HMM?

Rufus was worried that the Shadow Beasts in the Shadow Realm might attack Princess Neoma who was unattended and “asleep.”

After all, the beasts left in the Shadow Realm were all untamed beasts.

Hence, he was surprised when he saw Princess Neoma safe and sound while the Shadow Beasts were cowering around her.

Our Shadow Beasts look too scared to even approach the ice coffin.

The Shadow Real looked like a huge yet abandoned graveyard. Usually, the beasts would gather around strangers who stepped foot in that dimension for the first time.

But every beast in the vicinity was actively avoiding Princess Neoma.

Rufus couldn’t help but let out a relieved laugh.

Thank goodness!

“A monster is still a monster even when asleep,” Lewis said, a small smile forming in his lips after confirming that Princess Neoma arrived at the Shadow Realm safely. “Moreover, Prince Nero’s ice and Commander Ruto’s miasma seem to be scaring them away, too.”

Rufus nodded in agreement. “Our Princess Neoma is loved, indeed.”

***

IT’S BEEN a while.

Paige had finally returned to the Imperial Palace with her siblings.

Ever since the Calamities had begun to appear one by one, Paige and her siblings never stopped fighting wherever and whenever they were needed. Of course, it was to keep the people of the empire safe.

But it was also mostly because they wanted Princess Neoma to have a safe home to return to.

After the Second Calamity was over, His Imperial Majesty summoned us back.

But they weren’t able to return right away because Greko wished to help as many injured people as he could.

After all, even at times like this, only the rich were safe and comfortable.

It took a while, but they were finally back.

Paige and her siblings decided to visit the Imperial Shrine first.

They knew Princess Neoma’s frozen body wasn’t there anymore. But since it was the last place where their princess had been to, they thought they should give their greetings there.

Hmm?

Paige was surprised when water suddenly leaked out of the Imperial Shrine as soon as she opened the door.

Where did this water come from…

Paige gasped when she saw the cause.

“Eomma!” Greko yelled while running towards the ice coffin, almost slipping several times before he finally reached the huge block of ice. “It’s Eomma! The real Eomma!”

Of course, Paige was happy to see that Princess Neoma was back in the Shrine.

However…

The ice coffin is melting!

“X-Xion,” Paige said, calling the fastest one in their family. “Go and inform His Imperial Majesty about this.”

Xion nodded, then he immediately left the Imperial Shrine.

Since Xion was the fastest among them, it was too late to stop him when Paige realized that they had given the emperor an incomplete report.

“Paige Noona, Juri Noona, Jeno Hyung, they’re also here!” Greko said worriedly while kneeling on the floor. “Lewis Hyung and Duke Quinzel are here– and they’re both unconscious!”

“Thank god,” Juri whispered while walking inside the Imperial Shrine. “Are they okay?”

“We’re not unconscious, kids,” Duke Quinzel said in a tired voice while getting up slowly while Jeno was helping the duke, then His Grace smiled gently at them. “It’s just that the teleportation ticket that Trevor gave us sucked out our energy.”

Oh.

“It must be the new teleportation tickets that Trevor and I made together,” Paige explained to the duke. “The more Mana you put into the ticket, the quicker you’d get to your destination. But, as you can see, it’s a bit dangerous.”

“It’s alright since we got here quickly,” Lewis said while standing up, then he turned to the melting block of ice. After that, he looked at them one by one. “Don’t worry. The ice is melting because Trevor and the King of Hell are already bringing Princess Neoma back to life.”

That was the best thing Paige had heard in days.

And she wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Jeno, the most reserved one among them, let out a suppressed “yes!” in delight while Juri and Greko hugged each other.

Paige could finally breathe again while looking at Princess Neoma inside the ice coffin.

Princess Neoma, we can’t wait to see you and your sassy energy again.

***

NIKOLAI was relieved when he not only saw Neoma safely back in the Imperial Shrine– Lewis Crevan and Rufus also made it back in one piece.

The report he received only mentioned Neoma and the melting ice.

But he could see why the children sent an incomplete report.

They must be shocked when Neoma suddenly returned while her ice melted.

“Rufus, I’m glad you fulfilled your promise and duty,” Nikolai said while patting Rufus’ shoulder. “Thank you for bringing back Neoma and Lewis Crevan safely, and thank you for coming back alive.”

He was being sincere, so his feelings were a bit hurt when he saw the disbelief on Rufus’ face.

But it wasn’t like he could blame his cousin for acting that way.

I rarely express my gratitude, after all.

“Uhm, I’m also glad that we all survived, Your Imperial Majesty,” Rufus said, then he immediately turned serious while giving his report. “Please don’t worry, Your Imperial Majesty. The ice coffin is melting because Trevor Kesser and the King of Hell have already started the process of reviving Princess Neoma.”

Nikolai let out a sigh of relief.

Mona, our little princess is coming back.

“Throne room,” Lewis said, speaking in incomplete sentences again urgently. “Princess Neoma. Go there.”

“The King of Hell said we must bring Princess Neoma to the throne room while they revive the Imperial Princess,” Rufus said, explaining the meaning behind Lewis’ broken sentences. “Apparently, the throne room will amplify Princess Neoma’s divine power which will help the process of bringing her back faster.”

The throne room?

Why that of all places?

Do the twins really have to be in the same place, even at a time like this?

Rufus, who noticed Nikolai’s apprehension, obviously became worried. “What’s wrong, Your Imperial Majesty?”

“We have a new emperor now, Rufus,” Nikolai said, sighing. “And my son’s new power is about to blow up the entire palace.”

***

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