n

n

n

"I ALREADY delivered the goods, so I'm leaving now.

"

nNeoma tore her gaze away from William who was shooting her with death glares to turn to Trevor.

"You're already leaving? I thought you'd stay and pester me longer.

"

n

"I'd love to, but I need to pay attention to treating Prince Nero. I can't stay away from his physical body for a long time,

" Trevor said, then he waved at her with a sad look on his face.

"See you later, my Moon Princess.

"

n

"See you later,

" she said while waving back at him.

"And thank you for granting my request to bring William here, Trevor.

"

n

"Anything for you, Princess Neoma,

" Trevor said, then he bowed to her until he disappeared.

n

"So, what business do you have with me?

" William asked, then he sat on the armrest of the sofa while facing her.

"Nero and that damned demon worked together to knock me out again. I should have known it was your order, since you're the only one who could boss those two around.

"

n

"Well, aren't I lovely?

"

nHe just gave her a cold look.

"Spit it out,

" he said, annoyed.

"I hate wasting time with a filthy bug like you.

"

n

"The feeling is mutual, Uncle Scumbag,

" she deadpanned, then she went straight to the point.

"Lord Manu, the Moon Priest, took my Soul Beast away to raise him. He promised to return in three years' time with an adult Tteokbokki.

"

nWilliam knitted his eyebrows.

"It's impossible to raise a Soul Beast to an adult in that short amount of time. A Soul Beast grows with its host physical body–

"

n

"I decided to trust the Moon Priest,

" she said, cutting him off.

"So, in three years' time, I'd be able to save Mama Boss.

"

nHe looked too stunned to speak.

n

"Uncle Scumbag, you're really a scumbag,

" she said disapprovingly.

"You knew all along how to save my mother, but you refused to tell me just because you hated me for being more of a de Moonasterio than a Roseheart.

"

nHe glared at her.

"Nero could also break the ice since he has ice attribute–

"

n

"Get your ** together, will you?

" she said, then she sighed while shaking her head.

"William, I heard you were the de facto leader of my mother's Spirit Guardians. But do you know the Ice Spirit betrayed my mother and helped the former Commander Gavin Quinzel trap her in that stupid block of ice?

"

nHe didn't look as surprised as she thought he would be.

nShe let out a deep sigh.

"So, you knew all along?

"

n

"Mona's Ice Spirit is unique, so I recognized the ice as his,

" he admitted hesitantly.

"But I was in denial because I didn't want to entertain the possibility of Mona being betrayed by one of her trusted Spirit Guardians.

"

nWell, I can understand that part.

n

"After you woke me up, and I found out about Mona, I began searching for that damned Ice Spirit,

" the Grand Spirit continued.

"Unfortunately, I haven't found him yet.

"

n

"Oh,

" she said, then she raised an eyebrow.

"So, what would you do if you find the Ice Spirit?

"

n

"I'll kill him, of course.

"

n

"I won't let you kill him since I need to make him my fake Soul Beast,

" she said bluntly.

"Nero has an ice attribute, so I need to have an ice attribute while pretending to be him. Lord Manu suggested making the Ice Spirit my fake Soul Beast. He already taught me how to do it.

"

n

"Wait,

" the Grand Spirit said.

"Are you saying you know where the Ice Spirit is?

"

n

"Yep,

" she said.

"I also know how to catch it.

"

nRuto taught her the Ice Spirit's weakness, so she was confident.

n

"Tell me,

" William said impatiently.

"Tell me where to find the Ice Spirit.

"

n

"I will bring him to you, but if I do, you have to grant me one request.

"

nHe frowned.

"Why would I–

"

n

"Be my master and teach me how to become a proper Roseheart,

" she said, cutting him off again.

"As I said earlier, get your ** together. Is your hatred for the de Moonasterios greater than your desire to save my mother?

"

nOnce again, he looked too stunned to speak.

nShe used that opportunity to give him a piece of her mind.

n

"Uncle Scumbag, we both want to save my mother,

" she said as calmly as she could.

"Even if Tteokbokki turns into an adult dragon, what's the use if I couldn't control him? For that reason, I need you to train me as a Roseheart.

"

n

"You–

"

n

"For the third time, get your ** together,

" she said, cutting him off again.

"If you don't want to grant me a request, then let's just play a game.

"

nNow the Grand Spirit looked interested.

n

"I want to make the Ice Spirit my fake Soul Beast, and you want to kill him. So, let's play a game,

" she offered.

"Once I find the Ice Spirit, I will summon you. Then we'll have a race. Let's see if you could kill him first before I make him my fake Soul Beast.

"

nHe scoffed.

"Do you think the Ice Spirit will stay still while we

"race?

"

"

n

"Of course not,

" she said while rolling her eyes at him.

"But that's what makes the game more interesting. It would be a three-way battle.

" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you afraid you'd lose to me?

"

nWilliam snarled at her.

"I won't lose to a filthy bug like you.

"

n

"We'll see about that, Uncle Scumbag,

" Neoma said with a sweet smile on her face.

"But I don't think I'd lose to a grown-ass man who couldn't get his ** together.

"

n***

n

"I FELT William's presence in your palace earlier.

"

nNeoma was surprised by what her Papa Boss said as soon as she entered his office. But thankfully, she quickly gathered her wits.

"Trevor

"delivered

" William as per my request,

" she explained, then she put the documents she needed her father to sign on the table between them.

"Papa Boss, I heard you also asked Trevor to bring William to you. I'm sorry, I should have stopped him before he left.

"

n

"It's alright. I no longer need to see him,

" her Papa Boss said calmly.

"So, did you win?

"

n

"Hmm?

"

n

"I didn't sense any fighting,

" her father explained.

"But I'm sure you didn't let William leave without giving him a piece of your mind.

"

nShe smirked and gave her father a thumbs up.

"I made him speechless several times, Papa Boss. Plus, I got the last words.

"

n

"Good,

" her father said proudly.

"I knew you wouldn't lose when it comes to battle of words. Did you curse at him?

"

n

"Of course, Papa Boss.

"

n

"Very well,

" her Papa Boss said as if he was satisfied with her

"win.

"

"How's the preparation for your trip to the Hazelden Kingdom?

"

n

"It's going well, Papa Boss,

" she said.

"We'll be leaving the day after tomorrow.

"

n

"Are you sure you'll only be bringing Jeanne Audley with you?

" he asked.

"You can bring Dion Skelton and Geoffrey Kinsley, too.

"

n

"It's alright, Papa Boss. The Fletcher Twins and Sir Glenn will be there anyway,

" she said.

"You need Geoffrey by your side. And I think Dion is uncomfortable with me these days.

"

nHer father knitted his eyebrows.

"Did you bully Dion?

"

nShe gasped exaggeratedly.

"Do you think I'm that kind of person, Papa Boss?

"

nHer Papa Boss just gave her a dire stare that said,

"yes, you're a bully.

"

nShe clicked her tongue because she couldn't deny that.

"I didn't bully Dion,

" she said.

"His eyes keep absorbing my Moonglow these days. I actually don't mind since it doesn't affect me negatively, anyway. But he looks guilty every time it happens.

"

n

"Ah, that really sounds like Dion.

"

n

"Papa Boss, do you know why Dion's eyes are like that?

"

n

"Of course,

" he said.

"That's the reason why I chose him to be one of my Paladins. Do you want to know the story behind his eyes?

"

n

"I'm curious, but not that curious, so I'm fine.

"

nHer father chuckled.

"Dion will tell you about it soon. Until then, contain your curiosity.

"

n

"Okay, Papa Boss.

"

nHer Papa Boss looked at her as if he was hesitating to say something. But in the end, he still did.

"Neoma, I won't ask how you became acquainted with an infamous information guild. But be careful. Even if you're in disguise, it's still dangerous.

"

nShe froze when she heard that. Papa Boss knows…

nAnd here she thought she did a good job sneaking out of the palace.

n

"Papa Boss, are you keeping an eye on me?

"

n

"Of course,

" her father said while nodding.

"As I said before, you'll always be a child to me.

"

nShe pouted. But deep inside, she was touched by her father's concern.

"Who tailed me, Papa Boss?

"

nHe chuckled while shaking his head.

"Don't underestimate my Paladins and my information network, Neoma. Before I became the emperor, I was a rebellious Crown Prince. How do you think I managed to usurp the throne from your tyrant grandfather?

"

nShe beamed at that.

"Papa Boss, do you have a connection to the

"dangerous crowd?

"

"

nHe smirked at her.

"I'll tell you about it after you return from the Hazelden Kingdom. That will be one of your rewards.

"

nOhh, not bad.

nThe information network of her Papa Boss would surely come in handy.

n

"Let's have a picnic after I return, Papa Boss.

"

nHe smiled warmly at her.

"That sounds like a nice idea.

"

nShe smiled, happy that she could have this heartwarming moment with her Papa Boss.

n

"Do you need anything else from me?

" her Papa Boss asked.

"I can't join you in your trip to the Hazelden Kingdom, but I can provide you with anything you might need.

"

n

"Ah, I have a request, Papa Boss,

" Neoma said seriously.

"Can I borrow one of your Soul Beasts?

"

n***

nGLENN…

nBrigitte clenched her hands while looking at her unconscious lover on the bed.

nGlenn was covered with blood.

nShe couldn't even tell where he was injured because he was bleeding all over.

nWorse, she couldn't personally check on his condition because the prison bars separated them. She was outside, while Glenn was in the basement cell bleeding to death.

n

"Treat his injuries,

" Brigitte said, both of her palms bleeding because she was clenching her hands tightly.

"If Glenn dies, I'll murder our whole family.

"

nHer brother, Crown Prince Blake Hazelden, laughed at her threat.

"Do you think you could kill our whole family when you can't even protect your lover?

"

nShe turned to her brother with a cold look on her face.

"Brother, there's a reason why you're scared of me. Have you forgotten that you were chosen to be the Crown Prince only because of that stupid thing between your legs?

"

nHer brother stopped laughing to glare at her.

nShe smirked, then she approached him and caressed his cheek with the back of her hand.

"My pitiful brother,

" she said in an exaggeratedly sad voice.

"If I were born a male, you wouldn't stand a chance against me.

"

nHe grabbed her wrist.

"Brigitte Hazelden, don't test my patience.

"

n

"Blake Hazelden, don't test my patience, too,

" she said coldly.

"I've been doing your bidding all this time. I told you to not touch Glenn, but you went ahead and hurt him.

"

n

"He was the one who tried to send a message to the empire despite our deal–

"

n

"I don't want to hear your lame excuse,

" she snarled at her brother.

"We have a deal. I'm telling you to keep Glenn alive or else I'll make you regret it.

"

n

"You better do a good job then,

" Blake said, then he roughly let go of her wrist.

"Kill Crown Prince Nero de Moonasterio if you want to save your lover.

"

n

"I already said I'll do it,

" Brigitte said, then she turned her back on her brother. It was to hide her smile. My foolish brother, the moment Prince Nero arrives here is the moment our Hazelden Kingdom will meet its end.

n***

nHi. You may now send GIFTs to our Neoma. Thank you~

n***

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n