Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 148: The Gift and Mission: Sona

The Gift and Mission: Sona

The moment hung in the air like dusk refusing to fall.

Sona had just turned to leave, her gown whispering against the grass as her steps carried her away from the heart of the garden. The rustle of her white gown brushing past rose bushes sounded like silk on water. Her silver-white hair flowed behind her, catching the golden light of the lowering sun.

Leon watched her take a few steps forward—then suddenly, something clicked. He called out, voice low but firm, ”Sona.”

His voice was quiet, but it lanced through the evening air like a soft bell. She halted mid-step, the toe of her slipper barely touching the next stone. Her heart gave a sudden flutter, not from fear—but from the unspoken weight behind her name in his voice. It wasn’t just a sound. It was a hand reaching through years.

She turned slowly.

Hair catching the last strands of golden sunlight, her silver-white waves gleamed with a faint shimmer. Her lips parted slightly, eyes questioning, but calm. ”What is it now, Leon?” she asked, her voice so soft it almost blended into the rustling garden.

Leon’s lips curled with a faint smile. ”I have something for you.”

Her brows drew faintly together in quiet confusion. ”What?”

He took a slow step toward her, then another—stopping just a little distance away. Close enough that her breath hitched from his nearness, yet far enough that the space between them still ached with years of separation.

He lifted his right hand slightly. A graceful, practiced motion—fingers stirring the air with familiarity—and with a flicker of warm light, a medium-sized square-shaped box shimmered into view in his palm. It floated for a moment, then settled gently against his skin.

The jewelry box was beautifully made, covered in black velvet etched with a subtle gold filigree that shimmered in the light like starlight on water. It looked old, handcrafted, as if meant to hold something not just precious, but cherished.

Sona’s gaze dropped to the box, her brows lifting in quiet recognition. Her eyes shifted from its polished surface to Leon’s face. For a moment, she said nothing. The box rested there, simple yet refined, its craftsmanship speaking of care. Of course she could guess what it held. She was a queen—she owned more jewelry than she could ever wear. Boxes like this weren’t rare in her life.

But still... this one felt different.

Her breath caught, soft and almost unnoticed, as she studied it. It wasn’t about the gift itself. It was about who had given it. That changed everything.

Leon chuckled softly at the unreadable look on her face.

”You look like you’re trying to decrypt a puzzle,” he said, his voice warm with amusement.

Sona blinked slowly, her lashes dipping for a moment before her gaze met his again.

”Maybe I am,” she said quietly, her voice light—yet something softer hid just beneath.

Leon didn’t answer with words. He only smiled, warm and familiar, before gently reaching for her hand. His fingers curled around her hand with ease and quiet familiarity. Her heart gave a quiet skip—but she didn’t pull away.

He noticed the flicker in her eyes—the smallest hitch in her breath—but didn’t say anything.

Instead, he placed the jewelry box gently into her palm, his touch lingering a moment longer than necessary. Then, slowly, he stepped back—leaving the weight of the gift and the moment in her hands.

She stood there in silence, her fingers curling slightly around the box. She didn’t open it. Didn’t ask further. Her gaze was on the object, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

But then her attention returned to Leon the moment she heard his voice—low, a little hesitant, but warm.

”I was going to give it to you tomorrow... at the banquet. It was supposed to be a formal gift... but then I ran into you today. And... well, I figured— why not now?”

She raised a delicate brow, a small smile curling her lips. ”So this is a coincidence, then?”

He returned the smile, a little more sheepish this time. ”The best kind.”

Her lips finally curved into a soft, beautiful smile. It wasn’t radiant—it was real.

”Then... I thank you, Leon. For the gift.”

She didn’t reject it—because this wasn’t the first time she receive a gift from him. In the past, whenever he came to the capital, Leon had always brought something. For the king. For her.

Not just him—every noble or dignitary who entered the capital was expected to bring precious gifts for the royal family. It was tradition, a long-standing custom to offer tributes during official visits, especially within the Core Palace.

But even traditions could carry meaning—depending on who stood behind them.

And perhaps the second reason was this: today, a part of her heart felt lighter than it had in years. Maybe because, for a little while, her childhood friend had spoken to her—not as a duke addressing a queen, but simply as Leon... speaking to Sona.

With a gentle flick of her wrist, the jewelry box vanished into the glimmer of her own storage ring.

Leon smiled. ”You’re welcome,” he said. Then, teasing gently, ”Though you put it away so quickly. Aren’t you curious what’s inside?”

Sona’s eyes gleamed, her smile soft but sure. ”I already know,” she said gently. ”If it’s from you, it must be something beautiful... something precious. So, there’s no need to check.”

For a moment, Leon just looked at her, genuinely taken aback. Then he smiles quietly, warm and utterly charming smile spread across his face.

Her heart skipped again. She looked away, just for a moment, collecting herself before the flutter could show.

Then, with a calm breath, she turned back toward the garden path.

”So now, Leon,” she said, her voice smooth but quiet, ”I should really take my leave. But... don’t forget to come to the banquet tomorrow.”

”Forget?” He gave a warm laugh. ”Sona, I came all the way from Silver City to Moonspire just to attend your daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony. I wouldn’t miss it.”

She paused. Nodded. ”Good. Then I’ll see you there.”

Leon raised a hand in casual farewell. ”Take care, Sona.”

She waved back without turning. ”You too.”

Their farewell wasn’t formal—no bows, no stiff courtesies. There was no queen and no duke in that moment—just two people, just two old friends.

Sona walked slowly toward the exit of the royal garden, her pace unhurried, almost reluctant. One hand rested lightly over her chest. Her thoughts curled softly around a single question: If I could go back in time... if I had been a little braver back then... could my present be the dream I once buried?

No answer came and She also didn’t know the answer. Only the hush of leaves and the fading sun.

Leon remained near the fountain, standing between the rose bushes and golden light. He didn’t move until her figure disappeared beyond the archway of marble and vine.

He exhaled deeply, glancing once at the roses.

Then he turned toward the horizon—where the sun was dipping, bathing the garden in a golden-orange glow.

And just as he lifted his foot to leave—

A familiar sound echoed in his mind, sharp and sudden.

Ding!

The system voice rang clear:

[Ding!]

A mechanical chime rang crisply inside his head.

[Mission Triggered: Fuck Queen Sona ]

[Objective: Fuck Queen Sona makes completely yours]

[Reward: Velvet Tyrant Body, 150 Black Points]

[Warning: Mission Failure will result in disabling of Touch of Charm]

[Time Limit: 7 Days]

Leon froze in place as the mission screen unfolded before his eyes.

His gaze moved steadily over the objective—but it was the reward section that caught his attention. His brow arched, amused.

”Velvet Tyrant Body, huh?” he muttered under his breath, lips twitching into a half-smile.

He shook his head slightly, speaking inwardly. ”Looks like you’re still assigning missions based on what I secretly want, huh...”

To his surprise, the system stayed silent.

He waited a beat. Nothing. Just the faint glow of the mission screen, pulsing quietly.

Leon chuckled—low and dry. With a soft sigh and another shake of his head, he resumed walking, the fading sunlight casting long, golden shadows across the path as he made his way out of the royal garden.