919 CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE
"PRINCESS Neoma, welcome back."
"We're so happy that Your Imperial Highness is here with us again."
"You're not allowed to die on us again, Princess Neoma."
[Haha~]
Neoma held back her laughter, though.
She didn't find the situation funny because she hated seeing her "children" cry, especially if it was because of her.
But she felt touched seeing Paige, Juri, Xion, Jeno, and even Lewis cry.
There was one who couldn't look at her in the eye, though.
"Greko, what's wrong?" Neoma asked, squatting down to meet Greko's eyes level. "You don't want to see your beautiful eomma?"
Greko hung his head lower while sobbing. "I'm sorry, eomma. Because of me–"
"It wasn't your fault, Greko," Neoma said, cupping Greko's face and gently urging him to look at her. "Don't blame yourself for my "death.""
"But eomma…"
"No 'buts,'– it wasn't your fault," Neoma said, then she turned to Paige. "It wasn't your fault either, Paige. None of you was to blame for what happened."
Paige just bowed her head, her tears rolling down her cheeks.
Well, everyone in the room was crying.
[I made my kids cry…]
"Eomma, thank you for coming back," Greko said, hugging her. "We missed you."
"And I missed you all, too," Neoma said, hugging back Greko. "Thank you for waiting for me."
Neoma took her time to hug her "children" one by one.
She kind of hesitated when it was Lewis' turn because she knew he didn't like physical contact. Hence, she was surprised when her "oldest son" made the first move.
Lewis gently grabbed Neoma by the hand and pulled her in for a hug.
[Aww…]
"Please don't die again, Princess Neoma," Lewis whispered between sobs. "I'll kill myself and follow you to hell if it happens again."
Neoma laughed and patted Lewis' back. "Then I have to find a way to become immortal."
***
TWO HOURS of bath.
Neoma almost fell asleep while relaxing in her bath, but her brain was too busy deciding what she'd like to eat after she was done there.
She couldn't decide what to eat, but she easily chose a light dress for her outfit.
[I need a loose dress because I'm planning to pig out.]
When she returned to her bedroom with Juri and Paige who helped her take a bath, she was surprised to see Lewis, Xion, Jeno, and Greko standing outside.
And she immediately realized why.
[Ruto is inside.]
Neoma could also smell the delicious meal coming from the room.
[And my man brought food for his babygirl.]
"I'm going to have early dinner with Commander Ruto," Neoma said, walking past her "children" as she opened the door. "You're all dismissed for today."
She entered the room without waiting for anyone's response.
Fortunately, her "children" all listened and left quietly.
It wasn't like Neoma was making it for her knights to do her job.
[I just need them far from here since they all have good senses.]
"I prepared all the Japanese food that you like, Neoma," Ruto, who looked so fresh and neat in his simple white long-sleeved shirt and well-fitted pants, said gently while putting the dishes he made on the table. "Come and eat while the rice is still hot, babe."
'Babe.'
Neoma smiled when Ruto called her 'babe.'
Admittedly, it was a cheesy and cringe-y endearment.
But she didn't care.
"Why are you just standing there?" Ruto asked worriedly while walking towards her. Then he teased her. "Do you want a princess carry?"
Neoma just smiled and nodded.
Ruto chuckled, then he put his arms around her waist and lifted her. "Welcome back, babe. I've missed you."
"I know," Neoma said, wrapping her arms around Ruto's neck. "Hey, you gave me your heart."
"It's been yours from the start."
So fucking cringe (affectionately).
"Lord Yule told me your Divinization has already started, Ruto."
He nodded, sighing. "It started earlier this time."
"Gosh."
"You've already started yours too, right?"
"How did you know?"
"You grew taller."
"No!"
"You did," Ruto insisted playfully. "I noticed it as soon as I saw you."
"I don't want to be taller…"
He chuckled, then he kissed her on the cheek. "Don't worry, babe. I'm still taller than you."
Neoma just frowned, then she buried her face against Ruto's neck. "I don't need some additional centimeters. Double it and give it to the next person."
Gods should bless short people instead of making tall people taller!
[Someone like Hanna would appreciate it more, you know?]
"If you get taller, then it just means there's more of you to love, Neoma."
Pfft.
Neoma couldn't help but feel giddy.
Ruto was being cheesy, but she was loving every moment of it.
[It's okay for us to act like this from time to time– we deserve this level of normalcy.]
Neoma smiled against Ruto's skin. "Yeah, you should love every inch of me."
"Of course," Ruto said, walking towards the table while still carrying her in his arms. "Come. I'll feed you."
Pfft.
Neoma laughed again when Ruto sat on the chair and placed her on his lap, securing her by wrapping his arms around her waist. "You're gonna feed me like this?"
Ruto just smiled and nodded, then he gave her a peck on the lips.
"Nice," she said teasingly. "What was that for?"
"Your appetizer?"
Neoma laughed at Ruto's answer. "It tastes good," she said, inching her face closer to his. "Give me more."
Ruto smiled and cupped Neoma's face between his hands. "Much obliged, my princess."
***
"ARE YOU not going to leave yet?"
Trevor, who was busy sharpening the curved blade of the Death Scythe, didn't even turn to Drystan when he responded. "Why? Are you kicking me out already?"
"I just thought you'd hurry back to the little princess' side as soon as you can."
He stopped working for a moment. "I would if the damned commander wasn't there. Although I want to see my Moon Princess in the flesh again, I'd hate to see Commander Ruto happy with her."
"You're so petty," Drystan said while patting his shoulder. "By the way, why is the God of Death stuck to you?"
"I know, right?" Trevor agreed, sighing while looking at the sleeping evil baby on the table. "That brat keeps on cursing me."
***
"SO, HANNA broke off your engagement?"
Nero knew he wasn't being scolded by his father, but he still couldn't help but flinch.
Right now, he was in his parents' bedroom.
His mother, who was still weak after getting her Roseheart Blood taken, was lying down on the bed.
His father was sitting on the chair next to the bed, of course.
And Nero, although he was the new emperor now, stood in front of his parents respectfully while giving a report.
[I may be the emperor, but as Neoma would often say, our parents are still the "bosses."]
"Are you saying that the throne allowed you to ascend without a wife?" his father asked curiously. "I was actually worried that you may have been forced to marry either Hanna or Dahlia when I realized that you became the emperor."
09:49
"The reason behind the tradition where the emperor must be married first before ascending the throne is a sham, Father, Mother," Nero said. "It was just invented by the Goddess of Fertility in order to stay relevant."
As expected, his parents looked confused.
[Right. Father has an idea. But both Father and Mother don't know what exactly the Goddess of Fertility did for her to become our enemy.]
"What do you mean by that, Nero?" his mother asked. "How did it become a fraud invented by the Goddess of Fertility?"
"Apparently, an emperor must be married before taking the throne in order to get blessing from the Goddess of Fertility to produce healthy heirs," Nero explained. "It's a sham because Neoma and I were still born the best in history even though Father and Mother weren't married then. And about the Goddess of Fertility…"
He looked at his father, his eyes asking if it was okay to tell his mother the truth.
[I don't want to stress out my mother when she's still in a poor state…]
"I'll tell your mother," his father said, then did as he said. "Mona, according to Commander Ruto, it was the Goddess of Fertility who killed Neoma's child in the first timeline."
His mother covered her mouth when she gasped. "And that wench is still alive?"
"We don't know how the Goddess of Fertility survived with her memories intact, but yes, she's still around."
"Commander Ruto caught the goddess' Spirit," Nero informed his parents. "The commander said he'd let Neoma kill the Goddess of Fertility."
His parents looked relieved to hear that.
"Neoma and Commander Ruto will ask for our help if they need it. Until then, let's leave it to them," his mother said, then she turned to Nero with a worried look on his face. "Do you have any intention of marrying Dahlia, son?"
Nero fell silent for a moment.
Hanna left earlier to look for Duke Rufus Quinzel.
On the other hand, Nero sent Dahlia to the best guest room in his palace in order to rest.
He only took a short break before he went to his parents to report.
[I knew they'd ask about my plans for marriage.]
Nero knew that there was a more pressing matter that he needed to address with his parents.
[After all, the Spirits of the male Rosehearts are still with me. But it's something that I need to discuss with Dahlia, too.]
And since the Black Witch was still resting, he had to postpone it.
[Hence, I'll take care of something else in the meantime.]
"Neither Dahlia nor I wish to be married to each other, Mother, Father," Nero said, clenching his hands. "And I don't think I want to be married in the near future. Can't I just lead the empire without an empress?"
He didn't ask that because he was worried that his parents would object.
[They're not the type to impose what they want on their children.]
Asking that question was his way of asking his parents for help.
Fortunately, his mother and father were both quick-witted.
"Of course, you don't need to have an empress by your side, Baby Pumpkin," his mother said, then she turned to his father. "Isn't that right, my love?"
"That's right, my love," his father said, turning to Nero. "Don't worry, son. I'll deal with the nosy nobles and make sure they won't pest you to get married. And as long as you do a good job as the new emperor, I don't think our people would mind that you remain a bachelor."
"Thank you, Mother and Father. I still have one more favor to ask, though," Nero said hesitantly. This time, he had to ask directly. "Can you help me apologize to the Quinzels formally?"
***
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