Vol 7. Chapter 17: Time to Change What You Call Me

More than a month had passed since Hera awakened, and she had gradually grown used to this new world.

At the same time, she had made up her mind to return to the Golden Thunder Clan.

"Senior, are you really going back to ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the Golden Thunder Clan?" Leon asked.

Hera nodded.

"I’ve been away from the clan for too long. It’s time I returned. Besides, now that Dimo has fallen, the clan needs me to lead them again. I don’t expect to restore the Golden Thunder Clan to its former glory, but at the very least, I want everyone to live well again. Isn’t that enough?"

Leon scratched the back of his head, clearly hesitating.

They were standing atop the high walls of the Imperial Capital. A cool breeze rustled Leon’s hair as he pressed his lips together, silently weighing whether to say what was on his mind.

Hera noticed his hesitation and inner conflict. She tilted her head slightly, her skirt swaying in the wind, and asked gently,

"You look like there’s something you want to say?"

"...I guess you could say that," Leon muttered, his voice uncertain.

Hera smiled, as warm as ever.

"I imagine it’s something important, right? Otherwise, if it weren’t, you would’ve told me long ago. You wouldn’t still be hesitating now, when we’re about to part ways."

Leon nodded. "It is important... and kind of... strange. In fact, it might even sound weird to you."

That only piqued Hera’s curiosity further.

Her brilliant blue eyes sparkled as she asked,

"Weird? How weird?"

"I don’t even know how to describe it exactly... But, Senior, you have to promise me—if you don’t agree after hearing this, then you have to forget it ever happened..."

The more Leon said things like that, the more curious Hera became.

After spending over a month with him, she had more or less figured out Leon’s personality.

Sure, he liked to toss out bad jokes and come up with some abstract nonsense sometimes, but in the details of everyday life, he had many shining qualities.

He knew when to be serious and when to joke. He struck that balance with surprising precision.

That’s what made being around him so easy.

And so, when he said what he just did, Hera’s curiosity about what he was holding back reached an all-time high.

Just what kind of matter could make a man like Leon—a good husband, a righteous father—so conflicted?

"Forget it? Hmm... okay, I promise."

"Really, Senior? You swear?"

Hera patted her chest. "Of course. I promise I’ll forget it. So what is it?"

Leon cleared his throat twice, his face flushing a little.

He glanced at Hera—then quickly looked away. He fumbled for words,

"Senior, you’ve been living in human society for quite a while now, right? You should be familiar with... how family relationships work here?"

Hera nodded. "Humans place a deeper importance on family and kin. In their short lives of less than a century, most people pour everything they have into loving those who are worthy of that love."

Family dynamics weren’t hard for Hera to understand.

She wasn’t some sheltered maiden either.

Especially after spending so much time with the Melkvey household—even a mixed-species dragon family could be that warm. So what need was there to doubt human families?

"...Why are you asking me this? Does it have something to do with what you wanted to say?"

"...You guessed right, Senior. What I want to say... it is about family."

Leon quietly rubbed his fingers together, his palms damp with nervous sweat. He took a deep breath to steady himself.

Only then could he fully express the feelings and thoughts buried deep inside.

"Alright then, go ahead. I’m listening."

She looked at Leon, giving him her full attention.

And Leon no longer avoided her gaze.

Because he knew that if he backed down now, he might never have the courage again to make her understand what he carried in his heart.

"You left me at the gates of the Casmod Orphanage. That was the beginning of my life. During those five years I was raised by Teacher Caroline, I slowly came to understand who I was. I was like most of the other kids at the orphanage—none of us had seen our parents. No matter how kind the teachers were, it was hard for us to feel like we really had a home. So from back then, I longed for real family—real parents."

Hera listened quietly, not distracted in the slightest.

Leon went on.

"When I was little, I hated going to the market. Do you know why?"

Hera shook her head.

"Because there, I’d always see all sorts of happy, loving families. I envied them. I envied those kids who got to grow up with the love of their mom and dad. And for the kids at the orphanage... we could pretty much be sure we’d never have a family like that. I held onto that pessimistic belief—until my Master adopted me and brought me into a new world. My Master and Mistress were so kind to me. That was the first time I truly felt what it meant to have family."

Hera had heard him speak of his Master and Mistress before.

They were an elderly couple with a deep sense of dignity.

And it was thanks to their upbringing that Leon had become the man he was now.

From the bottom of her heart, Hera had always been grateful to that couple.

They had indirectly fulfilled the hopes and expectations she once had for Leon, raising him into a righteous, courageous, and dependable man.

"For a long time, I almost forgot I was an orphan. I stopped obsessing over finding my birth parents."

Leon spoke calmly now.

"After graduating from Academy, I went to war. I met my wife, we fell in love, and together we raised our daughters. I protected everything we cherish from devils and schemers. My life became full with these people—my family. And just when I was about to let go of my curiosity about my origins..."

Leon paused and turned to look at Hera, meeting her eyes.

"You appeared, Senior. Through your memories, I saw your past, your duty, and your ideals. And of course... I saw the truth about who I am. It was you who brought me into this world. You entrusted me with your dream. Thankfully, I didn’t let you down. You know, in human terms, this kind of act... only happens when..."

Leon faltered at that point.

Just as he was about to push through and say it, Hera smiled and gently finished the sentence for him:

"Between a mother and her child... right?"

Leon’s pupils trembled. He stared at Hera, wondering if he’d been too obvious—had she seen right through him?

He pressed his lips together and averted his gaze, unsure of what else to say.

"Then I suppose I understand what you’re thinking and what’s troubling you, Leon."

Hera turned her gaze forward, still smiling.

Leon glanced at her profile, and when she didn’t continue, he began to retreat.

"Then, Senior... if you can’t accept it, just like I said—please forget about it."

"Forget it? How could I possibly forget it—unless you seal me back in that crystal coffin again."

"Senior..."

"You’re still calling me Senior?"

Leon blinked. "W-What?"

The corners of Hera’s mouth curled up.

"You’re the one who assumed I was going to reject you. I never said that."

She folded her arms and looked back at Leon.

"So? Still calling me Senior? Isn’t it time to change what you call me?"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Leon smiled—relieved, at last.

"Yeah... Mom."