**Chapter 60: Love at First Sight & Hero Saves the Beauty**
After a few rehearsals, Leon and Roswiser had grown increasingly familiar with Claudia.
Once they got to know each other, the couple discovered that Claudia wasn’t really that hard to get along with.
She was clever, emotionally intelligent, and her demeanor was impeccable, making it impossible to find any faults.
Being around someone like this was refreshing, to say the least.
This so-called “refreshing interaction” didn’t come from Claudia dumbing herself down to accommodate Leon and Roswiser.
After all, when it came to social skills, Roswiser, as the Silver Dragon Queen, was no slouch either.
Both were masters of reading between the lines, able to predict what the other was about to say or do in just a couple of exchanges.
Since they weren’t in any sort of adversarial relationship, there was no need to strain their brains trying to gather tribal intel from each other’s words.
So, under these circumstances, getting along became a piece of cake.
On this particular day, after lunch, Noia took a few young dragon girls to the academic office. It was time to finalize the program list, as they had only one week left until the big performance.
In the classroom, only Leon, Roswiser, and Claudia remained.
Claudia elegantly sat opposite the couple, her posture refined yet laced with a hint of noble laziness.
With her hands neatly folded, she propped her chin up on the back of one hand, crossing her legs and curiously observing the couple across from her.
“Congratulations, Leon! You can now call me ‘Mother’ without feeling awkward,” Claudia teased with a smile.
“While it still feels a bit strange, it’s all for the kids to get good results, right, Claudia?” Leon quipped back.
The way they addressed each other had shifted from the formal “Mr. Casmod, Miss Melkway, and Lady Claudia” to a much more casual first-name basis.
This wasn’t considered impolite; when identities weren’t too distant and familiarity was established, calling someone by their name could even bring them closer together.
“Speaking of kids…”
After the playful banter, Claudia transitioned into a new topic, “Helena couldn’t stop praising your family atmosphere after visiting. You two must put a lot of effort into parenting, huh?”
“The kids are pretty sensible; Leon and I don’t have to stress much about it. From my perspective, there’s no such thing as a ‘good or bad’ family atmosphere, just ‘suitable or unsuitable’,” Roswiser explained.
Claudia raised an eyebrow with interest, “Suitable and unsuitable?”
Roswiser gave a slight nod,
“The atmosphere we’ve cultivated is great for Noia and the others, but if different kids were here, it might not fit at all. Helena’s high praise might just stem from experiencing an entirely new family dynamic, finding it fresh and exciting. Don’t you think, Claudia?”
She deliberately paused on Claudia’s name, which hinted at a hidden undertone.
It was a subtle prompt asking, “Do you get what I mean?”
Of course, Roswiser would never state it so directly, as that might make Claudia feel questioned.
One of the biggest no-nos in a conversation is to come off too strong.
To build good social relationships, you have to soften your words and shape them into smoother, rounder expressions.
Even if the Queen and General Leon poked each other with playful barbs regularly, when it comes to serious discussions, she handled them like a pro.
Claudia smiled softly, “You make a fair point, Roswiser.”
There was something subtly satisfying in her smile.
She appreciated Roswiser’s answer, which hinted at a tinge of… relief?
Roswiser could understand where that satisfaction came from.
Her previous remarks about family atmosphere could be summed up simply: “All kids are great; mine are great, and your Helena is amazing too!”
A clever combination of modesty and complimenting Helena.
That must have been the “double win” type of response.
However, what’s with the awe?
Roswiser had seen that smile before—only on Veronica’s grandmother’s face.
Whenever she and Isar accomplished something impressive, grandma would show that same serene grin.
Ugh… please tell me Claudia isn’t still in character from the rehearsal as the “Mother.” This isn’t a stage production anymore, right?
After chatting a bit longer about parenting, Claudia took the conversation down… the gossip lane.
“In the Dragon Race, not many are born naturally; even Helena is a cocoon baby. So, I’m curious, how did you two end up together?”
Both Leon and Roswiser were taken aback.
They exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing:
What’s with your crew and this obsession with gossip?
It’s just a wedding, not breaking some heavenly decree!
Why does everyone ask, “How did you end up together?”
For most dragon couples, it’s not a big deal, and they’d be expected to answer smoothly.
But therein lies the twist:
Leon and Roswiser are not your average dragon couple.
So, each time someone pried into their love story, they had to concoct a well-structured yet realistic narrative.
“Well, um, it’s a long story. After Leon’s tribe disbanded, he came to my Silver Dragon tribe, and we… fell in love at first sight.”
After pondering for a bit, Roswiser chose the classic version.
“Yep, love at first sight,” Leon chimed in, echoing his wife.
Love at first sight—a perfect excuse to dodge gossip.
Why do you like each other?
Answer: Love at first sight.
When did you realize your feelings?
Answer: Love at first sight.
What made you decide to be together?
Answer: Love at first sight.
—Congratulations, you’re invincible, kid!
“Wow, that’s romantic!”
Claudia sighed with a hint of nostalgia, “Unfortunately, like most traditional dragonfolk, I’m a staunch singleton who’s never tasted the sweetness of love.”
Sweet love? You can keep it. You have no idea how much this Mother Dragon has been putting me through during her pregnancy… Leon thought, rolling his eyes internally.
Claudia continued, “But my sister has fallen for someone.”
Leon raised an eyebrow, curious, “I heard from Helena that she has an aunt; that should be your sister, right?”
Claudia nodded, “Yep.”
“She fell for someone—what happened next?”
Claudia chuckled and shrugged, “They got together, but it wasn’t love at first sight; it was the cliché… hero saving the beauty.”
The couple exchanged another glance.
Well, well, if it isn’t the scent of gossip!
They took back their earlier rebellious thoughts.
Gossip is harmless, gossip makes sense; everyone in the world should dive into gossip!
Seeing the eager expressions on their faces, Claudia smiled slightly.
“The story is quite lengthy, actually. A long time ago, my sister found herself in danger, and a strong man saved her, leading to them… getting married.”
Leon & the Queen: ?
Sister, your “long story” didn’t even hit fifty words—where’s the beef?
We want the details, details!
Didn’t your math teacher warn you in school? Just writing the answer without the details won’t get you any points!
It’s like reading a steamy romance where the leads just shared a quick peck and boom, they’re ready for the main event, but suddenly everything gets replaced by ellipses. Didn’t you want to be in the ‘comments’ section with a, “I mean, I’m ready here, give me something!”?
“Hm? What’s wrong? Oh, you want specifics?”
Claudia giggled behind her hand, “About the specifics… I’m not too sure, but my sister and her man are very loving.”
A simple yet beautiful love story.
Sure, it was short, but hey, at least gossip was served!
But then Claudia changed the tone of her narrative.
“However, my family, including me, isn’t overly fond of this marriage. But since we can’t change her mind, we just have to turn a blind eye.”
Just as her words faded, the kids returned.
Everyone shifted gears for the afternoon rehearsal.
But Leon’s mind lingered on their earlier conversation.
Though he gleaned some gossip about Claudia’s family, something felt off.
Claudia usually wasn’t the talkative type; why was she opening up about her family today?
Almost as if… she purposely wanted Leon and Roswiser to hear it.
