JASPER Hawthorne gulped when an unexpected visitor arrived at his office at a pub called Sinkhole. It was just a façade though. After all, Sinkhole was an information guild located in Hyperion Street– an area between the commoners' district and the slums.

And right now, he was hiding his real identity under the alias 'Vermilion.'

He also dyed his hair and pupils black. Moreover, he wore a voice-changing device around his neck. It was all to conceal the fact that the owner of the information guild was him.

I've destroyed the shady businesses that my family had been involved with in the past. But I can't get rid of the Sinkhole. The people that I've worked with within the guild are all trustworthy. Moreover, it's always good to have a network.

"Vermilion.

"

Jasper smiled at Lewis Crevan who broke the silence.

Yes, his unexpected client was the Silver Fox.

Lewis Crevan wore a black hooded robe over an all-black outfit to probably hide his identity. But he brazenly removed the hood when he entered the office.

"Lame alias.

"

Jasper laughed at the fox boy's remark.

"I knew it,

" he said.

"You removed your hood because you already know my real identity. Did the princess send you here?

"

A soundproof barrier protected his office.

"Don't worry,

" he assured the young fox.

"It's safe to speak comfortably here.

"

"Three orders.

"

"Hmm?

"

"First, find a mage,

" Lewis said bluntly, then he put a scroll on his table.

"Second, investigate the fire that broke out in Belle's House. Third, look for Regina Crowell.

"

Fourth, do not ask questions.

Lewis didn't say it loudly but that was the warning in his eyes.

And so, he didn't ask questions regarding Princess Neoma's strange orders. He already swore his loyalty to the royal princess, after all.

"Here,

" Lewis said as he placed three pouches of gold next to the scroll.

"Payment.

"

Hmm.

It seemed like Princess Neoma knew that the guild only accepted cash, huh? After all, accepting cheques was dangerous since it was traceable. Of course, it might only be common sense. Still, he had a feeling that it was more than that.

"Lewis, how did Princess Neoma know that I own an information guild?

"

"The princess is smart.

"

He waited but it seemed like Lewis was already done explaining.

Ah, it seems like Princess Neoma doesn't intend to let me know how she discovered my information guild. Did she run a background check on me? If Her Royal Highness knows about my secret, does it mean His Majesty also knows that I'm the guild leader here?

"I can hear you thinking from here,

" Lewis Crevan said.

"You secret is safe with Princess Neoma and I. And don't think about it too much. Princess Neoma is a special existence who knows things beyond our comprehension. She is amazing.

"

He stifled his laughter and clapped slowly.

"Lewis Crevan, you only speak coherent sentences when you want to. Even more so when you're praising Princess Neoma.

"

This time, the fox boy ignored him.

I wonder how Princess Neoma handles a difficult child like this one.

"Mission done,

" Lewis Crevan said.

"I'll go.

"

He laughed softly.

"You didn't even ask if I'm accepting the request that the princess entrusted to me.

"

The fox boy's gaze turned colder and sharper.

"Are you rejecting it?

"

"What will you do if I say that I don't want to do it?

"

He knew it was foolish to provoke Lewis Crevan. But it was amusing to pick a fight with him. After all, he considered the fox boy a rival.

"I will tell everyone that the leader of the Sinkhole information guild is Duke Jasper Hawthorne if you reject Princess Neoma's request.

"

He was stunned because it wasn't the reaction that he was hoping for.

"You're going to do something as petty as that, Lewis? Where's your honor as a knight?

"

"What's wrong with using an enemy's weakness against them?

"

He opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't find a retort.

"Ah, you're right,

" he said, admitting his loss.

"There's nothing wrong with using that method. I just didn't expect that from a knight like you.

"

"I'm only a knight by name.

"

"Hmm?

"

"I don't have the honor of a knight since I don't need it,

" the fox boy said.

"I will do anything and everything– even immoral things– to survive and stay by Princess Neoma's side.

"

Ah, this stoic boy would only show emotions when Princess Neoma was involved.

"I guess you're right,

" he agreed with the fox boy. On a battlefield, survival was more important than honor.

"Anyway, I don't have any intention of rejecting Princess Neoma's request. I'm just teasing you.

"

The fox boy just let out a frustrated sigh.

"I'm sorry, okay?

" he said while laughing, then he changed the topic.

"I heard about the expedition. When will you be leaving?

"

"Tomorrow.

"

"Ah, yes,

" Jasper said when he remembered why there was going to be a big event tomorrow.

"The parade. Is Princess Neoma going to be alright with it?

"

"Of course,

" Lewis Crevan said promptly, then he sighed.

"Princess Neoma loves attention.

"

***

"YOU're going to use Jeno Dankworth's mist to hide your face?

"

"Not exactly to hide my face, Papa Boss,

" Neoma said while walking with her father in the rose garden of her palace. Only Lewis and Dion Skelton were following them behind so they were free to talk without her having to act as Nero.

"I just asked Jeno to create a mist around me during the parade. So if anyone looks at me with keen interest, my image will appear blurry. But I asked Jeno to make it as subtle as possible.

"

"That's strange,

" her Papa Boss said.

"You're so proud of your pretty face that I'm surprised you're planning to subtly hide it.

"

"I have to go out and show up in the public to boost the Crown Prince's image,

" she explained to her father.

"But I don't want anyone to have a clear image of me, Papa Boss. Nero and I, although we are twins, won't look exactly the same, especially since we're of different genders.

"

"Ah, you're right,

" he said while nodding his head.

"I'm impressed that you've thought that far.

"

"I'm using my cheat code, Papa Boss.

"

"What do you mean by that?

"

She stopped walking, then she turned to Lewis and Dion Skelton.

"Can you please leave us for a moment?

"

Of course, she didn't need to send Lewis away who already knew her secret.

But she didn't want Dion Skelton to be suspicious or anything, so she had to ask her son to leave as well.

Lewis and Dion Skelton bowed to her and her father before leaving quietly.

"Why did you send them away?

" her father asked worriedly.

"Is it related to your previous life?

"

She nodded before speaking again.

"Papa Boss, around this time, Nero was almost killed by a renowned assassin.

"

Her father's eyes widened in shock, then he got down on one knee and put his hands on her shoulders.

"An assassin?

"

"Yes, Papa Boss,

" she said seriously.

"I remember because it's the only assassination attempt that seriously put Nero in a dangerous situation back then. Unfortunately, I can't remember when exactly it happened. All I know is it happened before Nero's 10th birthday. Apparently, the assassin's lucky number is 9, so he tried to kill my brother before he turned 10.

"

The assassin was bizarre, but for some reason, she couldn't remember anything else about him except for his gender.

"Why didn't you tell me something as important as that sooner, Neoma?

"

"I honestly forgot, Papa Boss,

" she said.

"I just remembered it again when I sent Lewis to a secret mission yesterday.

"

She remembered the assassin when she sent Lewis to Jasper Oppa's information guild because that assassin was also a guild member.

"I don't dwell in the past because it has already changed the moment I regressed,

" she explained to her father.

"I'm not sure if the person who targeted Nero back in my first life would make a move this time. But it doesn't hurt to be careful.

"

"Did Nero get hurt a lot back then?

"

She nodded sadly.

"His personality got worse after that assassination attempt.

"

Her father let out a deep sigh.

"I shouldn't have approved the expedition…

"

"It's alright, Papa Boss,

" she said, consoling her father.

"Nero was hurt that time because he snuck out of the palace alone. But I won't be alone during the expedition. I have Lewis, Jeanne Audley, and Dion Skelton.

"

"I should add more guards with you,

" her Papa Boss said.

"Should I summon the twins back?

"

Come to think of it, she hadn't seen the Fletcher Twins for a long time now.

I heard Papa Boss sent the twins on a mission regarding Nero's request.

"Papa Boss, I swear I'll be fine,

" she said.

"Those people are working under Nero's order. Don't disturb them since I don't need more guards.

" She pointed to her heart.

"I also have Tteokbokki with me and my cute Spirits.

"

Her father just frowned as if he wasn't convinced.

"Come on, Papa Boss,

" she said while laughing.

"Don't worry too much.

"

"That's impossible,

" her father said bluntly.

"That's what it means to be a father.

"

Pfft.

Although she was touched by her Papa Boss's concern, she still couldn't help but get goosebumps. Being cheesy didn't suit her father at all!

When her Papa Boss realized she was holding back her laughter, his face turned red as if he was embarrassed.

"Little rogue, don't make fun of me. I'm trying.

"

"I know, Papa Boss. I know,

" Neoma said while laughing, then she wrapped her arms around her father's neck. Then, he gently patted his back.

"I'll come back safely, Papa Boss.

"

This is awkward but this isn't a bad feeling.

Her Papa Boss awkwardly hugged her back at first. But soon, he relaxed and naturally patted her on her back as well.

"Don't make me worry too much, little rogue.

"

***

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***

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