Chapter 916 WELCOME HOME, TWINS
NERO expected to lose his mind the moment he absorbed the hostile Spirits of the male Rosehearts trapped in the Cage.
He felt his sanity snapping for a moment.
But only for a moment.
"It's alright, Your Imperial Majesty– because I'm here."
It was Dahlia.
The Black Witch had finally regained consciousness and was now standing beside him.
It was a funny situation.
The throne room was collapsing and if not for Commander Ruto, then they would have been buried by the falling debris already.
Hanna was doing her best to avoid Nero's gaze while helping the commander.
Gin, the demon cat, was trying to create a portal.
Overall, it was a chaotic situation.
And that kind of stressful environment would have triggered Nero's Lunacy in a normal circumstances.
However, his mind remained clear.
And it was because of the person standing next to her.
"Are you absorbing my Lunacy?" Nero asked carefully, turning his head to look at Dahlia. "My head is clear."
Dahlia nodded. "I am, Your Imperial Majesty. So please feel free to absorb the souls of the male Rosehearts. I'll make sure they won't be able to control you like they tried to do earlier."
"Is taking them to the outside world with me the right choice?"
The Black Witch fell silent for a moment as if she was in deep thought. "Do you trust me, Your Imperial Majesty?"
"If I can't trust the person who can control my Lunacy, then who else am I supposed to trust?"
Although Nero knew Dahlia had all the right to harm or kill him, he also knew that she wouldn't.
[Because she's too kind.]
"Then please make sure to absorb every single Spirit here," Dahlia said, looking at Nero with a determined look on her face. "We will release them once we get to the outside world together, Emperor Nero. But to do that…"
He wondered why she suddenly trailed off.
But he got the answer right away.
Dahlia, whose entire face suddenly turned red, extended her hand to Nero. "P-Please hold my hand, Your Imperial Majesty," she said awkwardly (and shyly). "We need to form a physical touch so that it will be easier for us to connect our emotions to one another."
Ah.
At that moment, he finally understood why Hanna broke up with him.
[Holding another woman's hand in front of Hanna…]
He was hesitant to do it because it had only been a few minutes since his ex-fiancée had broken up with him.
But, at the end of the day, he knew what he had to do.
Nero gently grabbed Dahlia's hand, hoping that it wouldn't cause Hanna too much pain.
***
NIKOLAI caught Neoma when his precious daughter almost fell to the ground because of how the ice around her quickly melted.
He felt a pang in his heart when he realized how cold and stiff Neoma's body was.
It was like holding a block of ice in his arms.
[It's alright. Neoma will return. She's not a corpse.]
Nikolai quickly removed his jacket and put it around Neoma's body, then he carried his unconscious daughter in his arms. "I'll bring Neoma to the throne room," he announced. "Everyone, help the people of the palace evacuate and protect them. The throne room is about to explode anytime, so it's better if only a small group of people stays there." He turned to Rufus. "Lead them."
Rufus nodded his head politely. "As Your Imperial Majesty commands."
He wanted to correct his cousin and say that he was no longer the emperor.
But he didn't have any time for that.
After saying his piece, he quickly bolted out of the Imperial Shrine with his daughter.
Everyone listened to his words– except for one.
"Lewis Crevan, did you not hear me?"
Yes, the fox followed him out.
"I heard Your Imperial Majesty, but I only listen to Princess Neoma," Lewis said bluntly. "And Princess Neoma says I don't have to follow the emperor's orders if I don't feel like it."
Nikolai just clicked his tongue while shaking his head. "Impudent child."
He let Lewis follow him, though.
Since both Nikolai and Lewis were quick on their feet, they reached the throne room in an instant.
He was relieved to see that the palace had finally stopped shaking.
Everything looked and sounded calm, but he didn't lower his guard.
"I'll open the door, Your Imperial Majesty."
Nikolai just nodded his head. "Be careful. Neoma won't like it if you get hurt."
Lewis just slightly bowed his head before he slowly opened the door.
And then they were greeted by a welcomed sight.
It was Nero, and the new emperor was sitting on the throne with his eyes closed as the huge crown slowly manifested above his head.
[Ah, the crown has appeared.]
It was the symbol of the emperor, which solidified Nero's position as the new emperor.
"Argh…"
Nikolai immediately turned to Neoma who made an incoherent sound.
And then his eyes widened a bit when the realization hit him.
Neoma's stiff and cold body had started to return back to normal.
His daughter was starting to stir back to life.
His daughter was starting to turn warm.
His precious daughter was coming back!
Nikolai hugged Neoma. "Please don't make us wait any longer, Baby Muffin"
***
RUTO quietly observed the throne room.
He had safely brought Emperor Nero, Dahlia, Hanna Quinzel, and even Gin back to the outside world.
And, in the middle of the materialization of the crown, the former emperor had arrived.
Ruto's heart thumped hard and fast against his chest when he saw that the former Emperor Nikolai didn't come alone.
Neoma, still unconscious, was in her father's arms.
But he didn't get disheartened because he saw the faint lights around his lover.
[It's the Goddess of Life's blessing.]
Neoma was coming back to life.
"Huh? Commander Ruto, where are you going?" Gin asked when the demon cat caught him slipping away. "Why are you leaving when Princess Neoma is here?"
"Exactly," Ruto said, his body turning transparent since he was already leaving the throne room. "I need to prepare a warm meal for Neoma."
After all, Ruto knew that his Neoma would be hungry once she was back.
***
"MONA…"
Hmm?
Mona opened her eyes.
In fact, she didn't realize that she had fallen asleep until the Cosmic Tree, in her human form, shook her shoulder lightly.
[I guess I still feel sluggish.]
She noticed that William wasn't by her side.
[It's probably to give us some private time.]
Mona got up and bowed to the Cosmic Tree. "You're here, Mother…"
She rarely called the Cosmic Tree her 'Mother' after she left her side in the past. But staying in the Cosmic Tree's space made her feel nostalgic.
Hence, she called the Cosmic Tree like how she used to address her in the past.
"Your son needs you," the Cosmic Tree said, smiling. "His Imperial Majesty has brought out the Soul Beasts from the Cage."
She didn't know what surprised her more.
The fact that Nero brought the souls of the male Rosehearts out or…
Mona covered her mouth with her hands when she gasped. "My Baby Pumpkin is officially the new emperor now?"
***
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