After several rehearsals, Leon and Rosvisser gradually became more comfortable around Claudia.
Once they got to know her, the couple realized that Claudia wasnât as intimidating as she might have seemed. She was intelligent, possessed high emotional intelligence, and carried herself with such refinement that it left no room for criticism. Being around someone like her was⊠easy.
âCongratulations, Leon. Now you can call me âMother Empressâ without hesitation,â Claudia teased.
âStill feels a bit awkward, but if it helps the kids succeed, anything goes, Claudia,â Leon replied with a grin.
By now, theyâd dropped the more formal âMr. Cosmod,â âMiss Melkvey,â and âMs. Claudia,â opting instead to use each otherâs first names, a sign of growing familiarity.
âSpeaking of children,â Claudia continued with a hint of amusement, âHelena couldnât stop praising the warm atmosphere in your home after her visit. You mustâve put a lot of effort into creating that environment.â
âThe girls are well-behaved, so we donât have to do much,â Rosvisser responded. âWhen it comes to family atmosphere, I donât think thereâs a âgoodâ or âbadââitâs more about whatâs suitable.â
âOh?â Claudiaâs eyebrows arched with curiosity. âSuitable?â
Rosvisser nodded slightly, âOur familyâs way of interacting suits Noa and the others, but it might not work for other children. Helena may have enjoyed the novelty, but that doesnât mean it would work for everyone. Donât you agree, Claudia?â
Rosvisser subtly paused on Claudiaâs name, a hidden subtext: *Do you understand what Iâm saying?*
Claudiaâs smile became thoughtful, a hint of satisfaction and⊠pride?
Rosvisser recognized the satisfaction; it was often her grandmother Veronicaâs expression when she or her sister Isha accomplished something impressive.
Maybe Claudia was still in character from the play, lingering in the role of âMother Empress.â
After a bit more discussion about children, Claudia shifted the conversation to a lighter, more personal topic.
âIn dragon culture, live births are relatively rare. Even Helena was born from an egg. So, if you donât mind my asking, how did the two of you end up together?â
The couple exchanged glances, each reading the same thought in the otherâs eyes: *Why does everyone always ask this?*
They were just a married couple, not a scandalous mystery.
But with most dragon couples, answering this question was straightforward. The problem lay in the fact that Leon and Rosvisserâs relationship was⊠unconventional. So each time someone asked, they had to craft a story that was believable yet kept the truth hidden.
âAh, well, itâs a long story,â Rosvisser began with a smile. âAfter Leonâs clan disbanded, he came to the Silver Dragon Clan, and⊠it was love at first sight.â
âRight. Love at first sight,â Leon echoed.
Love at first sight was the perfect excuse to dodge a deeper conversation.
Why did they fall for each other?
*Love at first sight.*
When did they realize their feelings?
*Love at first sight.*
What was the moment they knew they wanted to be together?
*Love at first sight.*
An answer that couldnât be argued with.
âHow romantic,â Claudia said with a touch of admiration. âUnfortunately, like most traditional dragons, Iâve always been a bit of a loner and have never experienced romance myself.â
*Consider yourself lucky,* Leon thought. *You donât know what I went through when Rosvisser was pregnantâŠ*
âBut my sister did fall in love with someone,â Claudia added.
Leon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. âHelena mentioned she has an auntâso this must be your sister?â
Claudia nodded, âYes, thatâs her.â
âShe fell in love? And then?â
Claudia gave a small chuckle, shrugging. âThey ended up together, of course. But unlike our âlove at first sight,â theirs was a classic⊠hero-saving-the-damsel tale.â
Leon and Rosvisser exchanged knowing glances.
*Ah, now weâre talking about some good gossip.*
They took back their earlier thoughtsâthere was nothing wrong with a little gossip; in fact, the world would be a dull place without it!
Claudia noticed their eager expressions and chuckled, âTheir story is a long one. Many years ago, my sister was in danger, and a powerful man saved her⊠so they got married.â
Leon & Rosvisser: ?
*Hold on. Thatâs it? A âlong storyâ that barely took fifty words?*
What about the details? We need details!
It was like reading a romance novel where, right at the climactic moment, everything steamy was replaced with ellipses. And then, what, were they supposed to just be satisfied?
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Claudia covered her mouth, laughing softly. âOh, you want the specifics?â
She lowered her voice conspiratorially, âI donât know much about the details myself. But theyâre very much in love.â
A brief but sweet love story. Short, sure, but hey, at least they got a bit of gossip.
Then Claudiaâs tone shifted slightly, âHowever⊠my family, including myself, didnât approve of their marriage. But in the end, we couldnât sway her, so we let it be.â
With that, the children returned, and the afternoon rehearsal began.
But Leonâs thoughts lingered on the conversation.
While Claudia had shared a snippet of her familyâs background, he couldnât shake the feeling that she had chosen her words deliberately. It was almost as if she wanted him and Rosvisser to hear it.
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TL NOTE
: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - I'd really like to see how far Leon goes and how far we can increase the number of chapters. Thanks~!