"YOU'RE HURTING my pride, princess."
Neoma grinned, her eyes glowing red. "I like your guts, son."
Lewis turned to Neoma with a scolding gaze.
Neoma wisely avoided Lewis' gaze, pretending that she didn't just call another man her 'son' again.
[What can I do? I see men younger than me as babies.]
"I'm not sure if I want to be addressed as your 'son,' princess," the gutsy dude said, laughing. "My name is Manuel. I hope you remember my name."
"Well, I'm good at remembering people who impress me, Manuel," Neoma said, placing a hand on her hip. "How old are you? You look too young to die at my hands just because you wanted to test the limits of your physical strength."
Manuel laughed as if he was amused. "I'm twenty-four years old, princess. Am I not older than you?"
"A certain lunatic would kill you if I call you 'Big Brother,' so excuse me for addressing you by your first name."
"As if I wanted to be addressed that way," Manuel said, laughing as if they were enjoying their conversation. "Princess, do you want me to kneel and beg before you give me a chance? My pride doesn't mean much to me as long as I get to test my physical strength."
"But I took quite the liking to you, so I don't want you to die at my hands. Treasure your life, you young one."
Manuel laughed, his laughter roaring loudly. "Why are you suddenly speaking like an old woman, princess?"
Lewis touched his scabbard, obviously annoyed that the dude called her an old woman.
"I have a proposition for you, Manuel," Neoma said, standing next to Lewis and patting his shoulder. "This is Commander Lewis Crevan, my Guardian Knight and the strongest among the knights in my Order. He's also the last member of the famed Silver Fox Clan."
"Oh!" Manuel exclaimed, beaming. "The Silver Fox Clan is known for their clan members' physical strength."
"I know, right? Commander Crevan here is really strong physically," Neoma said smugly. "I even call him 'One-kick Lewis' because he can destroy you with just one kick."
A certain noisy candidate yelled again.
"That's my son!"
[Shut up, Trevor.]
Lewis glared at Trevor again.
Neoma cleared her throat, then went back to business. "Manuel, if you could still stand after getting kicked by Lewis, then I'll let you proceed to the next round."
A loud buzz from the crowd erupted.
"Yes, yes, I'll give the same chance to anyone who accepts the challenge," Neoma said, already expecting to receive complaints from the other candidates who knew they didn't pass the First Round. "As long as you don't die or faint after getting kicked by Lewis, you'll pass the next round. Do you accept the challenge?"
"Yes, princess."
It wasn't only Manuel who responded– all the other candidates who wanted to be given a chance also responded.
[Yep, this is fair this way.]
"Lewis, don't kill him," Neoma said, patting Lewis' shoulder as lightly as possible. "Good luck."
Lewis' golden eyes sparkled. "As you wish, Princess Neoma."
***
"YOU SHOULD beg for His Majesty's forgiveness later, Nero."
Nero let out a sigh after hearing what his fiancée said. "I will."
They had just finished coming up with a good plan to push a declaration of war against Helstor.
Hence, Hanna was about to return to her office and resume working.
"Nero, remember, your coronation is already set for next month," Hanna reminded him as she stood up from the sofa. "You can't get in trouble again. You're lucky because Neoma's Selection is taking all the public's attention away from the other members of the Imperial Family."
He also knew that.
If it wasn't for the Selection, then the fact that he was put on probation again would have caused him to get criticized by the nobles and the public.
[At least, that stupid Selection has its own use.]
"Don't worry– my father would definitely lift my probation," Nero said, standing up. Then he cupped her face between his hands. "Thank you for writing the "script" for me."
Hanna smiled and gently patted his cheek. "Put your acting skills to good use today, Nero."
He kissed the palm of Hanna's hand. "I will."
"Is there anything else I should know about before I leave?" she asked, looking at him suspiciously. "You better not be hiding anything from me, Nero."
"I brought back the fake saint here."
"Ah, I heard about it from the report that Sir Melvin sent," she said. "What about it?"
"I was just wondering if it was another trap since I caught him pretty easily."
"You have a point," Hanna said solemnly while nodding. "I'll personally keep an eye on the fake saint then."
Nero smiled and hugged Hanna. "Thank you, my Crown Princess."
***
NEOMA wasn't even surprised when Manuel almost died after getting kicked by Lewis in the stomach.
[As expected, my son didn't hold back.]
She heard Manuel's ribs break, and he coughed up a lot of blood before fainting.
[Ah, I feel bad for the doctors for bringing them another patient.]
Paige and Greko were her personal doctors, but the two were currently busy.
Hence, she had no other choice but to rely on the palace doctors.
"Good job, Lewis," Neoma said calmly. She was proud of Lewis, but she wasn't too happy about it because someone was seriously hurt. "If there's anyone else who wants to challenge Commander Crevan, then step forward."
No one else had the courage to step forward after seeing Manuel, who said he prided himself in being physically strong, almost died just from a single kick from Nero.
[That's right, youngsters– you should treasure your lives.]
The Second Round would be about physical strength.
Hence, it would be better for people who weren't confident in their strength to go home.
"Then let's proceed with the announcement of the candidates who successfully passed the First Round," Neoma said, then she paused for a moment before addressing the candidates with her gaze. "Hey, if your kingdom, country, family, friends, or anyone close to you is being threatened by Darkness or people who claim to serve that fucking nightmare of a god, then don't hesitate to come to me. It's the empire's responsibility to keep you safe."
"Princess Neoma, is Darkness an enemy to the empire now?"
It was a question from one of the candidates.
"Darkness isn't inherently evil, but there are people who wield Darkness with ill intentions," Neoma said in a serious tone. "Hence, if you encounter people who use Darkness to harm others, don't hesitate to fight them. And if you can't fight them, come to me." She put her hands behind her back and stood properly. "This is the official stance of the Imperial Family regarding the Darkness that threatens the skies of the Great Moonasterion Empire."
And, tomorrow morning, it would be the headlines in all major newspaper outlets all over the empire.
***
"ALRIGHT, these articles are good enough to be released tomorrow morning," Hanna said after reading the articles that the major newspaper outlets in the empire would release tomorrow. "Make sure that the tabloids who plan to scare the public with unverified news related to the Darkness would be shut down."
The Imperial Family knew that they couldn't hide the matter regarding the blobs of Darkness in the sky a secret for so long.
Hence, Empress Mona's office sent a press release to the major newspaper outlets regarding the issue. The news that would be released tomorrow morning also assured the people that the Imperial Family would personally address the issue soon.
[We're going to be very busy starting tomorrow.]
Sandie, her classmate and now personal secretary, nodded. "As you command, Princess Hanna."
"You don't have to address me formally when it's only the two of us here in the office."
She shared the office with Nero.
But since her fiancé was on probation again, it looked like she owned the office alone.
"I will address you casually again if your engagement falls through, Princess Hanna."
Pfft.
If it was someone else who said that, Hanna would have been offended.
But since it was Sandie, she was fine with it.
"Nero and I will be getting married on his coronation day, Sandie," Hanna reminded her friend, smiling. "It will happen in a little over a month, so you better learn to accept the fact that Nero is going to be my husband, my dear friend."
"No," Sandie said, covering her ears with her hands. "You're too good for the Crown Prince, Princess Hanna."
***
"YOU'RE AWAKE?" Nikolai asked the baby god who had just woken up. "Finally."
The baby god, the reincarnation of the God of Death, fell into a deep sleep after using his power to save Neoma and Nero.
Hence, he gave a room to the baby god where he could rest comfortably.
[He saved my children, after all.]
According to Manu, the baby god may have exhausted its power.
[But this baby god continued growing quickly even while he was asleep. He looks like he's at least three years old now.]
Gods were really strange.
"Since you're the God of Death, do you know a way to extend a person's lifespan to avoid dying early?" Nikolai asked straight to the point. "If it's too difficult to answer for you, then tell me a way to share my lifespan with my daughter."
The baby god looked at him in confusion, then he suddenly cried like the baby he was supposed to be.
[A god… acting like a baby?]
"I don't like your mean face!" the baby god whined between sobs. "Where's my Daddy Ruto? My Mommy Neoma? I want to see my parents!"
Ah, right.
Manu also told him that the baby god was incomplete, hence his consciousness would switch back between his usual old self and his consciousness as a newly born child.
He knew that, but he was still annoyed.
Nikolai clenched his hands, annoyed. "Why is my daughter your 'mommy,' you little rascal? And how did Ruston Stroganoff become your father, huh? How dare you rope my precious Neoma into your little family game."
***
"CONGRATULATIONS to the one hundred and fifty-three candidates who passed the First Round," Neoma said while clapping her hands. "All of you will move to the Second Round."
The candidates were already escorted inside the People's Palace.
Yes, those who wished to stay and watch the entire Selection to the end were allowed to stay in the palace. While the others chose to leave.
[They're either bitter or eager to report back to their countries.]
"The Second Round of the Selection will begin tomorrow morning," Neoma said, smiling at the candidates. "And we will all be hunting monsters by then~"
"Ohh!"
"I'm good at hunting!"
"Finally, a challenge for me to shine!"
Neoma smiled, happy by the candidates' reaction.
[I guess hunting is fun for most boys.]
She was pretty excited, too.
But if Neoma only knew the Second Round would trigger war, then she would have most definitely canceled that stupid Selection.
***
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK MY KOFI PAGE (just g0ogle kofi sola_cola). I've posted a Q&A portion.
Here are the questions that I answered:
1. WHAT INSPIRED sola_cola TO WRITE ROYAL SECRET: I'M A PRINCESS? (hehe i'm not a hater, oki?)
2. WHY ISN'T LEWIS THE MALE LEAD? (i'm so sorry)
3. WHY IS RUTO THE ML? (defending Ruto with my life, lol)
4. WILL WE GET TO SEE MORE OF NEOMA'S FIRST LIFE? (chuckles nervously)
5. WHO WILL NERO END UP WITH? DAHLIA OR HANNA? (wiggles eyebrows)
6. WHO IS sola_cola's MOST FAVORITE CHARACTER ASIDE FROM NEOMA? (wink, wink)
7. WHO IS sola_cola's VISUAL INSPIRATION FOR NEOMA? (please don't judge my type haha)
8. WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE LAST ARC? (smiles innocently)
9. MESSAGE FOR OUR DEAR READERS <3 (:'>)
10. SERIOUS QUESTION FOR THE READERS (please answer honestly~)
Hope you visit my page, and donate coffee if you can. Hehe. Thank you. <3
***
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