38 With Dragon Patterns Present, What’s There to Fear?
The city lived up to its name.
The Sky City of the Dragon Race hid far in the clouds, and only those with outstanding flying abilities, like high-flying beasts, could reach it.
After several hours of flying, Leon’s family finally arrived at the outskirts of the Sky City.
Due to their massive size, the dragons had plenty of space to land, accommodating several giant dragons at once.
Roswiser chose a relatively spacious spot to land.
Leon jumped off her back, holding his daughters, and Roswiser folded her wings, transforming back into her human form.
“All right, let’s head in.”
Each of them carried a daughter as they walked toward the entrance.
Stepping through the city gates officially marked their entry into the dragons’ metropolis.
Wide streets, a dazzling array of exotic treasures, diverse shops, and—
Everywhere they looked, there were big lizards with tails!
Leon couldn’t help but swallow hard, his legs trembling slightly.
Roswiser shot him a glance and huffed, “What’s with the shaking? Scared?”
“It’s a thrill shake!” Leon said, eyeing the dragon residents up ahead.
“A thrill shake?”
“Prized dragons everywhere—this is a jackpot!”
Roswiser silently facepalmed.
Ah, the dog man’s profession is kicking in again.
With a flick of her tail, she swatted Leon’s backside, “Hurry up, we’re on a schedule!”
The family of four headed to the photo studio.
Roswiser had booked a top-tier photo booth that was guaranteed to impress.
Just standing outside, Leon could feel the heavy aura of artistry.
He always thought dragons were just fierce, brutish beings. Before, he’d find it hard to connect “dragon” and “artistic photographs.”
To dragons, isn’t art just war and slaughter?
That was Leon’s stereotype.
However, as he delved deeper into the world of dragons, he discovered things weren’t as he’d pictured.
Aside from the obvious tails, how different were they really from humans?
“Come in,” Roswiser said, pushing the door open.
“Oh, coming!”
Leon followed closely behind, holding Moon.
Inside, the walls were lined with artistic photos of all styles.
The photographer was a middle-aged woman wearing glasses—oh, wait, should be called a middle-aged mother dragon.
She looked gentle, dressed modestly, and wore a warm smile.
She approached Roswiser and shook her hand, saying, “It’s an honor to capture a family portrait for the Silver Dragon Queen.”
“Not at all! Everyone says that Miss Selina here is the best photographer among the dragon folk. Getting a slot with you is our luck,” Roswiser replied.
“Your Majesty flatters me. Now, let’s try on some outfits first.”
“Sure.”
While following Selina to the fitting room, Leon leaned closer to Roswiser and whispered, “You’re a Dragon King now—can’t she come to us?”
“Different dragon clans can only command their own kind, and the dragons in Sky City don’t belong to any clan.”
“Well, your queen status seems a bit low, huh?” Leon teased.
Roswiser shot him a glare. “At least it’s higher than yours.”
“Pfft.”
The family of four arrived at the fitting room with Selina.
Selina picked out a suit for Leon and was about to explain when she noticed…
“Your Majesty, your husband’s tail…”
“Ah, my husband doesn’t like to show his tail. Could you find him a no-tail version of the suit instead?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
As an experienced photographer, Selina had seen all kinds of dragons.
There were plenty who preferred not to show their tails, so she didn’t bat an eye.
She adjusted Leon to a standard no-tail suit, and he obediently changed.
“Wow~ Dad looks so handsome in a suit~”
Leon, a bit over six feet tall, had the classic V-shaped build—he looked good in clothes, and even better without them.
He had worn a suit only once before, at the dragon-slaying academy graduation.
He didn’t think he looked particularly handsome, but after that ceremony, the junior girls lined up to ask him out.
To which he seriously replied:
“I have to go back and nail horseshoes on my mentor’s donkey. Next time, for sure.”
After reflecting on that…
Leon looked at his reflection.
He certainly appeared more mature and composed than before.
Moon wagged her little tail, admiring her handsome dad and showering him with praise.
Leon ruffled Moon’s hair and glanced toward his “not-so-chatty” eldest daughter.
Noia froze, avoiding eye contact, and stammered, “Y-Yeah, he’s pretty handsome.”
A suit is a man’s best beauty treatment—enhancing charm and showing off the physique.
Since even the eldest daughter said he looked good, it must be true.
Leon then proudly looked at Roswiser.
The queen gave him a thorough once-over before nodding, offering her critique, “Not having a tail is indeed a bit peculiar.”
Mother dragon, I’m never going to attach a tail!
After choosing outfits for Leon, Selina picked out a gown for Roswiser.
The dress was a black strapless gown, with dark red accents on the waist and hem, adding a touch of mysterious elegance to its solemnity.
However, being strapless made the neckline a tad low, revealing just a hint of the dragon pattern.
Roswiser shyly covered her chest, “Miss Selina, could I have one with a slightly higher neckline?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Selina smiled, as if to say, “Ah, today’s youth really knows how to play.”
Leon, seizing the opportunity, leaned over to Roswiser and whispered, “When are we getting rid of that distracting dragon pattern? It’s not easy to take a good picture with that.”
“Shut up. Once the dragon pattern is etched, it doesn’t come off.”
Leon shrugged and kept quiet.
Eventually, Selina picked a fitting dress for Roswiser.
And of course, the two daughters wouldn’t be left behind.
Their outfits were easy choices; if one was happy, the other certainly would be too.
After more than half an hour of preparation, the family was finally ready to take their photos.
First up was the family portrait.
Leon held Moon, while Roswiser held Noia. They stood shoulder to shoulder.
In the camera’s view, their pose was just right for a family picture.
However…it didn’t quite feel like one.
Selina put down her camera and politely asked, “Your Majesty, may I suggest you and your husband strike a more affectionate pose?”
The couple froze simultaneously.
Roswiser: “Affectionate…”
Leon: “Pose…”
Selina nodded with a smile, “Yes, yes. It really should be an ultra~~~~nice-and-loving pose!”
They exchanged glances, then both turned their heads away.
Roswiser cleared her throat, “Um, teacher, do you have any recommended poses?”
Selina thought for a moment before responding, “Generally, couples should be a bit intimate but not tacky, so let’s try a hug, nose-to-nose, or gazing deeply into each other’s eyes.”
A hug.
Nose-to-nose.
Deep eye contact.
Yikes, teacher, just shark-tackled us already.
Seeing that they were both feeling shy, Selina couldn’t help but wonder.
With dragon patterns all over, wasn’t it okay to stand a little closer for a photo?
Kids these days…
“Well, if none of those work, how about you two use your tails to make a heart shape?”
“A tail heart…”
“Yep, it’s cute and playful!”
Roswiser glanced at Leon, realizing that even giving this guy a tail wouldn’t work now.
But after thinking it over, it seemed like the heart shape was their only acceptable option.
Ugh…
What to do?
“Can I use my hand, teacher?” Leon suggested. “My wife can use her tail, and I can use my hand. That should work, right?”
Selina raised an eyebrow, then praised, “Great idea! A pose we’ve never tried before. Ready? Let’s snap the shot!”
