After several rehearsals, Leon and Rosvisser gradually became more comfortable around Claudia. 

Once they got to know her, the couple realized that Claudia wasn’t as intimidating as she might have seemed. She was intelligent, possessed high emotional intelligence, and carried herself with such refinement that it left no room for criticism. Being around someone like her was… easy.

“Congratulations, Leon. Now you can call me ‘Mother Empress’ without hesitation,” Claudia teased.

“Still feels a bit awkward, but if it helps the kids succeed, anything goes, Claudia,” Leon replied with a grin.

By now, they’d dropped the more formal “Mr. Cosmod,” …