Published at 25th of August 2026 9:07 am

Volume 8, Chapter 55: Taking That Step

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Still, if Constantine was afraid of being laughed at by Leon, then clearly he didn’t mean it when he’d said he didn’t care what others thought.

Of course, Leon never saw it as shameful for someone to admit they liked another person. Everyone had the freedom to love—as long as it didn’t break any moral laws of the land, you might as well love boldly.

But considering Constantine’s age and the “wealth” of his life experience, it was only natural that this first stirring of affection would make the old man so awkward.

So Leon didn’t press any further.

He stood up and said:

“You came all this way—stay for a meal before you go.”

“No, I’m a bit busy lately. There’s still a lot of work waiting for me back home,” Constantine said. “I shouldn’t stay too long. I’ll cook myself.”

“A few more hours won’t hurt.”

Ever since Leon had returned home a few years ago, Constantine had gotten a taste of his cooking.

A human living among dragons for so many years, Leon had spent ages studying both cuisines to make dishes his daughters would love.

With the level of skill he had now, he could retire and walk straight into a top chef certification without breaking a sweat.

Even someone as stubborn as Constantine had to bow before the general’s culinary mastery—

That was the true power of the General Casmod: even his cooking could conquer dragons!

At noon, in the dining hall, the maids brought in dish after dish. Leon untied his apron as he walked in.

He handed the apron to Milan, who had just finished setting the table, then sat beside Rosvisser and looked across the table at Constantine.

“Go on, have a taste.”

Then his gaze shifted toward Hefei.

“Hefei, you too. Try your uncle’s cooking.”

The little red dragon girl eagerly gripped her knife and fork.

“Okay!”

“Let’s eat!”

The daughters all began their meal.

Rosvisser picked up her utensils, cut off a small piece of steak, and chewed slowly.

Then she raised a finger and gestured for Leon to lean closer.

As he did, she turned slightly, covering her mouth with one hand to whisper in his ear:

“Your cooking’s improved. Make me another one tonight, in secret.”

“What for? Didn’t you just eat enough? Some queen you are—hey! Watch my leg!”

Rosvisser smiled with narrowed eyes, her stiletto heels teasing the side of his calf under the table.

“I’ll give you another chance, dear husband. Try saying that again—properly.”

“Cook, I’ll cook! I’ll make more—several more! Just let go already!”

“Hmph.”

Rosvisser withdrew her heel and resumed her meal with satisfaction.

Throughout lunch, the couple bickered playfully, whispered in each other’s ears, then shared knowing glances toward the daughters across the table.

Leon and Rosvisser never stopped looking after the girls—whenever someone’s plate ran out, they immediately added more.

The warmth around the table was almost tangible.

Constantine sat quietly watching. Normally, scenes like this didn’t stir anything in him.

But this time... there was something—longing, perhaps?

Was it envy? Or something else?

He wasn’t sure.

When he glanced down at Hefei beside him, he saw her staring in the same direction, absentmindedly fixated.

Especially at Muse and Rosvisser, the mother and youngest daughter.

Muse was the smallest of the girls, seated closest to Rosvisser.

The two of them were chatting and laughing together, and the tenderness in Rosvisser’s eyes toward her child was almost overwhelming.

Compared to the easy warmth at this table, Hefei’s focus was clearly fixed on that bond.

Yet she didn’t say anything—just glanced quietly for a moment, then lowered her head and went back to eating.

That silence struck Constantine harder than anything else.

He could tell—compared to the solemn quiet of their own home, Hefei clearly preferred the warmth of Leon’s family.

Or rather... she longed for a mature, gentle woman who could give her that same kind of familial love.

Constantine had sensed that for a while now. It was precisely why, after realizing he might have feelings for a certain woman, he came straight to Leon for advice.

If it were just about his own dreams, he’d never have made such a fuss.

The Flame Dragon King had lived alone for centuries; what did more solitude matter to him?

But for his daughter’s sake, he was willing to set aside his so-called royal dignity—and take a step he’d never imagined taking.

“Hey, flame-breather, what are you spacing out for? Eat.”

Leon’s voice snapped him out of thought.

Constantine gathered himself and nodded:

“Right.”

They continued eating.

After a while, Noa spoke up:

“By the way, Mom, Dad, the Senior Dragon Division starts the new term a week earlier than the Hatchling Division. So Moon, Aurora, and I will be going back in a couple of days.”

Leon nodded:

“Alright. I’ll have Milan press your uniforms later. Speaking of which—have you finished your winter homework?”

Noa:

“I finished by the third day of break.”

Moon:

“I’ll be done in three more days...”

Aurora:

“What winter homework?”

Leon and Rosvisser exchanged an amused glance:

“Quite the range of progress, huh...”

Muse piped up, “If you start early, does that mean you won’t be able to go with us to the Blazing Sun Clan to see the solar eclipse?”

When winter break began, Leon and Rosvisser had received an official letter from the academy—an invitation from the Blazing Sun Clan to all dragon kings, inviting them to the city to observe a once-in-eighty-years solar eclipse.

With the end of break approaching, that date was almost here.

Leon had told the children about it from the start, promising to take them if school hadn’t begun yet.

But now, since Noa’s group was returning early, it looked like they wouldn’t be able to go.

Sure enough, Noa nodded.

“Yeah, but I heard we’ll be able to see it from the academy too. It just won’t have the same atmosphere as in Blazing Sun City.”

“True. The Blazing Sun Clan’s whole culture is built around their fiery dragon heritage, so the atmosphere there is bound to be far more festive.”

“Muse, make sure to take pictures for us when you go~”

Moon said excitedly:

“I will, second sister!”

“So you got an invitation too,” Constantine said, turning to Leon.

“I received the academy’s letter at the start of the break myself. If I remember right, the date is in four days, isn’t it?”

Leon raised a brow:

“Right, I almost forgot. You were part of that collaborative examination, so you must’ve gotten the same invite. Are you planning to take Hefei with you?”

Given Constantine’s personality, Leon didn’t expect him to enjoy mingling with other clans. That’s why he didn’t ask if he would go, but whether he’d take Hefei.

If Constantine said he was too busy, Leon could easily offer to take Hefei along himself—without forcing the proud fire dragon to ask for the favor.

But to his surprise, Constantine barely hesitated before nodding:

“I’ll take Hefei with me.”

“Really, Father?”

Hefei’s eyes sparkled. She’d been a little envious earlier, watching her friend being doted on by Aunt Rosvisser, but hearing she’d get to go out with her father instantly brightened her up.

Constantine sighed softly, lowered his gaze, and patted her head.

“Yes. Really.”

“Yay! Father, you’re the best!”

Hefei grinned from ear to ear, then leaned forward toward Muse across the table:

“Muse, let’s go together!”

Muse smiled:

“Sure!”

But the moment she agreed, her smile froze.

Hefei noticed right away.

“What’s wrong, Muse?”

“...If we go to the Blazing Sun Clan, that means I’ll have to see that dragon-crazy big sister again, won’t I...”

Just the thought made Muse swallow nervously.

She still remembered that time during the joint exam—the Blazing Sun guard captain who couldn’t stop petting her.

If they met again this time... she’d probably be in for it all over again.

Hefei laughed.

“Then that means I’ll get to see Sister Orion again too~”

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