"I also want... to try it."
"...And what's your reason this time?"
"To study hard, improve every day, and grow up to become a dragon useful to the Silver Dragon Clan."
Little Light patted her chest, her eyes firm like someone enlisting in the army.
Leon looked at his youngest daughter suspiciously, thinking her reason for enrolling was a bit questionable.
'Baby, are you really not signing up just to go have fun at school?'
Since his daughters wanted to learn more knowledge, Leon naturally wouldn't refuse.
However, bringing up this reason for enrolling again inevitably reminded General Leon of the reason why Noah signed up for Saint Heath Academy at the "old age" of one year and two months: ("To defeat more dragon slayers!")
Seriously, it was too heartwarming.
Leon couldn't help but wonder, 'After the three daughters graduate from the academy, will they turn me, their old father, into their graduation project?'
'Well...'
Anyway, since Luna and Little Light had made up their minds, Leon would definitely do his best to tutor them.
There was still a month until the next entrance exam for Saint Heath Academy, the same as when Noah had entered.
So Leon was pretty confident he could help the two girls pass the exam smoothly.
Noah was highly talented, and Luna and Little Light weren't far behind.
Although Little Luna usually slacked off and acted laid-back, that was only after she had already mastered everything she needed to learn.
More importantly, Leon wasn't the kind of parent who'd say, "Since you already learned that, can't you study ahead? All you do is play."
Putting too much pressure on kids often backfires.
As for Little Light, there was even less to worry about.
Born with the Saint Physique of a Scientist, reading and learning was like breathing to her, simple and an indispensable part of life.
In the future, Little Light would be able to research reverse spatial magic all on her own, her research ability spoke for itself.
Besides, Leon already had experience tutoring Noah.
This time, the father and daughters taking on the Saint Heath Academy entrance test would be a piece of cake~
"Although that indeed sounds very easy, don't you think you've overlooked something?", At night, after listening to Leon's beautiful vision, Rossweise raised the question.
"Overlooked... what?"
"Saint Heath Academy has always placed importance on family education, so for the entrance exam, in addition to testing the young dragons, they also conduct an additional assessment on the parents."
Rossweise, dressed in a sheer nightgown, sat on the couch in the living room with her long legs crossed, leaning lazily against the back, "Didn't we also take that compatibility test when Noah enrolled?"
Leon suddenly remembered.
What the mother dragon said was true.
Saint Heath Academy did have that rule.
He still remembered when Noah enrolled, he and Rossweise weren't very familiar with each other, so they had to stay up all night playing "Truth or Dare" to get to know each other better.
It was during those few nights that they discovered that, at least in terms of appearance, they both matched each other's XP—
Ahem, but that wasn't the point.
The point was—
"We already did the test when Noah enrolled. Do we still have to do it again now?", Leon asked.
Rossweise nodded, "If a dragon family has two children, and both take the academy test, and the interval between the two tests is less than a year, then the parents don't need to retake the compatibility test."
"But if it's over a year, then you have to retake it."
Leon raised an eyebrow, "There's a rule like that..."
"Mm, because although dragon lifespans are long, a year is still enough time for many things to happen, things that might change a person, or even change a couple's relationship, don't you think?"
After hearing Rossweise's explanation, Leon pondered it carefully.
That did make sense.
A year wasn't long or short, but it was enough to alter a relationship between two people under certain circumstances.
Maybe for better, or maybe for worse, there was no way to predict it.
So the academy making this rule was reasonable.
"It's already been two years since Noah enrolled. We definitely have to take the second compatibility test," Rossweise spoke slowly, the corners of her mouth curling into a soft smile, looking at the fake husband beside the bed, "So, Leon, want to do another round of confession game?"
It had been two years.
Thinking back to then, the two of them were still at odds. If not for their daughter, they would've already fought.
But now, two years later...
Sure, they'd fought, but most of the time, the fights were on the bed, and even accidentally fought out another daughter.
Where's the logic in that?
So, Rossweise thought it was quite necessary to do another round of confession game.
Leon thought pretty much the same.
And there was another reason, opportunities to hear this mother dragon speak honestly and not act tough were rare.
He had to cherish them.
"Sure. Then—"
"Wait a second."
Rossweise put down her long legs, stood up from the couch, and walked toward the storage room in her dragon-wing slippers, "Since there's still a month until the test, our confession game can take its time. So-oh, here it is."
As she finished speaking, she walked out of the storage room holding a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses.
"So we can drink while confessing. What do you think?", Rossweise smiled brightly and shook the glasses in her hand.
Leon pressed his lips together, feeling a bit nervous.
He remembered last time the mother dragon made him drink a glass of wine, and then his mouth got pried open easily by her.
His first straight shot—"Melkvei, I like you"—was thrown out after that glass of wine.
Now Rossweise wanted to make him drink again, 'Ha, no way!'
"No thanks. I'm not feeling well, I can't drink much," Leon made up an excuse.
"Not feeling well? Then you have to drink," Rossweise walked over, grabbed his wrist, and led him to the balcony, "Our dragon wine isn't the same as you humans'."
"How's it different?"
"Our wine heals. Especially for not feeling well," Rossweise said seriously with a straight face.
Leon smiled stiffly, "Then when I retire, I'll start smuggling red wine between the Empire and your Silver Dragon Clan. Might even make a fortune."
While chatting, the couple arrived at the small table on the balcony.
Rossweise placed the two wine glasses on either side, then popped open the wine bottle with a pop and poured the liquid into the glasses.
"Hmm? So you're not opening a farm after retiring?"
After pouring, Rossweise sat down leisurely, resting her chin on one hand and looking at Leon, her silver lashes fluttering, "I still wanted you to teach me horse riding."
"I never said I'd open a farm with you...", Leon muttered.
"Oh, so in 'marry a woman who's not pretty nor ugly', that 'woman' wasn't referring to me, huh?", The queen feigned disappointment.
Leon instinctively retorted, "Of course not."
Upon hearing that, Rossweise paused, and her smile stiffened slightly.
She lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "Oh, I see."
Leon snuck a glance, 'Yep, the mother dragon looks unhappy.'
Panic rising inside, he opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
He knew their conversation just now was typical husband-wife banter, but that last line—"of course not"—had slipped out without thinking.
If it were before, back when their relationship wasn't this close, it would've been fine.
But now, things were different.
Different stages call for different kinds of conversations.
The same sentence, at different times, could have completely opposite effects.
"B-Because you're really pretty," Leon mumbled, "You're so pretty, you totally exceed my standards."
After he finished, he snuck another look at Rossweise's reaction.
As expected, women are auditory creatures, and mother dragons were no exception.
She fought to keep her lips from curling up, and retorted, "Oh, so being pretty is my fault now? Then go find an ugly one, don't come to me."
"Let's not do that. If there's a pretty one, who'd go for an ugly one?"
Leon grinned, pulled out a chair and sat down, "Old saying goes, how could a woman protected by a lion fall for a stray dog?"
The queen rested her cheek on her palm and raised an eyebrow, "And then?"
"After being pampered by an angel, how could a man willingly fall?"
General Leon was really like an old perv wearing a bra, one trick after another.
"Who pampered you, huh? Idiot, don't talk nonsense."
Aside from when she was jealous, Rossweise was actually easy to coax. Just give her a way down, and she'd take it, Leon was secretly relieved.
But he didn't realize, in this whole world, only Leon Casmod had such a privilege.
Anyone else? Want to coax the Silver Dragon Queen with just a few words?
Keep dreaming~
After the little interlude, Rossweise slowly raised her wine glass, "Then, confession game, start?"
Leon looked down at the red wine on the table.
Looks like he wouldn't escape the mother dragon's wine tonight.
"Alright. Let's go."
After a pause, Leon added, "But this time, you can't force me to... to say those weird things."
Rossweise smiled softly, "Okay, I won't force you. Come on~"
She raised her glass toward Leon.
Leon also picked up his wine glass and gently clinked it with hers.
After the clink, the two each took a small sip.
The wine was rich and mellow, her treasured collection from years past. Even Leon, who didn't usually drink, could taste its depth.
"First question..."
Rossweise turned to face Leon directly.
She rested one arm on the table, the other hand cupping her delicate face, silver hair falling past her ear. Her beautiful eyes gazed at the man in front of her and she asked softly,
"In these past two years... have you fallen in love with someone?"
"..."
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