In the evening, the silver-haired beauty sat at her desk in the study, wearing a thin chiffon nightgown.
She rested her slender legs on the desk, her dragon-winged slippers dangling from her delicate feet. Faint red marks lingered on her fair neck and the soft skin of her collarbone.
Rossweise opened a locked drawer and retrieved a dark brown leather-bound diary. Since "that incident," it had been half a month, and she found herself writing in it much more frequently.
Struggles, efforts, but an inability to change the situation. Feeling helpless, with no outlet for her suppressed shame and frustration, writing had become her temporary relief.
"Rossweise's Diary":
"October 3rd: Leon showed me the photos he secretly took of me in the bunny outfit. He used them to threaten me into wearing it again and… engaging with him."
"October 4th: I tried to find those photos and the backups. Leon caught me and forced me to… engage with him."
"October 5th: In the early hours, I thought the 2:30 AM adventure was real. But when he led me to that poplar grove, I realized it was a trap he set up, just to be with me. Damn captive."
"October 6th: Engaged."
"October 7th: Engaged."
"…"
"October 11th: Engaged."
"October 12th: Rossweise, oh Rossweise, you can't let that captive keep insulting and using you. You must resist! Fight back!"
"October 13th: Engaged."
"October 14th: I lost my temper at him, I really did. I was furious. But instead of mocking me or fanning the flames, he just waited for me to calm down. Then he spoke to me in a very gentle tone, saying he understood me, knew me, and other sweet words."
"I know this behavior is called 'pampering' in human society, often used between couples."
"Although I don't quite understand it, after he comforted me, I did feel a bit better. Sometimes that dog's mouth can be quite sweet."
"Then… engaged. Hmph! I'd rather believe in ghosts than a man's smooth talk!"
"October 15th: At night, he tried to force me to call him 'husband.' I refused. So he kept pestering me from after dinner until midnight."
"I don't understand. How can the strongest Dragon Slayer make such a straightforward, childish demand? He wanted me to say it, but I wouldn't."
"I did it once during the sports meet, and he took it seriously. Idiot! Even if he pesters me until morning, I won't call him!"
As Rossweise read this passage, she snapped the diary shut and closed her eyes. But the memories of that unbearable night flooded back.
That evening, Leon just wanted to try something new. He planned to let Rossweise go if she obediently called him 'husband.'
However, he hadn't expected the dragoness's mouth to be so stubborn.
To force her to comply, Leon first made her put on the bunny outfit again for a second round.
For added effect, he even had Rossweise deliberately tear a few holes in her black stockings—making it even more tantalizing.
But even then, the dragoness refused to yield. She just wouldn't say the word.
Alright, next move: the blindfolded kiss.
Leon didn't tell her where he was going to kiss, wanting to evoke that feeling of being randomly called on in school—nervous yet thrilling. But even after the kiss, her lips remained sealed.
"You've got guts, Rossweise. If that's how it is, how will you handle my third move?"
He carried Rossweise to the balcony, pointing at the moon in the sky. "I'll keep going until the moon is covered by clouds."
Rossweise looked up. The moon was bright and clear, without a single cloud in sight.
Leon made it clear he wasn't going to let her off easily.
"Will you call me or not? Hm?"
"I won't! I'd rather die than call! Just do your worst!"
True to his word, the torment began. Rossweise endured the shame, her mouth tightly shut, refusing to utter the two words that would grant her respite.
Leon: "Why won't you say it?"
Rossweise: "I just won't!"
Unfortunately, the next entry in the diary read:
"October 16th, 3 AM: I called. 'Husband'"
"Note: Called seven times."
Snap—
Rossweise closed the diary again.
It was too painful to look at. She thought that, judging by the content, it could hardly be called a "diary" anymore.
"The Queen's Suffering Chronicles" or "The Revenge Notebook" might be more fitting.
Rossweise hadn't intended to record these humiliations and dark moments.
But to push herself toward a more ruthless retaliation against Leon in the future, she had to document her trials in written form.
It was both pressure and motivation.
Her silver eyes fixed on the diary's cover, the queen's mind churned.
She had to do something.
Rossweise realized she must take action. Otherwise, the pressure would become unbearable, her health would suffer, her standing in the family would plummet, and she would lose any chance of turning the tables.
With this thought, her gaze fell on an envelope in the drawer.
Setting the diary aside, she retrieved the envelope. It had no sender or recipient, and inside was only a single sheet of paper—the letter she had left for Leon when she met Tiger.
Her master had said that if Leon saw the contents, he would know they were still alive and safe.
Now, Rossweise intended to use this message as leverage to trade for the backup photos.
It had been almost a month since her return. She had initially planned to use the letter against Leon later, but given the current situation, she had no choice but to play this card now.
Restoring the balance of power was paramount. As for other methods to pressure Leon, she could find them later.
Rossweise pursed her lips, returned the letter to the drawer, and locked it. Then she stood, left the study, and returned to the bedroom.
The bed was slightly disheveled, bearing traces of their recent skirmish. Rossweise thought about straightening it but decided to change the sheets entirely.
After finishing, she sighed in relief.
Tick-tock… The clock behind her ticked steadily. Rossweise glanced back; it was already midnight.
Feeling drowsy, she realized she could finally rest early tonight. She slipped off her shoes, crawled into bed, and pulled up the covers.
Leaning against the headboard, her eyes fell on the oversized teddy bear beside her.
With a subtle shift in her gaze, she grabbed the bear and delivered a few soft punches to its plush face.
As she pummeled it, she muttered under her breath, "Dog of a man, dog of a man, go to hell!"
After venting her frustration on the teddy bear, Rossweise tossed it aside and drifted off to sleep.
.
.
.
The next evening, after dinner, the couple stood side by side in the kitchen washing dishes. Leon handled the scrubbing, while Rossweise rinsed and dried.
Their cooperation was seamless, requiring little conversation. As they neared the end, Rossweise asked, "Are you staying tonight?"
Leon's hands paused for a moment. He smiled. "If you don't want me to, you can beg. I might consider giving you a day off."
Rossweise didn't reply and simply placed the last plate on the rack.
After cleaning up, the couple went out to play with Muen for a while.
Leon mentioned that Muen was in the stage of magical enlightenment and showed signs of awakening her talent. They needed to keep a closer eye on her.
This was good news. Typically, young dragons didn't awaken their talents until three or four years old. Prodigies like Noah awakened at one.
As the sister of a prodigy, though she usually acted like a cute mascot, Muen's potential was remarkable—if she was willing to apply herself.
By past eight in the evening, Leon carried the tired Muen back to her room and tucked her into her small bed.
The little dragon curled her tail and lay quietly. Even exhausted, she murmured, "I want to learn magic… I want to learn magic…"
With an excellent older sister as a role model, she didn't need adults to push her; she motivated herself.
After watching their youngest daughter fall asleep, the couple returned to Rossweise's room. Before they even reached the bedroom, Leon wrapped his arms around Rossweise's waist and kissed her.
This time, however, Rossweise extended a hand and gently pressed her index finger against his lips, whispering, "Don't rush. Let's go to the study. I have a surprise for you tonight."
Though it sounded tempting, Leon wasn't about to be manipulated.
"Come on, understand your role, Mother Dragon. It's the captive's turn to be in charge. I give the orders, you follow. That's how it is."
He grabbed Rossweise's wrist and pulled her hand away. "What if I insist on staying here? What can you do about it?" Leon taunted, his eyes feigning pity as they swept over the marks on her skin.
"Tsk tsk tsk, it breaks my heart to see such well-maintained skin covered in so many marks. My apologies, Your Majesty."
"Hmph, stop pretending, Leon. I'm not afraid of you tonight," Rossweise retorted.
Before dinner, Leon had checked the hiding place of the photo backups as usual. They were safe and undiscovered. So, in his eyes, Rossweise's words were just empty threats.
He reached out, gently caressing her cheek. "Mother Dragon, your whole body is soft except for your mouth."
Rossweise chuckled. "Aren't you curious about the surprise I mentioned?"
Leon's mind stirred. She's so insistent on this 'surprise.' Could it actually be important?
After a brief contemplation, he released her hand. "Fine. To the study. Let's see what tricks you have."
Rossweise adjusted her dress collar, glanced at him, and strode quickly toward her study. Leon followed.
The couple entered the study one after the other. Rossweise went to the desk while Leon stood to the side. She opened a drawer and pulled out an envelope. Leon glanced at it, his brow furrowing slightly.
Seeing his attention caught, Rossweise said casually, "Here. There's news from your master."
The moment Leon heard "master," he instinctively reached for the letter. But Rossweise was faster, hiding it behind her back. She looked at his face, now filled with eager concern.
Perfect. Just the expression she wanted.
"I can tell. After more than two years apart, you're anxious to know about your master's well-being."
Rossweise continued, "But if you want to see what's inside, you'll need to trade something for it. Understand?"
Leon immediately guessed her meaning. "The photo backups?"
Rossweise nodded. "But how do I know this letter is really from my master? What if it's just a blank sheet you're using to trick me into giving up the backups?" Leon countered.
Leon was indeed worried about his master's safety, but he hadn't forgotten this mental battle with the dragoness.
If he fell into her trap and gave her a chance to turn the tables, he wouldn't have the luxury to worry about his master—he'd be worrying about himself first.
Seemingly anticipating this, Rossweise pressed on. "But I'm the only person you can ask about your master. If you don't trust me, you have no other options, do you?"
She leaned forward, one hand on the desk, gazing into Leon's eyes with a smug smile.
"So, what will you do? Keep hiding those backups, or miss this rare chance to learn about your master's whereabouts?"
Rossweise was right. If he wanted news of his master, this was his only method—relying on her. So, whether her offering was genuine or not, Leon had no choice.
However… Leon wasn't entirely unprepared.
When he first showed Rossweise the bunny girl photos, he had told her there were only three copies, including the one she burned.
But in reality, he had printed five. Even if he gave her two now in exchange for the letter, he would still have two backups left.
The advantage would still be his.
Of course, this was the escape route Leon had left for himself. Since this was a trade, he would still act in good faith.
After all, Rossweise had never betrayed him on serious matters like this. How could he betray her?
Regaining his focus, Leon nodded. "Alright. I'll go get them for you."
With that, the delicate balance of power shifted once again.