound down, Rossweise suggested, "You've been somewhat restless lately, cooped up here. Why not take your little brother out for a trip? A few days away might do you good."
Leon laughed, reaching out to gently ruffle her silky hair. "I'm not a child who needs distracting hobbies. But..."
"But what?" Rossweise asked, curiosity piqued.
"Remember Noah's combat teacher, Mevis? I still think there's something off about her. The timing of her arrival, her proximity to Noah... it's too convenient."
Rossweise nodded thoughtfully. "I've already had Anna run a full background check. It's impeccably clean. Almost too clean."
"Still, I'd feel better keeping a closer eye on her myself. She spends too much time with our daughter to be ignored."
Rossweise agreed immediately. "Then I'll arrange a transport for you to the academy."
"No need for formal arrangements. I'll just take my brother," Leon said, referring to the loyal Six-Winged Dragonhawk.
"Will you be back for dinner?" she asked as he descended the steps from her dais.
"No, don't wait for me."
Rossweise smirked, a playful, intimate light returning to her eyes. "But you will be back to sleep with me tonight, right?"
Leon turned at the doorway, his grin wide and mischievous. "Of course. That's the one hobby I'm actually excellent at."
"Good," Rossweise replied, her eyes sparkling with affection and promise as she watched him leave.