Chapter 13: A Fiery Encounter

Walking across the courtyard was a woman Leon had never seen before—or rather, a dragoness.

She was dressed in a flowing red gown, with long, flame-colored hair, and a striking red tail that trailed behind her, even longer than Rossweise's.

Leon recalled something he'd once heard from dragon scholars: the longer a dragon's tail, the older they were. Of course, this only applied to dragons under five hundred years old.

A random thought drifted through his mind,'just how old was Rossweise again?'

'Two hundred or so?'

'Hmph—two hundred and yet she still looks like she's barely in her twenties. Someday, I'll have to ask her how she manages it and pass the secret along to the old lady.'

Leon shook his head, forcing his thoughts back to the scene unfolding before him, watching as the two dragon queens greeted each other.

Rossweise stepped forward to embrace her sister, Isa, who returned her hug warmly. After a few polite greetings, they made their way to a pavilion in the garden, engaging in what seemed like a serious conversation.

Rossweise had mentioned that her sister was coming to discuss some kind of internal dragon matter. Leon smirked, 'Good thing I'm right on time, Your Majesty.'

He closed his eyes, placing his right hand over the dragonmark on his chest.

Meanwhile, beneath the pavilion, Rossweise and Isa sat across from each other.

After a few words, Isa turned to her attendants and said, "Leave us for a while. I'd like to speak to my sister alone."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Once the guards had left, Isa, usually the image of a dignified Red Dragon Queen, immediately sidled up beside Rossweise, throwing an arm around her shoulder with surprising warmth.

"Oh, I missed you so much, my dear sister. It's been a whole year, and you're looking so much more radiant than before."

"Am I? It's... it's nothing much," Rossweise replied, a little flustered.

"I heard that a healthy married life does wonders for a woman's complexion. Little Rose, could it be that your weak, elusive husband... has finally woken up?" Isa asked with a sly grin, her playfully revealed fang adding a mischievous charm that clashed amusingly with her majestic title.

For all her two hundred years, Isa certainly didn't act like a traditional dragon matriarch. In contrast, Rossweise, though younger, appeared more restrained and poised.

"Let's not joke about things like that, Isa…"

Rossweise brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and shook her head. "Yes, he's awake, but he took Luna to the mountains for some training. They won't be back for a few days."

"Oh, that's too bad. I was hoping to meet my little niece."

Isa sighed in disappointment but quickly regained her teasing tone. "But, really, Rose, why did you marry such an unknown dragon? He doesn't even show his tail around. You can't possibly be happy, can you?"

"Well…" Rossweise shrugged slightly. "He's low-key and a bit of an introvert. He's not the type to go provoking other dragons and causing trouble."

The moment she said this, Rossweise felt a twinge of guilt, 'Low-key? Introverted?'

'Please. If Leon got his hands on a weapon, he'd probably be the first to charge at me', And as for "not provoking others," he'd likely go on to take down half the dragon kingdom while he was at it.

"Fine, fine, your personal matters are your own. Now, let's move on. I'm actually here to talk to you about the Crimson Dragon King. He's planning to expand his territory—"

"Ah…"

Rossweise suddenly winced, gripping her chest as a slight discomfort washed over her.

Isa frowned. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"It's... nothing, Isa. Please, go on."

Forcing a smile, Rossweise tried to keep her expression calm, though her chest felt tight from the familiar, unsettling warmth that had begun to spread through her.

Internally, however, she was furious, cursing Leon in silence.

She'd known the moment he asked, "Is this meeting important?" that he was up to something.

But she hadn't expected him to exploit the dragonmark she'd placed on him.

When two dragons marked by a shared dragonmark begin to "miss" each other, the marks create a reaction. And in this case, "miss" encompassed more than mere longing—it stirred up something more… intimate.

'That damned dragon slayer… he has absolutely no shame.'

Taking a steadying breath, Rossweise forced herself to appear unruffled.

Isa, reassured by her composure, continued, "As I was saying, Constantine, the Crimson Dragon King, is preparing to—"

Rossweise didn't catch a word of what Isa said next. She had zero experience with matters of romance, let alone with the workings of the dragonmark, so she hadn't anticipated just how intense this reaction could be.

A dull heat flared through her, her tail curling involuntarily, legs pressing together as she clenched her jaw to suppress the sensations. She could feel her pulse quickening, as if every fiber of her being were alive with an uncomfortable, overwhelming need.

"Constantine's—Rose, are you sure you're alright? You're looking flushed," Isa observed with concern.

Despite her casual, carefree personality, Isa was genuinely worried when her sister showed signs of distress.

Rossweise managed a strained smile. "I'm fine. Could you excuse me for… just a few minutes? I'll be back soon."

"Alright, want me to come along?"

"No, I'll be alright," Rossweise replied, trying to keep her tone even.

With that, she rose and hurried back to the Silver Dragon Palace, struggling to keep herself under control.

—

Rossweise stormed into Leon's quarters, searching for the culprit behind her torment.

Holding up the hem of her gown, she glanced around the room with barely controlled fury. Luna was peacefully asleep in the bedroom.

But then she spotted Leon lounging on the balcony, tea in hand, with "Little Dragon's Tales of Wonder" resting on his lap. His entire demeanor was so nonchalant it was infuriating, and it seemed he was blissfully unaware of the simmering rage emanating from her.

Not until she closed the door to the balcony with a snap did Leon finally acknowledge her presence, looking up in apparent surprise.

"Well, you seem pretty relaxed, Leon," she commented icily.

Setting down his teacup and book, Leon rose to his feet with an innocent expression. "Something wrong?"

'Feigning ignorance, are we?' Rossweise could see right through him. He knew exactly what he'd done.

"Wrong? Care to explain why the dragonmark just activated? Don't play dumb."

"All I did was… miss home a little," Leon replied, sounding utterly sincere.

"Stop talking nonsense. The dragonmark activated because you've been thinking about me—don't even try to deny it."

The truth was written plainly on both of them: a faint, purple glow pulsed from their dragonmarks, unable to hide the mutual pull it created.

It was a forced, undeniable bond that neither of them could escape.

Despite Rossweise's angry glare, Leon remained calm, feeling secretly triumphant.

'Yes. This is exactly the reaction I wanted.' [T/N: He is slowly falling into love.]

After everything she'd put him through, he didn't mind a little payback.

"I don't understand. How is it my fault for 'missing' you?" Leon asked, his voice somehow coming off with a hint of petulance, as if he were the one being wronged.

'Wait… why did that sound so whiny?'

Leon was taken aback, realizing he'd meant to retort with something far sharper. But, despite himself, the words came out softer, making him sound almost… vulnerable.

Rossweise's face went from shock to utter bewilderment as she took in his response, her sharp eyes blinking in disbelief.

In the silence that followed, a flush crept up her pale cheeks, slowly spreading all the way to her ears.

'Wait, hold on—'

She had come here to reprimand him, yet here she was, momentarily stunned by the strange, unexpected softness of his tone.

'I… miss you too?' The thought momentarily slipped through her mind, and she quickly stamped it out.

'No! She wasn't here to indulge in this nonsense!'

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to speak.

"Count yourself lucky this time, Leon. If you ever do this again, I won't let you off."

"Oh no, I'm terrified."

"Ugh, insufferable!"

"Alright, alright, I'm insufferable."

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