"I CALLED your Soul Beast back– he'll return soon.

"

Neoma knitted her eyebrow.

"My Tteokbokki answers to your call?

"

After Manu barged into her office and bothered her while working, she decided to take a break.

The Moon Priest said he didn't want any other person inside the room while the two of them talked. He received a dirty glare from Lewis for that remark. But Neoma decided to follow Manu's wish and asked her

"son

" to guard outside.

It can't be helped. Lord Manu's position is higher than the saint's. As the Crown Prince, I have to treat him well.

"Of course, all the Soul Beasts respond to me,

" Manu said, then he sipped his tea.

"Even if your Soul Beast doesn't want to, he cannot refuse the call of the King who named him.

"

"You're the one who named the Soul Beasts?

" she asked, then she frowned.

"Gosh, Lord Manu. Your naming sense sucks.

"

"It runs in the blood,

" the Moon Priest snapped back.

"Who names a mighty Fire Dragon 'Tteokbokki?' What does it even mean? At least, 'Crimson' refers to him being a red dragon.

"

"Tteokbokki also refers to his color.

"

"That word makes little sense in this world.

"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, you're aware I lived once in a different world.

"

"You're a descendant of Lord Yule,

" the Moon Priest explained.

"He tells me things I need to know to guide you in his place.

"

Ah, that was why the Moon Priest already knew that she was a girl.

"I can't help but think everyone already knows my secret,

" she said while shaking her head.

"Even the Sun Priestess knows I'm a girl. Obviously, the Sun Goddess also knows my secret.

"

"We have a friendly relationship with the Sun Priestess and the Sun Goddess, so they'll keep your secret safe.

"

"The Sun Priestess roasted me literally and figuratively, Lord Manu.

"

"It's because you pissed her off.

"

"Wow,

" she said sarcastically.

"You're taking her side? She was the one who picked a fight first when she stopped me from trying to save my appa.

"

"That's still your fault,

" the Moon Priest said coldly.

"The Sun Priestess's will is the same as the Sun Goddess's will. Going against the authority of the Sun Priestess is equal to defying the Sun Goddess. You deserved to be punished for your blasphemy.

"

"I know I already hate you the first time I saw you.

"

"Didn't your father tell you what my job is?

" the Moon Priest asked.

"It's the Moon Priest's job to punish the de Moonasterios who commit blasphemy against gods, and atrocities among humanity.

"

She laughed bitterly.

"Then why didn't you show up when my crazy grandfather killed innocent lives?

"

"I was asleep during Nicholas de Moonasterio's reign.

"

"How convenient,

" she said sarcastically.

"I'm disappointed, but not surprised. You and the gods up there only move when it benefits you.

"

"Are you done dissing me?

"

"No, but I have a more pressing issue I want you to address,

" she said, then she changed the topic.

"Lord Manu, is my royal secret an open secret to the gods up there? Even a minor god found out my secret when he saw me.

"

"There are factions among gods,

" Manu explained carefully.

"Lord Yule, the Moon God, has allies. They know your secret, and they're doing their best to hide you from the eyes of the other gods who want to harm you.

"

"Is the Sun Goddess one of Lord Yule's allies?

"

"Yes,

" the Moon Priest confirmed.

"Lord Yule and his allies all serve the Light. They're the ones preventing the Absolute Darkness from swallowing this world again.

"

"Absolute Darkness?

"

Manu clicked his tongue.

"For a Crown Prince, you're quite illiterate.

"

"Don't ever consider being an educator as a fallback career,

" she snapped back.

"Plus, it's better to admit your lack of knowledge than pretend you know everything. As an adult, it's your responsibility to educate a person who wants to learn without shaming them.

" She clicked her tongue.

"What a divine scumbag.

"

The Moon Priest looked shocked.

"Did you just call me a scumbag?

"

"Yes, I did,

" she said, then she sipped her tea.

Manu fell silent for a while before he opened his mouth again.

"During the Ancient Period, the Middle World was swallowed by Absolute Darkness. The gods that possess the power of Light descended to save the world from completely turning dark.

"

Her ears perked up. Oh, interesting plot.

"The two most prominent gods that descended back then were the Moon God and the Sun Goddess,

" the Moon Priest continued.

"Thus, after they lit up the entire world, the two were given the biggest continents as their

"territory

" to protect. The Sun Goddess received the East Continent, while the Moon God received the West Continent.

"

"Ah,

" she said while nodding.

"So, who caused the Absolute Darkness? If Lord Yule and the Sun Goddess saved the world, then they must have defeated the villain.

"

"That's the thing– they didn't find out who caused the Absolute Darkness.

"

"What a letdown.

"

"I have to agree with you there,

" Manu said while nodding his head.

"Even after the world was saved from being swallowed up by Absolute Darkness, humanity was deeply traumatized. The humans born after the Ancient Period were wired with fear of the darkness. Even now, that fear still exists in every member of the human race.

"

Ah.

She suddenly remembered something from her History lessons that may be connected to the Moon Priest's story.

"Is that the cause of prejudice against people with the Darkness attribute, Lord Manu?

" she asked.

"I read in one of the History books that there was a time people with the Darkness attribute were executed simply because their Mana lacked light.

"

"That's correct,

" the Moon Priest confirmed.

"That's why you have to be extra careful, little de Moonasterio. The demonic power inside you is a Darkness attribute.

"

"Oh.

"

"You said the minor god you killed discovered your secret, right?

"

She nodded weakly.

"That's right, my lord.

"

"Your Moonglow hides the rose in your heart that reveals you're a girl,

" Manu explained while pointing to her chest.

"But every time you use your demonic power, your Moonglow decreases. Thus, the rose in your heart becomes clearer– especially through a god's eyes.

"

She tilted her head to one side.

"Then are you suggesting I use my demonic power less? I'm more comfortable in using Skewer when I fight.

"

The Moon Priest huffed.

"You're a de Moonasterio, for goodness's sake! The de Moonasterios don't need weapons to fight. Use your monster strength, and your Soul Beast.

"

"I don't want Tteokbokki to get into a lot of fights,

" she said bluntly.

"Thus, I only summon him when I absolutely need to.

"

"What are you saying?

" the Moon Priest asked, confused.

"The Soul Beasts exist to fight for the de Moonasterios. Why are you trying to protect your Soul Beast?

"

"Because I feel bad for Tteokbokki,

" she said honestly, while looking straight at Manu's eyes.

"I know the story behind Tteokbokki's existence. Although his other persona claims that he's the God of Wrath, the other Soul Beasts aren't like that. Those Soul Beasts were created by using the souls of the male Rosehearts that the de Moonasterios killed in the past, right?

"

"Ah, so you know something.

"

"I'm a Roseheart, too,

" she said firmly.

"One day, I will continue to do what my Papa Boss and Mama Boss failed to do in the past.

"

"Free the Soul Beasts?

"

She nodded as confirmation.

"The souls of the male Rosehearts don't deserve to continue existing as living weapons. It's too cruel. Plus, you even erased their memories.

"

"Hah,

" Manu said while shaking his head.

"I thought you were a tough cookie. I didn't know you were a softie.

"

"I just happen to have a moral compass, thank you very much.

"

"I'm not allowed to speak about the history of the Soul Beasts with you,

" Manu said carefully.

"But don't hate Lord Yule too much because of his involvement with the Soul Beasts. He did his best to protect the male Rosehearts back then.

"

Hearing about Lord Yule again reminded her of something.

Lord Yule and Callisto de Luca…

"Lord Manu, I want to ask you something important,

" Neoma said seriously.

"Are the crows still unaware that the current Crown Prince is actually the royal princess?

"

***

"YOUR NAME is Tteokbokki?

"

"Yes, that's my awful name.

"

"It's cute, though?

"

"How on earth is that cute?

"

"Of course it is cute! I heard from oppa tteokbokki is a yummy food!

"

Tteokbokki looked at the soul of the child, who looked exactly like the thug princess, except for the hair and eye color.

"The thug princess named me after a damned food?!

"

The little girl laughed softly.

"Neoma unnie is creative, isn't she?

"

Argh.

He found the girl that the thug princess asked him to find, but he couldn't enter the garden the royal princess mentioned.

The soul of the girl just met him at the entrance.

"Did Neoma unnie send you here, Tteokbokki?

"

"Yes,

" he said while nodding.

"I guess she's curious about you since you look alike.

"

"Can you tell Neoma unnie to come back later?

"

Tteokbokki tilted his head to one side.

"Later? But why later? I'm already here.

"

"It's not yet time– the Cosmic Tree will wake up later,

" the child who looked like his thug princess, said while smiling.

"Please tell Neoma unnie to save me then.

"

***

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***

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