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Right now, he was in the drawing room while having tea with Dahlia.

He and Neoma decided to talk to Dahlia and the Hazelden’s royal couple separately.

His twin sister was in charge of talking to Queen Brigitte and King Glenn, while he was in charge of talking to Dahlia.

It was Neoma’s idea to do that all for one reason.

[“Nero, let’s give Mama Boss and Papa Boss some time to spend together. I’m sure they have a lot of things they need to talk about in private. Let’s give them the chance to reconcile.”]

He honestly didn’t care much about their parents’ affair.

.....

But since it seemed important to Neoma, he went along with her plan.

“I’ll do it, Prince Nero,” Dahlia said determinedly. “I’m aware of the risks, but I still want to lend my power to you.”

He already expected that the Black Witch wouldn’t reject their offer.

Still, he was impressed by her bravery.

“The Black Witches were banned from the empire because the old Royal Family was afraid of your ability to steal divine powers. And now, it’s exactly the ability that we need from you,” he said carefully while stirring his tea. “Because of that, a part of me expects you to turn us down. If I were you, I would make the Royal Family beg at my feet before I agree to help them.”

Dahlia laughed softly. “That sounds like something that you would do, Prince Nero.” She placed her teacup down on the saucer. “But I didn’t say that I would work for free.”

Ohh.

That actually made him smile.

“Is the crybaby negotiating with me now?” he asked, then he raised an eyebrow at her.

“I’m not a crybaby,” she denied while pouting. “See? I’m not even stuttering.”

He clapped his hands. “Good job.”

The Black Witch just laughed.

“Let’s hear it then,” he said, his smile fading.

But he wasn’t angry or anything.

He just went into business mode. Even though he decided to be kind to Dahlia, he was still the Crown Prince of the empire. He had to be careful when making deals.

“Miss Dahlia, we wouldn’t make you work for free. But as the Crown Prince of the empire, I can’t carelessly say that I’ll give you anything you want,” he said seriously. “However, if it’s within my power, then I’ll grant you whatever reward you wish for.”

The Black Witch smiled and nodded. “I only have a simple wish, Prince Nero,” she said, then she turned serious. “I can’t do it alone, so please help me purify the “water” on the island I call home. Your Royal Highness has strong Roseheart Blood in you, so I believe you can help me with my wish.”

Nero knitted his eyebrows. “The bloody water on that island is corrupted?”

“It’s not water, Prince Nero,” Dahlia said, then she smiled sadly. “It’s the blood of the dead Ancient Spirit called Novak.”

***

NEOMA smiled to lighten up the mood.

After she told Brigitte unnie and Uncle Glenn their plan, the royal couple looked troubled.

She had to tell them the consequence of saving the queen’s life during childbirth. After all, Brigitte unnie and Uncle Glenn had to know that their son would be born without his divine power.

“Don’t worry, Brigitte unnie and Uncle Glenn,” Neoma said cheerfully. “We will find your baby saint’s divine power, and give him back his rightful place as the new saint.”

It wouldn’t be easy, but they had Dion.

[Dion have eyes that could see anyone and anything with divine power. And he can lend me his eyes, so I’m not that worried.]

“That’s not what we’re worried about, Princess Neoma,” Brigitte unnie said worriedly. “Because of me, you’ve taken the thorny path instead of the easy one...”

“We’re grateful, but we couldn’t help but feel guilty, Your Royal Highness,” Uncle Glenn added. “You already have too much on your plate, Princess Neoma.”

“I’d rather go on a search to look for the baby saint’s scattered divine power than to lose Brigitte unnie,” she said, smiling. “And I won’t be doing it alone. I have you, right?”

“Of course, Your Royal Highness,” Brigitte unnie and Uncle Glenn said at the same time.

“That’s why you don’t have to worry too much,” she assured them again. “I won’t be taking this thorny path alone. And as long as I have everyone beside me, we can turn the thorny path into a flowery path.”

It was cringey to say, but at least, she succeeded in making the royal couple smile.

“Thank you, Princess Neoma,” Brigitte unnie said sincerely. “We are indebted to you.”

“We promise to pay Your Royal Highness in any way we can,” Uncle Glenn said, his voice cracking from being emotional. “Thank you for saving my family, Princess Neoma.”

“We’re a big family, Uncle Glenn,” she said, grinning. “So please don’t feel burdened, hmm?”

The royal couple looked touched by what she said.

“I’ll return to the palace later with Papa Boss,” she informed the two. “But I will be back here as soon as the last match for my entrance exam is done.”

When she mentioned the entrance exam, she noticed that Brigitte unnie and Uncle Glenn’s expressions changed.

It was as if they were hesitating to speak.

“What’s wrong?” she asked carefully. “Please don’t hesitate to speak your mind.”

The queen and the king exchanged looks first before they responded to her question.

“Princess Neoma, to be honest, the news about the appearance of the boy who looks like His Majesty has already reached our kingdom,” the queen said. “We also heard that Your Royal Highness is going to face him in the final match.”

To be honest, that surprised her. “It already reached a foreign kingdom?”

“That’s not the only problem, Princess Neoma,” Uncle Glenn added worriedly. “We didn’t know who started it, but there was a strange rumor spreading among the nobles of Hazelden Kingdom.”

Okay, that made her nervous.

“The rumor says that Calyx Dalton is His Majesty’s son with the late Empress Juliet,” Uncle Glenn continued. “And apparently, His Majesty threw away his son with the late empress in order to make his son with Lady Roseheart the heir to the throne.”

She was shocked to hear that. “That kind of rumor has already spread in Hazelden?”

If that rumor had spread in a foreign kingdom, then it must have already spread in the empire, too.

“Now, the nobles of our kingdom are asking me to reconsider my alliance with Prince Nero,” Brigitte unnie said, then she let out a sigh. “The nobles here are probably thinking that the current Crown Prince would lose his power once that boy, Calyx Dalton, turns out to be His Majesty’s real firstborn son.”

She couldn’t believe it.

“Calyx Dalton doesn’t have the physical traits to prove that he’s a de Moonasterio, but people are already believing that he could be my father’s son?” Neoma asked in disbelief, then she clicked her tongue. “The crows are definitely spreading those rumors, and their purpose could be to condition the public into accepting Calyx Dalton as a potential prince.”

***

“SWEETIE, would you consider withdrawing from the match?”

Hanna already expected to hear that from her mother, but she still felt a pang in her chest. “Is that what Grandfather and Grandmother wanted me to do?” she asked while putting her teacup down on the saucer. “Mother, do you agree with my grandparents?”

Her mother, who was sitting on the chair across from her, flinched.

She returned home to pack her things before she officially moved to Luna Palace.

The day she returned home was also the day her mother returned from visiting her grandparents (from the mother’s side). When her mother invited her to have tea with a solemn look on her face, she already knew that they would be talking about something like this.

“Hanna, to be honest with you, I agree with your grandparents,” her mother said hesitantly. “It hasn’t been announced officially yet, but you’re still Prince Nero’s fiancée. My parents aren’t pleased with the fact that you’re going to fight His Royal Highness just to become the student representative.”

“I’m not participating in the match “just to become the student representative,” Mother,” she said gently. “I’m doing this because I want to inspire other girls that despite the limitations the society set to hold us back, we can still accomplish a lot of great things.”

“You do not have to do that, sweetie,” her mother said worriedly. “You’ll become the future Crown Princess. It’s already inspiring for girls your age.”

She couldn’t blame her mother for having that mindset.

After all, her mother was raised by a generation who believed that a woman’s greatest accomplishment was to be married into a good family.

“Mother, have you told Father that my grandparents want me to withdraw from the match?”

Her mother shook her head. “I know your father,” she said. “I’m sure Rufus would just say that he’ll respect your decision...” Her mother trailed off. “Hanna, sweetie, it’s not like I don’t respect your decision. As your mother, I just want the best for you.”

“I know that, Mother,” she said, smiling. “But I’m sorry- I won’t withdraw from the match.”

Her mother looked disappointed by her decision. “Hanna...”

“I’m really sorry, Mother,” Hanna said, her voice clear and firm. “My decision is final.”

***

MONA couldn’t say that she was surprised when Nikolai stayed in the room.

To be precise, the two of them were standing next to each other on the balcony while watching the sunset. The beautiful orange sky and the pure white snow in front of them looked beautiful. To simply say, the mood was perfect for a heart-to-heart talk.

Their Baby Muffin and Baby Pumpkin went out to have a meeting with the queen and king of Hazelden. The twins would explain how they would save the queen from dying during childbirth.

To be honest, Nikolai should be there to explain.

.....

“You should go there and help our babies explain,” Mona said, even though she knew Nikolai wouldn’t budge. “You’re the one who knows how to save the queen.”

“Neoma and Nero said that Yule already explained the process to them,” Nikolai said. As expected, he already made up his mind to stay here with her. “They can handle it on their own. But I’ll have a talk with Glenn before I leave.”

Ah, right.

Nikolai had to return to the Royal Palace.

“Neoma will return to the palace with me,” Nikolai added. “She can’t stay here for too long since she still has work waiting for her. Moreover, she’s preparing for the final match that’s a part of her entrance exam.”

She also expected that since she had already heard about the entrance exam from Gale.

“The child that our Baby Muffin would fight in the match...” Mona began carefully, then she turned to Nikolai. “Our children said there’s a possibility that he’s a de Moonasterio. They also said he looks like you.”

“That child isn’t my son,” Nikolai said firmly. “I swear it on everything I have, Mona. You were the only woman I ever held in my life.”

Her cheeks flushed.

She was embarrassed to meet his gaze, so she turned away from him.

“I know that,” she said. “But the children are also convinced that there’s a possibility that Juliet is still alive.”

“I’ve also considered that possibility,” he admitted. “Ruston Stroganoff said that he’ll bring Juliet back if I just wait silently. But he never said he’d bring back a corpse.”

“Ruston Stroganoff is a special one,” she said. “The things he said in the past happened.”

“That’s why I trust him.”

“Once Juliet comes back, the nobles will definitely demand that you reinstate her as the empress.”

“If that happens, I’ll step down as the emperor.”

She turned to him with a shocked look on her face. “What did you say?”

“I’ll give up the throne,” he said calmly. “Once Nero is physically ready, I’ll let him ascend the throne. His engagement with Hanna Quinzel will be announced soon. The Quinzels and the other families who are loyal to us will support our son.”

“Nikolai, are you out of your mind?” she asked, frustrated. “Why would you give up the throne?”

“Because I want to be with you.”

She couldn’t say that she didn’t expect to hear that from him. Still, she was surprised by his sudden confession. Whether or not she admitted it, her heart really fluttered. “Nikolai...”

“Mona, I know that I have a lot to apologize for. And I’m also aware that I ought to make it up to you and our children for the rest of my life,” he said softly. “I will apologize to you again and again. I will kneel and bow my head to you until you forgive me for everything I have done that hurt you in the past.”

It was true that she still had some resentment towards Nikolai.

But after spending time with him and their children, her anger slowly melted.

She realized that thirteen years had already been stolen from their family. Should she really be spending every moment of her life resenting Nikolai? It wasn’t like she was completely blameless. She had also hurt the emperor in the past.

Moreover, it was she who got fooled by Gavin Quinzel. If she didn’t blindly trust him, she wouldn’t have ended up in that ice of block.

Thus, forgiving Nikolai wouldn’t be impossible.

[And I saw how he treats our children with my own two eyes. I can no longer see the Nikolai who wanted to kill our babies in the past. The Nikolai right now is a proper father.]

She was aware that Nikolai had been a terrible father before.

But Neoma and Nero had already forgiven him, and the twins had moved on from their bitter past with their father.

Now, the three got along well.

“We still have a lot to talk about regarding the past, but I thought I should make my intentions clear first,” Nikolai said softly while looking directly into her eyes. “Mona, I’m still in love with you- and there wasn’t a moment that I have stopped loving you.”

“Liar,” she said in a cracked voice. She was touched by Nikolai’s heartfelt confession. But she was afraid of being too happy, so she was acting pessimist. After all, whenever she was happy in the past, tragedy would always come next. “I stole your ability to love...”

“You did, but my love for you is stronger than the cursed you placed on me,” he said firmly. “And our children broke that curse. Even though you stole my ability to love, I still ended up loving Neoma and Nero.”

It wasn’t hard to believe him.

After all, her ability to steal emotions wasn’t her forte. It was just a skill that she learned half-heartedly. And it might have worn off the moment Nikolai felt a stronger emotion than the hate that she instilled in his heart back then.

“Mona, I would like for us to become a whole family,” Nikolai said, almost pleading with her. “So if you accept me, please marry me.”

Nikolai’s casual yet sincere marriage proposal made her tears fall like silent waterfalls.

It was something that she had never experienced in the past.

After all, Nikolai wasn’t in the position where he could propose to her then- not when almost everyone around them expressed their disapproval against her.

But now, she could tell that he didn’t care about anything else.

It was clear to her that Nikolai’s priority right now was to make their family complete.

How could her heart not waver?

“I’ll think about it,” she said, then she laughed softly when Nikolai’s face lit up.

She just said that she would think about his proposal, but he was already that happy. Then how would he react once she accepted him into her life again?

Yes, deep in her heart, she knew she would say ‘yes’ to Nikolai again.

[I just need more time to prepare mentally and emotionally.]

“I’ll wait,” Nikolai said, his face and voice full of hope. His usual dead ash-gray eyes were currently sparkling with joy. “I’ll wait for your answer no matter how long it takes, Mona.”

Mona couldn’t help but smile at this side of Nikolai that she hadn’t seen yet. “Nikolai, the next time you propose...” She trailed off on purpose, teasing him. Then she raised her left hand and pointed at her ring finger. “Please do it properly.”

Oh, no.

Mona slightly regretted what she said when she saw the fire in Nikolai’s eyes- the fire that said he would get her the most beautiful (and probably the most expensive) engagement ring in the entire world.

***

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