Vol. 3 Ch. 121

Though the Empire's central districts were filled with members of the Lionheart Society acting as undercover allies, Rebecca had rightly suggested that if Leon and Rosvisser intended to venture out, they’d need some form of disguise. Additionally, they’d have to be mindful of their timing.

In a private room of the Lionheart Society’s safehouse, Leon and Rosvisser, with assistance from several ladies, began their transformation.

Leon’s disguise was simple enough: a pair of dark glasses and a quick change of attire.

However, Rosvisser’s disguise posed more of a challenge.

First, her silver hair was unmistakably recognizable. While silver hair wasn’t entirely unheard of within the Empire, it was rare enough to draw attention if she ventured out with it on full display.

Next, as the ladies began applying makeup, they realized that their usual techniques wouldn’t suffice. Rosvisser’s face was a work of art—whether lightly made up or with a bolder look, no style could hide her ethereal beauty.

And when the women learned they’d be handling the makeup of a Dragon Queen, they were understandably unnerved. They were used to disguising undercover agents, like making Nacho look like a beggar.

But doing makeup for a Dragon Queen…that was uncharted territory for any human.

Sensing their hesitation, Rosvisser smiled warmly. “I can manage it myself; thank you for your help.”

With that, she picked up a comb, beginning to style her hair into something less conspicuous.

Perhaps an updo would be best?

The ladies exchanged glances, silently deliberating, until one of them finally stepped forward.

"We…we have some wigs in various styles. Would you like to try one?" she offered, cautiously avoiding any formal address, uncertain of how exactly one should address a Dragon Queen.

Rosvisser raised an eyebrow. "A wig? That could work."

"Great. Miri, fetch the wigs," the woman instructed.

"Right away."

Soon, an assortment of wigs was brought over.

Rosvisser took her time choosing, eventually settling her gaze on a sleek, long black wig.

“This one should do.”

“Yes, black hair is much more inconspicuous.”

While the dark color was indeed discreet, Rosvisser’s choice had more to do with her own preference.

She liked black.

It reminded her of a certain someone.

"Let us help you put it on," one of the ladies offered.

“Thank you,” she replied with a nod, appreciative of their assistance.

Though still wary of the Dragon Queen, the ladies noticed that Rosvisser didn’t embody the wild fierceness they had imagined. Instead, her composed demeanor and graceful manners put them at ease, even if her beauty was intimidating.

After a bit of work, the wig was in place.

Rosvisser stood before the mirror, slightly taken aback.

After two hundred years with silver hair, the sudden switch to long black tresses felt unusual.

As for whether she looked good with the wig…Rosvisser wasn’t quite sure.

"Are you ready? We can leave now."

Just then, Leon walked through the door.

At once, his gaze locked onto Rosvisser, her flowing black hair cascading like a waterfall.

Like her, his first reaction was one of surprise.

But as she turned around, only one word came to his mind to describe his wife:

Stunning.

The dark hair contrasted beautifully with her fair, porcelain-like skin, creating a striking visual harmony that elevated her natural beauty to an entirely new level. The soft glow of the light on her profile made her look like a flawless masterpiece come to life.

"Well? How do I look?" Rosvisser asked softly.

Snapping out of his daze, Leon replied earnestly, "Beautiful."

“Oh, a straightforward answer? I expected you to twist your words a bit before admitting it,” she teased, clearly pleased.

Seeing the proud look on her face, Leon quickly backtracked, “Actually, it’s… just average.”

"Then why did you say it looked good?" she asked, tilting her head playfully, a few strands of black hair falling adorably around her face.

Leon’s face flushed slightly. “I’ll be the judge of what looks good.”

She huffed lightly.

"Our disguises are complete. You two are free to depart at any time," one of the ladies informed, giving Leon a slight bow before they left the room.

Rosvisser twirled a strand of her new dark hair around her finger, walking over to Leon.

"Do you prefer me with black or silver hair?" she asked.

Leon thought for a moment. “Silver.”

After all, that had always been his weakness.

“Oh? So you don’t like my current look?” she feigned a pout.

“…I like it now too.”

“So, which is better: black or silver?” she pressed, playfully narrowing her gaze.

“I’ll just shave it all off. How does that sound?” he quipped.

Laughing, she let the teasing drop, glancing toward the parchment he held. “What’s that?”

Leon unfolded it on the table, revealing a map marked with red lines and circles, indicating safe routes and locations.

"Rebecca marked the safe areas and places we can visit without risking detection. As long as we stay within these areas, we won’t have to worry about being spotted."

Rosvisser nodded approvingly. “Very thorough.”

“Yes… I never imagined that in just a few short years, the Lionheart Society would become so well-organized. We owe so much to Master and Rebecca.”

Tucking the map into his jacket, Leon patted the coin pouch on his belt.

“This is our ‘operational budget’ for this outing.”

Rosvisser raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “You mean our date budget?”

Leon, flustered, stiffened at once and quickly protested, “Wh-what date! We’re only going out to purchase recording stones!”

“Alright, alright, let’s go.”

It was rare to see Rosvisser so eager, which piqued Leon’s curiosity, though he chose not to question it further. Leading her out through the back entrance of the Lionheart Society, they entered the Empire’s lower districts without fear of encountering patrols.

The lower district was a far cry from the desolate poverty of the slums, lively with stalls and shops lining the streets.

Rosvisser walked beside Leon, her hands clasped in front of her, wearing the dark dress prepared by the Lionheart Society, paired with black boots. She exuded the elegance of a noblewoman, her black hair lending an air of sophistication.

Along the way, her gaze wandered to the bustling street.

Everything here fascinated her: children playing marbles, a rickety stand selling pinwheels, various street foods she’d never seen before.

Even the stray cats and dogs piqued her interest.

While Leon purchased recording stones from a magic shop, he glanced back to find Rosvisser crouching by a corner, petting a pair of playful cats.

He walked over. “Don’t dragons keep pets?”

“You’ve lived with me for five years—have you ever seen any cats or dogs?” she replied.

Leon thought back and indeed realized he hadn’t. Nor did the children know what donkeys or dogs were beyond what was in books.

Rosvisser once told him that dragons, being fierce by nature, saw keeping small, fluffy animals as beneath them.

Later, she privately grumbled about the rule, lamenting which ancestor had deemed it “improper.”

"Cats are so adorable! Why can’t we keep them!"

“It’s unfair! I’m over two hundred years old, and today is the first time I’ve even touched a cat!” she pouted.

“Then, why don’t we buy one and bring it home?” Leon offered.

Rosvisser blinked, then shook her head, smiling. “No need. I already have three little kittens and a big, clumsy dog waiting for me at home.”

Leon blinked, pointing to himself, “Am I the ‘big, clumsy dog’?”

She smiled, shaking her head.

Leon rolled his eyes as Rosvisser giggled softly, glancing at the bag of recording stones in his hand.

“Only these? Won’t we need more?” she asked, noting that this amount wouldn’t suffice for their festival plan.

“True, we’ll need more. But we can’t buy them all at once; that would raise suspicion.”

“Understood,” she replied, and they continued their shopping.

After a few steps, Leon finally gave in to his curiosity, asking, “Rosvisser?”

“Hmm?”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re especially excited about this trip?”

She paused, then replied with a small smile, “Is it that obvious?”

Leon nodded. “From the moment we set out, you’ve been urging me to move to the next place.”

The Dragon Queen lowered her gaze, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, then looked out at the distant street, walking slowly as she explained,

“Ever since the girls left for St. Hyss Academy, you’re often home alone. With my work, I can only occasionally sit with you, chatting here and there. Having you near me brings me comfort, but I also don’t like seeing you wandering the garden alone.”

“I noticed you began sneaking out, wandering through my clan’s territory.”

“I wasn’t sure why you enjoyed sneaking out at first.”

“Then one day, you told me that it was because you wanted to walk the paths I’d walked, to see the sights I’d seen.”

“I wanted to ask you more about it that day…but you didn’t answer further.”

Leon stood there, listening intently, lost in thought.

When he looked up, Rosvisser was already a few steps ahead.

She turned to face

him, hands behind her back, walking backward with a playful smile.

“I’ve kept this question in my heart, wondering why you wanted to walk my path, to see my world.”

“Now, as I stand here on your homeland, I think I’ve found my answer.”

“To truly know someone, one must not only be by their side but understand their past and the things they’ve experienced.”

“I wanted to see what shaped the man you are today.”

“And, more than that…”

She tilted her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as a gentle breeze lifted her dark hair, revealing glimpses of silver strands glimmering like stardust against the night.

“I wanted to know…where the one I love came from.”