At this moment, Roswitha's emotions were a little complicated.

On one hand, she was still shaken by her fright from the spider.

On the other hand, Leon had suddenly taken her hand, leaving her at a complete loss.

But if this so-called "loss" were to be described in more detail, it would probably be...shyness?

Though she was reluctant to admit it, her flushed, burning face was already the strongest evidence.

So...should she continue savoring this innocent sense of shyness, or... let go of Leon's hand and pretend nothing had happened?

As she pondered, Roswitha subconsciously took a deep breath.

But this action led Leon to misinterpret her as still being fearful, and he held her hand even tighter.

It was as if an electric current flowed from Roswitha's palm to the tips of her fingers, tingling and numb, causing her to instinctively tighten her grip on Leon's hand in return.

From interlocking fingers to tightly clasped hands, maybe... it wasn’t that awkward after all?

Roswitha thought.

And so, after a brief hesitation, she completely abandoned the idea of "letting go and pretending nothing happened."

Pretend nothing had happened?

As the Silver Dragon Queen, she was a bold and decisive person who never treated any matter as if it hadn't occurred.

What was so embarrassing about holding hands?

She could hold hands as much as she wanted.

Alright.

This reasoning was absolutely flawless. In her heart, Roswitha silently gave herself a thumbs-up.

"Thinking back to the last time we held hands—"

Beside her, Leon gazed at the ceiling and murmured.

Roswitha turned her head to look at him, a glimmer of anticipation in her silver-gray eyes.

"It was the last time."

Her expectant gaze instantly turned into one of frustration.

Listening to his words was like...listening to nonsense.

"It was our first walk together," Roswitha added.

"I know, I just wanted you to say it yourself."

Roswitha sighed. "Fine, I’ve said it. And?"

Leon shook his head and then asked, "Why are your hands always so cold?"

"Born with cold constitution."

"Two hundred years alive and you haven’t fixed it?"

"It’s incurable. I told you, I was born this way."

"Oh."

"Mm."

Leon: "Your hand is sweating."

Roswitha: "It’s you."

Leon: "No, it’s definitely you. Holding hands like this wouldn’t make me nervous enough to sweat."

Roswitha: "Hah, you’re probably already drenched. Stop pretending."

Leon glanced at Roswitha's chest. "Your Dragon Mark isn’t even glowing. That proves I don’t view this as a big deal."

"Ah, come on. Who holds hands and immediately starts thinking along those lines? What are you, some pure-hearted boy? And besides, your Dragon Mark isn’t glowing either—"

Before she could finish speaking, a faint purple glow began flickering under Leon’s blanket.

Roswitha was startled. "N-no way! That’s impossible!"

"Ah-ha, Your Majesty, you’re flustered, aren’t you? Holding my hand has actually got your heart racing, hasn’t it?" Leon said smugly.

Roswitha’s gaze shifted slightly. After a brief moment of panic, she quickly noticed the trick.

She kicked the blanket away, revealing Leon’s chest.

In his other hand, he was holding the purple ambient light she had used earlier to scare him, faking the glow of a Dragon Mark.

Roswitha narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Leon.

The smug grin on Leon’s face shifted into one of awkward embarrassment.

Awkwardly, he tossed the ambient light onto the floor. "If I said it jumped into my hand on its own, would you believe me?"

With a sassy tone, Roswitha replied, "Sure, I believe everything you say."

"Oh, my darling, you’re the best~"

"Stop acting so shamelessly, you idiot!"

But no matter how many tricks they played or snide remarks they exchanged, their hands never let go.

They remained tightly clasped.

Gradually, Roswitha’s quickened pulse, caused by her earlier fright from the spider, began to stabilize.

The grip between their hands also eased, becoming much more natural.

This relaxed, effortless state was the most comfortable—

Any tighter, and Leon might have to get his hand in a cast tomorrow, given the overwhelming strength of this dragon queen.

But the night was still long.

Neither of them felt remotely sleepy.

After tossing a few more quips at each other, boredom began to creep in.

"Hey," Leon’s tone grew more serious.

"What?"

"Your... criteria for choosing a mate..."

"Fake. That was over a hundred years ago. Don’t take it seriously."

"Oh. Then what’s your standard now?"

"I don’t have one."

When she said this, Leon clearly felt a subtle movement of her fingers.

He didn’t know what this slight gesture meant.

But based on what he knew about this dragon queen... what she had just said probably wasn’t entirely honest, was it?

Wait a minute, what did her honesty or lack thereof have to do with him, Leon?

Why was he even concerned with Roswitha's mate-selection criteria?

It must’ve been because tonight was too boring, and they couldn’t sleep, so the topic had come up by chance.

Yes, that had to be it.

This reasoning was perfect. Leon silently gave himself a mental thumbs-up.

The two of them were strikingly similar when it came to convincing themselves—

They both loved giving little mental applause to the "perfect reasons" they found.

When would these two finally share their inner thoughts and let the other weigh in, maybe even leave a comment or two?

Leon let out a deep sigh, trying to relax.

Roswitha glanced at him and asked, "Why are you sighing?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing, just trying to relax and fall asleep."

"Mm..."

Their hands remained joined under the covers, but after maintaining one position for so long, their fingers had inevitably started to go numb.

Leon tried moving his thumb, but this unintentional action felt like a light caress across the back of Roswitha’s hand.

On her other side, Roswitha's free hand instinctively clenched the hem of her nightgown.

This guy...if you’re holding hands, then just hold hands. Why do you have to caress like that?

You’re a prisoner, and you dare act like this toward your captor.

Fine.

Then I’ll do it too!

Roswitha moved her fingers as well, her soft and smooth touch brushing over the old scars on the back of Leon’s hand, evoking a peculiar sensation.

As they say, fingers are connected to the heart.

Under such dim and ambiguous circumstances, even the slightest touch could stir waves deep within them both.

Tingly, ticklish—

An insatiable urge began to build.

Gulp—

Roswitha suddenly heard Leon swallowing audibly.

It seemed... this guy was feeling the same way she was right now.

As the night deepened, it was as if the darkness wrapped their hearts in a veil of secrecy.

They found themselves wanting to take this opportunity to do things they normally couldn’t say aloud.

Once such thoughts emerged, they intensified, just like the resonance of the Dragon Mark.

Roswitha licked her parched lips, opening her mouth to speak, but the words dissolved before they could escape.

How strange. This kind of unspoken intimacy was like water: invasive and omnipresent, slipping into the cracks of their unguarded moments.

Yet it was also more seductive than any carefully planned flirtation could ever be.

Leon and Roswitha had never before lain next to each other, so awake, so...hand-holding.

The awkward and nascent emotions between them took root, growing wildly in their hearts.

It had nothing to do with their usual "hostility." This night, this moment, they were drowning in the swelling tides of intimacy.

Thud-thud—

The waterbed beneath them creaked softly.

Unconsciously, they moved closer to each other.

The lace edging of Roswitha’s sheer nightgown brushed lightly against Leon’s hand, and beneath it lay her soft body, radiating warmth.

Suddenly, a shared thought flashed through their minds:

Just for tonight.

They turned their heads simultaneously, gazing into each other’s eyes.

Black and silver locked in a hypnotic exchange, no more words were needed.

Leon leaned up slightly. One hand remained intertwined with Roswitha’s, while the other slid softly to embrace her fragrant shoulder.

Her alluring nightgown slipped off her shoulders, revealing the gentle curve of her bosom, provoking a rush of passion in those who beheld her.

She lowered her eyelids, her eyes misty and alluring.

Although her actions were propelled by the rush of intimacy, Roswitha still tried to add her own flair to the moment.

She lifted her long leg, gently rubbing Leon's calf.

The delicate, smooth texture of their skin brushing against each other created an exquisite sensation.

Then she reached out a hand, curling her finger under Leon’s chin while her body slowly retreated backward.

That look, that expression—it was like she was saying, "Come on, take me."

Roswitha kept retreating until she reached the far edge of the bed, with nowhere left to go.

Leon leaned closer until their noses brushed, their breaths intermingling.

Interestingly, they both knew what would happen next, yet neither of their Dragon Marks showed any reaction.

After all, Dragon Marks were nothing more than a magical enhancement for fun.

When two people admired and desired each other with the utmost sincerity, magic wasn’t needed; everything unfolded naturally.

Under the moonlight, Roswitha was mesmerizing beyond words.

She closed her eyes, leaning forward.

Leon didn’t dodge. He met her advance, responding in kind.

But just as their lips barely grazed, a small black object suddenly fell onto Roswitha’s arm.

"Ah!—"

Before Leon could react, his arms were suddenly full of soft silver hair.

She clung to Leon’s shoulder, burying her head into his chest.

The tail.

The tail popped out again in fright, wrapping tightly around Leon's waist.

Leon calmed his swirling emotions stirred by the ambiguity of the moment. While patting Roswitha’s little head, he picked up the spider and flung it away.

Likewise, the texture of this spider felt... rather peculiar.

Leon frowned slightly. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I already threw it away,” he reassured her.

But how could the guest rooms of the Red Dragon Castle have so many spiders?

He gently stroked the back of the beauty trembling in his arms, and then looked up at the ceiling.

Sure enough, he spotted something suspicious—a small retractable mechanism was slowly closing.

It seemed likely that the “spiders” had fallen from there.

As for who had set up this quirky little trap, Leon didn’t even need to think twice to guess.

But... what was the purpose of this scheming sister?

Leon glanced at the spot where the first spider had fallen, comparing its position and the width of the waterbed.

After contemplating briefly, Leon chuckled helplessly.

Now he understood.

The spider trap would only be triggered if they moved to the edges of the waterbed. If they had stayed closely cuddled in the middle of the bed from the beginning, nothing would have happened.

Earlier, just as they were about to kiss, Roswitha had retreated to the corner of the waterbed, and that inadvertently triggered the trap.

Ah, dear sister, well played. Well played indeed.

You truly calculated the two of us down to the finest detail.

Once Leon figured this out, the timid dragoness in his arms also stopped trembling.

Leon patted her shoulder. “Do you plan to hold on to me like this all night?”

Although she was reluctant, Roswitha’s little silver-haired head nodded twice.

At this point, Roswitha no longer thought of this as some S&M couple-themed suite.

It felt more like an “adventure escape room,” with traps lurking at every corner.

So, under this kind of situation, where was the safest place?

The answer was obvious: Leon’s embrace.

If anything happened, he would take the brunt of it first, ensuring that no spider could get near her.

As embarrassing as this was, it seemed to be the only way to safely survive the night.

Moreover... if they had really kissed just now, Roswitha truly wouldn’t have known how to handle what might follow.

So, thank you, Mr. Spider, for interrupting that reckless moment of intimacy.

As her nerves gradually calmed, Roswitha relaxed into Leon’s arms, letting him continue holding her.

Her body was unbelievably soft, nothing like the majestic silver dragon she normally was.

On top of that, she was wearing an intimate, lacy nightgown, leaving wide expanses of her skin exposed.

Being so close and holding her so tightly, Leon couldn’t help but feel an itch in his heart.

Although Roswitha had stopped trembling, Leon could still sense that she was afraid.

So he mustered up patience, gently stroking her head and patting her back, soothing her with a voice as tender as when he comforted Muen.

“Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. It’s all fine now. I’m here.”

Roswitha wanted to retort, “Don’t treat me like a child.”

But when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them down.

Instead, she allowed herself to indulge in this mixture of tender care, shyness, and awkwardness. Then, out of the blue, she softly said,

“Your... heart is beating so fast.”

“I’m scared of spiders too,” Leon replied instantly.

“Just for tonight, Leon. After this, I won’t do anything like this with you again. So once tonight is over, let’s both pretend it never happened, agreed?”

“Agreed.”

In the end, the Silver Dragon Queen decided to “play along as if nothing happened.”

It was the first time she’d broken her own principles—right in front of a human.

If word of this got out... how embarrassing would that be...

After being startled twice, Roswitha was utterly exhausted. Sleepiness took over, and she nestled into Leon’s arms, slowly dozing off.

The powerful, steady rhythm of his heartbeat accompanied her into slumber.

...

The next morning, when Roswitha opened her eyes, Leon was no longer beside her.

The bedding was already cool, indicating that he had been up for quite some time.

Roswitha sat up, rubbed the points between her brows, and thought, after everything that happened last night, he’s probably feeling a little lost too.

If it had been Roswitha who woke up first, she would likely have chosen to step out for a bit as well. That way, when other people arrived, the awkwardness between her and Leon would naturally dissipate.

Clearing her mind, Roswitha lifted the blanket, changed out of her humiliating lace nightgown into her usual clothes, freshened up quickly, and stepped outside.

But as soon as she took her first step and yawned, she suddenly retreated back into the room.

She stared ahead, catching sight of someone who had clearly been waiting outside for quite some time—with nothing but her peripheral vision.

“Sis, did you really have to stalk us this early in the morning?”

Isa leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. “How was last night? Stimulating?”

Roswitha rolled her eyes helplessly at her older sister. “Stimulating. Very stimulating.”

If there had been two more spiders, Roswitha might’ve blown up her sister’s entire base.

At this, Isa’s eyes lit up. “Then, did you try out all the little tools I prepared for you two?”

Roswitha sighed. “Leon doesn’t like pain, so... so we didn’t use them.”

“Pity. Such a waste. Should I pack some for you to bring home? You can practice there.”

Quickly, Roswitha grabbed her sister’s wrist. “Sis, our... thing doesn’t need your attention. Let’s just go have breakfast, hmm?”

Isa pouted but grabbed Roswitha’s hand in return. “Fine, fine. Let’s go.”

The sisters headed to the dining hall, where Leon and the two little dragonlings were already waiting.

“Oh~ Mommy and Auntie are here! We can eat now!” Muen jumped off Leon’s lap, dashed around the table, and settled into her own seat across from him.

Everyone took the same seats as yesterday—Isa at the head of the table, Leon and Roswitha on one side, the two little ones on the other.

When Roswitha walked over, her gaze accidentally met Leon’s for a brief moment.

The two held eye contact for barely a second before quickly looking away.

Once they were all seated, breakfast began.

The little ones ate obediently, Isa, with her usual light breakfast, finished early and watched them with a fond, almost motherly smile.

Meanwhile, Leon and Roswitha found it excruciatingly difficult to eat naturally.

What should have been a delicious breakfast felt like a meal they were struggling to get through.

Leon reached for a slice of toast and, catching sight of the jar of peanut butter on the table, extended a hand to grab it.

At the exact same time, Roswitha reached for it too.

By the time they pulled their hands back, it was too late—their fingertips had already touched.

At that instant of contact, a memory from the previous night—their fingers interlaced—sharply resurfaced in both their minds.

In the next moment, the couple’s faces turned bright red.

Isa, having noticed their little interaction, couldn’t resist teasing them. “Is it hot in here?”

“Huh?” Roswitha panicked slightly.

“Is the dining room hot? Why are your faces so red?” Isa rested her chin on one hand, smirking with narrowed eyes.

Both Roswitha and Leon could tell Isa was feigning ignorance, but they couldn’t say anything inappropriate in front of the kids. So, they nodded in forced agreement. “Y-yes, it’s pretty hot.”

“In that case, maybe you should take a bath after breakfast,” Isa suggested.

A bath.

Using what?

The romantic bathtub filled with rose petals but unable to drain properly?

Big Sis, you’re so funny.

In the end, they somehow finished their breakfast.

Afterward, Isa took the family of four for another stroll around the Red Dragon Clan settlement.

Since Noa had to return to school the following day, they decided to head back that afternoon.

The little dragon girls said their goodbyes to Isa with warm embraces.

Each of them was rewarded with a lipstick mark from head to cheek, courtesy of their aunt.

“Travel safely,” Isa said.

“We will. Sis, we’ll come back to visit you again sometime.”

Isa nodded and handed Roswitha a gift box. “This is a parting gift for you. Open it when you get home.”

“Thanks, Sis.”

The sisters shared one last hug.

As she embraced Roswitha, Isa leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Have another baby and bring it over here to play. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll let it inherit the Red Dragon Castle someday.”

Blushing furiously, Roswitha quickly pushed Isa away. “Sis, what nonsense are you spouting...”

Isa chuckled and pinched her sister’s red cheeks.

When it was Leon’s turn, he kept it more formal, opting for a handshake out of courtesy.

“Don’t forget what you promised me,” Isa said, looking directly into Leon’s eyes. Her smile faded, replaced with a more serious expression.

“I won’t.”

“Good. Then I wish you a safe journey.”

Out in the Red Dragon Castle’s front courtyard, Roswitha spread her wings and shifted into her dragon form.

Leon, carrying Noa and Muen, climbed onto her back.

Before taking off, Roswitha looked back at Isa.

Isa nodded at her.

Roswitha nodded back.

With a powerful flap of her silver wings, she soared into the sky.

Watching the departing silver figure, Isa exhaled softly.

“Kids really are the cutest~”

Lost in thought, Isa turned back toward the Castle.

On the third floor, maids were cleaning the room Muen and Noa had shared for the night.

Isa walked straight to the “couple’s suite” at the far end, curious to see what kind of “aftermath” awaited from her sister and brother-in-law.

However, as soon as she opened the door, a tiny black object suddenly dropped onto her nose.

Startled, Isa jumped.

When she realized it was just a rubber spider toy, she sighed in relief.

Holding the little contraption between her fingers, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

Roswitha was far too afraid of such things to set up a trap like this, which meant it could only have been Leon.

“Protective of his wife, huh.”

Isa smiled as she closed the door behind her.