In the evening, the family enjoyed an outdoor barbecue by the beach.

Leon stood by the grill, apron on, holding tongs as he carefully worked on a fine piece of beef leg. The charcoal beneath crackled and flickered, sending occasional sparks into the air. The beef on the grill sizzled, its rich aroma wafting into the air.

On either side of Leon stood his two little dragon daughters, Noa and Moon, each holding a fork, eagerly waiting to devour the beef that was being grilled.

This beef was far superior to the armored yak meat that Moon usually ate. After all, this was high-quality food provided by the exclusive Dragon Tribe resort, something that wasn’t available in just any place.

Rosvisser, not being a foodie herself, simply stood behind Leon holding Aurora. Although she was an excellent cook herself, she didn’t have any particular demands when it came to food. As long as it was tasty, nutritious, and safe, it was good enough for her.

Aurora, still too young to eat grilled beef, would have to wait at least another week before her teeth could handle it. However, her sense of smell was quite sharp.

As soon as she smelled the grilled meat, she babbled in baby talk, reaching her little arms toward Leon’s back.

Rosvisser gently pinched her daughter’s cheek. “Aurora, you can’t eat yet. Mommy has something else for you.” 

With that, she sat down on a lounge chair and began spoon-feeding Aurora a nutritious smoothie she had prepared. Aurora, despite being tempted by the smell of the meat, obediently sipped on her smoothie.

Rosvisser smiled warmly. Taking care of her daughter gave her a deep sense of accomplishment.

Watching Aurora grow little by little and become more affectionate toward her filled Rosvisser with a profound satisfaction.

She had felt a similar but faint feeling when she cared for Noa and Moon over a year ago. Back then, Leon had been unconscious, unable to share her burden, and her feelings toward him were still driven by a thirst for revenge. Her heart had been filled with sorrow and uncertainty.

After all, carrying the child of your sworn enemy and giving birth to it couldn’t possibly be something easy to accept.

But that didn’t mean Rosvisser didn’t love Noa and Moon. She loved them just as much as Leon did.

Now, though, as they maintained this *false* family, everything was peaceful. To the outside world, they appeared to be a perfect couple. No one could tell that they were pretending.

Even though their daughters were born into a *false* family, the love they received was absolutely real.

And that was enough. More than enough, in fact—this life far exceeded Rosvisser’s expectations.

However... behind these beautiful lies, someone always had to carry the weight of the deception.

What Leon didn’t know was that during her pregnancy with Aurora, Rosvisser often had nightmares.

In her dreams, Leon would leave the Silver Dragon Palace, abandoning the false family, leaving behind his loving daughters. And, of course, leaving her behind as well.

Whenever this dream invaded her consciousness, Rosvisser would wake up in the middle of the night, heart pounding.

She couldn’t remember the details of the dream, only that Leon was gone.

No terrifying scenes, no anguished cries—just his silent departure was enough to leave Rosvisser drenched in cold sweat.

But when she turned to see him still beside her, her racing heart would gradually calm down.

It was all just a dream.

Rosvisser didn’t understand why she had such dreams, why they disturbed her so deeply.

After thinking it over, she figured it was because she feared that the family she had worked so hard to maintain could crumble in an instant.

Just like the time Leon returned to the Empire. Those five days were a torment she could never fully express.

Five days and five nights, nothing more than a blink of an eye in the lifespan of a dragon, yet for Rosvisser, they were the most agonizing five days she had ever experienced.

She was afraid Leon wouldn’t return. She feared that the months between their visits would stretch too long. She worried that one of those meetings would be their last.

Even now, though the danger had passed, Rosvisser still occasionally recalled the feelings of dread from that time.

The only person in the world who could make the great Silver Dragon Queen lose sleep and peace of mind... was Leon.

Ugh.

It was frustrating.

Fine.

She’d give him an attitude later—without telling him the reason—and make him guess.

“Waa waa~” Aurora had finished her smoothie and was now happily tugging on one of Rosvisser’s braids.

Such a sweet little girl—when Leon held her, she’d uppercut him. But in her mother’s arms, she merely played with her hair.

Rosvisser teased Aurora. “Grow up soon, sweetie. That way, your uppercuts will be even stronger.”

“Baba~” Aurora babbled, swinging her little fists.

“The meat’s done. Come eat, I’ll hold Aurora,” Leon called out as he took off his apron and walked over.

Rosvisser stood up and handed Aurora to Leon.

Leon eagerly leaned in to nuzzle his daughter’s face, but—

*Smack!*

Uppercut!

“Wah wah~” Aurora giggled happily.

Leon had no idea why Aurora always seemed to hit him with an uppercut. He swore he didn’t teach her this during prenatal bonding...

Rosvisser covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. “It seems our little girl is destined to be at odds with you.”

“Tch, she’s just a baby. She punches everything she sees. You try holding her, she’ll hit you too.”

“Aurora would never hit me.”

“Wanna bet? Try it.”

“Fine, I will.”

Rosvisser bent down and brought her beautiful face close to Aurora’s.

Aurora raised her little fist, looking ready to strike.

Leon’s eyes lit up—Yes, yes, hit her!

“Wah wah~” Aurora babbled in baby talk and gently squeezed Rosvisser’s cheek.

Rosvisser playfully rubbed her face against Aurora’s hand and straightened up, looking at Leon. “See? I told you she wouldn’t hit me. She only hits you.”

“That’s impossible! It’s just a coincidence.”

Leon, refusing to believe it, leaned in toward Aurora again.

And, as expected—

*Smack!*

Uppercut!

“Why!!” For the first time, Leon felt that parenting was more challenging than slaying dragons.

Rosvisser patted his shoulder. “Ah, don’t worry. It’ll get better.”

“You mean she’ll stop hitting me?”

“No, I mean you’ll get used to it.”

“... Go eat your grilled meat, I’m done talking to you.”

Rosvisser chuckled, eyes narrowing in amusement, and was about to turn away. But then she asked, “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I had a bit earlier, still not too hungry.”

“Oh, alright then.”

She didn’t press further and went back to the grill to eat with Noa and Moon.

Meanwhile, Leon gently placed Aurora on the lounge chair and crouched beside her, looking at her with a serious expression.

“Alright, sweetie, let’s try again. This time, no punching Daddy, okay? Let’s have a nice cuddle instead, alright?”

When a dad gets stubborn about bonding with his daughter, not even eight dragons could hold him back.

Leon slowly leaned in toward Aurora again.

Aurora tilted her head, watching her father inch closer, and let out a soft babble before slowly raising her little hand.

Leon’s heart swelled with anticipation. *This time, I’ll finally get to cuddle with my little girl~~*

*Smack!*

Uppercut!

“Wah wah~” Aurora clapped her hands, clearly excited.

After taking his fourth punch of the day, Leon gave up.

He lay flat on the sand, utterly defeated.

Noticing the commotion, Noa looked over and blinked. “Why is Daddy lying down?”

Rosvisser took a small bite of the grilled meat, looking at the tearfully laughing Leon, and snickered.

“Probably just tired. He’ll be fine later. Let’s continue eating.”