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nNERO expected to lose his mind the moment he absorbed the hostile Spirits of the male Rosehearts trapped in the Cage.

nHe felt his sanity snapping for a moment.

nBut only for a moment.

n“It’s alright, Your Imperial Majesty– because I’m here.”

nIt was Dahlia.

nThe Black Witch had finally regained consciousness and was now standing beside him.

nIt was a funny situation.

nThe throne room was collapsing and if not for Commander Ruto, then they would have been buried by the falling debris already.

nHanna was doing her best to avoid Nero’s gaze while helping the commander.

nGin, the demon cat, was trying to create a portal.

nOverall, it was a chaotic situation.

nAnd that kind of stressful environment would have triggered Nero’s Lunacy in a normal circumstances.

nHowever, his mind remained clear.

nAnd it was because of the person standing next to her.

n“Are you absorbing my Lunacy?” Nero asked carefully, turning his head to look at Dahlia. “My head is clear.”

nDahlia nodded. “I am, Your Imperial Majesty. So please feel free to absorb the souls of the male Rosehearts. I’ll make sure they won’t be able to control you like they tried to do earlier.”

n“Is taking them to the outside world with me the right choice?”

nThe Black Witch fell silent for a moment as if she was in deep thought. “Do you trust me, Your Imperial Majesty?”

n“If I can’t trust the person who can control my Lunacy, then who else am I supposed to trust?”

nAlthough Nero knew Dahlia had all the right to harm or kill him, he also knew that she wouldn’t.

nBecause she’s too kind.

n“Then please make sure to absorb every single Spirit here,” Dahlia said, looking at Nero with a determined look on her face. “We will release them once we get to the outside world together, Emperor Nero. But to do that…”

nHe wondered why she suddenly trailed off.

nBut he got the answer right away.

nDahlia, whose entire face suddenly turned red, extended her hand to Nero. “P-Please hold my hand, Your Imperial Majesty,” she said awkwardly (and shyly). “We need to form a physical touch so that it will be easier for us to connect our emotions to one another.”

nAh.

nAt that moment, he finally understood why Hanna broke up with him.

nHolding another woman’s hand in front of Hanna…

nHe was hesitant to do it because it had only been a few minutes since his ex-fiancée had broken up with him.

nBut, at the end of the day, he knew what he had to do.

nNero gently grabbed Dahlia’s hand, hoping that it wouldn’t cause Hanna too much pain.

n***

nNIKOLAI caught Neoma when his precious daughter almost fell to the ground because of how the ice around her quickly melted.

nHe felt a pang in his heart when he realized how cold and stiff Neoma’s body was.

nIt was like holding a block of ice in his arms.

nIt’s alright. Neoma will return. She’s not a corpse.

nNikolai quickly removed his jacket and put it around Neoma’s body, then he carried his unconscious daughter in his arms. “I’ll bring Neoma to the throne room,” he announced. “Everyone, help the people of the palace evacuate and protect them. The throne room is about to explode anytime, so it’s better if only a small group of people stays there.” He turned to Rufus. “Lead them.”

nRufus nodded his head politely. “As Your Imperial Majesty commands.”

nHe wanted to correct his cousin and say that he was no longer the emperor.

nBut he didn’t have any time for that.

nAfter saying his piece, he quickly bolted out of the Imperial Shrine with his daughter.

nEveryone listened to his words– except for one.

n“Lewis Crevan, did you not hear me?”

nYes, the fox followed him out.

n“I heard Your Imperial Majesty, but I only listen to Princess Neoma,” Lewis said bluntly. “And Princess Neoma says I don’t have to follow the emperor’s orders if I don’t feel like it.”

nNikolai just clicked his tongue while shaking his head. “Impudent child.”

nHe let Lewis follow him, though.

nSince both Nikolai and Lewis were quick on their feet, they reached the throne room in an instant.

nHe was relieved to see that the palace had finally stopped shaking.

nEverything looked and sounded calm, but he didn’t lower his guard.

n“I’ll open the door, Your Imperial Majesty.”

nNikolai just nodded his head. “Be careful. Neoma won’t like it if you get hurt.”

nLewis just slightly bowed his head before he slowly opened the door.

nAnd then they were greeted by a welcomed sight.

nIt was Nero, and the new emperor was sitting on the throne with his eyes closed as the huge crown slowly manifested above his head.

nAh, the crown has appeared.

nIt was the symbol of the emperor, which solidified Nero’s position as the new emperor.

n“Argh…”

nNikolai immediately turned to Neoma who made an incoherent sound.

nAnd then his eyes widened a bit when the realization hit him.

nNeoma’s stiff and cold body had started to return back to normal.

nHis daughter was starting to stir back to life.

nHis daughter was starting to turn warm.

nHis precious daughter was coming back!

nNikolai hugged Neoma. “Please don’t make us wait any longer, Baby Muffin”

n***

nRUTO quietly observed the throne room.

nHe had safely brought Emperor Nero, Dahlia, Hanna Quinzel, and even Gin back to the outside world.

nAnd, in the middle of the materialization of the crown, the former emperor had arrived.

nRuto’s heart thumped hard and fast against his chest when he saw that the former Emperor Nikolai didn’t come alone.

nNeoma, still unconscious, was in her father’s arms.

nBut he didn’t get disheartened because he saw the faint lights around his lover.

nIt’s the Goddess of Life’s blessing.

nNeoma was coming back to life.

n“Huh? Commander Ruto, where are you going?” Gin asked when the demon cat caught him slipping away. “Why are you leaving when Princess Neoma is here?”

n“Exactly,” Ruto said, his body turning transparent since he was already leaving the throne room. “I need to prepare a warm meal for Neoma.”

nAfter all, Ruto knew that his Neoma would be hungry once she was back.

n***

n“MONA…”

nHmm?

nMona opened her eyes.

nIn fact, she didn’t realize that she had fallen asleep until the Cosmic Tree, in her human form, shook her shoulder lightly.

nI guess I still feel sluggish.

nShe noticed that William wasn’t by her side.

nIt’s probably to give us some private time.

nMona got up and bowed to the Cosmic Tree. “You’re here, Mother…”

nShe rarely called the Cosmic Tree her ‘Mother’ after she left her side in the past. But staying in the Cosmic Tree’s space made her feel nostalgic.

nHence, she called the Cosmic Tree like how she used to address her in the past.

n“Your son needs you,” the Cosmic Tree said, smiling. “His Imperial Majesty has brought out the Soul Beasts from the Cage.”

nShe didn’t know what surprised her more.

nThe fact that Nero brought the souls of the male Rosehearts out or…

nMona covered her mouth with her hands when she gasped. “My Baby Pumpkin is officially the new emperor now?”

n***

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n𝑖.𝘤ℴ𝘮

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