NEOMA, while staring intently at the beautiful merman in front of her, noticed that they had silver-ish gills on the side of their neck. Their eyes were also unique as the color kept on changing in different shades of blue. Needless to say, it was fascinating.

"Didn't you learn that staring is rude, child?

" the merman snapped at her. Their voice was masculine, and they had a commanding (rather demanding) tone.

"What are you looking at me for anyway?

"

Neoma smiled her most charming smile.

"I apologize for staring,

" she said.

"I was simply fascinated by your beauty.

"

The merman raised a brow at her as if they were surprised by her remark.

"I'm afraid that I'm not knowledgeable about your kind,

" she continued politely. The merman appeared hostile. But she had a feeling that it was just a defense mechanism. They were probably acting tough because they were suddenly summoned in an unfamiliar environment. And perhaps, they were summoned by Mochi against their will.

"I apologize for assuming that you're a merman. I hope I didn't misgender you.

"

"You were correct when you said that I'm a merman,

" the merman said. His tone this time was a little more mellow than it was a while ago.

"Although I'm more attracted to men, I still identify as a male.

"

"Thank you for letting me know,

" she said.

"May I know your name this time?

"

"You're such a curious child, aren't you?

" the merman asked, then he sighed.

"You may call me 'Marvin.'

"

"Alright, Marvin,

" she said.

"My name is Nero de Moonasterio.

"

"That's a lie,

" Marvin said with a huff.

"You're called 'Neoma,' aren't you? I dwell in the pond. I've heard you scream at the top of your lungs for the past three years. That also means I've heard your conversation with the fox boy every time you go here to

"unwind.

"

"

She froze when she heard that.

Ah, it seemed like she had been careless. She forgot that there were other beings in the Royal Palace other than humans. If the merman of the pond had discovered her secret because of her big mouth, then she could assume that other Spirits might have heard of her secret.

Dammit, I've been careless.

"Princess Neoma?

"

She was distracted when she heard Lewis call her with a gentle tap of his finger on her shoulder. When she turned to him, she was a little surprised when she saw that he looked worried.

"What is it, Lewis?

"

"I didn't understand your conversation with the

"merman,

"

" Lewis said. Although his face was blank, she felt the concern in his voice.

"But you look upset. Should I kill him?

"

There was a lot to unpack there.

First, she didn't notice that she spoke with the merman in a different language.

Second, Lewis mentioned killing a person again without hesitation. She didn't like it when her son gets violent thoughts like that.

And third, she wasn't able to come up with a response to Lewis because Marvin suddenly shrieked as if something scared him.

"That fox is barbaric!

" Marvin said, then his body suddenly turned translucent.

"As I thought, I can't trust humans!

"

"Wait, Marvin!

"

She was too late though.

Marvin, the merman, already disappeared. He was reduced into a bluish ball of energy, then it plummeted into the water. The water splashed on them this time.

She didn't get wet, thankfully.

After all, Lewis immediately grabbed her by the hand and hid her behind him. Then, he used his cape to protect her from the splash. It happened all quickly because of her son's swift and confident movements.

Woah, what a cool move.

When she raised her head to check on Lewis, she was surprised to see him looking at her intently. His golden eyes were glowing beautifully. It was rare to see his eyes aglow without a glint of anger in them. The spark in them looked like happiness this time.

Why does my son look happy though?

"God, it's so cold!

"

She was instantly distracted when she heard Mochi's voice.

When Lewis put his arm down, she finally saw the white bunny again. Ah, she forgot that Mochi was sitting on the railing. Lewis didn't protect the Wind Spirit from water and thus, the poor white bunny was soaked.

"We're so sorry, Mochi,

" she said, guilty. Then, she gently carried the white bunny in her arms and used the mantle on her shoulder like a blanket for Mochi.

"Shall we head back to the palace first?

"

"Yes, please,

" Mochi said in a quivering voice.

"I brought you here to meet the Spirit of the vengeful merman. I will teach you the basics of Summoning later.

"

Neoma smiled and nodded.

"I can't wait to learn from you, Mochi.

"

***

"THOSE are pretty earrings, Hanna,

" Neoma squealed after Hanna showed off the earrings that Nero gave her.

"My twin brother has good style, huh? But then again, you're lovely, Hanna. I'm sure that you can pull off any type of jewelry.

"

Hanna smiled, her natural rosy cheek getting a shade deeper.

"Thank you, Neoma. You're really generous with compliments.

"

"You deserve to be praised from head to toe, Hanna.

"

Her cousin laughed softly while shaking her head.

"You're making me feel embarrassed.

"

She couldn't help but get awed by Hanna once again.

Even the way Hanna laugh is very lady-like.

Anyway, they could talk like normal besties right now because they were alone in her private tea room.

She wanted to take a walk with Hanna but she was afraid that there were other unseen Spirits or beings watching them. Now that she had realized what kind of mistake she had done, she was doing her best to be more careful.

And Lewis's presence behind her helped her calm down.

Although she invited her son to join her and Hanna for tea, he turned her down again. After all, he was a proper knight even though nobody was looking.

"Hanna, I heard that your maids have arrived at the palace earlier to help you pack your things,

" she said sadly.

"Is it really time for you to return to House Quinzel?

"

She knew that Hanna's stay wasn't permanent, but she was still sad about it.

When Rubin left her palace, she didn't even bat an eye. But now that it was Hanna's turn to leave her residence, she felt like crying.

Hanna smiled sadly at her.

"Neoma, I have something else to tell you,

" she said, then she sipped her tea before she continued.

"My parents have decided to send me overseas to further my education.

"

To say that she was shocked to hear that would be an understatement.

She also felt her heart break at the sad news.

"But there's another reason behind their decision,

" her cousin continued.

"My parents want to send me to the country of Gonora where my great uncle was exiled to.

"

Her ears perked up that.

As far as she remembered from the memories of her first life, there was only one Quinzel that was exiled to another country– and it was Garrett Quinzel, a war hero. She didn't know why he was exiled though. She didn't get the chance to know the other members of House Quinzel in her first life because she was too busy pleasing Duchess Amber Quinzel back then.

"Apparently, my great uncle can help me control my shadow technique without literally breaking my heart,

" Hanna said, then she smiled at her as if she was trying to console her.

"Neoma, I don't want to leave you but I have to. After all, I want to be stronger for you and Nero.

" She clutched her chest tight.

"Most of all, I don't want to worry my mother and father every time I would use my Mana.

"

Her heart went out to Hanna.

To be honest, even though she was sad about her cousin leaving her, she didn't have the courage to stop her.

First of all, she wanted Hanna to find a way to control her shadow technique without killing her. Second, if she learned how to manage her power, then she'd get stronger. And lastly, if she got stronger, then maybe she would avoid dying early in this lifetime.

Plus, it will probably be safer for Hanna if she leaves now that Regina Crowell is in the Royal Capital.

"You should go, Hanna,

" she said with a smile even though her heart was heavy.

"But please come back safely. If only I could go with you…

"

"Don't worry about me too much, Neoma. Mother found a friend for me that will accompany me to Gonora,

" Hanna said cheerfully.

"Her name is Regina Crowell and we're about to meet later.

"

She dropped the teacup in her hand, not caring about the slightly hot tea that was poured on her leg. She also didn't care that the teacup was shattered into pieces when it hit the floor.

"What did you say, Hanna?

"

Her cousin looked worried about her.

"Neoma, are you hurt?

"

Before she could even answer her cousin, she suddenly found herself being lifted by Lewis.

Her son's touch was so light that she didn't notice when he grabbed her by the waist, then lifted her up to get her out of her seat. The next thing she knew, she was already standing next to her now vacant chair.

Then, Lewis got down on one knee and inspected her leg. He carefully rolled her pants to see if she was burned. Thankfully, the tea wasn't that hot anymore and thus, her skin only turned red. She wouldn't need the magical Hisa ointment to treat it.

"I'm fine, Lewis,

" she assured him.

"I didn't get burnt.

"

Lewis raised his head to give her a stern look.

"Calm down, Princess Neoma.

"

Those words uttered by her son in a firm and strict voice snapped her out of her trance.

She didn't want to admit this but she panicked when she heard that Regina Crowell had already made contact with Duchess Amber Quinzel.

Shit. What the hell am I doing? I should get my priority straight.

And panicking wouldn't help.

She took a deep breath, then she smiled at her son.

"Thank you, Lewis.

"

Lewis's eyes glimmered, then he stood up and bowed to her.

"I'll call the servants to clean the room,

" Hanna said. She must be worried about the broken pieces of the teacup on the floor.

"Shall we take a walk in the garden, Neoma?

"

She looked at Hanna with clenched fists.

To be honest, she planned to warn her cousin to beware of Regina Crowell without telling her the whole truth. Admittedly, she became too complacent because she knew what would happen in the future. She didn't expect that Regina Crowell would make a move this early.

I've been too arrogant and too confident with myself…

Dammit.

Regina Crowell managed to fool her in her first life. If she let that girlie fool her again in this lifetime, then it would be a shame on her.

"Hanna, can you cover the entire room with your shadow technique?

" she asked seriously. Using the Shadow Veil was a basic skill for the Quinzels. It wasn't dangerous for Hanna to use it.

"I have something important to tell you.

"

"I can do that,

" Hanna said worriedly.

"But your serious face is making me nervous, Neoma.

"

Neoma felt bad but she couldn't smile in that situation.

"Hanna, will you believe me if I say that this is already my third life?

"

***

"RUFUS Quinzel, do you want to die?

" Nikolai asked Rufus coldly.

"Did you just seriously ask me to let you send Hanna Quinzel to your traitor of an uncle?

"

That confrontation was currently happening in his office.

When his exchange with Rufus began to get heated, Glenn fled to probably fetch Kyle Sprouse to help him stop his fight with his cousin.

He was too angry to care about that.

"Your Majesty, I will do everything to help my daughter strengthen her heart,

" Rufus said firmly while looking at him straight in the eye.

"I don't want to bring this up but when House Quinzel agreed to take in Prince Nero as our adopted

"daughter

" Nara Quinzel, you promised as a reward. And that reward is to grant us a request.

"

"I did say that,

" he admitted.

"But I also said that I will only grant your request if it's within my power, and if it won't offend or hurt the Royal Family. Letting you send the top candidate to be the future Crown Princess to a traitor would make us look like a fool, Rufus Quinzel.

"

"Your Majesty, this would be my last request,

" his cousin said desperately.

"If I need to grovel, I will do it.

"

When Rufus began to bend his knees, Nikolai immediately drew his sword and pointed the sharp end at his cousin's throat. That effectively stopped Rufus from kneeling. In fact, the duke couldn't move an inch now.

"Rufus, if you don't take your request back, I will kill you.

"

Rufus, without even an ounce of fear on his face, smiled at him genuinely.

"You can take my life if you grant my request, Your Majesty,

" he said.

"I would gladly die if it means giving my daughter a better future.

"

***

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