After digging out a few clean clothes, the two of them took turns showering.

The reason they didn't shower together was that they didn't want to engage in any vigorous activity after breakfast, as it would be bad for their health and could cause stomach prolapse.

After the showers, washing away the exhaustion and fatigue of the past five days, the couple climbed into bed feeling refreshed.

They intended to catch up on sleep and regain some energy.

But fatigue and sleepiness are two different things. Now lying in bed, they only felt physically drained but not the least bit sleepy.

Or perhaps it was because, after their brief "separation," neither of them wanted to spend the first few hours of their reunion just sleeping.

On the bed, the couple lay in an oddly similar posture.

They both leaned against the headboard with their hands folded over their stomachs. Between them were two teddy bears—one large, one small.

Roswitha was barefoot, her eyes fixed on her dainty toes. Occasionally, she wiggled them, as if to kill time.

Or perhaps she was waiting for Leon to start a conversation.

Time ticked by. Roswitha glanced at the wall clock—it was already nine o'clock.

If they didn't say something soon, the whole morning would slip away.

She turned to look at Dragon Slayer beside her, only to find him expressionlessly staring at her feet—not his own, but hers.

Well, there goes any hope of him breaking the silence.

Roswitha stretched her leg and gently nudged Leon's foot with her chilly toes.

"What are you doing?" Leon replied lazily, though his eyes never left Roswitha's feet.

"Foot fetishist."

"...I am not."

"If not, why have you been staring at my feet?"

"What else am I supposed to look at?" Leon shrugged helplessly.

Oh, fair point.

The queen's room adhered to a minimalist aesthetic, devoid of any unnecessary decorations.

Given Leon's current state—tired but unable to sleep—he figured staring at the plain, monotonous decor would be a waste of time. He might as well admire his pretend wife's feet to pass the time.

Does that make him a foot fetishist?

Of course not.

That just means he's making the best use of his time—spending it on her jade-like feet... no, no—spending it wisely.

Roswitha snorted softly, lifted one leg, and placed it across Leon’s.

Her slender calf, tender and soft, wasn’t as cold. Its silky smooth surface brushed against Leon’s skin, a pleasing sensation.

But Leon wasn’t having it.

He promptly withdrew his leg—only to rest it over hers instead.

Roswitha raised an eyebrow and shot Leon a glare. Then she turned sideways and used her other leg to press down on his, effectively sandwiching his leg between hers.

Oh? So you’re really getting into this, huh?

General Lai was more than willing to play along.

He turned on his side, facing Roswitha, and stacked his other leg on top of hers.

Now their upper bodies were so close that their noses were almost touching. They shared the same breath, chest against chest. Below, however, their four legs had twisted into a tangled mess.

Leon smirked smugly, "I win. My leg’s on top."

The queen snorted coldly, “Don’t celebrate too soon. Who said legs are the only weapon?"

Leon blinked, thinking, What could this dragoness be planning?

Before he could figure it out, her silver tail rose high behind her and—SLAP—smacked down on Leon’s topmost leg.

Leon winced in pain, teeth clenched.

Roswitha laughed until her sides ached.

Cradling Dragon Slayer’s face in her hands, she deliberately put on a tender, lovestruck expression. “See, darling? Having a tail is so convenient. Why don’t I get one installed for you too, hmm?”

Leon retracted his legs, detangling their "pretzel," then rolled onto his back. "No need."

"Tch, fine, suit yourself."

Roswitha also turned over, hugging her tail smugly as she idly played with its tip.

After a while, she asked, “By the way, you left the Empire. That was to come back to me, wasn’t it?"

"I'm already lying in your bed. Isn’t that answer enough?"

"No dodging the question. I want a direct answer."

Roswitha set her tail aside, straightened up, and looked at Leon. "You went through all that trouble to escape the Empire. Was it to come back to me?"

Leon thought for a moment, then replied confidently, “No."

The next second, the large teddy bear on the bed was squished firmly against Leon’s face.

"One day," Roswitha huffed, "I’ll turn your mouth into the world’s hardest armor!"

"Then I’ll forge the sword to pierce it using your mouth!"

They wrestled on the bed.

After a while, Leon peeled the teddy bear off his face. "Actually, your earlier assumption was spot on. The Empire really does have a partnership with Constantine."

At this, Roswitha wasn’t particularly surprised. Sitting in a duck-like posture beside Leon, she hugged the teddy bear and murmured, "So that crazed male dragon really has joined forces with humans…"

Leon nodded. "Yeah. And the real reason he attacked your Silver Dragon Castle was to eliminate me. The Empire knows I survived that backstab assassination three years ago. If I return to the Empire, I might uncover their secrets. So they have to get rid of me."

"Then… what’s the reason behind their collaboration? How long has it been going on?"

"That, I’m not sure. My master said we must expose the Empire’s conspiracy. But we can’t both stay in the Empire. I need to return to the Dragon Clan. This way, not only can I ensure my safety, but I can also uncover the Empire’s hidden truths earlier."

Leon explained, "My master investigates within the Empire while I gather intelligence here in the Dragon Clan. We collaborate from the inside and outside. Every three months, we’ll meet at the cave where my master hides to exchange information."

Hearing their careful plan, Roswitha raised an elegant brow. "The timing and location of this information exchange sound too well-thought-out. I’m guessing it wasn’t your idea?"

Leon grinned. "Come on, we’re all family here. Why divide things into yours and mine?"

A faint blush spread across Roswitha’s cheeks. She lightly hit Leon’s chest with the teddy bear. "Shameless. Who says I’m family with you?"

After a pause, Roswitha seemed to realize something, and her shy face instantly grew frosty.

"Oh~ now I get it. So, Kazmode, you’re saying you only came back to investigate the Empire and Constantine’s conspiracy? If it weren’t for that, you wouldn’t have returned, right? Is that it? Isn’t it?"

Leon blinked in bafflement. Hasn’t she already gone through childbirth? Why is this she-dragon still bickering and throwing tantrums?

He glanced at Roswitha, her beautiful silver eyes full of resentment.

Leon hesitated, then cautiously asked, "Dragoness, don’t tell me… you actually… can’t bear to part with me?"

If Leon had a resume, under "specialized skills," three things would undoubtedly be listed:

1. Dragon-slaying

2. Stubbornness

3. Asking questions he already knows the answers to.

But as the saying goes, a couple who shares a bed wouldn’t differ all that much.

When it came to sparring words with Leon, Roswitha was no slouch either.

"Ha! Me? Not wanting to part with you? It’s our daughters who didn’t want me to let you go. No matter how hard I try to make up excuses, they’d eventually see through me. So I had no choice but to let you come back. And yet, you’re arrogantly accusing me of being unwilling to let you go. Absurd!"

Leon’s pout almost reached the heavens. "Alright, alright. It’s all for the girls."

After a few exchanges, Leon noticed that Roswitha’s gaze still carried a trace of melancholy. Thinking it over, he decided it was best to address her earlier question sincerely.

"If everything wrapped up after I dealt with the Empire’s traitors, I think… I’d still come back."

After a brief pause, Leon quickly added, "Ah, but don’t get the wrong idea! Just because I come back doesn’t mean I’d stay for long. Occasionally, I’d need to return to the Empire to visit my master, mistress, and Donkey. As long as I don’t raise suspicions with the girls, isn’t that okay?"

He spoke like an awkward, lovestruck boy, clumsily yet earnestly trying to justify his actions. At the same time, he tried not to reveal the blazing sincerity buried in his heart.

Because showing that? Not cool.

Roswitha’s captivating gaze rested on Leon, taking in his awkward yet endearing attempts. She thought to herself, Well, you’re young. As the queen, I’ll let it slide.

"Oh, got it," Roswitha replied nonchalantly.

"Got… what?"

There she goes again, acting like she understands.

Oh no, please don’t misunderstand anything too wildly!

Roswitha chuckled softly, then leaned in slightly, placing her hands on the bed. She moved closer to Leon until her face was mere inches from his. Her voice turned unexpectedly gentle.

"To put it simply… you just can’t bear to leave me, can you?"

Dragon Slayer’s heart thudded. Immediately, he grabbed the nearby teddy bear to prop it between himself and Roswitha.

"Ridiculous! Me being unwilling to leave you? That’s even more absurd than you being unwilling to let go of me!"

"Oh really? Well, you’d better hold onto that. Whatever you do, don’t accidentally end up opening your heart to me, speaking sincerely, or… confessing your feelings. Because if you do…"

"If I do?"

"I'll reject you outright, of course~ Can you imagine? You, pulling a long face and crying after I turn you away~?"

Leon squinted. "Just wait, dragoness. Even if it’s the end of the world or the destruction of all creation, you'll never hear me open my heart, speak sincerely, or… confess my feelings to you."