The dog-man had lived a three-point routine these past few days:

Bedroom – Library – Outings.

Every day, he would wake up at seven in the morning, wash up, and finish his breakfast before taking his daughters to the library, staying there all morning.

In the afternoons, Noa and Muen practiced magic while Aurora cheered for her second sister, who was urged to achieve the foundational dual-element threshold of the "simultaneous harnessing of lightning and fire — a requirement for Dual Awakening.

Leon, meanwhile, would disappear, only returning around dusk.

Such a disciplined and regular lifestyle piqued Roswitha's curiosity.

Since their recent patrol of the borders, why had he suddenly become so absent upon their return?

One afternoon, after a twenty-minute nap following lunch, Roswitha resumed her work.

Before long, Leon passed through the grand hall of her sanctum, a camera in hand.

From her high throne, Roswitha tilted forward, her elbow resting on the desk as she cupped her chin with one hand. Her silver eyes followed Leon's movements.

Just as he was about to exit the sanctum doors, Roswitha finally spoke up.

"Are you heading out again?"

Leon halted and turned to face her. "Mm, What's wrong?"

"Nothing, really. You've just been gone for quite some time every day recently."

Her gaze shifted to the camera in his hand. "And now you're even bringing a camera."

"Given the Silver Dragon Clan's breathtaking landscapes — mountains, rivers, and all — surely the esteemed Queen wouldn’t mind me taking a few photos?"

Roswitha rolled her eyes, recognizing this as just another of his casual excuses. "Suit yourself. We'll discuss it tonight."

Leon shrugged. "No problem. It'll be a good chance to share the findings from my recent investigation."

At that, Roswitha raised an eyebrow. "Findings? Is it related to the secrets of cooperation between the Empire and the Dragon Clan?"

"Not quite. Things haven't been confirmed yet, so I can't say much. Hopefully, I'll gather some solid leads later."

Leon added, "Focus on your own work; leave the fieldwork to me."

The Queen's lips curved slightly as she leaned back against her throne, crossing her long legs as she spoke languidly,

"A year ago, you couldn't care less about the Silver Dragon Clan's affairs. Now you're so proactive? But let me make it clear: no matter how hardworking you get, there won't be a paycheck involved."

"Talking about money—doesn't that just hurt the feelings, Your Majesty?"

"Hurt feelings? What feelings could I possibly have for you?"

Raising his hands in surrender, Leon decided it wasn’t worth the argument. "Fine, fine. Whatever you say, Your Majesty. Anyway, keep some time free tonight so we can talk properly."

"Mm, I know."

Roswitha paused before asking, "By the way, do you need me to assign a guard to accompany you on your outing?"

Leon thought for a moment and nodded. "Sure. I was about to file a personnel request, actually."

Roswitha rolled her eyes again. "Tch, look at you using some fancy terms now. I'll have Anna arrange someone for you."

"Perfect."

After everything was settled, Leon turned and walked towards the doorway.

After a few steps, he heard Roswitha call after him, "Come back early."

Leon waved a hand over his shoulder. "Got it."

Moments later, the sound of a dragon's wings flapping reverberated through the front courtyard of the sanctum.

Roswitha’s eyebrows lifted in slight surprise. "Oh, he's flying? Seems like he's headed somewhere far this time."

Muttering to herself, she shook her head, refocusing on her paperwork.

---

That afternoon, Roswitha was briefly visited by her daughters.

Muen shared that she was close to mastering the technique of wielding two types of Elemental Magic simultaneously.

Naturally, Roswitha showered her with praise.

Dual Awakening was an exceptionally rare gift, even for someone as laid-back as Muen—it wasn't a talent to be wasted.

Ever since Noa came home for her break, Muen had been pestering her older sister to teach her magical manipulation techniques. Combined with Leon's periodic guidance in Dual Awakening, "Little Moon" had been progressing rapidly.

Roswitha then asked Aurora if she had any interest in magic.

Aurora responded that she was curious about many things she'd never experienced but lamented her lack of stamina and underdeveloped magical circuits. For now, she could only watch as her sisters practiced.

Roswitha consoled her, saying it was fine—observing and learning the theoretical foundations now was an important way to prepare for the future.

Aurora nodded, understanding the wisdom in her mother's words.

The mother-daughters group chatted for a while before the three little dragon girls, knowing their mother was busy, excused themselves to avoid disturbing her further.

As they parted ways, each of them pressed their faces against their mother’s cheek in affection before heading to the backyard.

These moments with her daughters were among Roswitha’s rare reprieves during her busy days.

Though fleeting, they were enough to soothe her weary spirit.

Her little dragonlings were impossibly adorable—obedient, considerate, and thoughtful of their mother’s well-being.

Far better than a certain dragon-slaying hero who always seemed intent on antagonizing her.

"Always here to annoy me. Just always."

Propping her face in one hand, the Queen muttered while doodling on scrap paper.

In a few quick strokes, she sketched a caricature of Leon—a big-headed figure with a grotesquely endearing look.

Just like how she thought he looked that day when viewed through a wine glass.

"If you keep snacking on Black Dragon Bolus, I'll starve you for three days. See how you handle that, see how you handle that."

Still feeling unsatisfied, she drew a heavy-handed "X" over Leon's cartoonishly large head.

"Hmph. Let’s see if you dare to overstep your bounds again."

Her "revenge" complete, she folded the doodled paper carefully and tucked it into her pocket. Then, she returned to immersing herself in her work.

---

By dusk, Roswitha had processed the last of the day’s documents and capped her fountain pen with a relieved sigh. After sitting quietly for a moment, she rose to prepare for her evening rest.

Just then, a guard hurried in with an urgent report.

"Your Majesty, there's an important matter to report."

Roswitha lowered her gaze, her tone cold and commanding. "Speak."

"One of the 27 covert posts along the eastern border has gone silent, leaving only 26. Reports from nearby posts state that no sounds of combat were heard—the disappearance was only discovered during a shift change."

Hearing this, Roswitha’s brows knitted tightly.

The eastern border had been the first location she inspected during her patrol with Leon days ago.

Everything had been fine then.

She had improved the covert posts' disguise and increased patrols per Leon's suggestions. Now, a post had simply vanished?

"So, there’s a missing post without any cause or reason?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Roswitha mulled over the possibilities before making her decision. "Let's go check it out."

This was no minor matter.

The disappearance of a post could signify many things—possible infiltration by enemy forces or perhaps the reemergence of a traitor.

Whatever the case, it warranted her personal attention.

As she lifted her skirt to descend the stairs, Leon suddenly appeared at the entrance, disheveled and exhausted.

Leon glanced at her, then at the nearby guard. "Are you heading to the eastern border?"

Roswitha blinked in surprise. "How do you know?"

"No need to go. I just came back from there," Leon replied as he brandished the camera in his hand. "And I've brought back some crucial clues. You might find them interesting."