The couple contained their excitement for the moment. There was one thing they had to confirm before getting too ahead of themselves.
"Noah, did you just say that your classmate Helena managed to convince… Aunt Claudia?" Leon asked.
Noah nodded, "Aunt Claudia's clan rarely makes public appearances, even at places as neutral as St. Heith Academy. Helena's the only young dragon from their tribe attending school here."
Leon and Rosswessi exchanged glances.
It looked like it was finally time to break out the champagne.
"So, which tribe exactly does Helena belong to?" Rosswessi asked.
"The Sea Dragon Clan."
Just three simple words, but they sent a thrill of excitement through Leon and Rosswessi.
From the time Tiger had given Leon the Nine Gates of Hell to the recent acquisition of Soul Judgment, and even Leon's journey twenty years into the future, where he learned about his daughters' lives—all these events had one common thread:
The Sea Dragon Clan, specifically, Claudia Poseidon.
She was the author of both the Nine Gates of Hell and Soul Judgment, as well as the future mentor of their daughters.
Most intriguingly, this mysterious, talented, and compassionate member of the Sea Dragon Clan might have a connection to Leon's master, Tiger. It couldn't be mere coincidence that both of the invaluable manuals Tiger had given him were written by Claudia.
Leon had longed to meet Claudia, to understand what kind of person she truly was. And if he could glean something about her relationship with his master, all the better.
But the Sea Dragon Clan had isolated themselves for the past thirty years. Combined with the complicated "social etiquette" among dragons, Leon had yet to meet Claudia.
Now, thanks to his precious daughter, they finally had a chance to lift the veil of mystery surrounding Claudia Poseidon.
Leon wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by.
Neither was Rosswessi.
They shared a look, and Noah noticed. "Mom, Dad? Do you know much about the Sea Dragon Clan?"
Noah knew they were reclusive, and she had even asked Helena about them, but Helena didn't know much either. But the way her parents' expressions changed when she mentioned "Sea Dragon Clan" piqued her curiosity.
Leon chuckled and shook his head, "Not really. We've just rarely heard about any activity from the Sea Dragon Clan, so I suppose they must be a secluded and quiet tribe."
"True. In both the Young Dragon Division and the Youth Dragon Division, Helena's the only one from her clan," Noah replied. "So Helena convincing Aunt Claudia to perform in this play was no small feat. Are you sure you and Mom don't want to join?"
After seeing Vice Principal Wilson interrogate them so many times, Noah had picked up on her parents' aversion to public displays of affection.
Meanwhile, Muen was too preoccupied with her VIP seat in the drama of "How to Convince Mom and Dad to Have Another Baby" to notice.
As for Aurora, Noah seriously suspected that it was her sister's behind-the-scenes maneuvering that had led to their parents being forced onto the stage for the Academy's recent award ceremony.
So…
One sister wanted a new sibling; the other just wanted to stir things up. That left Noah, as the eldest, with the responsibility of being the family's "little confidant," tactfully minding her parents' well-being to maintain a healthy family dynamic.
Given her parents' personalities, she'd expected them to decline. She hadn't pinned her hopes on their participation. She just wanted to do something with her mom and dad, to share this experience with them—
"We'll do it, Noah."
Rosswessi spoke, "Your father and I will join the play."
Hearing this, Noah's eyes sparkled with joy. "Really, Mom?"
Rosswessi smiled and gently pinched her cheek, "Really."
"You're the best, Mom~" Noah beamed and wrapped her arms around Rosswessi, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.
Noah rarely showed her affection so openly. For her to offer a kiss so willingly showed just how much she wanted her parents to be part of this play.
Seeing this, the father standing beside her felt a pang of jealousy.
"Ahem—" Leon cleared his throat, trying to make his presence known.
Hey, dear daughter, you kissed Mom—don't I deserve one too?
We're a family here, and families are about equal treatment!
Noah turned to her father with a mischievous smile, "What's wrong, Dad? Are you not feeling well?"
Leon froze, recognizing the playful glint in her eyes that reminded him so much of Rosswessi's sly grin.
Wow, like mother, like daughter. Noah might have that cool, aloof exterior, but beneath it lay the same cunning streak as her mother.
Sweetheart, couldn't you have taken after your dad's straightforward nature a little more?
Look at your father—always direct, never coy.
"No, my throat's fine," Leon replied.
Noah tilted her head, her smile not fading. "Then why the cough, Dad?"
"My face just felt a bit… dry."
"Oh? So does that make your throat dry too?"
"Exactly. It's called a chain reaction."
"Oh, I see. So what should we do about it?"
"…"
"Why aren't you saying anything, Dad?"
"So… you're really not going to kiss your old dad, huh—"
Before Leon could finish his grumble, Noah leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"What was that, Dad?" she asked, still grinning like a mischievous little fox.
Leon scratched his nose, turning to ruffle the hair on Muen's head, "N-nothing."
Though it had taken a bit of wrangling, he'd finally earned a kiss from his daughter.
He was content.
They continued to chat about the play's general arrangements before Noah took her sisters to bed.
The hotpot feast was winding down as well.
Leon and Rosswessi strolled away from the courtyard.
"I won again," Rosswessi remarked suddenly, a hint of smug pride in her voice.
Leon rolled his eyes. "What did you win now?"
"Noah kissed me first, then you."
"That's because you were the one who decided to join the play," Leon reasoned. "If I'd made the decision, Noah would've kissed me first."
"Mm-hmm. Keep telling yourself that." Rosswessi crossed her arms, her tail curling up in a little flourish of pride.
"Hmph, not worth arguing about."
Rosswessi chuckled. Whenever that man said something "wasn't worth arguing about," it meant he'd conceded.
Ah, well. Our dear General Leon is just a bit thin-skinned. As his wife, it's only fair I look after him, even if he can't admit it out loud.
A fake wife has to play the part of a real wife sometimes, especially when it helps keep the peace.
"Well then, let's prepare ourselves," Rosswessi said. "It won't be long before we finally meet the mysterious… Claudia."