Chapter 72.1

But after the initial excitement, Naya remembered a serious problem.

When they interrogate Leo later, the topic of Lina is bound to come up. In fact, the main focus of her interrogation will be about Lina, as Leo had already laid out his motives for betraying Naya earlier that afternoon.

However, he had stopped short when it came to discussing Lina. Luckily, Iris had captured him in time. Otherwise, who knows when she would have had the chance to see Leo again.

But if the interrogation is focused on Lina, what if Leo uses this opportunity to exaggerate his past with Lina and tries to sow discord between her and Iris?

No!

No matter how much Leo tries to manipulate the situation, Naya firmly believed that Iris would stand by her without hesitation.

Naya had read this type of scenario in novels before, where the lover hears about their partner’s unpleasant past from someone else, falls into disbelief, becomes heartbroken, and a misunderstanding begins. Then, thinking it’s for the best, they keep things hidden, leading to intense, angsty drama.

Naya thought it was utterly ridiculous.

Protagonists who don’t trust their own spouse but choose to believe someone else’s slander? That’s just beyond stupid, right?

Naya trusted Iris wouldn’t be like that.

“Let’s hurry and change clothes.”

The frustration in Naya’s eyes dissipated as she headed straight upstairs to her room.

Earlier in the afternoon, while comforting Illya, Naya had already told her that due to the many things that happened today, she’d be back late that night. Illya could go ahead and sleep early, accompanied by the maids.

Illya didn’t insist on Naya telling her a bedtime story as she used to. Instead, she obediently agreed.

She understood that her mom had captured a human Hero to interrogate and that she had caused enough trouble during the day. Illya didn’t want to cause her mother any more headaches at night.

Once dressed, Naya sat in front of the mirror, observing the red marks on her neck.

She would need some ** to cover them up.

However, just as Naya was about to use makeup to hide the hickeys Iris had left on her, Iris appeared behind her and grabbed her hand.

“Don’t cover them.”

“You’re really something. I’ve already told you there’s nothing between me and him. We’re enemies now. Why can’t you just relax?”

“I am relaxed, but I want to show off our relationship to your former comrades.”

Naya looked at Iris’s reflection in the mirror. In her crimson eyes burned a fervent and sincere anticipation.

After a moment of silence, Naya sighed helplessly.

“Alright.”

After all, it was nighttime.

No other dragons would see the marks on her neck on their way there. It wouldn’t hurt to flaunt her status as Iris’s royal consort to Leo a little.

Let him know just how well the teammate he betrayed was doing now.

“Let’s go.”

————————

In the brightly lit complex of laboratories, there was a small room tucked away in a corner.

Four dragon guards were stationed outside the room.

When they opened the door, four more guards were inside.

Seeing them gave Naya a sense of security.

This was the most important interrogation target for Naya. If they lost him, Iris’s reputation would take a huge hit.

Inside was a blond man named Leo, tied to a cross. His arms and legs were bound, and his head hung limply.

With so many guards watching him, Leo appeared utterly hopeless.

When he heard the door open, Leo looked up to see the Dragon Queen entering with that silver-haired dragon woman—oh right, his former comrade.

Iris spoke to the guards nearby.

“You may leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The guards exited the room and closed the door behind them.

“Now, he’s all yours, Naya.”

Iris stepped aside, allowing Naya to face Leo directly.

Naya took a few more steps forward, standing in front of Leo and looking up at the blond man.

Just by looking at his face, one could tell he had the potential to be a classic cocky golden-haired character. His handsome features were marred only by the dirt on his face, which made him appear somewhat disheveled.

Leo slightly curled his lips into a smirk.

“Good evening, Mo… Oh, you don’t go by Monet anymore, do you?”

Leo hadn’t missed how Iris had addressed the silver-haired dragon woman earlier.

“Mmm… My name is Naya now.”

“Is that so? You willingly gave up your old name? If you’ve decided to cut ties with your past, why are you here to see me? What more could you possibly want from me?”

Leo noticed the multiple kiss marks on Naya’s neck.

Recalling how fiercely she had protected the Dragon Princess earlier that day, and thinking about how he had been captured by Iris, Leo put two and two together.

Naya must be Iris’s consort now—the mother of the Dragon Princess.

“A name is just a label. Didn’t we all change our names when we came here, to blend in?”

“True. You’ve become a dragon, even changed your gender. It makes sense to take on a new name and start a new life. That little Dragon Princess, Illya, is your daughter, isn’t she? I never imagined after all these years you’d become a mother. Heh… Life really is full of surprises, isn’t it?”

Leo turned his head to glance at Iris, who was standing beside Naya.

“Dragon Queen, did you know that she used to be a man?”

Iris stared coldly at Leo without saying a word.

Naya’s brows furrowed.

This guy was clearly trying to stir up trouble. She answered for Iris.

“She knows everything.”

“Is that so? So, what do you want to ask me?”

“Tell me your real motive for betraying me back then.”

“You still haven’t let go of that? Didn’t I tell you earlier this afternoon? It was simply because I couldn’t beat the Dragon Queen, and I didn’t want to die there. That’s all.”

“But you weren’t like that before. You’d risk everything to save me!”

“…”

“Tell me the truth.”

Leo lowered his head, thinking for a long time.

Finally, he spoke weakly.

“I liked Lina.”

As expected.

“Where is she now?”

“Why ask that? Are you planning to find her? Do you still remember the promise between you and her?”

Leo raised his head again, casting a sidelong glance at Iris.

“But now, you’re already a mother, married to someone else, and you’re a woman. What’s the point of knowing where she is? Are you planning to betray the Dragon Queen?”

Slap!

Naya slapped Leo hard across the face.

“Don’t try to change the subject. Do you really think your pathetic attempts at manipulation will affect Iris? I just want to know if you defiled Lina, you scum!”

Lina had always been a kind girl. Back when the three of them teamed up, she had chosen the most compassionate profession: a healer.

Since their trio had broken apart six years ago, that stable triangle must have tilted back then.

“She’s dead.”

“Wha…what?”

No, he had to be lying. A moment ago, he said knowing her whereabouts didn’t matter, implying Lina was still somewhere alive, and now he’s claiming she’s dead?

Naya stood on her tiptoes, grabbed Leo’s hair, pulled his head up, and stared directly into his golden eyes.

“Don’t take me for a fool. Tell me the truth!”