IT WAS only morning, but Neoma's energy was already drained.

She listened to Paige Avery's full report during breakfast. The more she listened to it, the angrier she got.

I'm glad Lewis isn't here or else he might have left the palace to kill Lukas.

Lewis, Juri Wisteria, and Jeno Dankworth weren't done with their community service yet. As the three's punishment for breaking the underground cell recently, she sent them to poor areas to feed the less fortunate people.

Xion, on the other hand, was still in the prison while being checked on by Greko. She asked their youngest to give the assassin a thorough check-up to make sure Lord Redgrave's power had settled safely in Xion's body.

It's really hard to be a single mother. Thankfully, my children are all capable individuals.

"Princess Neoma, I'd like to investigate the matter about the Darkness attribute in depth,

" Paige Avery said politely.

"May I?

"

"Sure. I'll provide you with anything you'd need for your study.

"

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness.

"

"What do you think about working with the Sun Priestess in my stead?

" she asked the mage.

"Are you alright with it?

"

"Yes, Your Royal Highness,

" the mage said.

"But may I know why Your Royal Highness doesn't want to work with the Sun Priestess?

"

"I just don't like the fact that she acts like she owns Ruto,

" she said with a shrug.

"Oh, Ruto is the last guest that arrived when I summoned y'all. He's the youngest royal chef in the palace. He'll return after three years.

"

She didn't know if it was just her or did Paige Avery suddenly turn serious?

"Princess Neoma, this may be impudent of me to ask, but do you really trust this 'Ruto?'

"

"I do,

" she said without missing a beat.

"Don't you find him trustworthy, Lady Avery?

"

"I've only seen a glimpse of him, so I can't judge him lightly,

" Paige Avery said carefully.

"But this 'Ruto' is too strong, Your Royal Highness. I've always been wary of people like him.

"

"Well, if that's the case, then it's okay if you don't trust Ruto.

"

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Your Royal Highness…

"

"It's too late for me to doubt Ruto, so please do it in my stead,

" she said. Although she sounded like she was joking, she was actually serious.

"If you find something suspicious about him, then tell me right away. I promise not to get mad.

"

The mage looked confused.

"I thought Princess Neoma trusts that boy…

"

"I do, and that scares me, too,

" she confessed.

"I recently found out Ruto has so much power over me. As an individual, I think it's a beautiful thing to be able to trust someone completely. But I'm not an ordinary individual. I am the future empress of this land. As a leader, I don't have the luxury to completely trust a person who doesn't belong to me.

"

The mage looked at her, bewildered. Then she laughed softly.

"Princess Neoma, the Sun Priestess asked me why I chose to serve you. I said I couldn't tell her the reason since I haven't said it to you in person yet. Aren't Your Royal Highness going to ask about it now?

"

"Oh,

" she said.

"So, why did you choose to serve me when you hate the de Moonasterios?

"

"It's actually nothing grand,

" Paige Avery said with a smile.

"I just thought it would be fun to follow a person who enjoys breaking the rules. It's fascinating to watch you, Princess Neoma. I feel like there won't be a dull moment with you. Is that an acceptable reason?

"

"Of course it is,

" she said, then she gave her a thumbs up.

"I'm a narcissist, Lady Avery. I enjoy the attention.

"

The mage just laughed again.

"By the way, have you seen Lord Marcus?

" Neoma asked curiously.

"Is he the one you're looking for?

"

"I've caught a glimpse of him earlier when he checked on Your Royal Highness's condition earlier, but he didn't see me,

" Paige said, then she smiled sadly.

"He looks old now, but I can't mistake that stupid face for someone else.

" Her gaze fell to the teacup in her hands.

"I heard from Sir Kinsley that Marcus has his own family– he even has grandchildren now.

"

Oh.

***

"YOUR ROYAL Highness, Lady Sera Wisteria and Countess Jade Wisteria are here to meet you.

"

Neoma covered her mouth when she yawned.

She just had her afternoon tea in the garden earlier, but since she had guests, she would have to drink tea again. But she'd rather do that than get stuck in the mountain of paper works that she needed to read and sign today.

Okay, let's take a break again.

"Alright,

" Neoma said, then she stood up and stretched her arms.

"Are they in the drawing room?

"

"Yes, Your Royal Highness,

" Dion Skelton said.

"I'll escort you to the drawing room.

"

"Okay,

" she said, then she began walking to the door.

"Dion, I've heard from Jeanne that you can't reach Sir Glenn recently. Is something wrong?

"

"The last time Glenn sent a report to Geoffrey, he said he won't be coming back to the empire anytime soon,

" the Paladin said as he opened the door for her.

"Although the penmanship and the sign belong to Glenn, we can't help but doubt the authenticity of the letter. We think something happened that forced Glenn to write that kind of report.

"

That made her worry.

"How does my father plan to deal with it?

"

"His Majesty ordered the Fletcher Twins to return to the empire, and His Majesty asked the twins to take a detour and check on Glenn at the Hazelden Kingdom first.

"

"I see,

" she said.

"I miss the Fletcher Twins.

"

"But Your Royal Highness isn't close to the twins since they already left the empire before you got the chance to be friendly with them.

"

"You don't understand, Dion,

" she said while clicking her tongue.

"The Fletcher Twins are gorgeous. Isn't that enough reason for me to miss them?

"

"If Your Royal Highness says so…

"

"That's why I need to go to Hazelden Kingdom and bless my eyes with the twins' visuals.

"

Dion frowned when he belatedly realized her scheme.

"Your Royal Highness, you're just using the Fletcher Twins as an excuse to go to Hazelden Kingdom and play.

"

She laughed when she got caught.

"I won't just be playing,

" she said.

"Ruto left a present for me at the Hazelden Kingdom. I have to get it before someone else beats me to it.

"

"I don't think His Majesty would allow you to go to Hazelden Kingdom, Your Royal Highness.

"

"Then I'll just have to run away with my children.

"

Dion let out a frustrated sigh.

"Your Royal Highness…

"

She just laughed at the Paladin's distress.

"Dion.

"

"Yes, Your Royal Highness?

"

She stopped in the middle of the hallway, then she turned around to face the Paladin.

"I want to ignore it, but I can't,

" she said seriously while looking up at Dion.

"Ever since I woke up, I can't help but notice your eyes absorbing my Moonglow. What's up with that?

"

Dion stepped back as if he was surprised, then he avoided her gaze.

"I deeply apologize, Your Royal Highness…

"

"Is it something that you can't tell me?

"

He nodded, still refusing to meet her gaze.

"But I assure Your Royal Highness that I'm not a threat to you.

"

"I know,

" she said.

"Papa Boss won't allow you by my side if your eyes could harm me. I'm just curious, but not that curious, so it's fine if you don't tell me about your eyes.

"

Dion let out a rare soft laugh, then he met her gaze again.

"Thank you for understanding, Your Royal Highness.

"

"I'm cool like that,

" Neoma said playfully.

"But I'd like to see your real eyes someday, Dion.

"

***

NEOMA couldn't help but smile while reading the documents that Lady Sera Wisteria and Countess Jade Wisteria handed to her.

The document was about the merchant guild that partnered with the Wisteria Ladies regarding the ornaments and weapons made from the stolen

"Hisa Jewels.

" She was delighted by the fact that the Wisteria Ladies had done a good job tracking the whereabouts of the stolen jewels. It seemed like destiny.

"Hazelden Kingdom?

" Neoma asked while laughing softly.

"I thought the weapons they produce were produced by their own power. But it turned out their magnificent weapons were created from the stolen Hisa Jewels.

"

"We also just found out about it, Your Royal Highness,

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

"It's also notable to mention that the Hazelden Kingdom is also involved with a sketchy organization.

"

"To be precise, they smuggle weapons to countries and kingdoms that they shouldn't be dealing with,

" Countess Jade Wisteria added.

"Your Royal Highness, we swear on our name that the Wisterias are not involved with the Hazelden Kingdom in any way. We only sell the Hisa Jewels to the merchant guild.

"

"I know,

" she said playfully.

"But that doesn't make the Wisterias completely innocent, right?

"

Lady Sera Wisteria and Countess Jade Wisteria looked embarrassed by her words.

"I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourselves, Lady and Countess Wisteria,

" Neoma said, then her eyes turned into crescent moons when she smiled. Although she had to admit that her smile was anything but innocent at the moment.

"Would you like to visit Hazelden Kingdom with me?

"

***

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