The first task in preparing for the rehearsal of the play was to assign roles and responsibilities.

"Noa-chan will serve as the director of this play, and I will be the screenwriter. Neither of us will have fixed roles, but we'll take on some small cameo parts to make up for the lack of participants."

Helena held the script in her hands. The first page wasn't filled with lines or scenes but rather with some notes she had made. "Mom will guide me on areas of the script that need improvement during the rehearsal. If Uncle Leon and Auntie Roswitha have any suggestions about the plot, you can bring them up at any time. Little Muen and Aurora, you can too~"

After all, this was a play organized by the young dragon division of the academy. Having children take on roles such as director and screenwriter was perfectly normal.

Leaving everything to adults would lose the original purpose of this competition.

Moreover, their assignments were very reasonable.

Noa already had some experience as a director of some "documentaries". It was a few years ago, when Leon and Roswitha went on their first date in Sky City, in part to help Noa complete a school essay assignment.

Noa had "filmed" the entire date, striving to capture the most authentic side of her mom and dad's outing—well, at least what she understood to be "authentic," and not certain other things the couple had been trying to keep under wraps.

Otherwise, that warm family-themed essay could have turned into a historical account titled *"How an Ambitious Silver Dragoness Tried to Ruin My Life."*

In the end, though, Noa wrote a heartfelt, high-scoring essay, and her parents' slightly awkward feelings for each other warmed up just a bit more (like the universe between ones thumb and index finger).

As for Helena taking on the role of screenwriter, it made perfect sense—her mother worked in the field. Having grown up immersed in that environment, Helena could surely handle things well. Everyone had faith in her abilities.

"Alright, now that we've settled on the director and the screenwriter, let's decide who will play the key roles in the story," Director Noa said with seriousness.

"My idea is that since our play's central plot revolves around the love and heartbreak between the male and female protagonists, it would be ideal to cast a real-life couple to portray them."

With that, everyone turned their eyes toward the only couple (married, no less) present.

The pair had somewhat anticipated being handed such a responsibility. However, before it was finalized, Leon wanted to make one last attempt to dodge it.

"Noa, Helena, do you think there's a chance that casting someone with a contrasting personality to the character might surprise the audience and judges, creating unexpected effects?"

Noa kept a straight face. "There's no such chance, Dad. Actually, Helena mentioned that these two roles were tailor-made for you and Mom from the beginning."

"...”

Tailor-made? Are you sure this play is for an academy competition and not just an excuse for you two to showcase your parents' relationship?

"No problem, Noa. Your dad and I will follow your arrangements," Roswitha said with a smile.

Leon glanced at Roswitha, who gave him a barely perceptible nod. Seeing this, Leon stopped resisting.

Since he had already promised Noa to participate, he figured he might as well comply with her requests as much as possible.

"Muen will play the role of the female lead's maid. She'll be responsible for looking after the princess and, when necessary, courageously helping her chase after her love." Noa turned to her younger sister.

Muen cheerfully wiggled the tuft of hair on her head and looked at Roswitha. "Yay~ Now I get to take care of Mom!"

Roswitha chuckled as she tousled Muen's hair. "Well, thank you in advance, Muen."

Muen proudly placed her hands on her waist, puffed out her chest, and perked up her tail. "Taking care of Princess Mom is Muen's sacred duty!"

Good! Such spirit!

My dear daughter, you’ll surely grow up to be a dedicated actress.

"As for Aurora, her role is a little fairy who guides the male lead step by step out of his difficulties and helps him reunite with the female lead."

"I know this one!" Aurora raised her hand. "The inspiration must come from Cupid! I read in a book that Cupid helps adults fall in love~"

"Well... Your character is a bit different from Cupid," Noa explained.

Aurora tilted her head, puzzled. "Huh? How’s it different?"

"Cupid doesn’t wear clothes. But you don’t need to worry about that."

Aurora: ...

"Ha, ha. Big sis, you’re really funny."

Behind Aurora, Leon was quietly trying to hold back laughter.

It wasn't every day that someone could leave the little pink-haired one speechless, but her big sister was an exception.

"What about Ms. Claudia?" Roswitha asked proactively.

Actually, Noa had planned to mention Claudia next, so there was no need for Roswitha to bring it up. However, to leave a deep impression during this first encounter, Roswitha seized the opportunity to cue Claudia now and then.

She made sure to tread carefully so Claudia wouldn’t feel put off.

"Claudia-auntie... She’ll play the male lead’s~~ mother!"

Leon: ?

"Why does a love story have a role for the older generation?" Leon asked.

"Love stories aren’t all smooth sailing. There’s got to be some sort of obstacle, right?" Noa responded. "This creates suspense and highlights how precious the eventual happy ending is."

Roswitha mulled it over. "An obstacle? So does that mean... Ms. Claudia will play a non-positive character?"

"Hmm... Not exactly a ‘non-positive’ character," Helena clarified this time. "But after some thought, we realized my mom could best capture that commanding, oppressive presence while still showing nuanced care for the male lead."

Understood.

It’s a multi-layered role that the little dragon girls couldn’t handle, so it had to go to an adult.

"Helena."

Claudia, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Mom?" Helena looked up at Claudia, whose expression had turned serious.

Leon discreetly broke a sweat for the little sea dragoness.

You’re the screenwriter. Writing a complex villain is perfectly normal and can even be a highlight of the play. If the plot is well-structured and the character fully realized, it might even elevate the play.

But, sweet one, did you have to say so bluntly that "Mom is suited to play an oppressive villain"?

If Noa had said Roswitha was suited to play a villain, do you know how that silver dragoness might vent her frustration on me later tonight?

For now, the only hope was that Ms. Claudia understood the "out of the mouths of babes" principle.

The sophisticated woman lowered her gaze and, in a very serious tone, asked, "Do I really look like someone who’d play a malicious empress or a similar character?"

"Emmm..."

Helena began to think.

Please, kid—your mom’s giving you a chance here. You must choose your words carefully!

Finally, with equal seriousness, Helena nodded.

"Yes, you do."

This time, not only Leon, but even Roswitha felt a twinge in her back from Helena's shocking response.

Praying for Claudia to dismiss it as childish play seemed less likely than hoping she wasn’t the sort of person to hold a grudge.

Otherwise, there might not be a chance to connect with her after the rehearsal wrapped up.

The situation was utterly bizarre—

It was a conversation between a sea dragon mother and her daughter, but somehow, it was the silver dragon couple breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Helena, I’m proud of you for learning one of the most critical lessons about ‘creation.’" Claudia patted her daughter’s head, her face breaking into a smile for the first time.

"Never compromise your original vision, no matter who questions it."

"But..."

"I still need to clarify something."

"Your mom might seem stern, but I’m actually a very nice person."

"Got it?"

Helena nodded emphatically. "Got it, Mom."

Claudia smiled in satisfaction and then turned her gaze to Leon and Roswitha.

Although she said nothing, it was as if she was silently repeating to the couple, *"But I’m actually a very nice person."*

Leon narrowed his eyes slightly, bewildered. Why was Claudia so explicitly emphasizing this point via such obvious hints?