Tears welled up—Naya had finally heeded the System’s words.

But having learned from past mistakes, the System avoided bluntly suggesting that eliminating Elise now would spare future troubles.

A host swayed by affection needed gentle correction; rushing would only backfire.

After all, a mosquito coil snaps if bent too hard.

[So, Master, you must step up too!]

[Yes. I will grow stronger—how else can I protect them? Tonight, I’ll complete the mission and secure the Holy Lance repair blueprint.]

Naya lowered her head and asked Eliya softly,

“Am I included in the travel plan?”

“Of course! How could I go anywhere without Mom? A trip without you isn’t a trip at all!”

“Good.”

As long as it wasn’t a secret journey hidden from her—as long as she could stay by Eliya’s side—anywhere was fine.

The quiet day vanished in a blink.

The setting sun dipped behind the western hills; the bright moon rose into the velvet night.

After tucking Eliya in with a bedtime story, Naya returned to her room.

She closed the door, leaned against it, and gazed from afar at the crimson-haired Dragonkin woman resting on the bed in a thin nightgown.

*Have things become too frequent lately?*

Since her memories returned, Elise’s longing had only intensified.

Thankfully, Naya’s Dragonkin physique granted her high resistance to grass-elemental energy.

Every action has its reason.

First: Elise truly loved her.

Therefore, perhaps Naya hadn’t shown enough love in return.

So Elise sought to win her over through intimacy—literally sleeping her into submission.

To Dragonkin minds shaped by survival of the fittest, Elise’s frequent combustion reactions signaled a desire to conquer her completely.

To keep her forever in the submissive role—what fans jokingly call “the bottom.”

Naya refused. She was a modern, independent woman. Human relationships required reciprocity. Advance demanded retreat.

“Elise, why didn’t you discuss the trip with me? Why keep it secret and talk only with Eliya?”

First: she stood zero chance in a fight.

So psychological advantage was key.

Until she secured the upper hand, she must not get close—Elise’s touch meant instant hypnosis.

Arms crossed, Naya turned her head aside with tsundere pride, her posture screaming:

*You discussed something this important only with Eliya? You don’t love me enough—you hide everything!*

“I *did* ask you yesterday if you wanted to go out. You said no. I’ve planned this for ages, but since you refused, I was searching for better ways to persuade you. I wasn’t hiding it—I just hadn’t found the right words.”

Truth was, that “method” was Eliya.

Elise knew Eliya could never keep secrets from Naya.

Once Eliya voiced the request, Naya would never refuse.

So Elise deliberately brought it up, fully expecting Eliya to slip.

Elise watched Naya pressed against the door, the tip of her silvery-white tail twitching thoughtfully.

*What new trick is my restored-memory wife plotting today?*

She gazed at Naya with quiet anticipation.

*Yesterday morning…*

Yes. Back then, Naya suspected a test and answered “no” to prove her devotion.

Now it was clear: she’d overthought it.

“You weren’t just planning fun—you wanted Elise to train, to become a capable princess sooner. Sending Eliya on adventure? Of course I’d disagree.”

*Save face first.*

“But we can’t cage Eliya forever. As a Dragonkin, isn’t it tragic if she never freely touches the sky?”

*Oh no.*

With that shift, *she* suddenly seemed unreasonable.

She’d aimed to assert authority—but now felt guilty.

Naya bit her lip, scrambling for a retort.

A fragrant breeze swept in.

The crimson-haired Dragonkin materialized before her—graceful as a soaring dragon, delicate as a startled swan. Her translucent nightgown hinted at alluring curves beneath, like misty peaks glimpsed in the dim lamplight, stirring tender emotions in the hushed room.

Naya swallowed hard.

“I know you worry for Eliya. But with you and me protecting her together, no obstacle is insurmountable. Nothing can threaten us.”

“Where’s that confidence from?”

“Shall I remind you how I defeated you? Care to see my true form again?”

“I’ll… pass.”

Elise’s true form was still intimidating.

Naya feared seeing it would shatter her resolve entirely.

Unnoticed, she was drawn into warmth—Elise’s forehead gently pressed to hers.

“Your wife isn’t some underling. I am the Dragon Sovereign. The Dragon Queen who’s survived countless assassination attempts unscathed. Secret? My power transcends this world’s rules. As long as I don’t recklessly die—I am invincible.”

“Huh? Stronger than the System?”

The System fell silent. *Obviously—if it were stronger than the Dragon Sovereign, why slowly nurture a Chosen Hero? Just max buffs and punch the Queen into oblivion. All those useless quests? Pointless.* But voicing that would crush Naya’s spirit. So the System played dead.

“But one thing can pierce my defenses.”

“What?”

*Shock!*

Was Elise revealing her weakness?

Could Naya use it later to turn the tables in bed?

Heart pounding, Naya locked eyes on Elise’s crimson lips parting.

“If you were ever taken from me… parted by death… the grief would break me. To me, you are my entire world. I could never live on without you.”

“Elise…”

Tears streamed down Naya’s face.

She adored this—Elise’s exaggerated, cheesy love confessions.

She wrapped her arms around Elise’s neck, weeping with raw emotion.

*Good news: I know her weakness.*

*Bad news: it’s mine too. Hurting her hurts me.*

Feeling Naya’s resistance fade, Elise lifted her gently onto the bed, propping her against the pillows.

Hovering above, Elise gazed into Naya’s tender eyes—her crimson slit pupils burning with predatory hunger.

Hunter and prey were unmistakable.

[MASTER!!!]

Yet Naya willingly surrendered to the Queen’s charm, instinctively dismissing the System’s alert.

[System, stay silent. Let her love me.]

In that moment, her amethyst eyes held only unwavering, autumn-water devotion as she gazed at Elise.