“Mom, you’re here!” Helena beamed, running over to the door.
“Mm,” Claudia responded with a calm nod.
Helena took her hand and led her forward. “Mom, let me introduce you. These are Noa’s parents.”
Seeing Claudia approach, Leon and Rosvisser rose from their seats.
“Hello to you both. I’m Helena’s mother, Claudia Poseidon.”
Her tone was polite yet cold, her voice carrying an aloofness that reminded Leon of how Rosvisser had been before becoming a mother of three—cold, detached, almost untouchable.
Even though her words were courteous, there was a clear sense of distance.
“Hello, Ms. Claudia. I’m Noa’s mother, Rosvisser Melkvey,” Rosvisser replied with a livelier tone, though she kept her excitement in check.
As the reigning queen for fifty years, Rosvisser was skilled in social graces, knowing that revealing too much eagerness could easily tip the balance. Even if Claudia wasn’t an adversary, this first encounter was a delicate game of subtle maneuvers.
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“A pleasure to meet you, Queen of the Silver Dragons, Ms. Melkvey.” Claudia’s title for Rosvisser reflected her long lifespan and the dragon tradition of acknowledging age and status. In dragon terms, Rosvisser, just over two hundred, was still a “miss.”
Then, Claudia’s gaze drifted to Leon, finally acknowledging him after entering the room.
Leon, sensing her attention, took the initiative. “Hello, I’m Rosvisser’s husband, Leon Cosmod.”
Rosvisser raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. She was used to Leon calling her “my dear wife,” “my dragon queen,” or, occasionally, his less affectionate “dragon lady.” Hearing him call her “Rosvisser” was a rare occurrence; only her family called her by the pet name “Ros,” given her status as the youngest of her generation.
And, surprisingly, she didn’t mind hearing it from Leon. It even sparked a small warmth within her.
Rosvisser shook her head, clearing her thoughts, before they all took their seats. Helena handed her mother a copy of the script, which Claudia skimmed through with a nod of approval.
“Very well done, Helena,” Claudia remarked, the faintest hint of pride in her otherwise reserved tone.
Receiving her mother’s praise, Helena’s tail swished in delight.
“Where are the rest of your group members?” Claudia asked, placing the script down.
“They’re gathering the props and costumes; they’ll be back soon.”
“Good. For future activities like this, make sure everything’s ready ahead of time.”
“Yes, Mom,” Helena nodded obediently.
Watching this mother-daughter exchange, Leon and Rosvisser shared a knowing glance. This scene felt eerily similar to the days when General Leon had first taught Queen Rosvisser a bit of “human parenting.”
Years ago, when Rosvisser had just become a mother, she hadn’t quite known how to interact with her daughters. She’d been much like Claudia, always serious and stern, correcting Noa and Moon over even the smallest things. Her daughters had adjusted to it, and she hadn’t thought anything was amiss.
But then Leon had awoken from his two-year coma, bringing with him the parenting philosophy of the human world, and Rosvisser, initially resistant, soon found herself charmed by it. Watching her daughters grow more affectionate and cheerful, she had quickly seen the appeal of Leon’s methods.
Now, living in such a warm household, she’d almost forgotten what traditional dragon parenting looked like—until Claudia reminded her.
As she pondered this, Leon tapped her hand lightly. She turned to him, and they silently activated their “private channel.”
**Leon:** “Doesn’t this scene look familiar?”
**Rosvisser:** “I know what you’re thinking. I’ve changed a lot.”
**Leon:** “So, Claudia really has that ‘leader’ vibe going. Think she’s a high-ranking figure in the Sea Dragon Clan?”
**Rosvisser:** “Absolutely. ‘Poseidon’ is a noble surname in their clan.”
**Leon:** “Guess it’ll be tricky to dig up her background, then?”
**Rosvisser:** “Probably. Every question needs to be carefully weighed. A misstep could lead to misunderstandings.”
**Leon:** “Got it.”
Their “conversation” ended as Leon turned back toward Claudia and Helena. Claudia was offering Helena feedback on the script.
“Helena, do you feel this line truly conveys the character’s emotions?”
“Which line, Mom?”
“‘I can’t live without you. Please, you have to wake up,’” Claudia pointed at the script. “We’re near the end, but in this two-hour play, the protagonists have never openly expressed their feelings.”
“Throughout the twists and turns, the audience may have sensed their love, but those are merely the ‘fuel’ for this emotional ‘explosion’ at the finale. You need a ‘fuse’ to ignite it.”
“This line is that fuse.”
“You need to think again about how to make this line encapsulate all the buildup, so the audience can feel the depth of the characters’ connection.”
With that, she handed the script back to Helena.
Helena accepted it with both hands. “Yes, Mom. I’ll work on it.”
“Good. I trust you’ll come up with an even better line.”
Leon, watching the interaction, blinked in admiration. Claudia had quite a talent for directing, guiding Helena with a thoroughness and intensity that was surprising for what was, essentially, a children’s play.
Her practical attitude reminded Leon of his mentor’s wife, a kind woman who, in her own gentle way, would deliver unyielding commands to both Leon and his mentor.
As he watched Claudia, Leon took the time to study her face, realizing that he’d seen something similar in the photos he’d glimpsed in the future.
He scratched his head, trying to make sense of the familiar feeling. He was no lovesick fool who saw a pretty woman and thought he’d met her before... although Aurora had once teased him about exactly that.
As he pondered, a burst of energetic footsteps filled the hall.
They all looked to the door.
The young dragon girls entered, their arms loaded with props and costumes.
“Oh, everyone’s here!” Noa announced as she set the props down, then turned to Claudia.
“Hello, Aunt Claudia. I’m Helena’s classmate and roommate, Noa K. Melkvey.”
Claudia offered a slight smile and nodded, “Hello, Noa.”
“Aunt Claudia, my name is Moon. I’m Noa’s sister.”
“That’s a beautiful name. It means ‘moon,’ doesn’t it? Hello, Moon.”
“I-I’m Aurora! But everyone calls me Little Light. Hug, please!” Aurora eagerly held out her arms.
“Oh, dear! Sweetheart, let’s not hug!” Leon quickly intercepted his youngest daughter, anticipating her signature uppercut. One wrong move, and they could kiss any chance of learning more about Claudia goodbye.
Aurora looked up, blinking her big eyes in confusion. Leon immediately added, “It’s not polite to ask for hugs right away, Little Light.”
“Alright.” Aurora nodded obediently, though she was a bit disheartened. Her *Achievement Unlocked: Hug All the Pretty Aunts* would have to wait another day.
Introductions complete, Noa clapped her hands. “Alright, everyone! Now that we’re all here, let’s officially begin rehearsals!”