n

n

nNEOMA was relieved to see that Lewis and Nero didn't seem to have fought each other when she left.

nAlso, she was delighted to see Duke Quinzel again.

nUnfortunately, her sc*mbag of a father asked the duke and Lewis to leave the room because apparently, only the royal family members should talk to Trevor first.

nI'm pretty sure he'd tell Duke Quinzel, Count Sprouse, and Sir Glenn about this later.

nAnyway, right now, she was in the tea room in the Royal Tower with her Papa Boss, Nero, and Trevor.

nShe sat on the sofa while Nero sat beside her. Emperor Nikolai sat alone on the sofa across from them. While Trevor sat on the accent chair beside the emperor. Aside from tea, the table between them was filled with a wide variety of snacks.

n

"I heard that you can cure me, Trevor,

" Nero said in a tone as formal and as cold as Emperor Nikolai's.

nGosh, Nero. You're starting to sound like our father.

n

"Uh-huh,

" Trevor said casually.

"I have two ways of curing you so you have to choose, Prince Nero.

"

n

"What are the options?

" her twin brother asked.

n

"The first option is the fastest way for you to get cured, Your Royal Highness,

" the talking book said. Then, he suddenly became serious.

"You just have to sleep inside the hellhole for eight years while I cure you.

"

nNeoma gasped in shock.

"Eight years?!

"

nShe was happy that Trevor would have to return to the

"hellhole.

" But she wasn't happy to know that he'd be bringing her twin brother with him. Worse, they have to stay there for eight freaking years!

nWhen she turned to her twin brother, she noticed that Nero looked as shocked as she was.

n

"Eight years?

" Emperor Nikolai asked in disbelief.

"Do you think I'd entrust the royal prince's life to you for eight years?

"

n

"You don't have to trust me, Your Majesty,

" Trevor said.

"That's why we're doing a binding vow, aren't we? You'll get the upperhand in the binding vow since your blood as a de Moonasterio is stronger than mine. If I break my promise, I'll die. And I don't want to die yet.

" He turned to the emperor with a casual smile.

"The saint will be here, right? A demon like me can't lie to a person as divine as the saint. You can decide if you can trust me or not after you bring me to His Holiness.

"

nNeoma raised a brow. Gosh, what a smart-ass.

nAs if Trevor just heard her thoughts, he turned to her with a lazy smile.

nThat damned (sexy) smile again.

n

"Hmp,

" she said while rolling her eyes at him. When she avoided the talking book's gaze, her eyes caught Nero. Her twin brother was quiet and he looked like he was in deep thought.

n

"What's the second option?

" Emperor Nikolai asked.

n

"Prince Nero can stay here but I'll have to stick to him at all times,

" Trevor explained.

"But since my power is sealed whenever I'm here outside, my healing power will also slow down. It might take me sixteen to twenty years before I completely get rid of the curse. Also, during those years, Prince Nero will be very vulnerable to other spells and curses.

"

nThe emperor's brows furrowed in confusion.

"It will take you that long?

"

n

"The curse inside the royal prince isn't a joke, Your Majesty,

" Trevor insisted.

"I have a feeling that it was a curse created by the Devil.

"

n

"I suspected that much,

" the emperor admitted.

"The duke that we arrested for the attack doesn't seem to be the type to acquire such powerful method of killing a person.

"

nOh.

nNeoma realized that it was probably the reason why her Papa Boss asked her to find the Devil's Grimoire.

nSo, this Devil is really infamous, huh?

n

"If I stay in the

"hellhole

" that you're talking about for eight years…

" Nero started in a serious tone.

"Can you really get rid of the curse? And after those long healing period is over, would I be able to return to my old life normally?

"

n

"Of course,

" Trevor said casually.

"You'll be as good as new after you wake up, Prince Nero.

"

n

"Nero,

" Neoma said while nudging her twin brother.

"Don't tell me…

"

n

"Yes, Neoma,

" Nero said with a smile.

"I want to be cured as soon as possible.

" Then, he turned to Trevor.

"I'll come with you to the hellhole, Trevor.

"

n***

n

"PRINCESS NEOMA, go and greet Saint Zavaroni first,

" Emperor Nikolai ordered her.

"Kyle will escort you.

"

nNeoma blinked her eyes, wondering who the hell

"Zavaroni

" was. Then, she remembered the title that her Papa Boss mentioned.

nOh, it's just Saint Macaroni.

nShe didn't want to leave Nero but it looked like her brother had something to say to the emperor.

nEven Trevor was escorted by Sir Glenn and the other knights to the next room.

n

"Okay, Papa,

" Neoma said, then she stood up and turned to Nero.

"Brother, don't leave without telling me, okay?

"

nShe had seen that kind of thing in the movies plenty of times already.

nThere were instances where the dying character would ask the main character to get water or something. Then, once the MC returned, their dear one would already be dead.

nShe didn't want that to happen to her.

nNero smiled and nodded.

"I won't leave without saying goodbye to you, Neoma.

"

n***

n

"YOUR MAJESTY, take care of Neoma for the next eight years.

"

nNikolai just sipped his tea.

nI knew he'd say that.

n

"If I wake up and I find out that Neoma is no longer in the Royal Palace, I'll kill you before I kill myself,

" Nero warned him.

"And I'm not kidding.

"

n

"I know what you're talking about,

" Nikolai said, then he put his teacup down on the table.

"I swear I won't marry off Princess Neoma to anyone.

"

nHe couldn't do that even if he wanted to anyway.

nAfter all, he made a deal with Neoma. One of her requests was for her to be able to choose whom to marry. For that reason, he had to cancel the royal princess's supposed engagement to the son of House Drayton.

n

"I'm glad that you understand what I'm trying to say, Your Majesty,

" Nero said with a smile.

"In exchange of protecting Neoma for the next eight years, I will try my best to find more about the Devil and the Grimoire while I'm still there. And I don't know what will happen for the next years that will come but I promise to help you find the late empress's body.

"

n

"Ah, you've already heard about it.

"

n

"The whole palace is talking about the missing body of the late empress.

"

nIt wasn't something that he could hide.

nHe also had to use that as an excuse to give House Sloane, House Thompson, and House Alberts the heaviest punishment. Aside from execution of the house leaders, he also intended to acquire all their wealth and properties.

n

"Your Majesty, let me ask you a question before I leave.

"

nEmperor Nikolai raised a brow at how serious the royal prince was.

"What is it?

"

n

"Do you really not have a child with the late empress?

" Nero asked seriously.

"Are Neoma and I really twins?

"

n***

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

n***

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