Vol 8. Chapter 33: Solar Eclipse

“Solar eclipse?”

Muse poked her little head out from the soft, fragrant hollow of her mother’s embrace, then turned to Leon. “Dad, what’s a solar eclipse?”

“It’s a very common natural phenomenon. When a star up there blocks the sunlight, the light can’t reach the surface where we live, and the world briefly falls into darkness.”

Leon explained it in simple, easy words.

“From our point of view, it looks as if some monster has swallowed the sun. That’s why people call it a ‘solar eclipse.’ But you know, although eclipses are common, they’ve always been extremely important research subjects for the Starfolk astronomers. They’ve studied the motions of the stars above, including the sun and the moon, in great detail. Solar eclipses are part of that, long since discovered and understood. In this continent, full of dazzling magic, some basic sciences and studies are still necessary. The two complement each other, helping researchers better explore the truth of the world. Still, speaking of this, our Ross is the best.”

Leon stroked Rosvisser’s soft hair, speaking tenderly.

“A solar eclipse is just the sun being covered for a while. We know it’s an astronomical event. But before it was discovered and proven, the Blazing Sun Clan surely had their own explanations, didn’t they? Like... Apollo’s power burning out, the sun extinguishing?”

At that, Rosvisser nodded, while Claudia, eyes closed, clearly also acknowledged something in how the Blazing Sun Clan’s view of eclipses had changed.

“Ten thousand years ago, whenever an eclipse happened, they were terrified. They thought it was the moment their ancestors’ prophecy was coming true, that the sun was truly going out, and that a brave warrior had to don the golden helm and go reignite it. Fortunately, every eclipse ended quickly. After several of them, and with the astronomers’ continued research, the Blazing Sun Clan gradually accepted it as a rare astronomical event. But the sun, after all, is the lamp lit # Nоvеlight # by Apollo’s power and life itself, the light shining over the world. From the very first eclipse they saw, that event naturally merged into their culture and faith, becoming part of their traditions. And that culture has lasted even until today.”

Listening to Rosvisser’s explanation, Leon kept on reading the letter’s contents.

“Oh, at first, even though astronomers offered more scientific explanations, the Blazing Sun Clan still treated eclipses as taboo. Every time one came, they’d hold rituals to pray for it to end quickly. But as the years passed, and as subtle changes in their faith in Apollo took root, they stopped treating eclipses with terror and pious sacrifices. Instead, they turned them into gatherings, banquets—collective events with a celebratory nature.”

“Dad, Claudia says being invited to watch an eclipse in person is the Blazing Sun Clan’s highest courtesy to outsiders. It means they’re showing someone they consider their most sincere, most responsible friend.”

When Leon finished, he folded the letter and leaned back against the sofa, speaking leisurely.

“Not bad, right? See? My idea for that joint exam with the Blazing Sun Clan really paid off. Relations between the dragons and them have skyrocketed since.”

Rosvisser was long used to his smug self-praise. She snorted with a smile, pinching Muse’s cheeks as she said softly,

“Yes, yes, husband. You’re our dragon race’s number one dog-headed strategist.”

“What do you mean, dog-headed?”

“The point is strategist.” Rosvisser’s explanation was unconvincing.

“Somehow I think the point you’re making is dog-headed.”

The queen only laughed, then returned to the matter at hand.

“From the way Claudia just closed her eyes, it seems the choice of which Dragon Kings to invite rests with the Academy. With Principal Wilson there, our family won’t escape this. That old bastard dragon hasn’t shown his face since he got hurt. In the short term there’s no chance of running into that husband-and-wife CP. But an opportunity like attending a banquet in the Blazing Sun City—he’ll never let it slip.”

So Rosvisser’s concern wasn’t unfounded. In two months, neither she, Leon, nor their daughters were likely to escape this invitation.

Leon nodded in agreement.

“True... But either way, that’s two months from now. We’ll see when the time comes.”

“Mm, alright.”

Rosvisser rose from the sofa, gathered all the family’s letters, and placed them together in a box.

She had the habit of keeping them all, and the box was already filled with stacks of old letters collected over the years.

In truth, Rosvisser had never saved letters before. Back then, the only love notes she got were the ones Isha secretly kept for her.

But after marrying Leon and having so many daughters, she gradually picked up this habit.

She felt it was a way to record the changes in their family and the growth of their children.

One day, when she stepped down from her throne as queen and moved with Leon to a hidden farm in Barn for retirement, she imagined taking out those old letters, reading them together—that would be romantic, wouldn’t it?

After putting the box away, Rosvisser clapped her hands.

“Alright, babies. Off to your rooms now. Dad and I are going back too.”

“Good night, Dad.”

“Good night, Mom. Good night.”

“Good night, Dad and Mom.”

“Dad, Mom, good night.”

Watching the daughters say their good nights in every possible combination and head off to their rooms, Leon couldn’t help sighing.

“We really shouldn’t think about more babies right now.”

Rosvisser arched a brow.

“Oh? Why not? They’ve already used up every combination of ‘good night’ and ‘Mom, Dad.’ What would a new baby say?”

“...”

Rosvisser rolled her eyes and gave his rear a playful swat with a queenly swagger.

“Always finding excuses to quip. Come on, let’s go.”

“Alright.”

The couple returned to their room, washed up, and changed into sleepwear before slipping beneath the blankets together.

“Cough, cough—”

Rosvisser gave two soft coughs.

General Leon immediately took the hint.

He sat up against the headboard, folding his arms.

Rosvisser promptly leaned into his chest, and only then did Leon lower his arms, wrapping them around her fragrant shoulders.

Once she found a comfortable position, Rosvisser picked up a novel from the nightstand and began reading under the lamp.

It was one Rebecca had sent over by letter-dragon, something she’d written herself.

The Lionheart Order’s system was gradually running smoothly. With less work requiring her direct hand, Rebecca had more free time.

So she’d started writing novels.

They were mostly romances—the perfect genre for Rosvisser.

“You know,” Leon said suddenly, “Rebecca’s already moving into retirement life ahead of schedule, writing novels. When do we get to stop worrying about the world and just do what we want?”

Rosvisser’s page-turning stilled. After a pause of thought, she lifted her eyes slightly and murmured:

“What, already brooding about saving the world again, my little lion?”

“No, not that. It’s just, I often tell Noa and the others—if you have the strength—”

“If you have the strength, then do the things within your reach, so you won’t regret it later.”

Rosvisser finished the words for him. Her eyes stayed on the book, but her thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere.

Leaning in his embrace, she continued:

“I’ve been thinking... for a long time. They’re growing up day by day. Sooner or later, our daughters—especially Noa—will surpass both of us, surpass all the warriors of today. She’ll take on the burdens we’ve carried, and continue protecting the lives of this world in our stead. And when that time comes... we’ll finally be free to do as we please.”

Rosvisser placed the novel back on the nightstand. Then she rolled over, settling astride Leon’s stomach, lowering her silver eyes to gaze at her lover.

“What’s the matter, husband?”

Leon steadied her waist and slowly sat up, touching his nose lightly to hers, breath mingling.

Rosvisser looped her arms around his neck, a faint smile on her lips.

“Right now, I want...”

“Not allowed to want.”

“Liar. You not only can want—you can...”

Her voice dropped, teasing, “...boldly do.”

Their eyes met, and they both laughed softly. Then, slowly, they leaned toward each other’s lips and melted into a kiss.