19 Why Do You Think I’m Not Laughing?
Roswiser planned a family dinner.
Not only did she reward Moon with her favorite fried steak, but it also served as a chance for that oblivious Dragon Slayer to meet his longed-for Eldest Daughter.
The dinner spread was all lovingly cooked by Roswiser herself.
Her cooking skills were quite impressive—no wonder Moon was so eager to devour her fried steak.
After about an hour’s busywork, a feast was finally ready.
Roswiser took off her apron and glanced at Leon, who had a face that practically screamed “I can’t wait!”
“Moon, go call your sister for dinner.”
“Okay!”
Moon bounced off the chair, hopping her way out of the room.
Meanwhile, Roswiser took her seat at the head of the table, popped a little rubber band into her mouth, then raised her hand to tie her long silver hair into a ponytail, securing it with the band.
Once her hair was tied up, seeing Leon still watching her with a playful glint in his eyes, she asked, “What’s up?”
“What’s it like to have two kids at once?”
“Tch—”
Roswiser thought he’d have something serious to say, but here he was, reveling in that question like it was a trophy.
“Ah, such a pity,” Leon sighed dramatically.
“Pity about what?”
“Not being able to witness the birth of our two daughters. It’s shameful, really.”
Facing Leon’s teasing, Roswiser just smiled lightly. “No big deal. If you really want to see me give birth again, we could—”
Leon’s grin froze, and a chill ran down his spine. “We could?”
“Have a few more rounds of practice to get a second child.”
“… No need for that.”
“Hmph, idiot.”
Wow.
That “Hmph, idiot” sounded just like Moon’s tone from earlier. What a pair of mother-daughter genius comedians!
After a brief verbal sparring match, the door unlocked, and two sets of footsteps approached slowly.
“Dad, Mother, Sister’s here~”
With that childish voice, two identical little dragon girls entered the dining room.
Long black hair with silver highlights, dressed in fancy little skirts, and wearing chic white stockings.
Their features and height were perfectly matched—no differences whatsoever.
The only superficial difference? Moon had a silly little tuft of hair that stands up or flops down with her emotions, while Noia did not.
Of course, aside from the silly hair trick, you could also tell who was the sister and who was the younger sister just by their expressions.
Moon was always smiling, her face beaming with a sunny, adorable grin.
Noia, on the other hand, looked perpetually serious, like a tiny adult.
“Good evening, Mother.” Noia said respectfully.
“Alright, introduce yourselves. This should be your first formal meeting,” Roswiser said.
“Yes, Mother.”
Noia’s cold gaze slowly shifted to Leon.
“I am Noia K. Melkway, the first daughter of the Silver Dragon Queen Roswiser, one year and two months old.”
Her choice of words was rather sophisticated—definitely not the typical tone and demeanor of someone her age.
Well, considering the only other peer Leon had met until now was Moon, she set the bar pretty low!
Noia’s mannerisms and demeanor contrasted starkly with Moon’s.
“Leon, are you not going to introduce yourself to your daughter?” Roswiser prompted.
“Oh, right… sorry.”
Leon cleared his throat, squatted down to be eye level with Noia, and began, “Hi, Noia, I’m Leon Casmod, your dad.”
Noia looked into his eyes, neither shy nor arrogant, replying crisply, “Acknowledged.”
Leon froze.
“Acknowledged? What on earth is that?
Why does it feel so bizarre to hear such formal language from a one-year-old girl?”
Seriously, no daughter would respond to her dad with such an abstract retort, right?
Before he could fully process her response, Moon nudged Noia’s sleeve and whispered, “Sister, say more! Don’t make Dad awkward!”
Noia turned to her sister, seriously saying, “Little ones should not interrupt when adults are talking.”
“Ugh…” Moon pouted, fiddling with her fingers, and meekly stepped back behind Noia.
Clap clap—
Roswiser stifled a giggle, clapping her hands. “Alright, introductions are done, now let’s eat!”
Noia took her sister’s hand and guided her to the table.
Though both were too short for the chairs, Noia effortlessly lifted her sister onto one first.
Then she walked to the nearby chair, using her hands to assist her hops until she made it up.
Roswiser looked at Leon, who was still somewhat dazed. “What’s wrong? Is your appetite gone?”
Leon snapped out of it, awkwardly returning to his seat.
Roswiser took her seat at the head of the table, while Leon sat across from his two daughters.
The table was set for a feast meticulously prepared by Roswiser.
Moon was itching to dig into the fried steak.
But before she could start, Noia intercepted her.
With a blank expression, Noia picked up a napkin from the table and carefully draped it around Moon’s neck.
“Right hand for the kn*fe, left hand for the fork. Don’t mess it up this time, Moon,” Noia instructed.
“Uh-huh! I definitely won’t mess it up, Sister.”
“Good, eat up.”
Leon silently observed this unfolding scene. Despite getting a metaphorical slap in the face earlier, he had to admit this little girl was far more mature than she looked.
Whether that maturity was a put-on or genuinely her, her behavior surpassed Leon’s wildest expectations.
Now, Roswiser, she seemed quite accustomed to it all.
It appeared Noia’s early maturity and responsibility were entirely expected by her.
The three ladies began enjoying their steak while Leon picked up his fork, ready to taste Roswiser’s cooking.
The steak was cooked to perfection, juicy and tender; as he took a bite, the subtle meaty aroma wafted through.
“Sister, I can’t cut this.” Moon called for help.
Noia nodded, taking the kn*fe and fork from Moon and expertly cutting the steak on the plate. “Make sure your thumb applies pressure too!”
“Uh-huh, I got it!”
“Alright, dig in.”
Once the steak was cut, Noia returned the fork to Moon. Then, she looked up at Roswiser, asking, “Mother, do you need me to cut yours as well?”
“No, thank you.”
“Okay.”
Hearing this, Leon looked up at Noia.
What a coincidence! Eldest Daughter was looking at him too.
Leon’s heart filled with joy.
Was she going to ask him if he needed help?
Should he let her help? That would be a great opportunity for her to showcase herself. But would that make her think Dad can’t do anything?
On the other hand, if he rejected her help, would that be inappropriate?
Leon was torn.
Ah, better to see what she says first.
Noia opened her mouth.
Leon’s heart raced with anticipation.
She opened her mouth again.
Was she too shy to say it?
No worries, they were family, they’d get familiar with each other in no time.
Come on, say it, dear daughter!
“Not your concern.”
Noia mouthed those words.
Leon wasn’t blind; he saw it loud and clear.
But before he could respond, Noia suddenly let out a loud “Achoo!”
She quickly pulled out two napkins. “Sorry, Mother, I couldn’t hold it in.”
Roswiser covered her mouth, trying not to burst into laughter, waving her hand. “It’s okay, I almost couldn’t hold it either…”
Moon blinked her eyes, “Mother, why are you suddenly so happy?”
Roswiser concealed her smile with a napkin, attempting to maintain her composure. “Because Dad is happy; that makes me happy too.”
Moon’s eyes lit up. “Oh? Why is Dad happy?”
“Because Dad finally met the last family member he always dreamed of and had dinner with us. Moon, don’t you think Dad should be happy?”
Moon looked at Leon with eager eyes. “Is that true, Dad? Were you really looking forward to this family dinner?”
Leon: …
Actually, not really… not that much.
“The child is talking to you, Leon. Aren’t you excited? You wanted to meet your Eldest Daughter, and now your wish has come true! So come on, don’t stifle that happiness. Smile, Leon, come on!” Roswiser seized the moment to poke fun.
“Ha, ha, ha, ha, I’m just over the moon with happiness, dear family!” Leon exerted a grin that looked more like a grimace.
“Yay! So can we have dinner like this every day?” Moon suggested eagerly.
Roswiser nodded with a smile, because why not torture Leon a little more?
Moon looked back at Leon, “Dad, is my idea bad? Why aren’t you laughing again?”
Leon: Guess what? Why do you think I’m not laughing?
