NIKOLAI was wondering if he did the right thing by lifting Nero's probation and allowing his son to leave the palace.
But what could he do?
Nero was still the Crown Prince who had royal duties to fulfill.
[I just hope he doesn't go on another killing spree unnecessarily.]
"Nero won't do anything stupid since he knows he could be put on probation again if he acted harshly," Mona, who set up her own working station in his office after he begged her to work next to him, assured him gently. "Moreover, Nero is the perfect person for the job. Don't forget that our son is the first male Roseheart born after a long time. His Roseheart Blood must be thicker than Neoma's– just like how Neoma's Moonglow is stronger than Nero's."
That was something that he could agree with.
Nero was born with everything.
The was only one problem, though.
"Nero relies too much on his natural talent," Nikolai said, letting out a frustrated sigh. "That kind of arrogance is more dangerous than Neoma's arrogance."
"Let's trust Nero, love," Mona said. "He wouldn't let his guard down, especially when he's on official duty."
He could only nod and agree with his wife.
After all, a soft knock on the door interrupted their conversation.
"Your Majesties, I apologize for interrupting," Geoffrey Kinsley, who was on the other side of the door, said. "Miss Dahlia is here."
That was surprising.
Dahlia already came to their office to report the issue related to the slums.
[Did something happen again?]
"Let her in."
The door opened, and Dahlia entered the office. Then the Black Witch greeted Nikolai and Mona politely before giving her report.
"Princess Neoma wishes to inform Your Majesties that the candidate sent by House Spencer came with a "bomb" inside their body."
Mona gasped softly.
Nikolai, on the other hand, clenched his hands tight. "That vermin, really…"
"Princess Neoma also wishes to inform Your Majesties that they'll be extracting the "bomb,"" Dahlia continued with her report. "Princess Neoma said they'll make sure the "bomb" wouldn't explode, but Her Imperial Highness still wants to ask Your Majesties to strengthen the barrier around the palace to be extra safe."
Nikolai nodded. "Tell Neoma that we will do as she instructed."
"Please tell Neoma to let us know right away if there's something else we could do to help," Mona added worriedly. "Shouldn't we check if the other candidates pose danger as well?"
Dahlia smiled brightly. "Princess Neoma wishes to inform Your Majesties that she'll deal with that issue later."
Ah, so their precious daughter already had a plan.
Nikolai smirked, already looking forward to Neoma's plan being executed. "As expected of my little rogue."
***
"PRINCE NERO, why did you let this child live?" Manu asked, the 'other' saint called Dustin unconscious and in pain while in his arms. "I thought you were going to kill him."
He took that chance to ask Prince Nero while Prince Skylus was away.
The saint was currently with Xion while Xion was setting up the portal that would bring them back to the palace.
"Hey, Moon Priest. Do I look like I care whether that fake saint lives or not?"
"No, not at all."
andasnovel.com "Exactly," Prince Nero said, scoffing. "I only purified the raging Darkness in him because I didn't want it to explode once you brought him to Neoma. But since purification is deadly to someone who has consumed too much Darkness, then it's inevitable for the fake saint to die later. Which is fortunate for us since it would be easier to extract divine power from a living person than from a dead body."
Ah, so calloused.
Only Prince Nero could say something so heartless towards a dying child without an ounce of emotion.
[He inherited all the bad genes of his ancestors.]
"If you're done interrogating me, then scram," Prince Nero said grumpily. "I still have some work left to do here."
"Ah, I thought you were coming back with us, Prince Nero."
"It was Neoma's knight's job to bring you back safely to the palace," Prince Nero said, still frowning as if Manu was an eyesore to him. "I'm here to track down whoever it is that dared to lay their filthy hands on the people of MY empire."
[Yes, this is the next emperor speaking.]
"Then we'll go ahead, Your Imperial Highness," Manu said, bowing to Prince Nero. "Please take care of yourself."
Prince Nero smirked haughtily. "As if there's something in here that could hurt me."
***
NERO frowned when Melvin, Sanford, Raku, Lucien, and Alucard finally arrived. "You're late."
His knights bowed to him in apology.
As expected, only Melvin talked back to him.
"Ah, we apologize for our tardiness, Your Imperial Highness," Melvin said. His tone sounded polite, but his words were clearly vicious. "It wasn't like we knew exactly where you have gone to after leaving the palace with Lord William without informing us in advance. Hence, we had to bother Princess Neoma's secretary just so we could get a clue about your whereabouts. We could have avoided being late had you left a clear message telling us where to find you instead of simply telling us to "come." How did Your Imperial Highness expect us to–"
"Shut up, Melvin."
"Yes, Your Imperial Highness."
Nero just rolled his eyes at his impudent secretary, then he got straight to business. "Alucard, get a sample of the traces of Darkness left in this filthy place. Since we already know that Helstor is behind this, I want you to find some concrete evidence that would link this tragedy to that stupid god."
Alucard bowed his head politely. "As you command, Your Imperial Highness."
Nero nodded, then he turned to Lucien. "Blow up this entire place after Alucard is done collecting the samples he needs. This place is the reminder of my failure as the Crown Prince, so I want it gone."
"As you command, Prince Nero," Lucien said excitedly. "Thank you for allowing me to test out my new babies."
The "new babies" the crazy mage mentioned must be his new explosives.
[What a lunatic.]
"Melvin."
"Yes, I'm already on it, Your Imperial Highness," Melvin said even though Nero hadn't given him an order yet. "I already sent people to investigate the recent kidnappings of the children living in the slums. All I need is your official approval to send the royal knights to the slums and arrest anyone who introduces themselves as a priest of Lord Helstor's church."
"As expected of the empire's future royal chancellor."
"Please don't curse me, Prince Nero."
Nero, of course, ignored Melvin's desperate plea. "I'll be moving to the next area with William. He hates mingling with other humans, so let's just meet there."
He turned his back on his knights as they bid him a polite goodbye.
"You're surprisingly diligent today, Nero," William commented while opening a portal for them to use. "Just what are you scheming this time?"
Nero smirked. "You can tell?"
"You don't care about the people of the slums as much as you should as the next emperor, so it's strange to see you working hard for their sake."
"It's not that I don't care about them. They're still my people, after all," he said, clearing up the misunderstanding. "But the reason I'm working this hard is because I want to lessen Neoma's burden. She's the type to shoulder everything just so no one would suffer under her watch."
Neoma, for now, only had a few years to live.
[I won't let Neoma work hard for other people in her remaining years. She should just spend her time with me.]
"I'm still not convinced," William said, scoffing. "You have a plan, Nero."
He laughed at the Grand Spirit's insistence, so he finally gave him an honest answer. "I'm going to declare war against Helstor and his stupid religion once I gather enough evidence."
"A war? All of a sudden?"
"Polluting the sky of my empire is already a grave sin."
William raised an eyebrow. "War is costly, Nero. Why do you suddenly want to declare war when the empire has been enjoying peace for almost two decades now?"
The last civil war happened when his father seized the throne from his grandfather.
[Father stopped invading other kingdoms and just focused on protecting our territories during our reign. But, of course, Father destroyed all the kingdoms that tried to attack us.]
"Only a war could stop the Selection."
William suddenly looked confused. "Excuse me?"
"I know why Neoma has to do the Selection, but I still don't like seeing those pests look at my precious twin as if they could win her heart. Unfortunately, I can't stop Neoma once she has already made up her mind," Nero said, then he smiled 'sweetly.' "However, if I suddenly declared war against Helstor and his church, then wouldn't Neoma be forced to stop the Selection to participate in the war?"
***
[TSK.]
Neoma couldn't help but click her tongue after seeing the poor estate of the 'young master.'
The child was bleeding from head to toe– their skin was red and swollen. Paige had to take off the child's clothes so that they wouldn't irritate their skin.
[It's confirmed that the child is a female.]
The child fell asleep after Paige undid the curse, but it was obvious that she was still in pain.
Neoma pulled up the blanket to cover the child's body as carefully as possible. "Greko, take care of the child."
Greko, who looked like he was about to cry while looking at the child, nodded. "I will take care of noona well, eomma."
Neoma just ruffled Greko's hair, then she turned to Paige. "I'll leave the child to you and Greko."
Paige bowed her head towards her politely. "As you command, Princess Neoma."
She just nodded, then she headed towards the door.
But she stopped when she caught her reflection in the full-length mirror to her side. She took a quick look at her current outfit.
Yep, she changed her clothes.
Neoma now wore a black turtleneck shirt, tight leather pants, and a pair of ankle boots with killer heels.
She would usually tie her long hair, but not this time.
Hence, she just let her long hair flow freely on her back.
It was a statement.
[A statement that my long hair won't bother me in the middle of a murder– uh, fight.]
"Let's go," Neoma said to Juri, Jeno, and Lewis who were walking behind her. "We have some candidates to chase away."
***
[AH, MY MOON Princess is pissed~]
Trevor could tell by Princess Neoma's sexy– er gorgeous all-black outfit and angry gait that she was about to go batshit crazy at any moment.
[She looks the hottest when she's angry~]
But what could possibly make his Moon Princess angry this time?
After having a sumptuous lunch, the candidates were ushered to the courtyard.
Trevor thought Princess Neoma would announce the winners of the First Round, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"I apologize in advance, but I'm in a foul mood right now."
Pfft.
Trevor almost burst out laughing at what Princess Neoma said as soon as she stood on the makeshift stage in front of the candidates.
[That's my overly blunt Moon Princess.]
"One of the candidates was caught carrying a bomb with the intention of harming me."
Trevor lost his smile right away.
And he wasn't the only one who reacted the same way.
He immediately recognized the bloodlust coming from his strongest rivals, namely the damned chef, the damned young duke, the damned Ancient Devil, and even the damned pretty boy.
[It must be the candidate sent by House Spencer.]
Trevor and the others who were quick-witted noticed it when the staff "accidentally" poured wine on Young Master Shane earlier.
The candidate was ushered to the parlor, but that candidate didn't make it back.
"My Imperial Father and Mother actually wanted to do a thorough search among you to see if there are other fools who are planning to mess with me."
Pfft.
Trevor found it amusing that Princess Neoma's words were becoming harsher the angrier she became.
[And she looks unapologetic even though it's unbecoming of the Imperial Princess~]
"But I thought it would be a bother, so I decided to deal with this issue the easy way," Princess Neoma said while putting on a pair of black fingerless gloves. "Those who came here to abduct or kill me, step forward. If you manage to even scratch me, you won't be charged with treason. I also promise that your country or kingdom wouldn't suffer any consequences."
Now Trevor wasn't amused.
[Princess Neoma, as your Contractor, you should discuss this matter with me in advance…]
"In return, you have to sign a waiver that you and your damned homeland wouldn't retaliate even if I "accidentally" killed you."
Trevor immediately smiled after hearing that.
[That's my princess.]
"Ah, don't be afraid. I do have a conscience, after all," Princess Neoma said, smirking haughtily– her glowing red eyes obviously looking down ON them. "I won't use my Elemental Guardian, my Spirits, and my Death Scythe. I'll only be using my strength as a de Moonasterio, which includes my Soul Beast."
Trevor frowned.
[Princess Neoma is being too arrogant again…]
"Well, that's only if you're strong enough to force me to summon my Soul Beast during the fight." Princess Neoma smiled "sweetly" at them, but that smile was obviously a condescending one. "You can also group yourselves and attack me at the same time– it makes little difference to me, anyway."
This time, Trevor burst out laughing while clapping his hands like the simp that he was.
[Ah, my Moon Princess really knows how to rile up men– both in a good and a bad way.]
***
"YOUR MAJESTY, the Crown Prince sent an urgent message."
Glenn immediately stood up even though he was in the middle of fighting– er, talking to his father. "Give it to me."
The butler immediately handed the letter to him.
Glenn opened the letter and read the content right away, his hands trembling. The message was short, but it was enough to give him a heart attack. "Duke Exton, let's talk about my wife's accommodations here later. I need to go the palace."
Duke Exton, his cold-hearted father, put his teacup down on the saucer before asking. "What happened?"
"My son was almost ambushed by the priests of Lord Helstor's church," Glenn said, his voice shaking. "I need to contact my wife and check on my son."
***
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