There's an old saying: "A brief separation makes the reunion feel like a honeymoon."

Although this couple never experienced a honeymoon, the recent days apart had certainly worked in their favor.

From the brief moment of genuine emotion they shared during their goodbye, to the perfect level of longing that had built up over their days apart, culminating in their reunion in the rain—everything had aligned perfectly.

The emotional buildup was naturally followed by the next step: turning all that pent-up longing into action.

Outdoors, in the open air, clothes scattered on the grass.

Rosvisser leaned against the bushes, the rough texture rubbing against her delicate back. From this angle, she could fully appreciate the handsome, determined look on Leon’s face.

The more she looked, the more captivated she became. How could anyone look so perfect? Every inch of skin, every scar, every contour—it all hit just right on her aesthetic taste.

She lifted her hand and brushed it across Leon’s face, feeling the heat beneath her palm.

Silver and black eyes met, and Rosvisser softly whispered, her voice gentle,

“Kiss me.”

She didn’t hold Leon’s head forcefully, merely resting her hand on his face, waiting for him to lean in willingly.

Leon placed his hand gently on the back of hers.

“You really want me to kiss you?”

“Don’t you?”

“Isn’t what I’m doing now… enough for you?”

With that, he strengthened his movements, reinforcing his “simple attack.”

Rosvisser certainly felt the intensity of Leon’s “advances.”

And yes, she was quite satisfied.

Despite the two of them having always navigated a relationship of mutual torment, that didn’t mean they weren’t familiar with each other’s “pressure points.”

Practice makes perfect, after all.

But still, a woman always wants more.

Rosvisser furrowed her pretty brows, her cheeks flushed, and gently traced Leon’s lips with her fingers.

“I just want you to kiss me. Less talking, more action.”

“Is that how you ask someone for a favor? Hmm?”

When an "artist" reaches a moment of inspiration, the brush becomes heavier and more intense, pressing into the paper until it crumples.

Leon knew how to balance Rosvisser’s needs, just as she knew his little tricks.

Whenever Leon felt like he had the upper hand in their relationship, Rosvisser would make a request, and he would “tease” her, drawing it out with questions, using every opportunity to provoke her further.

And every question was followed by a deepened “brushstroke.”

Rosvisser knew exactly how this worked and enjoyed watching her “adorable captive” pour all his passion into this “calligraphy session.”

“And what tone do you want me to use? Should I call you… husband?” Rosvisser teased, her delicate face flushed, adding a touch of allure to her smile.

Leon leaned in closer, their faces nearly touching, and he whispered, his voice low, “Say it, little dragon.”

Rosvisser grinned and tugged playfully at his ear. “I… won’t.”

Before Leon could respond, Rosvisser opened her mouth slightly and gently bit his earlobe with her small, sharp teeth.

It tickled and hurt just a little.

Of course, Leon wasn’t going to let her get away with that.

The dragon-slayer’s stamina recovered far quicker than expected. A few hours ago, he’d been sitting under a tree in the rain, completely drained, and now his energy bars were fully replenished.

It seemed fitting that the strongest dragon-slayer could tire out the dragon queen, whether on the battlefield or in more… intimate arenas.

After a brief struggle, the Silver Dragon Queen finally admitted defeat.

“I was wrong… I was wrong, Leon… I won’t do it again…”

Normally, she wouldn’t have given in so easily.

But, given how long it had been since their last encounter, Rosvisser thought she might as well play the role of the “soft and delicate wife” for once, letting her captive enjoy a taste of dominance.

The result? Exactly as she had predicted—the dragon-slayer’s grin grew wider and wider.

“Now you admit it?”

“Mm… I won’t make you kiss me anymore…” The rare sight of the Silver Dragon Queen looking so pitiful was enough to make anyone swoon.

Leon brushed her damp hair away from her face, his fingers lingering on her flushed cheek as he breathed softly against her skin, his breath warm and intoxicating.

He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her warm lips.

After a brief kiss, Leon lifted his head slightly, looking into Rosvisser’s eyes without saying a word.

Rosvisser stared back, instantly understanding what this idiot was thinking.

Ugh, he’s playing coy.

Alright, fine. Let him play. After all, if he doesn’t play now, he might not get the chance later.

Blushing, she averted her gaze, acting like a shy young bride.

“Husband.”

“Look at me when you say it.”

Ugh, childish man.

With no other choice, Rosvisser met Leon’s eyes and, with exaggerated seriousness, repeated,

“Husband.”

Satisfied with the sound of it.

Since he was pleased, Leon stopped tormenting his little dragon and continued with the next steps.

Marriage is, after all, a mutual process of taking care of each other.

About an hour later, the birds in the forest were startled by a bone-chilling dragon’s roar, flapping their wings as they scattered from the trees.

After the couple reached their peak, they lay on the grass, relishing in the afterglow.

Since it was outdoors, and in broad daylight, even though no one was around, the shame quickly hit after the “mission” was complete.

Rosvisser hastily put her dress back on, exhausted, and leaned against the bushes.

Leon’s shirt had dried by the fire. He retrieved it from the stick and slipped it on before sitting down beside her.

Post-lovemaking, there’s usually some light conversation—good for passing the time and recovering energy.

“So, did you catch the traitor on your trip back?” Rosvisser asked.

Leon nodded. “Yes, I did. It was—”

“Don’t tell me! Let me guess!” Rosvisser interrupted, suddenly in a playful mood.

Leon chuckled, turning to look at her.

Whether he did it on purpose or not, that smile carried a bit of a doting air, as if he was more than happy to indulge her in this childish game of guessing the traitor.

“Alright, go ahead. Guess,” Leon said.

Rosvisser thought for a moment. “Was it that female gunner?”

Leon raised an eyebrow. “Why do you sound so excited, like you want her to be the traitor?”

Rosvisser pouted. “No! I’m just guessing! Why should it matter who I pick? Anyway, am I right?”

“Nope.”

“Ah, too bad.”

Leon: ?

So she really was hoping it was Rebecca! What Silver Dragon Queen? More like Silver Dragon Jealous Queen!

“Then… was it that noble’s little son?”

Leon shook his head. “No, it was the eternal second-place guy.”

“Oh~~ And what did you do about him?”

Leon made a gun gesture with his hand and mimicked shooting himself in the head.

“Bang~.”

Rosvisser smiled. “Didn’t you feel bad?”

“About what?”

“After all, he was once your comrade.”

“This sort of thing… As a queen, shouldn’t you understand this better than I do? Traitors cannot be allowed to live.”

Rosvisser tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and nodded in agreement.

When you’re in power, you inevitably deal with traitors.

Rosvisser, in her years of ruling, had seen many such situations.

She had only asked to get a feel for Leon’s mindset. If the dragon-slayer had been shaken, she would’ve used her century of experience to console him.

But fortunately, Leon was always stronger than she expected—in every way.

After finishing their talk about the traitor, Leon asked,

“Are we heading home now? Noa and the others haven’t seen us in days. They’re probably worried.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Rosvisser stood, dusting off her dress with a hopeful expression. “I bet once we get home, the girls will come running to us for hugs.”

After having their second child, Rosvisser’s maternal instincts had definitely blossomed.

Which was a good thing. It was much better than the cold, emotionally distant Rosvisser she used to be.

Hmm…

Maybe this means Leon could try for a third child...

After all, their second daughter, Aurora, still had many dragon-like traits, which meant Leon’s prenatal education plan had completely failed.

If he wanted a child with more human characteristics, he’d have to hope for better luck with a third.

But that was just a thought for now.

Sure, a third child would be great, but the ten months of pregnancy were quite an ordeal for Leon as well.

Best to think carefully.

After getting dressed, the couple started heading toward the Silver Dragon Sanctuary.

“So, who do you think the girls will hug first, me or you?” Leon asked.

“Obviously me,” Rosvisser said.

“Good. I appreciate that confident attitude of yours.”

“Confident? Hmph, just you wait. The girls will definitely run to me first.”

Ah, now that’s more like it. If I don’t get into a little spat with this dragon lady every day, I, Cosmody, feel uncomfortable all over!

The two continued their playful banter as they walked back to the Silver Dragon Sanctuary.

The front courtyard of the sanctuary was quiet, with only a few guards patrolling. There were no maids in sight.

Rosvisser frowned slightly. "That's odd. By this time, Anna and the others should be up and working. Why aren’t they here?"

Leon shrugged. "Maybe they’re slacking off while you’re away."

Rosvisser shot him a look. "I trust my staff. They’ve always been diligent with their duties."

That was true. If you work for a workaholic like Rosvisser, there’s no doubt that her team would also be dedicated and serious about their responsibilities.

Not lingering too long in the courtyard, the two headed inside, climbed the stairs, and knocked on the door of the sisters’ room.

There was no response.

Leon tried the door handle, and the door swung open.

The couple exchanged a glance, nodding at each other before stepping into the room.

“Noa, Moon, are you here? Mom and Dad are back!” Leon called.

Still, no response.

They walked through the entryway and into the bedroom, but there was no sign of the two sisters or their youngest daughter.

As they stood there confused, the scent of smoke wafted in from the backyard.

Both of them hurried out to the balcony and looked down into the back garden.

There, they saw all the maids gathered, and Noa and Moon were standing in front of a bonfire, muttering something to each other.

Moon was holding a plate of grilled steak.

Rosvisser, puzzled, asked, “What… are they doing? A picnic?”

Leon, however, had a different reaction. He rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply.

"Ah, I knew it!"