Royal Secret: I'm A Princess!

"DUCHESS QUINZEL, are you alright?"

Hanna nodded politely at Rubin Drayton’s question. "Yes, Your Grace. My knights and I are all unharmed."

It was all because the Ancient Devil backed down without a fight.

As soon as Rubin Drayton and his knights started attacking the Ancient Devil with their arrows— House Drayton was known for their excellent archers— the Ancient Devil ran away.

But before the bastard completely vanished, he said something that bothered Hanna.

"Ah, I finally found Princess Neoma. Farewell, Sister-in-law."

She didn’t know where Neoma was, but she was pretty sure that the Imperial Princess wasn’t in the palace at the moment.

For someone who dreams of being a lady of leisure, Neoma can’t stay put in one place for long.

"Duchess Quinzel?"

"I apologize, Your Grace. My thoughts drifted for a moment," Hanna said, gently shaking her head to stay focused. "Thank you for helping me earlier. But may I know what you’re doing here?"

"We were tracking down the merchant who was last recorded to be hoarding weapons with Darkness attribute in the Imperial Capital," Rubin Drayton explained. "I assume you’re here for the same reason, Duchess Quinzel?"

Ah, right.

Hanna almost forgot about the merchant.

Now she was distracted by the Ancient Devil’s appearance, and all she could think about was what Neoma was up to this time.

This isn’t the time for me to be doing this.

"Duke Drayton, can I leave the investigation to you?" Hanna asked carefully. "I need to return to the Imperial Palace immediately. Of course, only I am leaving. My knights will stay here to assist you with the investigation."

She was going back to the Imperial Palace through the portal in her Shadows.

With Neoma and the former emperor’s permission, she created a portal leading to the Imperial Palace— just like how House Quinzel had a portal directly connected to the palace.

Unfortunately, only she had permission to use it.

So, I can’t bring my knights back with me.

"That’s fine with me, Your Grace," Rubin Drayton said, and then the young duke asked carefully: "But do you really trust me?"

To be honest, Hanna couldn’t completely trust Rubin Drayton.

Whether he was possessed or not, he still hurt Neoma in the past. Plus, even though Duke Drayton looks sane these days, I still can’t trust him. After all, he’s been under Regina Crowell’s control for almost all his life.

However...

"The information you shared with me last time was useful. For now, I’ll give you the same trust that I’ve given you at the time," Hanna said carefully. "Anyway, even if you betray us, we can easily kill you."

Rubin Drayton looked surprised by what she said, and then he laughed. "I understand, Duchess Quinzel— thank you for trusting me again, even if it’s just a little bit."

***

"MONA, are you alright?"

Ah.

Mona was already resting in her room when Nikolai and Nero went to check on her.

She thanked Alucard Dionisio, who made sure that her condition was stable, before asking him to leave since she was fine now.

Dahlia was also there a while ago.

But she sent the Black Witch to stay by Charlotte’s side, since the little unicorn looked shaken by the Ancient Devil’s trauma.

It’s probably trauma.

"I’m fine, Nikolai. Nero," Mona assured her husband and son. "Charlotte and Dahlia are both fine, too. They’re resting in the room next door. Nero’s knights are with them to protect them."

For now, she decided to let Charlotte and Dahlia stay in the empress’ palace.

The barrier here is stronger than the annex where important guests like Charlotte are using.

"I shouldn’t have left the palace," Nikolai said as he sat down next to Mona, then he held her hand and kissed the back of her hand. "I’m sorry, Mona. I shouldn’t have left your side."

"You don’t have to apologize," Mona scolded her husband. "I’m capable of protecting myself and the children with me. Moreover, Nero and his knights came immediately."

Nikolai just sighed, obviously still beating himself for leaving her side.

It’s just bad timing.

Mona squeezed her husband’s hand to reassure him that she was fine, that there was no need to be guilty. "My love, I only coughed up blood because it was my body’s way of healing me internally. After I coughed up blood, I recovered immediately. Alucard Dionisio and Dahlia both confirmed that I’m fine. So, don’t worry too much, huh?"

Nikolai just squeezed her hand back, probably making a resolve to never leave her side again.

Which is ridiculous, as we can’t be together all the time.

Anyway, her husband would come to his senses later.

For now...

"Nero, did the Ancient Devil leave after confirming that Neoma isn’t here?" Mona asked, looking at Nero worriedly. "He seems to be looking for your sister."

"Yes, Mother. The Ancient Devil left after that."

"But where in the world is your sister?" Mona asked, confused. "She left the palace again without informing anyone. Does her children know where she is?"

"I heard Neoma picked up Lewis Crevan before summoning Gin to her palace," Nero said, crossing his arms over his chest. "If it’s Gin, that humanoid cat, then it only means Neoma and Lewis Crevan headed to Hell."

His father let out a sigh. "I wonder what Neoma is up to this time."

***

"KIDS, calm down," Neoma said to Lewis, Esther, Aspen, and Faust— even though the last three weren’t ’kids’— as she sat down in the chair pulled by Trevor for her. The four remained standing behind her, acting lik her loyal bodyguards. "We’re just going to talk."

She pointed her cheek at the Ancient Devil, who was sitting across from her.

Since the war was near, she decided to sit down and talk to the bastard instead of fighting.

I always tell my children to choose their battles wisely, so I have to walk the talk.

"Princess Neoma it seems like people who protect you increase each time we meet," the Ancient Devil commented, glancing at the kids behind Neoma. "I didn’t know that you even had Ruto Solfrid’s subordinates wrapped around your finger."

"No, they’re just here because Ruto asked them to protect me from you," Neoma said nonchalantly. "Their loyalty lies with Ruto, not mine, so I don’t consider them my people. Having said that, I’m still grateful for their protection. That’s why you better stop now."

She glanced at the floor now oozing with miasma coming from the Ancient Devil’s feet.

Then she heard growls and ’sssss’ sounds behind her, definitely coming from the kids, who belatedly realized that the Ancient Devil almost launched a sneak attack at them.

"Ah, I apologize," the Ancient Devil said, even raising his hands in surrender as the miasma that he leaked completely vanished. "I was just trying to see if Princess Neoma’s senses are as sharp as ever."

"Drop the bullshit."

"Yes, ma’am."

"Princess Neoma, would you like some tea?" Trevor, who obviously didn’t care about anyone or anything else other than Neoma, asked cheerfully. "I discovered new tea leaves while you were gone."

"Sure," Neoma said, nodding. "I’m parched anyway."

Trevor smiled, and then he started pulling out an entire tea set out of thin air.

Well, he’s a Sorcerer— he has an ’Inventory’ similar to my Lynx Ring.

Anyways, Trevor brewed the tea while humming.

In just the blink of an eye, two teacups were already set on the table— one for Neoma, one for Trevor (who had already sat down next to her), and none for the Ancient Devil or the kids behind them.

"Thank you, Trevor," Neoma said, sipping the tea. As soon as it hit her tastebuds, she realized that the tea wasn’t just warm and delicious— it also had some healing effect. It was like drinking a potion capable of boosting her stamina. "It’s great. You did well."

"Ah, I’m glad to hear that, my Moon Princess," Trevor said, his eyes sparkling. "Thank you for the praise."

"Why are you being rude?" the Ancient Devil asked. "Are you not going to serve me some tea? This is your house, Trevor Kesser. You do realize that you’re being rude right now, don’t you?"

Trevor raised an eyebrow. "So what?"

"I shouldn’t have made you the new Devil."

Trevor just smirked.

"Just serve the fossil some tea, Trevor," Neoma urged the Sorcerer. "We’re on official business, after all."

Trevor immediately got up from his seat and started brewing tea again. "As you wish, my Moon Princess."

The Ancient Devil blinked slowly, looking at Neoma in disbelief. "Did you just call me ’fossil,’ Princess Neoma?"

"You are a fossil— you were already a grown-ass man during the Ancient Period."

The Ancient Devil looked like he wanted to complain, but stopped when Trevor put down the teacup in front of him quite rudely.

Then the two looked at each other as if they were having a mini-staring contest.

"Hey, are you going to fight as one of Helstor’s Battle Representatives?" Neoma asked after getting another sip of her tea. "You’re colluding with that bastard, aren’t you?"

Trevor quietly sat down as the Ancient Devil sipped the tea.

"My objectives simply align with Helstor," the Ancient Devil said, putting down the teacup on the saucer quietly before looking at Neoma with a smile. "Princess Neoma, you’re smart, so I don’t understand why you haven’t thought about that method to bring me to your side. I’m waiting for you to do just that."

"Ah, you’re talking about honey trap."

Neoma ignored the scoffing sounds coming from around her.

"You knew, and yet you didn’t even pretend to coax me?" the Ancient Devil asked, obviously sulking. "Princess Neoma, I’ll pretend to fall for it, so just please pretend that you’re also falling for me."

Neoma couldn’t help but laugh. "Are you sure you can handle it?"

***

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