TTEOKBOKKI smiled while looking at the pumpkin carved with an ugly “monster donkey” in it.

He preserved the pumpkin that he received from Princess Neoma for his “first” birthday with his Mana. Hence, even though it had been hidden in his inventory for more than ten years, the pumpkin didn’t rot.

It’s that time of the year again.

“That smile of yours is disgusting– take that off.”

Tteokbokki glared at Trevor. “I wasn’t smiling.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Trevor said nonchalantly, then he put the paperbags he was holding on the bed. “I brought everything you need for your Halloween-slash-birthday-party costume.”

Right, that day was today.

It had been a few years since Tteokbokki, Princess Neoma and her parents, and the others came to Korea to “hide.”

Ever since then, the thug princess would throw him a Halloween Party for his birthday.

Princess Neoma said that we should have the same birthday since I was born the moment she was born, but I refused since I didn’t want to share the same birthday with Prince Nero. So, we ended up choosing the last day of October because even back in the empire, that thug princess of mine liked throwing Halloween parties.

“But let me make this clear for you, Tteokbokki,” Trevor warned him, crossing his arms over his chest. “I only agreed to help you find the things you need for your costume because I thought it was funny. But you’ll have to take responsibility for everything. I will not fall down with you.”

Pfft.

“Whatever. I’m not afraid of the thug princess,” Tteokbokki said, laughing while looking at the props and costume that Trevor brought for him. “I’m going to win the best costume award and beat Princess Neoma this year.”

***

MY DAUGHTER’s dignity as the Imperial Princess of the Great Moonasterion Empire… is nowhere to be found.

Nikolai, as the emperor of his empire, was worried about Neoma’s future.

But, as a father, he was happy to see his daughter having fun with her Halloween costume.

“Mama Boss, Papa Boss, how do I look?” Neoma asked while twirling around. “Do I look like a red unicorn?”

Yes, that was his precious daughter’s costume for this year’s Halloween party.

And her Soul Beast’s birthday.

Every year, Neoma and her Soul Beast would compete for the best costume award.

It was just a small party since only him, Mona, Trevor Kesser, Gavin Quinzel, Go Areum, Nichole, and Dominic Zavaroni would vote for the winner.

Oh, Neoma’s Spirits, too.

Neoma had always won the best costume award not because they were being biased, but because Neoma would really put effort in her costumes. His daughter dressed up as a fairy princess, a pirate queen, a character named ‘Elsa’ who had ice power.

Her Soul Beast, not so much.

His daughter dressed up as a fairy princess, a pirate queen, a character named ‘Elsa’ who had ice power.

Last year, Neoma even dressed up as Nero and cut her hair short.

His daughter’s costumes for the past years were fun.

But I’m not sure Neoma would win this year…

“You look cute, Baby Muffin,” Mona said, clapping her hands. “I’m glad your inflatable uniform costume arrived on time.”

Yes, that was Neoma’s costume.

The Imperial Princess was wearing an inflatable red unicorn costume that made Neoma look like she was riding on a red horse.

Neoma even dyed her hair red for the occasion.

“And your unicorn headband is also cute!” Mona gushed, gently squeezing Neoma’s cheeks. “Can I take your pictures, baby?”

“Of course, Mama Boss,” Neoma said brightly, then she turned to Nikolai with a pout. “Are you not pleased with my costume, Papa Boss?”

“No, I like the fact that you seem to be having fun,” Nikolai said. “I’m just worrying about some stupid things.”

“Then don’t worry, Papa Boss,” Neoma said, giving him a thumbs up. “I know you just thought I lost my dignity as the Imperial Princess of our empire, but just let it slide for today. After all, once we returned to the empire, I can’t act goofy like this anymore.”

Now he suddenly felt bad for caring too much about his daughter’s reputation when she was just being silly and not harming anyone.

Although Nikolai had lived in Korea for the past few years, he was still the emperor that was raised to be perfect and to act dignified all the time. It was a hard habit to break. But, thanks to what Neoma had just said, he reminded himself to let go of his tension.

My daughter is right. Once we return to the empire, we won’t have time to have fun like this anymore. Not until we finish the crows for good, at least.

“Relax, love,” Mona said, touching his shoulder. “Let our daughter have a good time.”

Nikolai nodded. “I’m sorry for almost spoiling the mood,” he said to Mona and Neoma, then he smiled at his daughter. “I hope you win the best costume award again this year, Neoma.”

“Hehe.” Neoma gave him a smug smile. “I got this in the bag, Papa Boss.”

***

NO, NEOMA did not “get this in the bag.”

She was so shocked when she saw Tteokbokki’s costume for that year.

“Hey, you’re dressed up as me!” Neoma yelled while Tteokbokki was walking down the stairs wearing a white wig and a red dress similar to what she used to wear when dressing up as ‘Neoma Ramsay’ back in the empire. “OH MY GOD! This is unfair! Now you have to win because I hate losing!”

Well, to be fair, Tteokbokki looked so pretty as a woman.

Even if he wasn’t cosplaying Neoma, he would still look good.

Tteokbokki laughed while watching Neoma’s reaction. “Haha! Got you! Now everyone here will vote for me because everyone here is a simp for you, thug princess!”

It was an evil scheme, but it wasn’t really unfair.

After all, Neoma was also cosplaying as Tteokbokki.

Gosh, great minds think alike, indeed.

***

“CONGRATULATIONS for winning the best costume award this year, Tteokbokki,” Neoma said cheerfully. “And happy birthday!”

She went to the balcony with Tteokbokki after the awarding ceremony.

After all, she wanted to have a private conversation with her Soul Beast.

“Are you being sincere, thug princess?”

“Of course I am,” she said, then she turned serious. “Tteokbokki, we’re going to return to Korea soon.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to stay here?”

“Are you drunk? I’m your Soul Beast. I can’t leave your side even if I want to.”

“You can since Trevor can make a temporary vessel for you,” Neoma said. “I noticed that you’re happy living as Kim Tan here. So, if you want, I can let you stay here as your birthday present.”

“What the heck are you talking about, thug princess?”

“Tteokbokki, I might die soon.”

“What?”

“I’m gonna ** up the crows even if it costs me my life. It’s not because I want to save the world. I simply just hate them.”

“So what?”

“You’re going to die with me if I died, you know?”

“Ah, that’s it?” Tteokbokki said, then he fell silent for a moment. “Thug princess, I was born because of you– hence, I will die for you.”

“Gosh, why are you being sappy?”

“Well, in the first place, I won’t let you die.”

“Really?”

“You’re annoying as hell, but fun things always happen when I’m with you,” Tteokbokki said, frowning as if he couldn’t believe that he was being mushy. “So, you have to live. In return, I promise to keep Crimson, the God of Wrath, from coming out.”

“That sounds like a good deal,” Neoma said, smiling while patting Tteokbokki’s back. “And when the ** are you going to change your clothes, huh? It’s starting to feel annoying looking at you while you’re dressed up as me.”

Tteokbokki just laughed it off…

… until Papa Boss scolded him for “impersonating a member of the Imperial Family.”

Gosh, Papa Boss doesn’t know what cosplay is…

***

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, everyone.

Thank you for waiting and being patient.

I was busy this past week because it was my grandparents’ death anniversary service. Sorry about that. You can expect longer and more consistent updates from today.

And Neoma will finally come back from the dead.

Yeah, we’ll have a new emperor soon. :>

***

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