Chapter 32: A Sense of Ritual ( Part 2 )
Partly because they were afraid of being caught by their kin — and just one phrase like “social death” wouldn’t even begin to cover it. They’d probably have to live on a different planet.
Partly because the throne symbolized rule and power, and although doing work here satisfied their rebellious and forbidden psychology, it still deserved some respect for tradition.
So, something like “cannonball” was fine once or twice, but too much would be… less elegant.
Snapping back to reality, León leaned forward a little to see the files on the desk clearly. “Which one needs my help?”
“Hm? None of them really need your help.” Loisver said.
León froze. “Then why did you let me sit here?”
“By sitting here, you’re already helping me.”
Loisver said, “I need someone to keep me company while I face all this tedious work. That person must be good-tempered, emotionally intelligent, and have a sense of humor. It would be even better if he’s handsome.”
“…Mother dragon, you’re so shallow.”
“I handle all the tribe’s affairs with the depth and thoughtfulness of a queen while enjoying the emotional value brought by the man I admire sitting next to me. How is that shallow?”
Loisver turned her head slowly, a faint smile on her lips, her eyes filled with charm as she looked at León. “Oh, by the way, aside from emotional value, you’re also easy on the eyes.”
Look, how wonderful it is to be admired by a queen.
On the small scale, it can buy you some extra time to talk if you’re captured, which helps when using the Blood Charm on the queen.
On a larger scale, you don’t need to do anything. Just sit there, and the queen will smile and tell you how handsome you are.
León suppressed the urge to smile and silently accepted Loisver’s compliment.
Seeing that León accepted her praise, Loisver smiled faintly and didn’t say anything more, continuing to work.
After a while, Loisver spoke again,
“Why did you ask if I’m busy?”
“Emmm… I was thinking of asking you out for a walk.”
Loisver blinked, “Are you… asking me out on a date?”
León pursed his lips, his gaze half-avoiding, “I guess… maybe.”
Since he didn’t need to worry about his daughters’ study progress for now, and his physical recovery was passive, León had really been feeling a bit restless and unable to sit still these past few days.
After thinking for a while, he finally went to find Loisver.
Going out for a walk and relaxing seemed like a good idea, right?
But the queen’s response was:
“I don’t want to.”
León: ?
“We’re not dating, so why would I go on a date with you?”
León looked at her smiling profile, stunned for a moment, then immediately realized that the mother dragon was playing dumb on purpose.
“How are we not dating?” León asked bluntly.
Since he knew Loisver was teasing him with flirtatious back-and-forth, he no longer hesitated and just asked straight out.
After all, a direct approach cuts through all methods.
“You’ve never made a formal confession, so of course, we’re not dating.”
Oh, a straight ball hit an even straighter ball.
León quickly conceded, a bit embarrassed, rubbing the tip of his nose, “Okay…”
He didn’t make another invitation, choosing instead to silently provide Loisver with emotional value… and… admire her beauty.
Loisver didn’t say anything else and continued working.
The afternoon passed quickly.
The couple sat shoulder to shoulder on the throne. Loisver kept handling the tedious documents and reports, occasionally resting her head on León’s shoulder for a short break when she got tired.
After the topic of “not confessing means not being in a relationship” ended, they didn’t chat much.
As dinner time approached, Loisver put down her pen, stretched lazily, and her graceful curve was fully revealed.
León couldn’t help but glance at her.
The queen let out a relieved sigh and looked at León.
He seemed… a bit moody?
In short, he wasn’t very active.
She probably understood that he was still dwelling on the rejection of his date invitation.
Loisver smiled, stood up, “After dinner, meet me in the cherry blossom grove behind the mountain.”
León’s eyes lit up, “Are you inviting me for a date, Your Majesty?”
Loisver hummed lightly, “It’s just a routine inspection of the back mountain, not a date.”
She almost wrote “I’m being tsundere” on her face.
León understood her.
The couple laughed at each other, their eyes filled with unspoken affection.
After a brief exchange of glances, Loisver turned away, arms crossed, and walked down the stairs, “Let’s go have dinner.”
León followed her.
At the dinner table, the daughters reported what they had learned that afternoon.
León and Loisver listened attentively, offering words of encouragement.
After dinner, the couple exchanged a glance, and Loisver subtly nodded toward the back mountain. León immediately understood.
While the maids cleaned up the dining table, León left first and went to the back mountain.
Being married for a long time, they had this kind of unspoken understanding.
Sometimes, a look was enough for a secret rendezvous.
He arrived at the cherry blossom grove in the back mountain.
Soon, he heard footsteps approaching.
León looked toward the sound and frowned slightly.
Because Loisver wasn’t alone.
She was accompanied by the maid Milan.
In León’s astonished gaze, Loisver walked up to him with Milan.
She smiled faintly, enjoying the expression on León’s face.
“Milan… you came too?” León said.
“Yes, Prince León. I’m here to accompany Her Majesty for the back mountain inspection,” Milan respectfully said.
Damn.
Where’s the date we talked about?
It really was an inspection!
“Well… it’s… fine.”
Next free read pls 🥹