PAID

As the evening settled, the Dragon Kings' secret meeting finally came to a close.

One by one, the Dragon Kings who had eyed Konstantin’s power as an opportunity to seize the Primordial Force began to take their leave.@@novelbin@@

In the now-emptied council hall, only a few figures remained: Leon and Rosvisser, their elder sister, the Sea Dragon Princess Claudia, and the Thunder Dragon King Odin along with the Golden Sand Dragon King Morgan.

Odin and Morgan were engaged in a hushed conversation, barely acknowledging Leon’s presence. Leon glanced at them briefly, refraining from making any effort to initiate a conversation.

After all, even though the other Dragon Kings had backed his proposal in the final vote, it had only been out of respect for Odin. That didn’t mean Leon felt the need to express personal gratitude. In the political arena, he’d learned well: **trust no one**.

However, politics wasn’t of particular concern to the lovely woman at his side.

As most had departed, she approached the Melkvey family trio with a smile.

“Well-spoken and thought out, Leon,” Claudia complimented him, her voice softened as if to bridge the gap that had grown during their absence from each other. She even made a rare attempt at a joke, “No surprise, given you’re ‘the Empress’s son.’”

‘The Empress’s son’—that was a line from *As Love Fades to the West*, an old play where Leon had ironically played Claudia’s son.

Leon cracked a grin. “Always the comedian, aren’t you, Claudia?”

After the brief pleasantries, Claudia got to the heart of her visit.

“Helena recently told me about your intervention in the northern lands. I’m grateful for your quick actions and bravery. And extend my thanks to Noa as well; she’s a smart and courageous girl.”

“Yes, we’ll let her know,” Rosvisser replied smoothly.