Vol. 2 Ch. 102

Late in the evening, Leon leaned against the balcony railing, gazing out at the temple’s backyard.

Thanks to Queen Rosvisser’s passionate and heartfelt (and slightly manipulative) speech earlier, the Silver Dragons’ interest in “having children” had reached unprecedented heights.

Now, they were throwing a party in the courtyard.

Of course, there wasn’t a direct cause-and-effect relationship between wanting children and holding a party—that would be a bit too... literal for the Silver Dragons.

They were simply celebrating the fact that their tribe had weathered the latest crisis and, under their queen’s leadership, were now on their way to a brighter future.

Leon’s eyes fell on the silver-haired beauty in the crowd.

She stood out, radiant, the firelight illuminating her delicate face as she laughed, linking arms with the maids and dancing around the bonfire in a traditional dragon dance.

Her plan had been progressing smoothly, and she had already achieved initial success. Most of the tribe members were slowly becoming brave enough to open themselves up to the idea of falling in love with someone.

A few days ago, when Rosvisser had first mentioned this idea to Leon, he had asked her whether it was for the tribe’s revival or if it was something she truly believed in.

Rosvisser had thought about it and answered that it was both.

In the past, she would never have allowed her emotions to influence her decisions.

But after spending so much time with Leon, Rosvisser had started to change quietly.

She was willing to embrace new ideas and put them into practice through her commands.

She was also willing to use her own relationship with Leon as an example to help the tribe better understand what true "love" looked like.

Even after fifty years as queen, she was still evolving.

One of the things Leon admired most about her was her relentless curiosity and determination.

They were quite alike in that way—beyond just their physical attraction, they shared a deep appreciation for each other’s admirable qualities.

Leon exhaled slowly, turning his gaze to the night sky.

He wasn’t much of a drinker, so he hadn’t joined the Silver Dragons’ bonfire party.

Besides... Rosvisser’s speech earlier had been so *emotionally stirring* that whenever Leon thought about it now, his toes curled in second-hand embarrassment.

And what was all over the courtyard?

Pieces of Leon’s metaphorical goosebumps!

He winced, thinking back to the overly sentimental scene, narrowing his eyes at the dancing female dragon, muttering under his breath, “Was all that really necessary? So cheesy...”

Shaking his head to rid himself of the awkward memory, Leon left the bedroom and made his way to the sisters’ room where Noa and her siblings were staying.

It was late, and the children were already fast asleep.

Leon stood at the door for a moment, just looking in without disturbing them, then quietly left.

Next, he headed to the temple’s grand hall.

Rosvisser’s new throne had been completed, and before the bonfire party started, she had told Leon to wait for her there.

It had all been very mysterious—he had no idea what she was planning.

His eyes fell on the new throne at the top of the stairs, and he mused to himself, **Is she going to show off her new workplace?**

At best, it was the queen’s throne;

At worst, it was the queen’s *office cubicle.*

Either way, it worked.

Leon hesitated for a moment before walking up the stairs to the throne.

“Wow, it’s a lot bigger than before. You could fit two people on this,” he said as he carefully sat down.

The moment his backside touched the cushion—

Ah!

Leon closed his eyes, savoring the way the soft seat perfectly cradled his body. In that moment, he had an epiphany.

**No wonder they rebuilt it—this isn’t a throne anymore. It’s a VIP luxury recliner!**

Hah, Rosvisser, you’ve grown soft!

How could a workaholic like her allow such a comfortable seat?

I suggest moving this to my bedroom; you can just get a little stool for yourself.

Leon shifted into various positions on the throne.

Lying horizontally, vertically, legs in the air, flipping over like a fish, hanging upside down, standing on one leg…

“This is amazing!” Leon, who had seen much in his life, couldn’t help but praise it.

This throne supported so many different ways to rest—Rosvisser had really put a lot of thought into it.

But after enjoying himself for a while, Leon began to wonder.

“Huh... something’s off. With her personality, she wouldn’t just rebuild a throne for no reason. She’s not one to indulge in consumerism.”

He stroked the armrests of the throne, confused about why she’d gone out of her way to reconstruct it.

And even though it was still called a ‘throne,’ what kind of Dragon King’s throne was this spacious?

It was so spacious Leon could practice his military drills on it!

“I guess I’ll ask her when she gets back. If it’s just an excuse for extravagance, I’ll have to teach her a lesson!”

Leon waited on the throne, time slipping by.

The bonfire in the courtyard burned low, and the sounds of the party slowly faded.

Leon was starting to feel drowsy.

In a daze, he heard the sharp click of heels approaching from behind the throne.

He didn’t need to turn around—the rhythm of the footsteps told him exactly who it was.

“Little lion~ my little lion~ are you here?”

She was humming some random tune, her words slurred—she must have drunk too much.

Leon kept his gaze forward, rolling his eyes in exasperation. He had no intention of greeting her.

**Out drinking so late, and she still remembers this is home?**

It wasn’t until the faint scent of wine reached his nose that Leon finally looked up at her.

Rosvisser’s cheeks were flushed, her gaze unfocused, her face glowing with a slightly silly smile, and she was holding half a bottle of wine in her hand.

“Good morning!” she greeted him.

“How much did you drink?”

Rosvisser thought for a moment, trying to remember.

She raised two fingers.

“Just two bottles and you’re like this? If you can’t drink, don’t.”

“Two cases.”

“...”@@novelbin@@

Leon raised his thumb in silent acknowledgment.

Rosvisser squinted, giggling, and then without any hesitation, she sat down on Leon’s lap.

She wasn’t a delicate, slender woman—she had the healthy curves of a queen. When she sat on Leon’s lap, he could clearly feel her weight.

“You really don’t hold back, do you?” Leon teased, though his hands instinctively supported her waist to prevent her from losing balance.

“This is the temple. What if someone sees us?”

“It’s fine, no one will see,” Rosvisser said. “I gave them the night off. Tonight, it’s just the two of us in the whole hall.”

Leon sighed. “So, what was this all about? Did you just get drunk and forget the way back to the bedroom, so you want me to carry you?”

“Of course not. I remember the way to the bedroom perfectly.” Rosvisser proudly puffed out her chest.

Leon doubted that. “Then tell me, which floor is our bedroom on?”

“Um... third floor!” Rosvisser raised five fingers.

“It’s on the fourth floor.”

“Aaaah! I meant the fourth floor! Yeah, the fourth floor!” She quickly corrected herself, lowering two fingers.

This is ridiculous.

Leon slapped his hand over his face.

Great.

No saving her now.

He pulled her hand down, sitting up straight and bringing his face closer to hers, “Put down the bottle. Let’s go to bed.”

“No.”

“Why not? You’re clearly drunk.”

“It’s rare that it’s just the two of us. Going to bed this early would ruin the mood.”

Leon snorted, “What ‘mood’ are you talking about? Let’s just go to bed.”

“I said no!”

Rosvisser stubbornly clung to his shoulders, her tail wrapping around his leg.

Her breath, warm and tinged with the scent of wine, brushed against Leon’s lips.

He had to admit—Rosvisser, when slightly tipsy, was even more irresistible than usual.

Her face was flushed with a rosy glow, like the aftermath of a night of passion. She was full of allure, and just a glance made Leon’s heart itch.

Leon couldn’t argue with her, so he resigned himself to waiting until she sobered up a bit.

She sat on his lap in a relaxed position, her soft chest pressing against his, close enough that their lips were almost touching.

Her lips brushed against his, teasingly close but never quite making contact. She knew that if she kissed him now, Leon wouldn’t refuse.

But she deliberately held back, stoking the fire between them, letting it grow even hotter.

“How was my speech today?” Rosvisser asked.

“You want the truth?”

“Of course.”

“It was too cheesy! My skin’s still crawling from it.”

“How was it cheesy? Didn’t you see how much our people approved of us? It shows that our act as a loving couple has really won them over. I’m just using that to push my plan for promoting live births. Hmph, idiot, you don’t understand anything.”

Leon’s thoughts stirred as he tightened his hold on her waist. Then he asked, “So, all those things you said in your speech... were they from the heart?”

Rosvisser raised an elegant eyebrow.

“What do you think? Of course not,” she said, leaning

down, resting her head on his shoulder as she playfully toyed with his earlobe. “It was all just to make them believe in love. I had to make it sound touching. You didn’t... take it seriously, did you?”

“I did. Are you going to take responsibility?”

At that, Rosvisser suddenly sat up, a flicker of surprise and delight crossing her tipsy face. She huffed and replied, “Then you’re in trouble. I’m not taking responsibility. Everything I said was a lie. If you took it seriously, that’s your problem, not mine.”

“Is that so, Rosvisser?”

Leon’s hand slid down to the base of her tail, gently stroking it with his fingertips.

Rosvisser’s body went weak for a moment, though her voice remained stubborn. “Of course it is! I don’t love you... not at all.”

She lay on Leon’s chest, her fingers unconsciously tightening around his shirt.

Rosvisser bit her lower lip, the alcohol clouding her mind as a sudden wave of frustration surged up inside her.

Finally, she grabbed hold of Leon’s collar, sitting up abruptly to look him in the eye, and with absolute confidence, she denied everything she had just said.

“I like you. Everything I said earlier was true. I’ve fallen in love, and it’s a disaster. What are you going to do about it?”

Leon had already figured out that the tipsy dragoness was just being contrary. Given the amount she had drunk, it was only a matter of time before she spoke the truth, so he hadn’t been in any hurry.

“Why are you laughing?” she pouted. “I’m only saying this because I’m drunk. Tomorrow morning, when I’m sober, I won’t admit to anything!”

“Got it? Say something!”

She playfully pushed his shoulder.

Leon continued to smile softly.

Sitting up straight himself, he kept one hand on her tail while the other gently stroked her smooth, delicate back.

“Say more, Merquisser.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Didn’t you say that since you’re drunk, nothing you say counts, and tomorrow you won’t admit to any of it? So, if that’s the case, saying a little more wouldn’t hurt, right?”

Getting a drunk dragoness to talk was as simple as coaxing a child.

And Leon was a master at handling children!

Sure enough, Rosvisser wavered.

She turned her face away, her flushed cheeks burning even brighter as she murmured like a shy child, “What do you want to hear?”

“Say you want to be with me forever.”

Rosvisser pouted. “No... Ah~ stop pinching my tail, you bad man...”

She made a half-hearted attempt to push Leon’s hand away, but he still held her tail firmly.

“Say it. You want to be with me forever.”

The blush reached the tips of Rosvisser’s ears.

She bit her lip, wanting to say it but too embarrassed to speak.

**Forever together**... even if she was drunk, saying something like that still made her shy!

This damned man, always taking advantage of her when she was vulnerable.

“I want... I want to be with you... forever!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Rosvisser buried her face in Leon’s neck as if she were trying to hide from someone.

She clenched her toes, even her tailtip curling up—finally understanding the second-hand embarrassment Leon had felt earlier during her speech.

It wasn’t until she heard Leon’s soft laughter that Rosvisser raised her head, lightly tapping his chest with her hand.

“Are you satisfied now?”

“Very satisfied.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts, Leon. Tomorrow, I won’t admit to any of this.”

Leon calmly brushed his hand across her flushed cheek, then slowly slid his hand down to her neck, gently guiding her closer.

He gazed into her alluring, slightly tipsy silver eyes and whispered softly,

“Then let’s make tomorrow come a little later, Melkvi.”