Royal Secret: I'm a Princess!

Chapter 1035: CATCHING UP

NEOMA ended up having dinner with Nero, just the two of them.

Their parents decided to have a stroll outside the palace. The excuse was to "observe" how the people of their empire were recovering from the Calamities that had hit the empire consecutively, but she knew the truth.

Mama Boss and Papa Boss just went out on a date.

"I sent the Emperor Nero of the first timeline and the ’ancient twins’ to look around here and here."

Neoma raised an eyebrow because she could tell that Nero was being vague on purpose.

I guess he doesn’t want me to know what he’s been up to.

And she didn’t probe.

He’s the emperor now— he knows what he’s doing.

Neoma thought she should leave it at that, but Nero suddenly said something that piqued her interest.

"You believe that a war will break out in the empire once the divine war breaks out in the Upper World, but I don’t think so— the crows aren’t preparing to attack us."

"But they already attacked the Hazelden Kingdom."

"Yes, but if they really wanted to attack the Hazelden Kingdom, they wouldn’t have retreated easily," Nero said in a serious tone. "That’s why I don’t think they’re planning to start a war. But that’s not to say that they aren’t going to attack us— they will, but in a different way."

"And that’s what you’re trying to find out?"

"Yes, that’s right."

"But how can you be so sure that the crows aren’t planning to attack us directly?"

"When someone is planning a war, you can tell by following the flow of money that comes from their side. After all, you need weapons and supplies to attack a powerful empire like the de Moonasterion Empire. No matter how powerful the crows are, only the direct family has the power to fight us. Hence, the ordinary Mana users on their side would need weapons. And, of course, they also need supplies to feed their soldiers."

Aha.

That made sense.

"The crows summoned two Calamities upon our empire, so I’m thinking that they might use the same strategy— attacking the empire without using soldiers to fight for them."

Oh?

Speaking of Calamities...

"How are you handling the third Calamity, Nero? The third Calamity is about freeing the Soul Beasts from the Cage, right?"

"The third Calamity won’t happen now," Nero said confidently. "The third Calamity will only occur if the memory of Sergius de Moonasterio is shared with the people of the empire. Serigus de Moonasterio was tricked by Callisto de Luca into believing that he’d be a god if he ate the flesh of male Rosehearts."

"What a fucking cannibal."

Nero nodded in agreement. "Had the crows succeeded in sharing Sergius de Moonasterio’s memory, then the people of our empire would have harbored deep hatred for the Imperial Family. That was supposed to be the third Calamity."

"And you said it wasn’t happening anymore?"

"The Soul Beasts from the Cage are under my control now, with the help of Dahlia and William," Nero said confidently. "I’ll soon have complete power over them, so don’t worry about the third Calamity."

"Okay, I trust you."

"Are you worried about me?"

"Can I be honest?"

"Since when have you hesitated speaking your mind, Neoma?"

"I don’t want to hurt your feelings."

Nero scoffed at her concern. "Just spill it."

"You don’t have many powerful people around you," Neoma said bluntly. "I’m not looking down on your knights. But they can only do so much when the war breaks out. Once I leave for the Upper World, I’m taking most of the strongest people in the empire with me."

"You can really be a fool sometimes, Neoma."

"Are you picking a fight with me?"

"What do you usually call me again?"

"Baby Pumpkin?"

"Are you our mother?"

Neoma burst out laughing when Nero glared at her, and then she finally gave him the answer that he probably wanted to hear. "The boy who has everything— that, you are."

"Yes, I’m the boy who has everything," Nero said, raising an eyebrow at him. "I’m even luckier than you, Neoma."

"Do you think luck will save you... yes, it will."

To be honest, Neoma believed that luck was the most OP skill of all.

And Nero was born with it.

"Neoma, I know that you have the strongest people in the empire at your feet. You have gods, demigods, mythical creatures, and even our ancestors on your side," Nero said, shrugging. "But I do have the spirits and the Soul Beasts. Don’t worry about me. I have the power to protect the empire while you’re gone."

Ah, that suddenly made Neoma feel guilty.

Worrying about someone of equal standing is a form of arrogance.

"I’m not looking down on you, Nero."

"I know. But even if you were, I wouldn’t have minded," Nero said, smirking. "Neoma, as long as I get your attention, I don’t care where it’s from. You can pity me, look down on me, and even hate me. As long as it means you’re looking at me, then I’m happy."

My goodness.

My biggest simp is neither Ruto nor Trevor— it’s Nero.

That made Neoma smile.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"You already have two amazing women that you love. I guess it just made me happy to know that I still have a space in your heart."

"No one can replace you in my heart, Neoma."

Should I be happy or creeped out?

Well, whatever.

Nero is Nero.

"Anyway, I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Do you like unicorns?"

"No," Nero said bluntly, frowning. "A unicorn is just a horse with a horn. What’s to like about them?"

Aigoo.

"You should start liking unicorns, then," Neoma said while tapping her fingers on the table. "Nero, I need you to find a unicorn that ran away from her mother for me."

***

AFTER HAVING dinner with Neoma, she started running around her palace to burn off calories.

She ended her exercise by visiting her favorite place: the beautiful pavilion by the pond.

And she wasn’t the only person there.

"It’s been a while, my Moon Princess."

Neoma raised an eyebrow at Trevor Kesser while wiping her face and neck with a towel. "Are you done hiding from me?"

"I wasn’t hiding from you, Princess Neoma," Trevor Kesser said while sitting on the handrail. "I was just making sure that the palace was safe. There are rats everywhere. I’m sure that your return has already been relayed to the crows."

"We’re under ceasefire until the war begins, so relax."

"That’s what I want to tell you, though."

"What are you talking about? I’m relaxed. After all, I left all the difficult tasks to you," Neoma said, giving Trevor a once-over. "You should sleep in the meantime, Trevor. I want you to take a good rest before the war starts. It’s not like you need to be awake for the contract’s effect to continue working, right?"

She was talking about the contract that bound Helstor to the Upper World.

The God of Eternal Darkness wouldn’t be able to move elsewhere until the war began.

"You need to rest, Trevor," Neoma said sternly. "You’ve worked hard in my absence."

"I’m too worried about you for me to sleep, Princess Neoma."

"I’ll wake you up when I need you."

"Hmm~"

"You’re useless if you collapse on me due to Mana exhaustion, silly."

"Ah, that’s right. I can’t let that happen," Trevor said, sighing while shaking his head. "I guess I have no choice but to go on a short vacation."

"Go to hell."

"Why are you suddenly cursing me, Princess Neoma?"

"No, I meant that literally."

Trevor blinked, and then he suddenly burst out laughing. "You’re telling me to rest, but you’re also asking me to keep an eye on the King of Hell?"

"Well, Drystan is your neighbor. Your mansion is close to the King of Hell’s territory."

Not really.

"Just show your face there and tell Drystan that you’re going to sleep."

"Ah. You want the King of Hell to protect me while I’m asleep, my Moon Princess?"

"I can’t send my Spirits to you since Spirits can’t live in Hell for too long," Neoma explained. "I’m also sending Gin to protect you."

She was talking about the black cat who served the Ancient Devil before.

Gin is currently staying with Jasper Oppa, but I’m sure Jasper Oppa will lend him to me.

"Plus, Gin can open portals," Neoma added. "He could quickly come to me for help in case you were attacked."

"Aren’t you being a little overprotective, my Moon Princess?" Trevor asked teasingly. "Even if I’m asleep, I’m still capable of protecting myself~"

"If I were Callisto de Luca or Hestor, I would kill you first, Trevor."

The Sorcerer’s cheeky smile disappeared when he noticed that Neoma was serious.

And she really was.

"Trevor, I rely on you a lot. Everyone knows that— even the enemies. Once they hear that you’re leaving to rest, I’m sure they’ll hunt you down to kill you."

Thankfully, it looked like the Sorcerer had finally taken her concern seriously.

"I see," Trevor said, jumping off the handrail and setting his feet quietly on the ground. And then he started walking towards the Neoma. "I can’t die before you, my Moon Princess."

"Uh-huh."

"I’ll blackmail the King of Hell if I have to just to force him to protect me while I sleep," Trevor said, and then he got down on one knee while looking up at Neoma with sparkling eyes. "May I...?"

Neoma rolled her eyes, but she extended her hand to the Sorcerer. "Sleep well, Trevor."

"I’ll be back, my Moon Princess," Trevor said while holding Neoma’s hand as if it were the most precious thing in the world. And then Trevor closed his eyes as he kissed the back of Neoma’s hand. "I’ll miss you so damn much."

***

NEOMA returned to her bedroom after sending off Trevor.

She had also taken a shower and changed into her nightgown.

But the night was still young, and that meant she still had more work to do before sleeping.

I really don’t want to do this, but...

"William," Neoma said. She wasn’t just simply calling the Spirit’s name— she was actually summoning him with just her voice. "Come here."

Summoning powerful Spirits by simply calling their names was something only the Rosehearts could do.

She may not be as powerful as Mama Boss or Nero as a Summoner.

Still, her summoning worked.

In just the blink of an eye, William was already standing before her— with a deep frown on his otherwise handsome face.

"Ah, you’re back."

"I’m also not happy to see you, but stay focused. We have a world to save," Neoma said, sitting on the edge of her bed with her legs crossed. "I heard you’re helping Nero tame the Soul Beasts from the Cage."

"It’s a job for a male Roseheart to do, so don’t concern yourself—"

"The Soul Beasts are in the Abyss, right?"

William, who got cut off, frowned even more while nodding.

The Abyss was the polluted part of the Spirit World that her children cleared.

Thanks to that, Lewis became the owner of the Abyss. That also made my son a contender for the throne of the Spirit World.

They lent the Abyss to Nero and the Soul Beasts.

"The Soul Beasts who didn’t want to come with Nero were left in the Abyss, as Nero made the Abyss their sanctuary," William explained. "The Soul Beasts who want to serve Nero are inside his Core, and we’re currently training them. They’re a little wild, so Nero is also working hard to tame them during the training."

Aha.

So, that’s why Nero is confident that the third Calamity isn’t happening.

"What did you summon me for, Neoma de Moonasterio?"

"It’s Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio," Neoma corrected William. When the Spirit just remained silent, she rolled her eyes before moving to her next agenda. "Anyways, I’m going to pay the Spirit World a visit."

For my Sapling, of course.

And for her truly "firstborn."

"I want you to accompany me, William," Neoma said, stretching her arms as she got up. "It’s for Nero’s sake, so just do as I say."

***

Please ADD my story to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :>