Chapter 453
Chapter 453: FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE
SAVORY PUMPKIN soup and pumpkin muffins.
Neoma found it adorable that their Mama Boss prepared those dishes for them.
[Now it’s a running joke in the family.]
Anyway, now she understood why her mother wanted to cook dinner herself.
It was perfect since she had an announcement to make.
In fact, she was about to say it earlier. So, when the Fletcher Twins told her and Nero that their parents were in the kitchen, they went there...
... only to catch Mama Boss and Papa Boss making out.
.....
Thus, she postponed her announcement first. Moreover, it looked like her parents had an important announcement to make, too.
“Mother, Father,” Nero said after their meal. “Are you going to get married now?”
“Papa Boss, you’re ‘speed,'” Neoma said, then she gave her father a thumbs up. “Congratulations.”
Their parents suddenly looked embarrassed.
“We want to get married as soon as possible,” her Papa Boss said, then he turned to her. “But we won’t do it until you get officially registered in the Royal Household, Neoma.”
Her Mama Boss nodded in agreement. “We don’t need other people’s approval. But I want our whole family to be complete in our wedding.” Her mother reached for her hand. “Neoma, please wait a bit more.”
“Once Nero has fully recovered, he will claim his spot as the Crown Prince,” Papa Boss added. “Then we will announce your existence to the world.”
[Perfect!]
She cleared her throat to get her family’s attention.
Well, their attention was already focused on her. But she just wanted to do that for a more dramatic effect. She was a diva that way.
“Papa Boss, Mama Boss, Brother Pumpkin,” she said. “As I reported earlier, the crows are spreading the rumor that Calyx Dalton is Papa Boss’ son. I think they’re purposely spreading that false rumor in countries and kingdoms that pledged loyalty to us. Their goal is to take our allies one by one.”
“If their loyalty to us wavered just because of the appearance of a potential prince, then they weren’t allies worth keeping,” Nero said. “I guess this will serve as a test of loyalty to our current allies.”
Papa Boss nodded. “Nero is right.”
“But Nikolai, we know how harmful a rumor could be,” Mona said worriedly. “If this rumor continues to spread...”
“Mama Boss, I have a solution for that,” she said, gaining her family’s full attention.
“Let’s beat the rumor that the crows spread with an even more shocking “rumor,”” Neoma declared confidently. “So, let’s announce to the world that the Royal Family has a hidden royal princess.”
Her whole family looked shocked by her suggestion.
“Fam, the crows already know that I exist anyway,” she said, convincing her family to agree with her plan. “Plus, I plan to release the rumor that the royal princess is being hidden by the Cosmic Tree.”
“Why the Cosmic Tree?” her mother asked curiously.
“Because I want to appear mysterious,” she said, smiling. “I want to make people think that I’m just a myth.”
“But people always want to prove whether or not a myth is true,” Nero said, then he turned to her and smirk. “If they get curious about the hidden royal princess, they’ll easily forget the rumor about Calyx Dalton being Father’s son.”
“Exactly,” she said while nodding. “You get me, Nero.”
“Of course,” her baby brother said. “We’re twins.”
That didn’t really explain anything.
But for her and Nero, that reason was more than enough.
“We’ll be fighting fire with fire then,” Papa Boss said. “I don’t hate the idea.” He turned to Mama Boss. “What do you think, Mona?”
“I haven’t visited Mother Tree yet. I believe this will be the perfect time to do so,” Mama Boss said, then she turned to her. “I will make sure that Mother Tree would cooperate with our plan, Baby Muffin.”
It was cringey to be called ‘baby’ and Muffin, even more so when the two cheesy words were combined.
But Mama Boss’ voice was sweet and gentle.
Thus, she didn’t mind hearing that cringey pet name from her beloved mother.
[It’s not like I have the right to complain when I call my parents ‘Papa Boss’ and ‘Mama Boss.’]
“Thank you, Mama Boss and Papa Boss,” she said, sincerely grateful for her parents’ full support.
“How do you plan to spread that rumor?” her twin brother asked. “It’s pretty specific.”
“Oh, it’s easy,” she said. “I’m going to ask Jasper oppa to help me spread the rumor.”
After all, Jasper Hawthorne owned a big information guild.
[Plus, I have my “children.” I heard they’ve already returned to the empire. But they haven’t reported to me yet.]
Now she wondered what her “children” were up to.
“Well, I can’t deny that Jasper Hawthorne is pretty useful when it comes to gathering and spreading information,” Nero said, then he gave her a warning look. “But don’t get too close to him. I think the young duke is starting to have a delusion that you’re his real sister.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“I’m your only brother,” Nero said firmly. “Stop calling Jasper Hawthorne your brother.”
“Whatever,” she said, teasing her brother. “If you start calling me ‘noona,’ then I’ll stop calling Jasper oppa my brother.”
Nero just glared at her.
She glared back.
“Children,” their Mama Boss said sternly. “Don’t fight- especially not in front of the food.”
Neoma and Nero immediately avoided each other’s gaze, then they turned to their mother and spoke at the same time.
“Yes, Mama Boss.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Wait, that reaction is totally different from when I scolded you for fighting,” Papa Boss complained. “Why do you only listen to your mother?”
Neoma and Nero just shrugged.
***
“BABY MUFFIN, I already miss you.”
Neoma congratulated herself for getting used to her new pet name.
It was cringey, but her Mama Boss called her in such a lovely way that she couldn’t help but smile even when being called with such a corny endearment.
“Mama Boss, I’ll call you and Nero as much as I can,” Neoma, who was sitting on the bed while tying her Moonstone anklet (the one that Ruto gave her in the past), said. Then she raised her head to look at her mother. “And I already miss you, too. I’m sure Papa Boss does, too.”
Nero and Papa Boss were having a private conversation in the study.
While Neoma and Mama Boss were in the main bedroom.
She had already changed into a princely outfit. And sadly, she had to cut her hair short. After all, once she and her Papa Boss returned to the palace, she’d be “Prince Nero” again.
“Neoma, where did you get that Moonstone anklet?” her Mama Boss, who was sitting on the chair beside the bed, asked while looking at her anklet with a worried look on her face. “That anklet has eight Moonstones.”
Okay, her mother’s reaction towards her Moonstone anklet made her nervous.
“I got it from a close friend, Mother,” she said nervously. “Why? Is there something wrong with my anklet?”
Her mother turned to her worriedly before she answered her question. “In the Kingdom of Suoh, an anklet with eight Moonstones serves as profession of undying love to the receiver.”
That made her blush.
But her mother wasn’t done talking yet.
“But it also serves as a keepsake,” her Mama Boss added worriedly. “Historically, knights who were dispatched to war would give their lovers an anklet with eight Moonstones as a way to say goodbye. After all, the knights knew they wouldn’t be coming home alive.”
Her heart thumped against her chest painfully.
Ruto was from the Kingdom of Suoh. It was impossible for him not to know the meaning behind an anklet with eight Moonstones.
[Did he give it to me because he knows he couldn’t make it back to me?]
“Neoma,” her Mama Boss said, then she gently placed a hand over hers. “Is the person who gave you that anklet important to you?”
“Yes, Mama Boss,” she said. “He’s important to me.”
Ruto’s always calm face entered her mind.
The Ruto in her imagination was still young, since she didn’t know what he looked like now. However, she was certain that the burn mark on his face that he received in her stead was still there.
That burn mark was proof that he would always be there for her.
.....
“Neoma, it’s just an old tradition,” her Mama Boss said, trying to console her. She could also tell that her mother regretted telling her the history behind the anklet with eight Moonstones. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure the person who gave you that anklet is fine, my Muffin.”
“Yes, Mama Boss. I have faith in him,” Neoma said, smiling. “Ruto is a strong person, after all.”
***
“I HEARD you were looking for me.”
Ruto, who just returned to the room he was renting in an inn, was greeted by an uninvited guest.
White hair.
Ash-gray eyes.
Pale skin.
The boy’s features complemented the dark night sky behind him.
[He’s not trying to hide his identity from me.]
Calyx Dalton was sitting on his windowsill like the prince he was aiming to be.
“Ruston Stroganoff, you’re being rude,” Calyx Dalton said playfully. “You have dual citizenship. Thus, you’re still obliged to recognize me as a member of the Royal Family.” He pointed to the floor. “Kneel and give your greetings properly.”
Ruto just looked at the boy, amused. “I suppose I should thank you for coming here without hiding your identity.”
“I figured I didn’t have to since you won’t live to tell my secret anyway,” the boy said confidently.
“Ah, that sheer arrogance is proof that you’re a de Moonasterio, indeed.”
The boy smiled smugly.
“But you’re not His Majesty’s son, Calyx Dalton.”
The boy’s smug smile disappeared instantly.
“You have divine power just like every other de Moonasterio in history, alright. But you don’t have the glow of the firstborn,” he said in a taunting voice. “And you don’t even have Moonglow. After all, only the current emperor and his successor could possess it.”
The fact that both Neoma and Prince Nero had Moonglow was strange.
It was as if even the heavens couldn’t decide who between the royal twins should ascend the throne.
But Calyx Dalton didn’t have that kind of Moonglow in him.
“You have the traits of the de Moonasterios, but why do you still feel like a fake to me?” he continued, mocking the boy who was obviously fuming in silence. “Calyx Dalton, don’t delude yourself into thinking that you could be a part of the Royal Family.”
“Who are you to decide whether I could be a part of the Royal Family or not?”
“Who am I?” Ruto asked, amused to hear a child like Calyx Dalton ask about his identity. “If you and your “family” know who I am, you’d be the one kneeling in front of me.”
“You’re speaking nonsense,” the boy said, then he stood up and “smiled” at him. “I don’t care who you are, and I didn’t come here to get to know you. I’m only here to avenge my dear cousin.” He tilted his head to one side. “You remember Regina Crowell, don’t you?”
“I don’t remember the names of insignificant bugs I stepped on while walking.”
It was a lie. Of course, he remembered who Regina Crowell was.
But during his investigation, he noticed that the concept of family was drilled into Calyx Dalton’s head.
The concept of family in his mind was twisted, though.
But he figured he could use that to rile up the boy and make him lose his cool. Thus, he was insulting Regina Crowell in front of Calyx Dalton on purpose.
“Regina isn’t a bug- she’s an important member of our family,” Calyx Dalton, whose Mana was starting to increase as he turned hostile, said in a voice that was obviously controlling his anger. Then, a few moments later, his eyes turned glowing red. “I’ll make you pay for insulting and hurting my precious cousin.”
“I pity you, Calyx Dalton,” Ruto said, his dark purple eyes glowed as he released his own Mana. “You learned the concept of family from the wrong people.”
***
***
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SAVORY PUMPKIN soup and pumpkin muffins.
Neoma found it adorable that their Mama Boss prepared those dishes for them.
[Now it’s a running joke in the family.]
Anyway, now she understood why her mother wanted to cook dinner herself.
It was perfect since she had an announcement to make.
In fact, she was about to say it earlier. So, when the Fletcher Twins told her and Nero that their parents were in the kitchen, they went there...
... only to catch Mama Boss and Papa Boss making out.
.....
Thus, she postponed her announcement first. Moreover, it looked like her parents had an important announcement to make, too.
“Mother, Father,” Nero said after their meal. “Are you going to get married now?”
“Papa Boss, you’re ‘speed,'” Neoma said, then she gave her father a thumbs up. “Congratulations.”
Their parents suddenly looked embarrassed.
“We want to get married as soon as possible,” her Papa Boss said, then he turned to her. “But we won’t do it until you get officially registered in the Royal Household, Neoma.”
Her Mama Boss nodded in agreement. “We don’t need other people’s approval. But I want our whole family to be complete in our wedding.” Her mother reached for her hand. “Neoma, please wait a bit more.”
“Once Nero has fully recovered, he will claim his spot as the Crown Prince,” Papa Boss added. “Then we will announce your existence to the world.”
[Perfect!]
She cleared her throat to get her family’s attention.
Well, their attention was already focused on her. But she just wanted to do that for a more dramatic effect. She was a diva that way.
“Papa Boss, Mama Boss, Brother Pumpkin,” she said. “As I reported earlier, the crows are spreading the rumor that Calyx Dalton is Papa Boss’ son. I think they’re purposely spreading that false rumor in countries and kingdoms that pledged loyalty to us. Their goal is to take our allies one by one.”
“If their loyalty to us wavered just because of the appearance of a potential prince, then they weren’t allies worth keeping,” Nero said. “I guess this will serve as a test of loyalty to our current allies.”
Papa Boss nodded. “Nero is right.”
“But Nikolai, we know how harmful a rumor could be,” Mona said worriedly. “If this rumor continues to spread...”
“Mama Boss, I have a solution for that,” she said, gaining her family’s full attention.
“Let’s beat the rumor that the crows spread with an even more shocking “rumor,”” Neoma declared confidently. “So, let’s announce to the world that the Royal Family has a hidden royal princess.”
Her whole family looked shocked by her suggestion.
“Fam, the crows already know that I exist anyway,” she said, convincing her family to agree with her plan. “Plus, I plan to release the rumor that the royal princess is being hidden by the Cosmic Tree.”
“Why the Cosmic Tree?” her mother asked curiously.
“Because I want to appear mysterious,” she said, smiling. “I want to make people think that I’m just a myth.”
“But people always want to prove whether or not a myth is true,” Nero said, then he turned to her and smirk. “If they get curious about the hidden royal princess, they’ll easily forget the rumor about Calyx Dalton being Father’s son.”
“Exactly,” she said while nodding. “You get me, Nero.”
“Of course,” her baby brother said. “We’re twins.”
That didn’t really explain anything.
But for her and Nero, that reason was more than enough.
“We’ll be fighting fire with fire then,” Papa Boss said. “I don’t hate the idea.” He turned to Mama Boss. “What do you think, Mona?”
“I haven’t visited Mother Tree yet. I believe this will be the perfect time to do so,” Mama Boss said, then she turned to her. “I will make sure that Mother Tree would cooperate with our plan, Baby Muffin.”
It was cringey to be called ‘baby’ and Muffin, even more so when the two cheesy words were combined.
But Mama Boss’ voice was sweet and gentle.
Thus, she didn’t mind hearing that cringey pet name from her beloved mother.
[It’s not like I have the right to complain when I call my parents ‘Papa Boss’ and ‘Mama Boss.’]
“Thank you, Mama Boss and Papa Boss,” she said, sincerely grateful for her parents’ full support.
“How do you plan to spread that rumor?” her twin brother asked. “It’s pretty specific.”
“Oh, it’s easy,” she said. “I’m going to ask Jasper oppa to help me spread the rumor.”
After all, Jasper Hawthorne owned a big information guild.
[Plus, I have my “children.” I heard they’ve already returned to the empire. But they haven’t reported to me yet.]
Now she wondered what her “children” were up to.
“Well, I can’t deny that Jasper Hawthorne is pretty useful when it comes to gathering and spreading information,” Nero said, then he gave her a warning look. “But don’t get too close to him. I think the young duke is starting to have a delusion that you’re his real sister.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“I’m your only brother,” Nero said firmly. “Stop calling Jasper Hawthorne your brother.”
“Whatever,” she said, teasing her brother. “If you start calling me ‘noona,’ then I’ll stop calling Jasper oppa my brother.”
Nero just glared at her.
She glared back.
“Children,” their Mama Boss said sternly. “Don’t fight- especially not in front of the food.”
Neoma and Nero immediately avoided each other’s gaze, then they turned to their mother and spoke at the same time.
“Yes, Mama Boss.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Wait, that reaction is totally different from when I scolded you for fighting,” Papa Boss complained. “Why do you only listen to your mother?”
Neoma and Nero just shrugged.
***
“BABY MUFFIN, I already miss you.”
Neoma congratulated herself for getting used to her new pet name.
It was cringey, but her Mama Boss called her in such a lovely way that she couldn’t help but smile even when being called with such a corny endearment.
“Mama Boss, I’ll call you and Nero as much as I can,” Neoma, who was sitting on the bed while tying her Moonstone anklet (the one that Ruto gave her in the past), said. Then she raised her head to look at her mother. “And I already miss you, too. I’m sure Papa Boss does, too.”
Nero and Papa Boss were having a private conversation in the study.
While Neoma and Mama Boss were in the main bedroom.
She had already changed into a princely outfit. And sadly, she had to cut her hair short. After all, once she and her Papa Boss returned to the palace, she’d be “Prince Nero” again.
“Neoma, where did you get that Moonstone anklet?” her Mama Boss, who was sitting on the chair beside the bed, asked while looking at her anklet with a worried look on her face. “That anklet has eight Moonstones.”
Okay, her mother’s reaction towards her Moonstone anklet made her nervous.
“I got it from a close friend, Mother,” she said nervously. “Why? Is there something wrong with my anklet?”
Her mother turned to her worriedly before she answered her question. “In the Kingdom of Suoh, an anklet with eight Moonstones serves as profession of undying love to the receiver.”
That made her blush.
But her mother wasn’t done talking yet.
“But it also serves as a keepsake,” her Mama Boss added worriedly. “Historically, knights who were dispatched to war would give their lovers an anklet with eight Moonstones as a way to say goodbye. After all, the knights knew they wouldn’t be coming home alive.”
Her heart thumped against her chest painfully.
Ruto was from the Kingdom of Suoh. It was impossible for him not to know the meaning behind an anklet with eight Moonstones.
[Did he give it to me because he knows he couldn’t make it back to me?]
“Neoma,” her Mama Boss said, then she gently placed a hand over hers. “Is the person who gave you that anklet important to you?”
“Yes, Mama Boss,” she said. “He’s important to me.”
Ruto’s always calm face entered her mind.
The Ruto in her imagination was still young, since she didn’t know what he looked like now. However, she was certain that the burn mark on his face that he received in her stead was still there.
That burn mark was proof that he would always be there for her.
.....
“Neoma, it’s just an old tradition,” her Mama Boss said, trying to console her. She could also tell that her mother regretted telling her the history behind the anklet with eight Moonstones. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure the person who gave you that anklet is fine, my Muffin.”
“Yes, Mama Boss. I have faith in him,” Neoma said, smiling. “Ruto is a strong person, after all.”
***
“I HEARD you were looking for me.”
Ruto, who just returned to the room he was renting in an inn, was greeted by an uninvited guest.
White hair.
Ash-gray eyes.
Pale skin.
The boy’s features complemented the dark night sky behind him.
[He’s not trying to hide his identity from me.]
Calyx Dalton was sitting on his windowsill like the prince he was aiming to be.
“Ruston Stroganoff, you’re being rude,” Calyx Dalton said playfully. “You have dual citizenship. Thus, you’re still obliged to recognize me as a member of the Royal Family.” He pointed to the floor. “Kneel and give your greetings properly.”
Ruto just looked at the boy, amused. “I suppose I should thank you for coming here without hiding your identity.”
“I figured I didn’t have to since you won’t live to tell my secret anyway,” the boy said confidently.
“Ah, that sheer arrogance is proof that you’re a de Moonasterio, indeed.”
The boy smiled smugly.
“But you’re not His Majesty’s son, Calyx Dalton.”
The boy’s smug smile disappeared instantly.
“You have divine power just like every other de Moonasterio in history, alright. But you don’t have the glow of the firstborn,” he said in a taunting voice. “And you don’t even have Moonglow. After all, only the current emperor and his successor could possess it.”
The fact that both Neoma and Prince Nero had Moonglow was strange.
It was as if even the heavens couldn’t decide who between the royal twins should ascend the throne.
But Calyx Dalton didn’t have that kind of Moonglow in him.
“You have the traits of the de Moonasterios, but why do you still feel like a fake to me?” he continued, mocking the boy who was obviously fuming in silence. “Calyx Dalton, don’t delude yourself into thinking that you could be a part of the Royal Family.”
“Who are you to decide whether I could be a part of the Royal Family or not?”
“Who am I?” Ruto asked, amused to hear a child like Calyx Dalton ask about his identity. “If you and your “family” know who I am, you’d be the one kneeling in front of me.”
“You’re speaking nonsense,” the boy said, then he stood up and “smiled” at him. “I don’t care who you are, and I didn’t come here to get to know you. I’m only here to avenge my dear cousin.” He tilted his head to one side. “You remember Regina Crowell, don’t you?”
“I don’t remember the names of insignificant bugs I stepped on while walking.”
It was a lie. Of course, he remembered who Regina Crowell was.
But during his investigation, he noticed that the concept of family was drilled into Calyx Dalton’s head.
The concept of family in his mind was twisted, though.
But he figured he could use that to rile up the boy and make him lose his cool. Thus, he was insulting Regina Crowell in front of Calyx Dalton on purpose.
“Regina isn’t a bug- she’s an important member of our family,” Calyx Dalton, whose Mana was starting to increase as he turned hostile, said in a voice that was obviously controlling his anger. Then, a few moments later, his eyes turned glowing red. “I’ll make you pay for insulting and hurting my precious cousin.”
“I pity you, Calyx Dalton,” Ruto said, his dark purple eyes glowed as he released his own Mana. “You learned the concept of family from the wrong people.”
***
***
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