### Chapter 122: Time to Spend Money
The next morning, after more than an hour of studying, Moon found herself on a leisurely walk in the back garden of the Holy Temple with Leon. They were taking a break.
The father and daughter duo settled down on a bench under a shady tree, chatting about what Moon had just learned.
Not too far away, a few Dragon Maids were gossiping, each wielding a tiny cake in their hands like the treasures they were.
Leon had outdone himself with Roswiser’s birthday cake yesterday; he’d gotten a cake that was so ridiculously huge, that even with Moon and himself along for the ride, they wouldn’t finish it until the next century.
So Roswiser had cleverly asked Anna this morning to chop it into bite-sized pieces to distribute to the maids.
Yet, even after that, there was still quite a bit of cake left.
Roswiser had accused Leon of wastefulness.
Leon shot back, “Oh come on, Mother Dragon! You’re just trying to kick the donkey after the load is off, burning the bridge after crossing it, forgetting the well-digger after drinking water, and who can forget the monk after finishing the scriptures—you’re just so ungrateful!”
Roswiser had no idea where his avalanche of wordplay had come from and didn’t feel like bantering back.
Plus, she’d had a great time at her birthday yesterday. Even if it wasn’t a grand occasion celebrated once every decade, it was still quite ceremonial. So for now, she decided to let Leon have a pass.
After all, she didn’t want him to accuse her of being ungrateful.
Moon blinked her pretty big eyes, staring longingly at the delicious little cakes the maids were holding, and with a gulp, she swallowed hard.
In little Dragon Maid’s world, cake was the second most delicious food—right after that heavenly steak made by Mom.
But she’d already had one piece this morning. Dad had said breakfast didn’t need too much cream and that she could wait till lunch or afternoon for more.
But the temptation of those tiny cakes was simply too much! To satisfy her sweet tooth, Moon decided to employ some rare cleverness.
After a little thinking, she gazed up at Leon. “Dad.”
“What’s up?”
“Do you have any regrets?”
Leon was taken aback, not quite sure why his sweet little daughter suddenly wanted to have such deep conversations.
Wasn’t she usually asking things like, “Can we have steak for lunch?” or “How about for dinner?” or “What about for a midnight snack?”
But he decided to ponder for a moment.
Regrets…
Oh, he had plenty of those. Bucket loads, in fact.
But most of those would be far too heavy for a child to handle.
So, Leon just shook his head. “After having you and your sister, I’ve got no regrets, really.”
Moon didn’t break into a smile upon hearing this. Instead, she sighed theatrically, “Sigh, but Moon has regrets.”
Sweetheart, you’re barely over one year old. What regrets could you possibly have?
Regretting that your stomach is too small to fit an entire platter of steak?
“So what’s Moon’s regret?” Leon asked curiously.
Moon didn’t answer right away. Instead, she countered with a question, “Dad, if a dragon has regrets, does that mean she’s not happy anymore?”
Leon’s mind was racing as he sensed there was more to his daughter’s words. After a thoughtful pause, he cautiously nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then does Dad wish for Moon to always be happy?”
“Uh… of course.”
“Does that mean Dad will help Moon solve her regrets, right?”
“…… Sure.”
Once she got her dad’s approval, Moon’s serious little face broke into a grin. “Then, Dad, Moon’s regret is that this morning I only had one piece of cake, and I want to eat more!”
Leon’s brain nearly crashed from the sudden twist.
Unexpectedly sharp, Moon K. Melkway!
When did you transmute from a cute, innocent little dragon into a sly negotiator who digs pits for her own father?
Could it possibly be that Roswiser’s mischievous genes were kicking in? Making her an astonishing little tactician when it comes to outsmarting Leon?
Definitely must be that.
So it’s all Roswiser’s fault.
Sly Mother Dragon, give me back my daughter!
Shaking those thoughts away, Leon pinched Moon’s little face.
“First of all, if you want something from Dad, just say it! No need to beat around the bush.”
Moon nodded earnestly. “Dad, I want cake.”
“Secondly, you can’t have too much cake.”
Moon pouted, “Really, can’t I, Daddy?”
Leon frowned slightly: “Nope.”
Moon, with her sad puppy eyes, reiterated, “Really, really can’t I?”
Leon’s eye twitched a little: “No, you really can’t…”
“Daddyyy~~~”
Leon covered his face with both hands, completely defeated.
Three times “Daddy,” and the fiercest dragon slayer became a doting father on the spot. Pay me 50 bucks for steak, and I’ll tell you all about it.
After giving in, Leon raised one finger, “One piece, you can have one more piece at most.”
“Yay! Dad is awesome! Long live Dad!”
Little Dragon Maid jumped with excitement and planted a loud kiss on Leon’s cheek.
A warm feeling surged in his heart.
So what if he’s a daughter slave? What’s so bad about that?
But amidst the joy, Leon also sensed something alarming.
Did you two sisters uncover a trick to make your old dad obedient?
A few days ago, Noia asked him to teach her lightning magic; he agreed, and she gave him a kiss.
Now Moon wants more cake; he agreed, and she kissed him too.
What sort of unfair trade is this?!
Since when did a kiss suffice to learn magic or indulge in cake!?
Do you two not realize your old man is all about equality and fairness, stern and unyielding?
So, if there’s going to be a next time—
You’ll both need to step up your game!
“You little greedy dragon, wait here! Dad’s going to get you some.”
“Yay~”
But before Leon could even get up, Head Maid Anna came over with two small cakes.
“Your Royal Highness, Your Highness Moon, please enjoy.”
“Thank you, Anna~”
“Don’t mention it, Your Highness.” Anna replied with a smile.
Leon took one of the cakes, which had a delightful little orange slice on top.
He didn’t dive in right away but instead looked up and asked, “How many are left?”
“Quite a bit, Your Royal Highness. The birthday cake you prepared for Her Majesty was… well, too grand.”
Leon shrugged. “It’s a birthday after all; isn’t it nice to make it grand?”
Anna nodded. “True. Oh, by the way, Your Royal Highness, I saw the lightning glow on the back mountain last night; that was also prepared for Her Majesty, right?”
“Uh…”
He wasn’t keen on discussing that, as it would provide the Dragon Maids with gossip material about their shipping fantasies.
Food can be consumed randomly, but don’t mess with the shipping!
Honestly, he wasn’t that close with your Queen…
“Was it activated through a magic array to achieve that effect?” Anna inquired.
Leon silently nodded.
Coincidentally, after explaining the mechanism and principles of the magic array to Moon that day, Noia mentioned Mom liked fleeting beauty. So he smartly combined the two ideas and created the spectacular lightning effect from last night.
“Truly, Your Royal Highness, many of us saw it. Everyone praised you for being romantic and heartfelt; you’ve truly won Her Majesty’s heart.”
Hmph, even a casual move from me is peak romanticism! You all dragon folks could take a lesson… Leon couldn’t help but feel a wave of pride.
“I’m eagerly anticipating what surprise you’ll prepare for Her Majesty’s next birthday,” Anna said with bright eyes.
Leon forced a smile, suppressing a grimace, and made a noncommittal noise.
Next time?
There won’t be a next time!
In Captive Suffering Chronicles, I can plan a “birthday for a dragon,” but you can’t expect it to happen again!
