Royal Secret: I'm A Princess!

NEEDLESS to say, Neoma got an earful from Nero and their parents.

She only got off the hook because Hanna was there.

Thankfully, the duchess didn’t scold her.

Or so she thought.

”Neoma, at least tell me if you’re headed somewhere so I could follow you,” Hanna said, crossing her arms over her chest while giving Neoma a disapproving look. ”Why do you keep leaving the palace without telling anyone these days? It’s not like you sneak out just to visit the market— you go to dangerous places like the Upper World and Hell.”

”Those places aren’t really dangerous to me... well, you’re right. I’m reflecting on myself now.”

Hanna just sipped her tea.

Okay, she’s really upset.

Neoma just held the warm teacup in her hands while in deep thought.

After escaping her family’s nagging, she invited Hanna to her bedroom to have tea with her.

Of course, Lewis was also there (while Trevor had already left to prepare the contracts that they would need later).

Anyway, her ’son’ wasn’t standing behind her this time.

He’s having tea with us.

”Hanna, the rules are going to change,” Neoma said carefully. ”Instead of ”human weapons” and three Battle Representatives, I might need to bring 10 representatives. You and the children aren’t included in those 10, though.”

”That’s huge,” Hanna said, placing her teacup on the saucer. ”Who are you thinking of bringing, then?”

”I’m still thinking about it. Honestly, the only sure representatives that I wanted to bring were Lewis and Jasper Oppa. The third one was supposed to be Nero’s choice, but I already killed that bastard.”

”It seems like a lot has happened while I was gone.”

”Should I give you a quick summary?”

”Yes, please.”

And, after Neoma spilled the beans...

”It’s true that you are not capable of killing children, Neoma,” Hanna said, nodding. ”But I think if push comes to shove, I’ll be able to do that.”

Neoma gasped out loud.

”Me, too,” Lewis said. ”I can kill children if I have to.”

Again, Neoma gasped out loud.

”Neoma, those children are probably trained to kill us,” Hanna said sternly. ”I’m not going to forfeit my life just because they’re younger than me.”

Lewis nodded in silent agreement.

”I wasn’t asking you to forfeit your life...” Neoma said defensively. ”Uh, sorry. I decided on my own that you can’t kill children— all because I can’t. I’m not trying to be morally upright. You all know that I’m far from that.” She paused for a moment. ”I guess they got me there.”

”That’s exactly why you have us, Neoma— we’ll do the job you can’t. It’s not like I’m thrilled with the idea of fighting and killing children. I just know that that I can do it if I have to,” Hanna said, pausing for a moment. ”But it’s not because I want to save the world— I’ll do it simply because I want to protect and save my loved ones. That includes you, Neoma.”

Aww.

”Will you let us die to save children who aren’t even related to you, Princess Neoma?”

Oh.

Lewis’ question was like a slap to the face for Neoma.

Yeah.

She got blinded by her soft spot for children that she almost forgot who truly mattered to her.

Of course, she would still avoid killing kids if she could.

But, if it was inevitable, then...

I should be the one to do it— not my children, not Hanna, not anyone else.

”Okay, my mind is clear now.”

Hanna smiled while looking at Neoma’s face. ”We can see that.”

”Now give me your recommendations,” Neoma said, tapping her fingertips on the table. ”Whom should I bring to the Upper World as my representatives?”

Lewis immediately raised his hand. ”Princess Neoma, I still nominate the people I recommended before.”

Aigoo.

***

”YOU’RE going where?” Neoma asked in disbelief. ”Did I hear it right?”

She walked Hanna to the fancy carriage waiting for the duchess.

And only then did her cheeky cousin drop the ’bomb’ on her.

”To Duke Drayton’s manor,” Hanna repeated while already sitting inside the carriage. ”We ended up working together to catch the same guy hoarding weapons with Darkness attribute.”

”And you’re just telling me now?”

”I figured talks related to Duke Drayton would make you upset.”

Well, maybe a little.

”Neoma, I’m working hard to properly learn how to purify Malice. I’ll talk to you about it later,” Hanna said, pausing for a moment as if she had just remembered something. ”Ah, right. Your father also approved the project that House Quinzel will be starting soon.”

”Seriously, Hanna. Why are you only telling me about this now?”

”Because I don’t want you to worry about me too much. You already have a lot on your plate.”

”Hanna, you know that no matter how busy I am, I always have time to help you.”

”I know, but it’s about time you let me do things on my own. You trust me, right?”

”Of course, I do.”

”Then just let me deal with these things on my own,” Hanna said, smiling while waving her hand. ”Neoma, you can just sit comfortably and watch the woman you’ve made accomplish things that you except of her.”

Aww.

Neoma smiled and nodded. ”Fighting, Hanna.”

***

”HEY, you’re not allowed to leave the palace without my permission.”

”What did you say?” Neoma growled, putting Nero in a headlock. Of course, her baby twin brother didn’t fight back, even though he had a very annoyed look on his face right now. ”Did you just call your noona ’hey,’ you rude punk?”

”Neoma, you’re being really childish right now.”

Even though she had the emperor in a headlock, no one among his knights stepped in.

Melvin Luchessi just continued having tea with Alucard Dionisio and Lucien Attewell.

Lewis didn’t join the three, but Lewis accepted the generous packed snacks that Melvin Luchessi handed him.

But wait...

”Where are Sanford Devon and Raku?” Neoma asked curiously while letting go of Nero. ”They’re usually the ones guarding you.”

”The Ancient Devil got them, so they’re resting at the moment.”

Tsk.

Neoma also heard that Mama Boss coughed up blood because of that bastard.

I’m glad Trevor poisoned him.

”Anyway, why are you here?” Nero asked while fixing his clothes. ”Do you need my permission to leave the palace again? Then the answer is no. Are you going to get sick if you stay in the palace for more than a day?”

”Don’t worry— I’m not leaving the palace for now,” Neoma said, and then she walked towards the sofa and sat next to Melvin Luchessi, obviously surprising the Imperial Chamberlain. ”Melvin, I know Nero is already making your life difficult, but can I ask for your help?”

Dahlia served as Neoma’s secretary for a moment in the past.

But the Black Witch was needed for her other skills right now.

So, Melvin is the perfect person for the job.

”Your Imperial Highness doesn’t have to ask me for help,” Melvin Luchessi answered politely. ”You just need to tell me what to do, ma’am.”

”Aigoo. You should at least pretend to hesitate first, Melvin. You’re the emperor’s chamberlain. So, you shouldn’t be accepting orders from other people— especially not without Nero’s permission.”

”Exactly, Princess Neoma. His Imperial Majesty always tells us that your words are his words,” Melvin Luchessi explained. ”That’s why Your Imperial Highness can think of us as the extension of your Order.”

Ah.

Neoma glanced at Nero.

Her twin brother was already behind his desk, reading documents that he probably needed to sign or whatever.

Nero didn’t even lift his head as if to confirm Melvin Luchessi’s words.

He casually hands over his power to his twin sister.

That got Neoma thinking...

”Is there anyone in Nero’s circle who thinks he’s crazy that he gives this much power to his twin sister, the Imperial Princess?”

”There were a few, ma’am,” Alucard Dionisio answered politely. ”They’re all dead now.”

Lucien Attewell nodded. ”No one dares oppose His Imperial Majesty doting on Her Royal Highness these days, not even the old nobles.”

Aigoo.

”Is the empire still okay, Melvin?”

”We’re getting by, Princess Neoma,” Melvin Luchessi said, smiling very sadly. ”Thankfully, His Imperial Majesty’s only flaw is his obsession with you.”

”How is that a flaw?” Nero complained, glaring at Melvin Luchessi. ”Stop saying nonsense, Melvin.”

”Yes, sire.”

”Nero is scolding you, but you’re right, Melvin. Don’t let him silence you,” Neoma said teasingly while patting Melvin Luchessi’s shoulder. And then she changed the subject. ”I’m really sorry to ask this, but can you manage my finances? I want you to personally handle them.”

”It’s not that I don’t want to, but you’re the second richest member of the Imperial Family after you received your inheritance from your parents, Princess Neoma. So, I can’t manage your finances on my own. I’ll need help.”

”Then I’ll allow you to form a team. I trust that you’ll only recruit people you trust. Will that be fine?”

”Yes, ma’am. Thank you,” Melvin Luchessi answered, bowing his head. ”How would you like me to manage your finances?”

”I need cold, hard cash,” Neoma said, smiling. ”I’m going to build a huge ’ship.’”

***

LOURAN Crevan.

Neoma finally got to meet the leader of the Silver Foxes Clan properly.

The other Silver Foxes were hiding behind their leader, glancing at her nervously (but the younger ones seemed to be more curious than nervous).

I don’t want to shock this old man, but we have no time left, so...

”Get ready, everyone,” Neoma said cheerfully. ”I’m sending you all to my personal hell.”

***

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