Royal Secret: I'm A Princess!

"I UNDERSTAND why William would assume that the Soul Beasts collectively hate the de Moonasterios," Neoma continued, not allowing anyone to interrupt her while she was talking. "Of course, I also acknowledge the fact that the Soul Beasts might end up hating us even more once they remember their past."

"And yet you still want to do it?" Nero asked carefully. "The Soul Beasts that we rescued from the Cage already have their memories intact, Neoma. And that's exactly why they want to kill us. They only lose their memories once they get reborn. So, what memories are we talking about here?"

"Their memories as Soul Beasts," she explained to her twin brother. "As you said, they lose their memories every time they get reborn. When I asked Lord Manu about the Soul Beasts' rebirth before, he told me that each Soul Beast has been reborn at least three times in their lives. I know it's too much for them to remember each lifetime, but I still want to push for it."

William smirked bitterly. "Then don't you think the Soul Beasts would only hate the de Moonasterios even more? Have you forgotten that most of your ancestors were the evil reincarnate?"

"I can't deny that," Neoma said, nodding. "Even so, not every de Moonasterio in history was bad. Just like Aruna and Arche de Moonasterio, there were other decent de Moonasterios born in our family. I'm sure some of the Soul Beasts would remember them."

William lost his bitter smile, but he still glared at Neoma. "And yet you still want to be stubborn about this?"

"Yeah," she said, nodding. And then she turned to Nero. "Do you want to hear my plan?"

Nero nodded eagerly. "Of course."

"If you could, please reconsider swallowing the resentment of the male Rosehearts," Neoma said carefully. She might be older than Nero. But she hadn't forgotten the fact that her baby brother was the emperor now. "If you do that, then the Soul Beasts would disappear forever. And I'm afraid that they might disappear without drinking cider, you know?"

Of course, her twin brother looked confused by what she said. "Without drinking cider? What is cider?"

"Oh, it's a Korean idiom that means tasting justice after being frustrated for so long," she said, her Korean slipping away for a moment. "I want to send them off with a cider, Nero."

[I should really bring Nero to Korea soon.]

"The male Rosehearts with us at the moment could barely understand what's going on because they are consumed by their anger, and rightfully so," she explained. "However, if you ask me, I'd like it if you and Dahlia consume only half of their resentment. That's enough to bring them back to their senses."

"If I agree with that, what do you plan to do next?"

"I'm thinking of creating a space for them," she said. "They can ascend to the heavens, but I also don't want to bring them to hell. Hence, I believe we should create a safe place for them in the Spirit World because it's the world between life and death."

Kinda like a purgatory?

"While they are there, I'll ask Lord Manu to help us retrieve the Soul Beasts' memories," Neoma continued sharing her plan. "And, after that, we'll let the Soul Beasts decide whether they want to rest in peace for eternity, or stay as a Soul Beast."

William obviously protested right away. "Do you think any of the Soul Beast would want to stay that way and serve a new generation of de Moonasterios after they retrieved their memories?"

"No matter how awesome I am, that's not something I can predict," Neoma said, shrugging. "That's why I said we should let the Soul Beasts decide."

William was about to complain again, but Nero spoke first.

"Once the male Rosehearts regain their senses along with their memories, I'm sure the first thing they'd do is STILL try to kill us," Nero said. "We need to negotiate with them if we want to calm them down, Neoma."

"Nero, you're a male Roseheart– I'm sure they'll listen to you."

"In short, it's my job to pacify them."

"Well, I'm only giving out ideas here," Neoma said, patting Nero's shoulder lightly. "You have the final say, Your Majesty."

Nero smiled and put a hand on top of Neoma's hand. "And I will do as you say, Neoma."

[The siscon is still alive and kicking.]

***

"BABE, I'm going to where Trevor is," Neoma said, and then she burst out laughing after seeing Ruto frown. "Are you jealous?"

She was back in her bedroom, and Ruto was there.

But she had a feeling that none of them would be sleeping tonight.

[It will be morning in a little while anyway.]

"I'm not jealous because I know that you don't even have an ounce of romantic feelings for Trevor Kesser," Ruto said so bluntly that if Trevor heard that, Trevor would have cried. "But I'm worried. Do you even realize that we only have three hours before sunrise? You only have that little time to sleep, Neoma."

"Sleep is for the dead~"

"Well, I don't want a dead bride."

Oh?

It was always Neoma who would tease Ruto about getting married and starting their own family.

Hence, it was a surprise to hear her man initiate it.

"You always say that beauty sleep is important for the skin, so why are you being stubborn now?" Ruto scolded Neoma lightly. "Neoam, you have me. You don't need to do everything. Let me handle the issue with the Soul Beasts while you rest."

Neoma raised an eyebrow. "I told you about what I would suggest to Nero regarding the Soul Beasts. But I didn't tell you anything else. How can you handle things in my place if you don't know my whole plan?"

"But I do."

"You do?"

Ruto nodded before explaining. "First of all, I'm sure His Majesty would do as you say."

"Because he's a brocon?"

"That, and because he's a wise emperor," he said, nodding. "I know that His Majesty only decided to cut off the Soul Beasts to free the male Rosehearts. However, I'm certain there was a part of His Majesty who thought it was a shame if the next generation of de Moonasterios would be born without a Soul Beast."

"I don't like that. You make it sound like Nero only sees the Soul Beasts as mere living weapons."

"His Majesty isn't like you, Neoma– His Majesty doesn't see his Soul Beasts as family."

Oh.

Ruto had a point, but she didn't want to admit this, so she just pouted.

"Don't pout."

"Or else what?"

Ruto gently pinched her chin and raised her head, and then he planted a soft kiss on Neoma's lips. "Or else this."

Neoma laughed, unable to believe that Ruto was being showy about his feelings. "What has gotten into you, babe? You're not raising your death flags, are you?"

"I'm not," he said, and then he changed the topic. "Anyway, I have an idea as to why you want to meet up with Trevor. If my hunch is correct, then I believe your next move would be sending your 'children' to the Spirit World."

"Oh. You really know what you're talking about, babe."

"I know you like the back of my hand."

"Your big brain is brain-ing," she said, acknowledging his efforts to read her mind while nodding. "My children won't follow your orders, that's why I need to personally give them my orders."

"You need to rest."

"Ruto, I should be saying the same thing to you."

"M Divinization is on the second phase already, so I don't need sleep. But you're still on the first phase, Neoma. You need plenty of sleep to stabilize your divine power."

Again, her man was correct.

"You should summon Lewis and discuss the plan with him first," Ruto suggested, gently patting Neoma's head. "Lewis is the commander of your order, so your 'children' will follow his orders."

It seemed like her man wouldn't really let her (over)work herself.

[But if it's Ruto, then I can leave everything to him while I get my beauty sleep.]

"Alright," Neoma said, giving in. Then she glanced at the door and raised her voice a bit. "Lewis, come in."

***

"NO, WE'RE not in a hurry."

Ruto suppressed his urge to let out a frustrated sigh when Emperor Nero, the new emperor, objected to the plan that he made with Neoma.

Lewis, who also listened to that plan, seemed to agree with His Majesty.

[And I know why.]

"Commander Ruto, Dahlia and I can still contain the male Rosehearts in the Imperial Palace," Emperor Nero said firmly. "Why would you send Neoma's Order away from her when the Coronation Day is here?"

"Why are you worried about that, Your Majesty?" Ruto asked indifferently. "The war won't take place in this world anyway."

***

[The Coronation Day…]

"YOUR MAJESTY, this way, please."

Pfft.

Neoma found it amusing that nobody could really tell that the 'Emperor Nero' they were looking at had a different soul inside.

[Let the show begin~]

***

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