TO SAY THAT Nikolai was confused would be an understatement.

He couldn’t even celebrate the fact that both of his children had returned safely.

As soon as Neoma came back to life, she glared at Nero with her glowing red eyes while asking Nikolai to put her down.

And as soon as Nero stood up from the throne, he glared back at Neoma with his glowing red eyes.

Then the twins met each other halfway.

Nikolai could tell that no one in the throne room dared to speak or even move an inch.

“Zeru,” Nero called his Soul Beast, the spot he was stepping on getting covered in a thin layer of ice as the ice phoenix manifested behind him. “Come out and show my beloved twin sister who owns the throne now.”

“Tteokbokki,” Neoma called her Soul Beast, her hands now engulfed in flame. “Come out and show my not-so beloved twin brother that you don’t need a stupid throne to slay.”

Nikolai pinched the bridge of his nose.

Why did they pick a fight with each other as soon as they woke up?

Nikolai was about to stop his children from fighting, but stopped when the twins suddenly moved.

He was shocked to realize that Neoma and Nero were both too fast for him to see now.

Did I grow weak or my children have simply surpassed me way more than I expected?

The next thing Nikolai knew, something was burning behind Nero while a human-like figure was frozen behind Neoma.

Ah.

My children didn’t attack each other?

***

IT’S A PRANK!

When Neoma opened her eyes, the first thing that she saw was the annoying creature behind Nero whispering in her twin brother’s ear. Judging by the weight on her shoulders and the weird urge she had to attack Nero, she realized that the same creature was whispering in her ear, too. .

To simply say, someone was trying to make them fight to the death.

But Neoma wasn’t worried.

And it was because she saw the way Nero looked at her.

He’s still the siscon I know.

But Nero was glaring at the figure behind her.

Hence, she realized that the two of them were seeing the creatures trying to make them fight.

“Zeru, come out and show my beloved twin sister who owns the throne now.”

Pfft.

It was funny because Neoma could tell that Nero was just playing around.

“Tteokbokki, come out and show my not-so beloved twin brother that you don’t need a stupid throne to slay.”

Of course, she played along.

Then Neoma and Nero “attacked” each other.

She threw a fireball at the figure behind her twin brother while her twin brother’s ice phoenix flew over her head (literally!) to freeze the figure behind her.

Yes, their Soul Beasts took care of the creatures.

Neoma and Nero, on the other hand, ran to each other and hugged.

“Nero, congratulations on being the new emperor,” Neoma said while patting Nero’s back. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you, Neoma,” Nero said, hugging her tighter. “I couldn’t have reached this position without you.”

To be honest, she had so many questions for her twin brother.

But Hanna and Dahlia were both there, so she decided to keep her mouth shut for now.

Neoma pulled away from the hug to cup Nero’s face between her hands. “Oh. Should I call you ‘Your Imperial Majesty’ from now on?”

“You don’t have to be so formal with me, Neoma,” Nero said, cupping her face between his hands. Then he smiled, obviously happy that she was alive. “You’re warm. Thank you for coming back.” 𝘳𝘦.𝒸𝑜𝘮

She just smiled and nodded.

There were so many things she wanted to say to her twin brother.

But both Neoma and Nero stopped when they felt a portal opening inside the throne room, which shouldn’t be possible.

Then the twins turned to their father while saying the same thing at the exact same time.

“Mother is here.”

“Mama Boss is here.”

***

NIKOLAI was a bit surprised when the twins suddenly turned to him.

But he soon realized why.

He felt a familiar presence above him and when he looked up, someone fell from the portal that appeared out of nowhere.

Of course, he recognized the angel right away.

Nikolai caught Mona in his arms. “Mona, are you alright?”

Mona looked surprised at first, then she nodded and wrapped her arms around Nikolai’s neck. “I’m okay, Nikolai. But I don’t think I can move on my own right away. I’m sorry to ask this, but please don’t put me down yet.”

“Of course, I won’t,” he assured his wife. “And you have nothing to apologize for.”

“Mother.”

“Mama Boss!”

Mona immediately turned to their children, then burst out crying to see that the twins had made it home safe and sound. “Neoma, Nero, welcome back,” she said in a cracked voice, then she opened her arms. “Come here, my babies.”

Nero and Neoma obliged and hugged their mother.

Nikolai knew that as the Imperial Family, they had so many things left to do and talk about.

However, he chose to savor that moment first.

My family is complete again.

Nikolai was happy.

***

SWISH.

Hmm?

Neoma noticed that the creatures that she and her brother burned and froze, respectively, disappeared.

But their existence didn’t completely disappear.

They ran away.

“They’ll be back for sure,” Nero said. “I don’t think they’re hostile, though.”

Neoma nodded in agreement. “They just tested our sibling bond. Unfortunately for them, you’re a siscon.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Eww.”

“Are you fighting again?” Papa Boss asked while shaking his head, Mama Boss still secured in his arms. “What were those things you attacked earlier? They just disappeared.”

“We don’t know yet, Papa Boss,” Neoma said. “But we don’t think they’re harmful.”

“We’ll take care of them once they return, so please don’t worry about it,” Nero added, then he glanced at their Mama Boss worriedly. “I think it’s best for all of us to take a quick break, then regroup later to talk about what to do next.”

Right?

I’m kind of hungry…

“You need to rest, Neoma,” Nero said firmly while looking at her. “Don’t worry about anything for now. We just got you back, and we’re not losing you again.”

“Is that the new emperor’s order?” Neoma teased her twin brother. “If it’s His Imperial Majesty’s order, then I have no choice but to follow it~”

“I’m saying this as your twin brother and not as the emperor.”

Aigoo.

Why is he being so serious suddenly?

“Your brother is right, Baby Muffin,” Mama Boss said. “Please go and take a rest first.”

Even Dahlia and Hanna were looking at Neoma worriedly.

They can’t approach me because they don’t want to interrupt our family time, but I can tell they’re worried about me.

Neoma didn’t want to make her people worry about her again.

I’m sure I already gave them a heart attack when I “died.”

“Neoma, your “children” are also waiting for you,” Papa Boss said. “Go.”

Oh, right. I’m a mother. I should check on my “children” first.

“Okay. I’ll take a rest for now,” Neoma said, conceding. “Thank you for worrying about me, Mama Boss, Papa Boss, Nero.”

***

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𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ