Royal Secret: I'm a Princess!

531 MASTER OF DECEPTION

"ARE YOU crazy?" Neoma snarled at Nero, then she realized that she asked a stupid question. "Right, you're crazy. But still, no. You can't come here, Nero."

Right now, she was on her bed– lying down on her stomach while talking to Nero using their old communication device: the pocket watch with a "mirror" that served like a monitor. So, basically, the two of them were having a "video call."

"Why not?" Nero, whose handsome face filled the "mirror" of the pocket watch in her hand, asked in a bored manner. "You and our parents are having fun on the East Continent without me. Why can't I follow you?"

"Because you're the acting emperor, duh," she said, rolling her eyes. "You can't leave the palace."

"But I already have everything under my control."

"And you have to stay there to keep it that way," she said. "But be honest with me, Nero. You're not planning to go here to see us, are you?"

"What made you say so?"

"I met a Roseheart fanboy."

"What about it?"

"I don't like the way the boy looks at me as if he's looking at someone else," she said vaguely. "I mean, if you're looking at me, you should only be thinking about ME and no one else."

Her twin brother raised an eyebrow at her. "And what does it have to do with me?"

Oh, someone was playing dumb.

She actually brought up Preston Willows (aka the Roseheart fanboy) because she was gauging Nero's reaction. But as expected of her twin brother, his expression didn't even change. However, he looked anything BUT innocent.

[He's definitely hiding something.]

"Nero, you're one hundred years too early to fool your noona."

"You're not my "noona,"" he denied, frowning. But his frown only lasted for a second as he gave her a triumphant smile soon. "And you've already done what I needed you to do when I sent you there, Neoma."

"Excuse me?" she asked, offended. "You sent me here? It's my will to go to the East Continent to meet Ruto, you know?"

"If I didn't send Mother and Father there, you wouldn't have stepped foot in the Cyran Temple or the Stroganoff Estate properly," he said. "Knowing you, I'm certain that you would have met Ruston Stroganoff in secret."

Oh.

That was true.

Her original plan was to summon Ruto to the hotel that she booked with her children. However, that plan was forgotten when Nero said he'd sent their parents to the East Continent. Then her Mama Boss and Papa Boss told her to meet them at the Cyran Temple.

"You tricked me into coming here?" she asked in disbelief, then she glared at her twin brother. "For what?"

Nero sipped his tea before he responded. "I think you already served your purpose, my dear twin sister. You may leave the East Continent now if you want."

Her eyes went wide– she was shocked! "Are you bossing me around?"

He chuckled as if he found her amusing. "It's just a suggestion."

"Do you want to die, Nero Roseheart de Moonasterio?"

"No, that's why I changed my mind about coming to the East Continent in person," he said, still laughing. "I was supposed to meet someone in the portal room in the Cyran Temple. But I think you can already handle that, Neoma."

She knitted her eyebrows. "What?"

"I'll see you later, Neoma," Nero said, then he waved his hand at her. "I miss you."

After saying that, he ended the call.

Then the "mirror" turned black.

"This brat," Neoma complained, huffing. "At least say that you miss Mama Boss and Papa Boss, too."

***

REMEMBERING her "video call" with Nero earlier was making Neoma upset again.

However, since she was facing Preston Willows, she acted calm on the outside. Fortunately, the kid caught her attention, so she was able to focus on him.

"You're Nero's "child?"" Neoma asked, then she rolled her eyes. "Gosh, my dear twin brother has no originality. Is he copying me or something?"

"That's not true," Preston Willows denied vehemently, then he put a hand over his chest. "When I heard that Princess Neoma calls her knights her "children," I volunteered to be Prince Nero's "son." It was my idea."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "And why would you do that?"

"Because I want Prince Nero to see me as family, too."

[Poor kid.]

If Nero really considered Preston Willows as one of his people, then Nero would have already summoned the kid to the empire. The fact that Preston Willows was still here on the East Continent only meant one thing.

[Nero is treating this kid as a 'spare team member.']

A reserve, a bench warmer, a substitute.

In short, Preston Willows was only one of Nero's "options."

But she didn't want to break the kid's heart, so she just kept her mouth shut. She might not be a good person, but she had a weak spot for children.

"I'll cheer you on," she said encouragingly. "It would be nice if you can melt Nero's frozen heart, so I'll root for you starting this moment. Fighting!"

Preston's face lit up. "Then are you saying that approve of me?"

"Huh?"

"Prince Nero said that he'll invite me to the empire IF Princess Neoma acknowledges me," the kid said. "That's why I've been acting cute ever since we've met, Your Royal Highness."

Okay, she was too stunned to speak.

[Nero, you have the guts to use your noona this way?!]

It looked like her twin brother couldn't "get rid" of Preston Willows himself, so Nero used her as an excuse to reject the poor kid.

[I know Nero, so he definitely didn't like how Preston fanboys over us. He'll probably tell Preston that he can't invite him to the empire because I didn't want to. Aigoo. Will you look at that? My twin brother is really all grown-up now!]

"You know what, Lord Preston? I'll officially invite you to our palace," Neoma said, smiling "sweetly" at the kid. "I'll even let you use the guest room on the same floor as Nero's bedroom."

Preston Willow's face lit up. "I'd love that, Princess Neoma!"

***

"YOUR ROYAL Highness, I beg your forgiveness!"

Nero almost rolled his eyes at Keith Valencia's plead.

Yes, the crazy bastard who "offered" that he'd make Neoma his mistress was now kneeling in front of him. To be precise, Keith Valencia was kneeling in front of his classroom– causing a scene for everyone to see.

"He didn't know that Prince Nero is currently the acting emperor?" Calyx Dalton, who was standing beside him as if they were close, said while shaking his head. "How dumb."

"He's only sorry because he's afraid of his family," Hanna, who was standing on Nero's other side, whispered. "Rumors say Marquis Russell Spencer has completely cut off House Valencia from the main family after he heard what happened."

The fact that Keith Valencia offended him already circulated in the entire academy.

But, of course, no one else knew what exactly offended him except for Nero, Hanna, and Lewis.

[No need for these unworthy bastards to utter Neoma's name.]

"I've been stupid and arrogant, Your Royal Highness," Keith Valencia, whose forehead was already touching the floor, said desperately. "Please have mercy on this lowly subject of yours, Prince Nero."

Hmm.

"I heard that House Valenica has a beautiful villa located in the finest area in the East Region," Nero said light-heartedly. "It would be nice if I can have my own vacation house in the East Region, since I don't have a private property there yet."

Keith Valencia visibly flinched.

[At least he gets what I'm trying to say.]

After Nero said his piece, he walked away from Keith Valencia without looking back.

Of course, as soon as he got out of the classroom, Lewis followed him silently.

"Prince Nero, you're truly the best," Calyx Dalton, who was still walking beside him, said cheerfully. "House Valencia always boasts about their villa, since it's apparently brimming with history. It's actually their family's pride and joy. But it seems like Your Royal Highness will soon take possession of the legendary villa."

[It won't be mine since I plan to put the villa under Neoma's name.]

But he didn't bother to say that because he didn't want to waste his breath on Calyx Dalton.

"Why are you following us, Lord Calyx?" Hanna confronted the crazy crow in a gentle manner. "We're about to head back to the palace."

"Can I go with you?" Calyx Dalton asked, then he turned to Nero with a hopeful look on his face. "Prince Nero, should we have tea together? Just you know, I was the one who convinced my grandfather to give you back the Emperor's Decree. I deserve a reward, don't you think so?"

"Not today," Nero said, then he turned to Calyx Dalton. "You'll be busy today."

The crazy crow looked confused. "Me? Why will I be busy today?"

"Keith Valencia wasn't alone when he pissed me off," he said. "But I can't think of a way to punish his cohorts."

It took the crazy crow a couple of seconds before he finally understood what he wanted him to do

[Thankfully, he's not as dumb as I thought he was.]

"Don't worry, Prince Nero. I'll deal with them for you," Calyx Dalton said excitedly, then he began to walk backwards while waving his hands. "Your Royal Highness really has to treat me better from now on!"

He just waved him off.

Then, just like that, Calyx Dalton was out of sight.

"What are you doing, Nero?" Hanna asked, frowning. "Why are you keeping Calyx Dalton beside you?"

"Because he's still useful," Nero said bluntly. "Moreover, once Father comes back, he'll declare Calyx Dalton as a royal prince. In order to discourage the nobles and the common people from supporting Calyx Dalton for the throne, I have to show them that I hold that leash on that crazy bastard."

Even if the Twelve Golden Families were under his control at the moment, there would still be people who'd think Calyx Dalton deserved to be the Crown Prince more for being Juliet Sloane's son.

He had to stop that delusion by showing them that Calyx Dalton was wrapped around his finger– even if it meant tolerating the crazy crow as one of his people.

[I'll just throw him away later.]

"Well, it looks like you know what you're doing, so I won't say anything anymore," Hanna said, then she changed the topic. "By the way, Father told me to keep an eye on you. Apparently, you're planning to go to the East Continent."

"What?" Lewis, who wouldn't usually butt in a conversation, reacted– obviously surprised. "I'll go, too."

"I'm not going anywhere anymore," he said. "Neoma already scolded me, so I changed my mind about leaving.

Lewis clicked his tongue, annoyed.

"I feel sorry for Lewis, but you made the right choice, Nero," Hanna said while giving Lewis an apologetic smile. "You can't leave the palace when you're the acting emperor. Aside from the fact that it's dangerous, it would be irresponsible of you to do that."

Nero just nodded, then he turned to Lewis. "I'm going to sleep as soon as we get home," he said. "Make sure no one will disturb me as I "rest.""

***

NEOMA was surprised when a bowl of chocolate ice cream was served instead of tea.

When she looked up, she was even more surprised to see Ruto instead of a servant.

[Damn, I didn't notice him.]

She was already used to his presence before, so why didn't she detect his presence now? Did he get stronger suddenly?

"I made ice cream last night," Ruto explained. "It was thanks to muscle memory, I guess. I'm not confident, but it tasted fine when I had some earlier. So I hope you like it."

To be honest, she didn't expect to see Ruto today.

Right now, she was in the temple's garden while enjoying the scenery. There was a wooden table and bench that matched the aesthetic of the garden, so she thought it would be a good spot to have her afternoon tea.

She was with Greko earlier, and her youngest son volunteered to brew tea for her.

"Where's my son?" Neoma asked, confused. "He said he'll make tea for me."

"I asked Greko if I could have some time alone with you," Ruto explained. "But in case you turn me and my ice cream down, he told me to call him."

Ah, that was probably Greko's way of apologizing to Ruto.

[Greko is best boy indeed.]

"Have a seat, Lord Stroganoff," she said politely, since it was rude to make someone of his status stand while she was seated. "I'll listen to what you have to say, since I don't think you'll approach me without a reason."

"Thank you," he said, then he sat on the wooden bench across from her. "But can I not approach if I just wanted to… hang out?"

"Of course, you can't," she said while she picked up the spoon. "Moreover, I don't have much time left. I'll leave the temple later."

"You're already leaving?"

"I'll stay here on the East Continent, but I'll be meeting Rubin Drayton," she said, then she scooped a spoonful of ice cream. "He's in a different region, so I need to catch him before he moves to a new place."

She put the spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.

Oh, goodness.

[You can never really go wrong with chocolate ice cream.]

"It's good," she said, then she smiled at Ruto gratefully. "Thank you, Lord Stroganoff."

"You're welcome," Ruto said. "By the way, I'm also going where you're headed to, so let's leave together."

"That sounds like bullshit, my lord."

He avoided her gaze slowly. "I really need to go to that place, too."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you even know where I'm going?"

"I still think we should leave together," he said. "I can guide you there since I'm from here."

"I can read a map, thank you very much."

"I'm more accurate than a map."

"Why can't you just say that you want to be with me?"