Chapter 19: Why do you think I’m not smiling?

Rosvitha prepared a family dinner. Not only did she reward Muen with her favourite seared steak, but also took this opportunity to let that dragon slayer, who didn’t know the heights of heaven and earth, get to know his beloved daughter.

Rosvitha all personally cooked the dishes for the dinner. Her culinary skills were impressive, no wonder Muen was so eager to enjoy her personally cooked seared steak.

After busy work for about an hour, a table full of rich dinner was ready. Rosvitha took off her apron and looked towards Leon at the side of the dining table. His face was filled with impatience and eagerness.

“Muen, go call your sister to come and eat.”

“Okay!”

Muen hopped off the chair and happily ran out of the room.

Rosvitha sat at the head of the dining table, holding a small hair tie in her mouth. She lifted her hand, reaching behind her swan-like neck, and tied up her silver hair. Finally, she secured it with the hair tie.

After tying her hair, Rosvitha noticed Leon was still looking at her with a mischievous expression, so she asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Feeling regretful for not witnessing the birth of our two daughters,” Leon sighed.

Facing Leon’s teasing, Rosvitha smiled lightly, “It’s okay. If you really want to see me give birth, we can—”

Leon’s face froze, “We can?”

“We can have more children, actively plan for another child, maybe even a second.”

“…There’s really no need.”

“Hmph, fool.”

This “hmph, fool” sounded exactly like Noia’s tone at noon.

After exchanging a few words, the door lock echoed, and two footsteps slowly approached.

“Dad, Mother, I’m here, big sister!”

With the innocent voice of a child, two identical dragon girls entered through the dining room door. Black long hair, silver highlights, and luxurious little dresses paired with delicate white stockings. Their features and height were identical. If there was one visual difference, it would be Muen’s antenna on her head that would stand up or lie down based on her mood, which Noia didn’t have.

Of course, besides the antenna method, you could also tell who the older sister and the younger one were from their facial expressions.

Muen liked to smile, always smiling with a cute and sunny expression.

On the other hand, Noia always kept a serious face, like a little adult.

“Good evening, Mother,” Noia said respectfully.

“Yes, introduce yourselves. This should be your first formal meeting,” Rosvitha said.

“Yes, Mother.”

Noia’s cold gaze slowly shifted towards Leon, “I am the eldest daughter of the Silver Dragon Queen Rosvitha, Noia K. Melkvi, one year and two months old.”

Her choice of words was quite refined, completely unlike the tone and demeanour of someone her age.

“Well, considering Leon’s only point of reference for someone of their age is Muen.”

Her way of speaking and gestures were worlds apart from Muen’s.

“Leon, don’t you want to introduce yourself to your daughter?” Rosvitha said.

“Oh, right… sorry.”

Leon cleared his throat, walked up to Noia, half crouched down, maintaining eye level with her, “Hello, Noia, I’m Leon Casmode, your dad.”

Noia looked into his eyes and calmly replied, “Noted.”

“Read.”

Leon was stunned.

Read, what does that mean?

Why did it feel so awkward for a one-year-and-two-month-old girl to use such formal language?

When had a daughter ever responded to her dad with such an abstract phrase as “Noted”?

Finally, before Rosvitha burst into laughter, Muen leaned over to Noia, tugged at her sleeve, and whispered, “Sister, say a little more, say a little more. Don’t make Dad feel awkward.”

Noia glanced at her sister and solemnly said, “Children should not interrupt adults when they are talking.”

“Mmm…” Muen pouted, played with her fingers, and silently stood behind Noia.

Clap, clap —

Rosvitha suppressed a smile, clapped her hands, and said, “Alright, introductions are done. Let’s eat.”

Noia led her sister to the chairs by the dining table. Even though neither could reach the chairs, Noia lifted her sister, letting her sit first. Then she went to the adjacent chair, put her hand on it, pushed, and with a kick, she got onto the chair.

Rosvitha looked at the still somewhat dazed Leon and asked, “Why aren’t you at the table? Can’t you eat anymore?”

Leon snapped back to reality and sheepishly returned to his seat. Rosvitha occupied the head of the dining table while Leon sat across from his two daughters.

On the table lay a dinner meticulously prepared by Rosvitha. Muen couldn’t wait to dig into the pan-fried steak on her plate, but before she could start, Noia intervened.

Noia, with a poker face, picked up a napkin from the table and earnestly placed it around Muen’s neck. “Hold the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left, don’t forget this time, Muen,” Noia instructed.

“Mmm, I won’t forget, sister,” Muen replied.

“Alright, go ahead and eat,” Noia said.

Leon quietly observed the scene across the table. Despite being dismissed by his elder daughter earlier, he couldn’t deny that this little one seemed much more mature than her appearance suggested.

Whether this maturity was intentional or innate, her performance exceeded Leon’s expectations.

Now, let’s look at Rosvitha. She seemed accustomed to all of this. The early maturity and responsibility of her elder daughter seemed expected.

The three of them began to enjoy the steak, and Leon picked up his fork to taste Rosvitha’s cooking. The steak was perfectly seared, with delicious and tender meat. Taking a bite, the aroma gently wafted into his nostrils.

“Sister, I can’t cut it,” Muen sought Noia’s help.

Noia nodded, took the knife and fork from Muen, and helped cut the steak. “The thumb also needs to exert force.”

“Mmm, I got it,” Muen said.

“Alright, go ahead and eat.”

After cutting the steak, Noia returned the fork to Muen and looked at Rosvitha, asking if she needed help cutting hers.

“No need, thank you,” Rosvitha replied.

“Alright.”

Leon looked up at Noia, wondering if she would help him too. Coincidentally, Noia was looking at him.

Leon felt a bit amused. Was his daughter also asking if he needed help? He waited to see her response.

Noia opened her mouth. Leon’s expectations were high. She opened her mouth again. Was she feeling embarrassed to say something?

“It’s okay, everyone is family, and we’ll get more comfortable as we talk.

Come on, say it, my good daughter!” He said.

“No need for you,” Noia said.

Leon wasn’t blind. He could see clearly. But before he could react, Noia suddenly sneezed.

“Achoo!”

Noia immediately pulled out two napkins. “Sorry, Mother, couldn’t hold it in.”

Rosvitha covered her mouth and chuckled, trying not to appear too unrestrained. She waved her hand, “It’s, it’s nothing. I almost couldn’t hold it in either…”

“Mother, why did you suddenly become so happy?” Muen asked.

Rosvitha used a tissue to cover the corner of her mouth, making herself look less out of control. “Because Dad is happy, so am I.”

“Really, Dad? Have you been looking forward to this family dinner?” Muen asked.

Leon: …

Actually, not that much.

“The child is asking you a question, Leon. Aren’t you looking forward to it? Aren’t you happy? You wanted to see your elder daughter, and I made it happen. So, don’t suppress your happiness, Leon. Smile, just smile,” Rosvitha said, playfully nudging Leon.

“Haha, I’m so happy, my dear family,” Leon grinned halfheartedly.

“Great! How about we have dinner like this every day from now on?” Muen suggested.

Rosvitha smiled and nodded. She wouldn’t veto anything that tormented Leon.

Muen looked at Leon again, “Dad, is my suggestion not good? Why aren’t you smiling again?”

Leon: Sweet daughter, can you guess why I’m not smiling?