Vol 7. Chapter 48: Most of All, I Missed You

The maids and guards in the courtyard were very tactful and promptly cleared the area for Their Majesties. Everyone could only give a thumbs-up and sigh, “If only Sister Sherry were here, she’d definitely stay behind to gossip with us while watching.”

Soon, only the husband and wife were left in the courtyard. After a brief embrace, Rosvisser lifted her head from Leon’s arms and asked:

"Isn’t today Wednesday? Why are you back?"

As she spoke, she tilted slightly and glanced past Leon—at the hawk standing behind him. By his feet were two suitcases—the same ones Leon had taken with him when he first left for his post.

Rosvisser blinked, surprise flickering across her face. She quickly asked:

"You... you weren’t fired, were you?"

A husband returning home with bags and luggage from his workplace—and the first thought in his wife’s mind wasn’t that he quit, but that he’d been kicked out.

Thus reads the epitaph of the once greatest, most abstract Dragon Elder: D.

Leon furrowed his brow with a wry smile.

"No, actually... I resigned."

Rosvisser looked even more confused.

"Resigned? Why?"

Leon shrugged, took her by the wrist, and gestured toward the pavilion in the courtyard.

"Let’s talk over there."

The couple walked to the pavilion and sat down. Leon continued:

"There were a lot of reasons I resigned. For example... during my time in office, our daughters started getting all kinds of gifts and attention from their classmates. Some parents even took the opportunity to give expensive things—like that family I wrote you about, asking you to return the gift. I think we adults can brush that stuff off. We know what it’s about and what’s really going through those people’s minds. But it could really start affecting the girls’ daily lives."

He paused, then added:

"In fact, it already has. Remember last week when Helena came over to visit?"

Rosvisser nodded seriously:

"I remember. And she didn’t seem as cheerful as usual when she arrived... but by the time she left, she seemed much happier."

"Yeah. That’s because Noa had been getting swarmed by classmates trying to butter her up, and it made her neglect Helena. Which hurt Helena’s feelings."

Leon said:

"Those kids were just trying to curry favor with me, the newly appointed Vice Principal, by cozying up to our daughters. The girls haven’t been through ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ this kind of thing before. Even Noa didn’t handle it that well. I’m worried that if it keeps going, it’ll really mess with their sense of self-worth and their values. So... I resigned. And don’t call me stingy in your head. I was thinking about our precious daughters—who aren’t even adults yet but were already being surrounded by a bunch of little bootlickers every day."

Rosvisser let out a soft laugh.

"Mhm~ I think you did the right thing. If it were me, I’d be worried about Noa and the others’ mental health too. So? Were there any other reasons?"

Leon scratched his head. When he got to this part, he seemed a little hesitant. After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

"Also... I don’t think I’m really cut out for office work. When I was in the Dragon Army, I was always on the front lines. These desk jobs just aren’t for me. Don’t even get me started on all the social events and banquets. I can’t stand those kinds of atmospheres."

This, Rosvisser had already suspected. But she’d thought he would gradually adjust. She hadn’t expected him to just up and quit.

Even scarier was how Leon spoke about the whole thing—as calmly as someone who’d just walked out of a collapsing floating fortress and lived to tell the tale.

"Basically," Leon summarized, "If I kept being Vice Principal, it’d negatively affect the girls’ lives and well-being, and I wouldn’t be happy either. All things considered, that’s why I made the decision to quit."

Rosvisser nodded, brushing some hair behind her ear.

"Mhm. If you’re not happy, then don’t do it."

Her tone was somewhat distracted. Leon noticed it too—he could tell she’d been hoping to hear something else.

But she didn’t bring it up. She just lowered her eyes, gazing at the tips of her shoes, legs pressed together, her nightdress fanned around her knees. Her pearly teeth lightly bit into her lower lip. A faint blush crept in, slowly tinting the pale of her lips.

Leon cleared his throat and slid an arm around his wife’s shoulders.

"Of course, there’s one more very, very, very important reason I resigned."

"...What is it?"

"I missed you, Rosvisser."

As soon as the words fell—Leon felt the soft body in his arms stiffen ever so noticeably.

The heat radiating from her back and shoulders spiked dramatically. Leon glanced at her and launched his next offensive.

"And I know you missed me too."

The temperature climbed again. Silver hair tumbled forward, hiding the queen’s now deeply flushed cheeks.

Leon simply held her, rocking gently on the bench with the rhythm of the breeze.

"There’s nothing more important than us being together, Rosvisser. So even if I’d gotten used to the job, even if I could’ve handled all the brown-nosing—I would’ve still come back eventually. Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be."

The queen was about to faint. Looks like those thirty-something days spent alone hadn’t gone to waste.

Damn dog of a man... at least you’ve got a heart!

After muttering two curses internally, Rosvisser managed to calm herself.

Then suddenly, she realized something.

"Wait—if you resigned, who’s going to take over your position?"

Leon chuckled.

"Don’t worry. It’s already been arranged."

...

...

"Vice Principal Claudia! This will be your office. I’m your assistant—just call me Samantha."

Samantha pushed open the door.

The blue-haired beauty stepped in. She looked around the simply decorated office, sizing it up. Not bad. Felt kind of relaxing.

Then she turned and asked:

"Why did Leon suddenly resign?"

Samantha, holding a folder, adjusted her glasses and smiled with narrowed eyes.

"I’m not quite sure myself."

As an assistant, Samantha knew perfectly well what should and shouldn’t be said. If she outright said the former Vice Principal didn’t like the job—no matter what the reason was, it’d leave an impression on the person taking over.

Claudia nodded.

"Didn’t expect Headmaster Wilson to invite me to replace Leon."

Samantha pursed her lips and corrected:

"Vice Principal Claudia, this wasn’t a direct invitation—nor is it a replacement. The academy uses a top-three ranked election system. In layman's terms: if the second-place candidate declines the job, or resigns during the trial period, then the role goes to the third-ranked candidate. According to regulations, you earned this position through your own merit and outstanding performance."

Claudia’s expression shifted slightly—thoughtful.

"I see..."

So she hadn’t disappointed her father.

She didn’t know why Leon had suddenly resigned—but for Claudia and the Sea Dragon Tribe, this was definitely a dramatic turn of events.

She decided to find time to visit Leon personally.

Even if she got this job largely because of the election system, the fact was—if Leon hadn’t stepped down, she wouldn’t have gotten the spot.

So a proper visit to express her gratitude felt necessary.

She walked around the desk and sat down in the chair, letting the evening breeze flow in through the window. A faint smile curved her lips.

"Thank you, Leon."

...

...

Earlier that morning, Leon had arrived at Headmaster Wilson’s office with his resignation letter.

The Headmaster didn’t say much. After all, Leon’s firm decision likely owed at least a third of its strength to this old man himself.

"But with you gone, the Vice Principal seat is empty. Quite the headache," Wilson said offhandedly.

Leon sat across from him, thought for a moment, then said:

"Headmaster, I’d like to recommend Claudia for the Vice Principal role."

"Hm? Why her?"

"She’s capable. Smart. And she clearly wanted the job way more than I did."

Leon’s tone was calm.

"If it’s her, I’m confident she’ll be better at it than anyone. So please—talk it over with the board. See if she can take the post."

Wilson looked troubled.

"I actually think highly of the Sea Dragon Princess too. But since the founding of this academy..."

"There's no precedent like this," Leon finished for him.

"Then consider it me owing you—and the academy—a personal favor."

Wilson paused:

"A personal favor from you, Prince Consort... That’s not something ordinary people can carry lightly."

A hero who had saved the Dragon Race—and the entire continent—from annihilation more than once... now asking for a favor over a Vice Principal seat.

"It’s fine. Truth is, I wouldn’t be where I am today if Claudia hadn’t helped me tremendously. So I want to do something for her, just this once."

Wilson hesitated—but in the end, he nodded.

"Alright. I’ll talk to the board. But... what do we tell Claudia? That you recommended her personally?"

Leon thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Make up something. Say it’s just the way the election system works, or whatever. I don’t want her to feel like I pulled strings for her. Let this ‘small favor’ stay a casual gesture, nothing more."

Wilson stared at the young man before him. His personality and way of thinking were a little strange—but genuinely likable.

What an interesting guy...

Wilson smiled slightly, nodded, and offered Leon a gesture of respect.

"I understand, Prince Consort."