Vol. 3 Ch. 91

As the evening settled, the Dragon Kings' secret meeting finally came to a close.

One by one, the Dragon Kings who had eyed Konstantin’s power as an opportunity to seize the Primordial Force began to take their leave.

In the now-emptied council hall, only a few figures remained: Leon and Rosvisser, their elder sister, the Sea Dragon Princess Claudia, and the Thunder Dragon King Odin along with the Golden Sand Dragon King Morgan.

Odin and Morgan were engaged in a hushed conversation, barely acknowledging Leon’s presence. Leon glanced at them briefly, refraining from making any effort to initiate a conversation.

After all, even though the other Dragon Kings had backed his proposal in the final vote, it had only been out of respect for Odin. That didn’t mean Leon felt the need to express personal gratitude. In the political arena, he’d learned well: **trust no one**.

However, politics wasn’t of particular concern to the lovely woman at his side.

As most had departed, she approached the Melkvey family trio with a smile.

“Well-spoken and thought out, Leon,” Claudia complimented him, her voice softened as if to bridge the gap that had grown during their absence from each other. She even made a rare attempt at a joke, “No surprise, given you’re ‘the Empress’s son.’”

‘The Empress’s son’—that was a line from *As Love Fades to the West*, an old play where Leon had ironically played Claudia’s son.

Leon cracked a grin. “Always the comedian, aren’t you, Claudia?”

After the brief pleasantries, Claudia got to the heart of her visit.

“Helena recently told me about your intervention in the northern lands. I’m grateful for your quick actions and bravery. And extend my thanks to Noa as well; she’s a smart and courageous girl.”

“Yes, we’ll let her know,” Rosvisser replied smoothly.

Claudia made no mention of the Primordial Force, and both Leon and Rosvisser tactfully avoided the topic as well. While their relationship with Claudia wasn’t one of pure friendship, it was built on a cautious mutual trust.

After offering her thanks, Claudia bid them goodbye, giving a brief nod to Isha before departing.

Watching the elegant woman leave, Isha couldn’t help but chuckle, “Poseidon’s lineage is alive and well, it seems.”

Turning back to her sister and brother-in-law, Isha’s gaze lingered. Finally, she addressed Leon with a smirk.

“So, a specialized intelligence network… hmm?”

Leon shifted uncomfortably, though he forced a smile. “Oh… uh, yes, exactly, sis.”

“Interesting. How’d you pull that off? I’d like one for myself.”

The truth was simple: if you married a human ‘captive,’ you too could have access to a top-tier intelligence network! But Leon just chuckled and tried to brush it off.

“Oh, it’s… classified information, I’m afraid.”

In the past, Isha would have pressed harder, seeking out any hint or chink in his mystery. But now, there was no need.

“Well, classified or not, I won’t pry further.”

Satisfied with teasing her brother-in-law, she turned her attention to her sister.

“So, little Rosvisser, how have you been lately?”

“Doing quite well, actually—”

“Yes, I can tell you’re enjoying yourself. Marriage life is… *sweet*, isn’t it?” Isha casually ran her fingers over her immaculately painted red nails, the tone light but loaded. “If it hadn’t been to ask about our grandmother’s whereabouts the other day, you probably wouldn’t have found the time to write me, hmm?”

Rosvisser sighed, half-smiling. “Sis, we’re family. I just got a little busy recently and forgot to send you a letter, that’s all.”

“Busy, hmm?”

“Busy with—”

“Busy with the *sweetness* of married life, right?”

Rosvisser bit her lip, silenced in the face of her sister’s taunts. Even after two hundred years, she had yet to win a single sparring match against Isha.

And now, her so-called ‘fake marriage’ with Leon had become Isha’s latest favorite tool for teasing her.

This was all, in every way, Leon’s fault!

Seething, the queen shot a glare at the man by her side.

Leon: …?

What did I do to deserve that look? Or have you evolved to the point of holding an instant trial against me? The might of a species that can reproduce on its own, indeed.

“All right, all right. I’ll stop teasing you two.”

Isha sighed, changing the subject. “Still no news of Grandma.”

Rosvisser’s brow furrowed. “Still? Hasn’t anyone found a trace of her yet?”

Isha shrugged helplessly, “You know how she is, wandering around wherever she pleases. She could be off somewhere *enjoying herself* with her old friends for all we know.”

Not that likely, but still, Isha was just as clueless as anyone about their grandmother’s current location.

When their grandmother, Veronica, had visited the sisters, they’d investigated Leon’s background together. They’d found some leads, but their grandmother advised Isha to stop digging. Isha followed her suggestion, albeit reluctantly.

The night before she left, Veronica gave Isha a ring embedded with a Primordial Crystal, encouraging her to learn to harness its powers. And this, Veronica had insisted, was to be kept secret from Rosvisser.

While Isha wasn’t keen on probing her brother-in-law’s past any longer, she still kept a measure of caution. It was simply good practice to have some safeguards in place.

“If I get any news, you’ll be the first to know,” Isha said.

“Thank you.” Rosvisser was eager for answers. She and Leon both had numerous questions to ask their grandmother—particularly about the northern lands and the Primordial ruins.

They weren’t exactly historians, and the truth of the past didn’t overly concern them. But if it held implications for the Empire or the Dragon Clan’s schemes, they needed to know.

Who knew what else the Empire might have up its sleeve?

“Well, it’s getting late. I should head back,” Isha said, rising from her chair and glancing between the couple, a sly smile dancing on her lips. “Or are the two of you planning a little *overnight rendezvous* here and heading home tomorrow?”

“Oh, we don’t need to do that, really—”

“Why not? The feel of home and a hotel are worlds apart, you know~”

Rosvisser’s cheeks flushed. She stole a glance at Odin and Morgan, who hadn’t left yet, thankfully too engrossed in conversation to hear Isha’s comments.

“Stop it, sis! There’s nothing like that going on.”

Isha just laughed, waving them off. “Fine, fine. Don’t forget to write me, little sister.”

“Yes, yes, I will.”

The red-haired beauty strutted out, her heels clicking on the floor as she left the council hall.

Leon stood up, stretching his limbs. “Let’s head home.”

“Okay.”

But as the couple turned to leave, they heard a voice behind them.

“Wait a moment, you two.”

Turning back, they saw Odin and Morgan approaching.

Leon’s gaze flicked briefly over Morgan before settling on Odin. During the council, he’d had a brief moment of eye contact with the Thunder Dragon King, a look unlike any he’d shared with another dragon.

Most dragons, no matter how much they tried to mask it, inevitably showed traces of bloodlust and violence in their gaze.

Odin’s eyes, however, held none of that.

Instead, his dark-blue dragon eyes were weary, calm, disciplined, yet radiating authority.

As Odin stepped in front of Leon, the two stood close, locking eyes.

Leon never lost his composure before a dragon, not even one as esteemed as Odin.

Finally, Odin spoke.

“Do you know why I supported your proposal during the council meeting?”

Leon remained silent, and Odin continued without any further delay.

“Because this meeting was just a ruse. That old fox Arles was simply looking to use this gathering as a pretext to seize the Primordial Force from Konstantin.”

“This isn’t the first time they’ve done such things.”

Leon wasn’t surprised. He cast a glance at Rosvisser, who looked equally unfazed. They had speculated as much on their way here.

As Rosvisser had said, “Power always serves politics.”

“But I understand the nature of the Primordial Force. I was part of the original expedition to the northern lands.”

Odin paused, looking at Rosvisser. “I’m a friend of Veronica.”

Rosvisser nodded slightly, offering no further response.

“There was another reason—though it wasn’t the deciding factor, it did influence my decision.”

“And… what was that reason?” Leon asked.

“Like Claudia, I owe you a debt. You saved my daughter, Yuna, back at the ruins. For that, you have my sincere thanks.”

With a nod, Odin gave a formal bow, expressing his deep gratitude.

“I owe you a favor, Mr. Cosmod. Until we meet again.”

With that, Odin walked toward the exit.

Morgan gave a lazy wave. “Odin already thanked you for me, so I’ll skip the formalities. See you around, you two!”

As the two Dragon Kings departed, Leon scratched his nose. “The Thunder Dragon King owes me a favor…”

“That’s not all. It’s more than just a favor,” Rosvisser said with a smile. “In the future, if you have any requests within his

power, he’ll likely do his best to fulfill them.”

“But it’s a one-time deal?”

“Of course. What did you think? You’re not going to mooch off an old Dragon King for life, are you? How naïve—hey, what are you doing?”

Before she could finish, Leon pulled her into his arms.

“Living off an old Dragon King is one thing, but living off you for a lifetime, my dear wife, now that’s an achievement.”

“Ugh, you’re disgusting. Let go of me.” She feigned a weak attempt to escape, wriggling her waist in protest.

“I will, but on one condition.”

“What is it?”

“Come on a date with me.”