Vol. 3 Ch. 54

On the weekend, Leon and Rosvisser made their way to St. Heith Academy.

Usually, their daughters spent the weekends at home, but with less than a month remaining before the academy’s play competition, everyone needed to dedicate extra time to rehearsals. And the rehearsals took place in an empty classroom at the academy.

As for why they didn’t rehearse at each other’s homes, the reason was simple:

A play rehearsal wasn’t considered a valid “formal reason” for travel among the dragon tribes, especially for high-ranking members. If someone were to travel to another tribe’s territory for such informal gatherings, it could easily spark some sort of “political conflict.” And if any accidents happened involving important dragon figures, it would create a diplomatic disaster for both tribes.

Therefore, using the academy as a rehearsal site was the safest and most sensible choice.

On the weekend, the school wasn’t very crowded.

Most of the dragons bustling around were young dragons, busy with their graduation tasks, maximizing every minute. Occasionally, they passed younger dragons dressed in various costumes.

Rosvisser recognized that these outfits weren’t specific to any dragon tribe; they were likely props for the play rehearsals.

As they walked, she turned to Leon. “So, when we meet Claudia, how do you plan to approach her?”

Leon strolled along, hands in his pockets, looking ahead nonchalantly. “I’ll just chat with her casually as a parent. It’d be pretty strange if I just walked up and asked, ‘Ms. Claudia, do you happen to know Tiger Lawrence? He’s my mentor. What’s your relationship with him?’”

Rosvisser stifled a laugh, “Yes, that’d probably make your first sentence with Claudia your last.”

“Right. The Sea Dragon Clan went into seclusion thirty years ago, so they’re probably quite guarded against outsiders.”

Leon paused thoughtfully. “Considering that, it’s actually incredible that Noa’s friend Helena managed to convince Claudia to join the play.”

Rosvisser shrugged, “It’s not a miracle.”

“Oh? What is it, then?”

The Queen stopped walking, looking over at Leon with a knowing smile. “It’s a mother’s support for her daughter.”

Leon blinked, then chuckled, catching her gaze with his own silver eyes.

“Ever since Aurora was born, you’ve been embodying that ‘motherly’ vibe more and more. Nowadays, you could just stick a ‘Mother of Three’ sign on your forehead, and it wouldn’t be far from the truth.”

Rosvisser rolled her eyes at him, flipping her tail with a light sway. “It’s not that exaggerated.”

“Please. I don’t even have to look; you’re definitely holding back a laugh right now.”

She paused, pressing her lips to keep from smiling, but that split-second hesitation gave her away.

Leon grinned, sighing in mock disappointment. “Ah, I miss that cold, fierce queen who was always plotting her revenge against me.”

“Hmph. If you really miss it, I can bring her back.”

“No, that’s quite alright.”

She nudged his arm with a teasing smile, and with their light-hearted banter, they soon reached the empty classroom Noa had mentioned.

The door was open.

Leon peered inside and saw no other adults. Even their daughters were nowhere to be seen. Only a girl with blue hair was sweeping the floor.

Leon paused, wondering if they’d gotten the wrong classroom. He knocked on the door frame and asked, “Excuse me, is this Noa’s rehearsal room?”

Hearing him, the blue-haired girl turned around.

Leon and Rosvisser recognized her immediately; she was the same girl Noa had introduced to them recently—Helena.

While blue hair was rare among humans, it wasn’t as unusual among dragons. In his years here, Leon had seen dragons with every color of hair imaginable.

Of course, his favorite remained silver.

And for the record, his preference for silver had *nothing* to do with Rosvisser (note: this will be on the "denial test").

So, just to avoid any awkwardness from mistaken identity, Leon had knocked to be sure.

“Uncle Leon, Aunt Rosvisser, you’re here!” Helena put down her broom and walked over, greeting them warmly.

“Hello, Helena. Why are you here alone? Where are Noa and the others?”

“Oh, they went to prepare the props and costumes. They’ll be back soon.”

“Seems like you’ve got everything organized, even the props and costumes.” Rosvisser smiled approvingly.

Helena nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes! Noa is always so dedicated to any competition, so we’re giving our all for every rehearsal to make sure we’re ready for the big event!”

Hearing this, Rosvisser leaned over to Leon and whispered, “You used to complain that Noa should take after you a little more. Well, here it is. Her obsession with winning is pure inheritance from you.”

“Like you’re not competitive yourself.”

“Me? Competitive?”

“You even compete with me over who our daughters kiss first.”

“...Tch.”

“Uncle, Aunt, please have a seat.” Helena set up two chairs and poured them each a cup of warm water.

After sitting down, Helena handed over the script for the play.

Leon flipped through it. The storyline was much as Noa had described: a brave knight falling in love with the princess of an enemy kingdom, ultimately achieving a happy ending.

“Helena, Noa said you wrote this script?” Rosvisser asked.

“Yes, I did,” Helena replied modestly.

“Oh, that’s impressive, Helena. You’re so young, yet you’ve written such a structured, cohesive story.”

While reading the script, Rosvisser had felt like she was reading her own biography. But she couldn’t deny that for a ten-year-old to write such a complete script was an impressive feat.

“Oh, it’s nothing, really,” Helena replied with a bashful smile, scratching her head. “I got a lot of inspiration from my mom while writing it.”

Keyword detected: *her mom.*

Leon and Rosvisser exchanged a glance, sensing an opportunity to learn more about the elusive Claudia before the rehearsal started.

“Your mother… does she often write stories like this?” Rosvisser asked.

“Hmm… I wouldn’t say she specializes in it,” Helena replied, pulling up a chair and sitting nearby. “My mom often works on ancient texts and manuscripts, so she’s very skilled in language and timing. As for this script…”

She swung her legs lightly under her chair, her white stockings catching the sunlight, soft and delicate as if they were melting snow.

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Leon and Rosvisser. “My mom said the inspiration for this script came from real life.”

At that, the couple couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath.

Could it be… the Sea Dragon Clan had also experienced some epic dragon-human romance?

No, that seemed… unlikely. Right?

At least, Leon found it hard to believe there could be another “Dragon Knight” as courageous as he was.

Rosvisser also found it unlikely.

But there was one thing that intrigued her: Even if the Sea Dragon Clan hadn’t experienced any grand dragon-human love stories, perhaps they still had some connection with humans.

More specifically… they might have a connection to Leon’s mentor, Tiger.

It was only a theory, a very bold one, based on the two martial manuals she’d seen. But for now, she had nothing concrete to support it, so she’d need to keep observing.

“Your mother sounds like an amazing person.” Rosvisser praised genuinely, then asked, “But… why isn’t she here?”

“Oh, our clan lives far from here. My mom left early this morning and should be arriving any—”

*Click-clack—click-clack—*

The rhythmic sound of high heels echoed from the hallway outside, each step steady and purposeful.

The sound grew louder and louder.

Finally, it stopped at the classroom door.

Leon, Rosvisser, and Helena all looked toward the entrance.

A tall, elegant woman stood there with long blue hair cascading down her back like a tranquil ocean in the soft sunlight, undisturbed by any waves.

Despite her appearance suggesting that she was older than Rosvisser, her beautiful face held a timeless grace, her features refined and dignified.

And with her poised presence and regal demeanor, she exuded the aura of a true royal from the Sea Dragon Clan.

Her deep blue eyes swept across the classroom, pausing briefly on Rosvisser and Helena.

But ultimately, her gaze settled on Leon.

Leon held his composure, recognizing her instantly. Her face matched perfectly with the woman he’d seen in his daughters' photos from the future.

There was no doubt; she was the legendary—

“Claudia Poseidon…”