This beach trip was, for all intents and purposes, a perfect success.

The members of the Melkevi family all gained something from it.

Aurora gained proficiency in the 'uppercut';

Muen unlocked the "kids shouldn't look" parental kissing finale;

Noa regained confidence in this family and in her parents' relationship.

Even Roswitha had her own harvest—an indulgent whole night of 'drainage emergency relief'"—gained in abundance, so much that it felt like there was no more space to hold it all.

As to why it’s only "essentially a perfect conclusion" rather than "completely perfect," the problem lies with General Leon.

Aurora's proficiency in the uppercut was gained at his expense;

Muen unlocking the kissing finale meant he endured Roswitha's kick;

Noa's confidence in the family stemmed from her old man sacrificing his 'waist' for the family's sake.

As for Roswitha? No need to elaborate—only Leon and his kidneys knew the pains behind her indulgent night of "emergency relief."

Thus, the 'Only Leon Cosmodes Suffers' achievement was unlocked!

Yet even so, when all was tidied up, as Leon stood at the open hotel door, gazing at his wife in name and daughters in truth, his heart overflowed with warmth and contentment.

After all, the laughter, playful moments, and shared memories between family members were precious treasures that no small hardship could erase—and besides, he was used to such hardships--worst case, he could just take more 'Black Dragon Bolus' to recover.

And when the time came, he could give that female dragon a piece of his mind.

As for the *Black Dragon Bolus*, the first attempt at brewing it hadn’t turned out optimally. Although Leon’s physical condition recovered well that evening, he became almost uncontrollably manic—the opposite of serene.

Clearly, this formula needed improvement, Leon thought to himself.

Given his current insufficient magic reserves and Roswitha’s creative new uses for the Dragon Mark, Leon could only make adjustments through his "gear."

Otherwise, three months later, when he dragged his worn-out face to the cave to exchange intelligence, that crafty old man and sharp-tongued loli would surely ridicule him to no end.

Leaving the resort, they returned to Silver Dragon's domain by evening that same day.

The journey back was peppered with moments of stop-and-go sightseeing along the way, serving as a fitting epilogue to the beachside holiday.

Leon had achieved his initial goal for this trip: to soothe his eldest daughter's restless heart, proving through his and Roswitha's actions that they loved this family—and also loved each other.

Though, admittedly, in daily life, Roswitha perpetually seemed at odds with him.

When he said one thing, she'd say another;

When he went west, she'd deliberately head east.

That’s just how their married life worked: "Your discomfort is my satisfaction."

But when it came to performing displays of mutual affection for their daughters, they always cooperated seamlessly.

This harmony seemed both innate and deeply ingrained. In the beginning, they used to rehearse beforehand to ensure their lovey-dovey moments wouldn’t leave any loopholes for their daughters to suspect.

Over time, however, this troublesome pair no longer needed rehearsal. They could improvise directly on the spot without any issue, catching onto each other’s meaning with just a single glance, knowing what to do next.

This was the self-cultivation of veteran actors.

Occasionally, Roswitha would sigh ruefully and say, "Life as a dragon is all acting--acting is everything."

What?

Feelings?

Where would the feelings come from?

There’s no way I have sentimental feelings for that dog of a man.

The reason we cooperate so well isn’t because of growing affection over time—pfft, nonsense!—it’s... it’s just...

Familiarity breeds mastery!

Yes, that’s it. Familiarity breeds mastery.

“Mom.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“Your wings look kind of red,” Muen said, she was sitting on the back of the silver dragon as she peered at the adjacent wing.

At her remark, both Leon and Noa also turned their attention to Roswitha’s wings.

Indeed, there was a reddish hue.

“Ah... it’s nothing, nothing at all. Probably just the angle of the sunlight.”

The daughters, having not yet reached the age of dragon transformation, wouldn’t realize that emotional fluctuations in dragon form could manifest in areas with dense blood vessels, like the wings.

It was somewhat akin to blushing in human form.

But Leon, who had dealt with dragons for many years, was fully aware of this physiological trait in the Dragon Clan.

During his days of marching and battling, every time he faced off with a Dragon King in their final duel, they would vent their fury in dragon form.

In those moments, no matter the original color of their scales, the Dragon Kings’ wings would always take on a reddish tint.

However, that discoloration was due to the Dragon Kings being overwhelmed by him in combat, leaving them seething with anger before their defeat.

Roswitha, on the other hand, hadn’t been "overwhelmed" in any way... so why was she blushing?

Leon had found himself momentarily puzzled, silently griping about how incomprehensible a woman’s mind could be.

Entering Silver Dragon’s territory, they soon returned to the sanctuary.

The queen’s family was back, and the maids who were free from duties naturally gathered in the front courtyard to welcome them.

Anna took a bag from Leon’s hand containing their clothes from the trip, immediately passing it off to another maid with instructions to wash everything clean.

Of course, the bag did not include Roswitha’s swimsuit—the one involved in the “emergency relief.”

Because that particular night had been so indulgent that certain "high-nutrition substances" had accidentally stained the swimsuit, Roswitha decided it was best to… wash it herself—or have her captive, Leon Cosmodes, do it.

Besides, Roswitha’s public image within the household staff was that of a conservatively dressed, high-strung workaholic. Even though she was married, she and the prince consort were portrayed as treating each other with measured respect, occasionally showing affection but always maintaining propriety.

It gave everyone the impression that this couple was loving yet not overly close.

If her subordinates were to find out that the queen had a less dignified side in private with her prince consort… Roswitha would be socially doomed—doomed to the max!

After a brief handover, Anna led the royal family to the dining hall, where the chefs had already prepared a welcoming feast.

At the dinner table, the two daughters who could speak chattered excitedly about their beach adventure…

While the one daughter who couldn’t yet talk busied herself eating.

The couple ate slowly, occasionally glancing at the girls.

Now and then, their gazes would drift toward each other.

Then they’d quickly avert their eyes.

It was as if making eye contact would jinx them for the next eight lifetimes.

Yet before long, the silly husband and wife would once again meet each other’s eyes, inexplicably and with perfect synchronicity.

Ah.

Oh well, oh well.

This ill-fated connection couldn’t be dodged, so they might as well submit to it.

After dinner, they played with the girls for a while before Leon scooped up Aurora and returned to the room with Roswitha.

“When Aurora is a little older, she can start sleeping in the baby’s room on her own,” Roswitha said as they entered the bedroom. She kicked off her high heels, eagerly stepping into her soft and cozy dragon-wing slippers before luxuriously stretching.

Leon paused mid-step.

Gulp ...

Why did that sentence feel like it carried a hidden meaning?

Once Aurora moved to the baby’s room, wouldn’t that mean only he and Roswitha would remain in this room?

Which meant… she could continue doing whatever she wanted to him?!

Leon suddenly felt a chill in his lower body. He swallowed hard, deciding not to continue this line of conversation.

He gently placed their little daughter on the bed, coaxing her to sleep.

As he gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, Leon’s lips couldn’t help but curve upward.

So this is what it feels like to raise and nurture someone, he thought. Amazing!

He reached out, brushing his broad knuckles gently across Aurora’s chubby cheeks; soft, smooth, and wonderfully pleasant to the touch.

But unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to witness Noa and Muen’s baby years. Surely, they must’ve been equally adorable.

Speaking of Noa...

Now that his eldest daughter’s concerns were temporarily resolved, it was time for Leon to get to business.

Three months later, he would head to the mountain cave to exchange intelligence with his mentor.

Leon tucked Aurora in carefully, then sat at the bedside and turned to look at Roswitha.

She’d already changed into her nightgown and was sitting on the sofa, reviewing work logs Anna had just delivered.

“Roswitha, I have a question. I’d like your perspective on it.”

The queen set down the logs, propping her chin on one hand as she raised her eyes toward Leon. “Hmm, sure. What’s the question?”

“Do you think Constantine specifically targeting you during childbirth... might’ve been more than just a coincidence?”