A certain dragon-slaying hero is the type who responds to softness, not hardness. After pretending to be a married couple for so long, how could Rosvisser not understand him by now?

After some heartfelt words, the stubborn, straightforward man's expression finally softened—it wasn’t as gloomy as before, where he looked like he had eight hundred dragon lives hanging over him.

He put away the list of names, exhaling in relief, and then said, "Thanks."

Leon thought the ever-generous queen would respond with a casual "You're welcome."

But to his surprise—

"Just a verbal thanks?" The beauty smirked mischievously, giving him a sidelong glance.

Her gaze made it clear that she expected more from him than just words.

Leon shrugged, unfazed. He wasn’t afraid of "paying up" anymore.

Ever since he opened the first of the Nine Infernal Gates, his physical abilities had been transformed—reborn, almost.

Whether it was fulfilling his duties or engaging in a little fun, General Leon could handle it all.

"If you want something, just say it."

As he spoke, Leon edged closer to Rosvisser.

The silver-haired beauty’s eyes glimmered slyly, noticing his subtle movements.

Hmph, males... tease them a little, and they come running. Where’s that old resolve of yours, the one that said you'd rather die than give in? Oh, mighty dragon-slayer~

Rosvisser watched as Leon slowly moved closer, her gaze trailing from his waist upward until, as he finally pulled her into his arms, it rested on his ruggedly handsome face.

She leaned back slightly, her soft abdomen pressing against Leon, and despite her backward posture, her full, soft chest still lightly grazed his.

Rosvisser feigned a hesitant attitude, her lips curling into her signature wicked smile.

She didn’t make the first move, choosing instead to lure her captive with nothing but a sultry glance.

Meanwhile, Leon’s thoughts raced: *I’ve already taken the initiative and embraced you, so shouldn’t the next step be your turn?*

*Why are you just smiling at me like that? If you’re going to do something, do it!*

The couple stood on the balcony under the night sky, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes, yet neither made the next move.

Leon’s gaze slowly lowered, eventually landing on her lips.

He swallowed unconsciously; just looking at those lips brought back the memories of how they felt every time they intertwined.

Exquisite, intoxicating.

Noticing the man drooling over her lips, Rosvisser decided to play hard to get. She parted her lips ever so slightly.

Leon thought she was finally going to kiss him.

But alas, no.

She merely bit her lower lip, those soft petals denting under the pressure of her pearly teeth, like a rose being gently ravaged.

Leon couldn’t bear to look any longer and instead met her eyes again.

In them, he saw nothing but challenge.

It was as if they were daring him: *Come on, aren’t you going to kiss me?*

Eyes that spoke volumes were always the most alluring. Those silver pupils were like a quicksand that Leon was sinking deeper and deeper into.

The wind tonight was wild, making his heart itch.

Finally, he couldn’t suppress the urge any longer and leaned in to kiss her.

The queen didn’t resist, but she didn’t respond either, merely waiting for her captive to offer her a kiss.

Just as Leon’s lips were about to reach her sweet scent, Rosvisser suddenly lifted a finger and pressed it against his lips.

Stopped in his tracks.

She laughed, like a fox that had just pulled off a clever trick. "So you listen to my emotional counseling and then think you can kiss me? You really want to have it all, don’t you?"

"Tch... It’s not like I care that much."

General Leon withdrew the kiss he had been about to give and released his "fake wife" from his embrace.

Rosvisser chuckled softly, smoothing her hair as her flushed face gradually cooled. Then she said,

"You’re the captive, I’m the queen. You’re only allowed to kiss me if I permit it. Got that?"

"Weren’t you just my wife a second ago? Now you’re the queen again? You Melquevian dragon women flip faces faster than flipping a page."

"Wrong. All women flip faces quickly, especially those who’ve become wives."

"Haha, very funny, *wife* Rosvisser."

Leon paused, realizing the implication of his words, and then asked, "Wait, are you admitting that you’re—"

"Admitting what? I didn’t admit to anything."

Rosvisser turned away, flicking her tail, clasping her hands behind her back, and hooking her right hand’s index finger with her left. She walked off the balcony in her dragon-wing slippers, her back to Leon as she slowly said,

"Until you can’t help but confess to me, don’t expect me to admit anything."

Oh, so that’s it.

The Silver Dragon Queen wants me to confess—version 2.0.

This wasn’t the first time Rosvisser had hinted at a confession from Leon.

When she had first brought him back from the Empire, Rosvisser had mentioned something about a confession.

At the time, Leon had thought she was just joking around.

After all, despite being married, having kids, meeting the parents, and playing the part of a loving couple in front of others—things had been harmonious, even when it came to more intimate matters—

But a confession? That seemed a bit too ambiguous.

Yet, the more Leon thought about it afterward, the more it didn’t sit right.

Even if it was a joke, with her personality, she wouldn’t make light of something as serious as a confession.

Maybe the joke about the "Silver Dragon Queen wants me to confess" was half-serious.

Who knew what was really going on in Rosvisser’s head?

And now, here she was bringing it up again...

Leon couldn’t figure out what she really wanted.

Did she want to give this fake relationship a real name?

Or something else?

And he wasn’t sure if he was ready to give that so-called "confession."

It wasn’t a matter of success or failure—because their relationship was far too unique.

In a normal man-woman confession, there are only two possible outcomes:

Success—kiss;

Failure—get slapped.

But between Leon and Rosvisser, there were many more possibilities than just success or failure.

Besides... Leon was still the Empire’s most wanted criminal.

Even if by some one-in-a-million chance they did "get together," what if something happened to him afterward? Wouldn’t that make Rosvisser a young widow?

And knowing the Silver Dragon Queen’s personality, she would probably mourn him for hundreds of years.

So... how does that saying go—

*How can I focus on love when the world’s not at peace?*

Leon sighed silently, turning back to the balcony to gaze out at the night sky.

His thoughts were a mess. Even though Rosvisser’s little talk had lightened his mood somewhat, new worries quickly took their place.

How was he supposed to deal with his and Rosvisser’s...

"Hey, why are you still pretending to be cool? I thought you’d follow me in."

Her voice came from behind him.

Leon turned around.

She was kneeling on the bed, leaning forward, her head peeking out to look at the balcony.

"It’s late already. Let’s go to bed early, okay? If you stop overthinking and come to bed now, your queen will reward you with the goodnight kiss you’ve been craving. How about it?"

"...A goodnight kiss is not what I crave the most. So childish."

"Alright, alright, I’m childish. Now can we sleep? I have to get up early for work tomorrow."

Leon: "Beg me."

Rosvisser: "Beg you."

Leon: "Begging won’t help, hehe."

"Then you can sleep outside tonight. Don’t bother coming to bed."

Furious, Rosvisser got out of bed, walked to the balcony door, and locked it behind her.

Leon panicked, rushing to the door and knocking on the glass.

"Hey, hey! You’re serious?"

Separated by a door, the couple stood on either side.

Rosvisser stood in the warm room, barefoot, hands on her hips, tilting her head in smug satisfaction.

"Oh, mighty dragon-slayer, since you refuse to share the queen’s bed, you can sleep under the stars tonight and experience the most primitive form of rest."

"Dragon woman! Open the door!"

Rosvisser laughed. "Beg me."

Leon: "Beg you."

Rosvisser: "Begging won’t help, hehe."

Leon: "?"

Damn it.

It’s Izanami.