Vol 7. Chapter 9: A Married Man and an Abstract Mom

Nighttime, at the Lionheart Order’s base. A few lamps glowed in the spacious dining hall. By the window, Leon and Hera sat facing each other. Before Hera were various light snacks and late-night food Leon had just bought.

He’d originally planned to take Hera to the inn to have dinner with Rosvisser and the girls. But since Hera had just awakened and was still unfamiliar and hypersensitive to the outside world, Leon thought it better ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) to let her adjust first before meeting Rosvisser and the others.

“Are you okay with the food?” Leon asked gently.

After sleeping for over thirty years, even if the crystal coffin had preserved her bodily functions, her body would still crave sustenance and nutrients.

Hera held a piece of bread in one hand and a grilled sausage in the other, doing her best not to look too unrefined while eating. She nodded and, without wiping the crumbs from the corner of her mouth, said,

“It’s good, really. Thank you, Leon.”

Leon smiled, pulled out a napkin, and handed it to her, then gestured to his own mouth. Hera immediately understood, took the napkin, wiped her mouth, and resumed eating—this time in small, delicate bites.

The dining room was quiet, with only the soft chewing sounds from Hera and the hum of insects outside. The atmosphere between them was a little awkward; neither quite knew what to say.

Hera finished a piece of bread, her hunger eased. After a brief silence, she decided to find a topic to talk about. They couldn’t just sit there stiffly forever.

With that thought, Hera asked softly:

“Just now, those people were all following your orders. Are you like their squad leader or something?”

Leon shook his head.

“Strictly speaking, I don’t hold any official position here.”

Hera blinked, her curiosity piqued. Her light blue eyes lit up.

“Then why do they listen to you?”

“Well, it’s a long story. A few years ago, the former Emperor...”

...

Leon slowly told her the story of how the Lionheart Order was formed and how they overthrew shadowy regime.

Hera listened patiently the whole time, occasionally letting out genuine sounds of admiration. But her admiration was different from what Leon was used to.

Others admired him with awe, reverence, or even worship. But Hera... it felt more like pride. She was proud of the achievements and glory Leon had earned.

It felt familiar—like family. Just like how Rosvisser, and Mistress, and the girls looked at him.

“Wow... so you’re that amazing, huh? Earning so much respect from people doesn’t happen overnight.”

Leon scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

“It’s really not that big a deal. Back then, Miss Karoline wanted me to become a decent, kind person who wouldn’t be manipulated by the wrong people. I think I managed that much. So maybe... maybe I didn’t disappoint her.”

Hera rested her chin in both hands, her elegant brows curling like two crescent moons. Her smile carried a unique charm—something between a mature woman and a youthful girl.

She wasn’t as composed and dignified as Teacher Karoline, nor as sweetly childish as Mistress.

If Leon had to describe it. She was like a “childhood friend version of Rosvisser”—a silver dragon girl who grew up with you, who became a queen admired by the world, but who still kept that proud and energetic side hidden away just for you.

Leon shook his head, brushing away the strange thoughts. When he returned to focus, curious mom Hera had a new question:

“So, are you married? I heard humans usually get married by their thirties, have kids and all that.”

Leon choked. He’d expected her to ask more about his work after the Lionheart story. Not his family life...

Leon opened his mouth, ready to answer honestly. But seeing Hera’s innocent, curious face... He couldn’t help himself. The little devil inside stirred.

Thinking for a moment, Leon said:

“No, I’m not married yet.”

“What? You’re over thirty and still single?”

Hera smacked him in disbelief.

“You’re pretty handsome, you know! Why wouldn’t you be married yet? Is it that you don’t like anyone?”

“I do. But she’s out of my league.”

“Who? Who dares to think they’re too good for you? You’ve got the looks, the reputation—being liked by you is a blessing, and she turns you down?!”

Leon chuckled and waved a hand.

“Well, the girl I like holds a pretty high position over there.”

Hera raised an eyebrow.

“How high? Like second only to one?”

“Emmm... Something like that. She is that person.”

“......”

“What?”

“Nothing. Tch. That’s no big deal. If it’s not working out, we’ll just find another. Worst case, I’ll take you back to the Golden Thunder Clan. Now that you’ve dealt with the Void, I can call in a favor and arrange some matchmaking for you. What do you say?”

“So you heard Rosvisser’s status and immediately assumed I wasn’t good enough for her?!”

(Rosvisser: Hey! That was Hera talking, not me!)

But honestly, chatting with Hera was surprisingly stress-free for Leon. In fact... he was enjoying himself.

Despite just waking up from a thirty-year sleep, Hera’s thinking was youthful and sharp. There was no generational gap in their conversation, and talking with her felt easy and natural.

Simply put—they were on the same wavelength. But Leon wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing... or a bad one.

On the good side, communication flowed smoothly. But on the bad side... Leon knew just how abstract his own thinking could get. It was etched into his blood and soul—abstract, ridiculous, instinctual.

And if Hera was the same way...

Tch~~~

Better keep observing.

“Ahem—no need for that,” Leon said, pinching his lips. He decided to tell the truth. If he let this go any further, he had a feeling Hera really would drag him back to the Golden Thunder Clan for blind dates that very night.

“What do you mean no need? It’s weird for someone in their thirties to still be single!”

“No, no, it’s just that... actually, I’m already married. I was just messing with you earlier...”

The moment the words left his mouth, Hera’s expression froze. She stared at Leon, her eyes shimmering with moisture.

“Why... why did you lie to me...”

Leon panicked.

“No, wait, I didn’t mean to lie, I just wanted to joke with—”

“I really hate being lied to... I hate it so much...”

Hera’s voice got quieter and quieter, until she finally dropped her head, burying her face into her knees.

Leon scrambled to her side, flustered:

“I’m sorry, senior, I didn’t mean it—I... I...”

...

Leon’s mind went completely blank. He had no idea how to handle this situation.

He’d been married to Rosvisser for over a decade, and she’d never cried this pitifully!

“Please don’t be mad at me, senior. If it’ll help, you can scold me! Hit me a few times if you want! Don’t just stay silent, senior... At least say something... Mm...”

Hera’s shoulders began to tremble, and soft giggles came from behind her knees. Leon froze.

Hera slowly lifted her head, her face beaming with suppressed laughter. Still smiling, she rested her chin in her hands again and looked at Leon beside her.

“I was joking too. I already knew you were married.”

“......”

“You looked so panicked just now~ Pffft~ You’re usually so calm. But you’ve never bantered like this with anyone before, have you? That’s why you got all flustered and couldn’t even talk properly.”

Leon looked down, thoroughly embarrassed, scratching his head awkwardly.

“How... how did you know I was married?”

“I could tell when you hugged me in the chamber.”

Hera smiled sweetly and stared straight at Leon.

“When you hugged me, you held back. In that kind of situation, most people would fully release their emotions. But you didn’t. So that meant either you were already married and avoided excessive physical contact with women... Or...”

Hera deliberately trailed off.

Leon took the bait.

“Or...?”

She laughed.

“Or you’ve never touched a girl before, so you didn’t know how to hug. But like I said, you’ve got great qualities. If you weren’t married, tons of girls would’ve thrown themselves at you. Or maybe even before you got married, back when you were in school, I bet the girls loved you. Am I right? Hmm?”

Leon stood there in a daze, at a total loss for words. This feeling of being instantly exposed... it was way too familiar...

Isha Melkvey, Claudia... I order the two of you to get off me right now!