"SIR DION, please have this,

" Neoma said with a big smile while handing a chocolate candy to the Paladin. She addressed him formally instead of calling him by his first name because she had to ask a favor from him.

"I made this chocolate for you and the others.

"

The night before, she made chocolate truffles.

It was the easiest kind of chocolate to make. Of course, she could have just asked her new royal chef to do it for her. But she wanted to show her sincerity to her people. Thus, she made handmade chocolates for them.

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness,

" Dion Skelton said in his usually stoic face and voice.

"I will treasure this–

"

"Please have one.

"

"Right now?

"

"Yes.

"

"Here?

"

"Yes,

" she said, then she smiled brightly at him.

"The others aren't here yet anyway.

"

At the moment, she was in her favorite pavilion by the pond with Lewis and Dion Skelton. It was dawn, so the surroundings were cold and quiet. And even though most people were still asleep, the three of them were already ready to leave.

But she purposely brought Dion Skelton there under the guise of taking an early walk.

"Come on, Sir Dion,

" she said, then she acted sadly.

"I promise it's edible.

"

"I'm not worried about that…

" Dion Skelton trailed off, then he shook his head. After that, he opened the box and took one chocolate truffle. Without further ado, he put it in his mouth and ate it quietly. His usually stoic face lit up a bit.

"It's delicious, Your Royal Highness.

"

"Thank you, Sir Dion!

" she said cheerfully.

"And now that you took my present, you can't refuse my request.

"

The usually indifferent Paladin looked shocked and betrayed by her words.

Of course, her conscience pricked her heart. But she had to do it because of her curiosity. She figured asking her Papa Boss about 'that' matter would be sensitive, so she chose Dion Skelton to ask instead, even though the Paladin looked tight-lipped.

Well, that's exactly why I resorted to bribing.

"Sir Dion, don't worry too much,

" she assured him.

"I just have one question.

"

Dion let out a deep sigh.

"I understand, Your Royal Highness,

" he said weakly.

"But please address me casually. I can't have Your Royal Highness speak formally to me.

"

"Alright, Dion,

" she said.

"Anyway, my question is simple. I just want to know how Lady Sera Wisteria is related to the former Commander Gavin Quinzel.

"

The Paladin looked surprised by her question.

Yep, her curiosity was about her appa's relationship with Lady Sera Wisteria.

Although her Papa Boss told her he wouldn't be agitated by the mention of her appa's name again, she still didn't want to be insensitive.

"I guess I can answer that since it isn't a secret anyway,

" Dion said carefully.

"Your Royal Highness, Lady Sera Wisteria almost got engaged with the former commander in the past.

"

She gasped when she heard that.

I have a feeling that it might be the case but I can't believe that I'm right!

"May I know why they didn't get engaged?

"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot answer that,

" the Paladin said indifferently.

"Moreover, Your Royal Highness said that he'd only ask one question.

"

She clicked her tongue when she realized her mistake.

I shouldn't have said that I will only ask one question!

She turned to Lewis for help, since she heard that the one who trained her son to become a White Lion Knight was Dion Skelton.

My precious son, please help me convince your master to spill the beans!

Much to her surprise, Lewis avoided her gaze.

She gasped at the shock of being betrayed by her son!

Is he scared of Dion?

"Your Royal Highness, it's time to head back to the palace,

" Dion said formally.

"Shall we go?

"

Neoma pouted before she nodded.

"Okay.

"

***

NEOMA smiled and waved at the people cheering and calling her name while the window of her royal carriage was open.

She was supposed to ride on a horse during the parade. But after she informed her Papa Boss about the assassin that tried to kill Nero in her past life, her father changed the arrangement. This time, she quietly obeyed her Papa Boss when he asked her to greet the citizens inside the carriage instead of risking her life while riding on a horse.

I have to be careful since I don't want to die yet.

Thus, she couldn't fully enjoy the festive mood outside.

"Prince Nero, you're so pretty!

"

"We support our precious Crown Prince!

"

"Thank you for being Lord Yule's Messenger, our dear Prince Nero!

"

Ah, now I've become a

"Messenger

" of Lord Yule.

It was because of the damned prophecy that the Moon God left.

According to that prophecy, I'm supposed to find the new saint in a few years. Papa Boss told me not to worry about it for now. But it bothers me that a lot of people are putting their faith in me…

Her thoughts were interrupted when Lewis, who was on a horse, appeared in her field of vision.

Then, much to her shock, her son closed the window abruptly.

"Your knight seems to have a bad temper, Your Royal Highness.

"

Neoma tunred to Lady Sera Wisteria who was sitting on the couch across from her. Only the two of them were in the carriage.

"Lewis's temper isn't the best, but he's not a bad kid,

" she said with a smile.

"He probably closed the window because he was worried about my safety. His manners are a little lacking but it's because I didn't teach him properly.

"

"You don't have to be defensive, Prince Nero,

" Lady Sera Wisteria said.

"I didn't say that your knight's behavior offended me.

"

She just smiled awkwardly.

I can't seem to get along well with Lady Wisteria. She's a little difficult to handle. Is this how the people I picked a fight with felt when they dealt with me?

For some reason, she felt like Lady Sera Wisteria was her karma or something.

"Your Royal Highness, you may not know this but the White Lion Knights aren't always known for their chivalry,

" Lady Sera Wisteria said while smiling quite bitterly.

"Their former commander was known for his excellent reputation. He would always smile and act politely in front of the public. But once no one is looking…

" she trailed off, then he let out a hollow laugh.

"That man was cunning and deceitful.

"

She clenched her hands, unhappy that she was hearing bad things about her appa from a woman that she found difficult to deal with.

Is Lady Wisteria bitter because her engagement with my appa didn't push through?

She was so upset but she made sure that it wouldn't show on her face.

"Lady Wisteria, it seems like you have an interesting history not only with my mother– but also with the former commander as well,

" she said light-heartedly.

"As you know, it's forbidden in the Royal Palace to talk about them, so I know little about my mother. No one is also willing to share stories with me. But you seem different.

"

"It's because I'm not afraid of His Majesty,

" the older noblewoman said.

"But would you really like to hear a story about Lady Roseheart and the former commander? I'm sure that you've already heard the rumors about the two's alleged indecent relationship.

"

"I've heard about them,

" she said carefully.

"But aren't they groundless rumors only?

"

"Those rumors aren't groundless.

"

Her heart thumped against her chest quite hard and loud. For some reason, she suddenly felt nervous.

"You sound confident, Lady Wisteria.

"

"It's because I'm the source of those rumors,

" Lady Sera Wisteria said confidently.

"The rumors may have been blown out of proportions. But the source has always been true.

"

"Please elaborate.

"

"During my coming-of-age ceremony, I fancied a rare piece of jewel that arrived at the Royal Capital. It was a hair ornament,

" the older noblewoman explained.

"But the former commander beat me to purchasing it. He even told the shop owner that it was his birthday present for the woman that he planned to confess his feelings to. I was foolish back then, and I thought I would be the one to receive the gift and the confession from the commander.

"

She gulped because she could already see where the story was going…

"I told you I pulled your mother's hair once, didn't I?

" the older noblewoman asked before she continued with her story.

"I did that because I saw Lady Roseheart using the hair ornament.

"

She gasped softly.

"Then, the former commander confessed to my mother?

"

"He denied it,

" Lady Sera Wisteria said bitterly.

"The commander denied saying that he told the shop owner that it was a present for the woman that he was in love with. That bastard made a fool out of me.

"

"But why would the former commander do that?

"

"Isn't the answer obvious, Your Royal Highness?

" the older noblewoman asked while laughing hollowly.

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"I don't understand…

"

"The former Commander Gavin Quinzel wanted to destroy your mother's relationship with your father, Your Royal Highness,

" Lady Sera Wisteria said coldly.

"And he used me as a tool to achieve that wicked goal.

"

Neoma couldn't believe what she just heard.

That must be a misunderstanding. Moreover, why would she believe a person she just met over her appa?

My appa isn't that kind of person!

***

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***

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