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Nikolai nodded at Dion Skelton’s greeting as soon as he and Mona stepped out of the portal placed in one of Astello Temple’s prayer room.

He was also glad to see that the former Paladin, now the temporary High Priest of the temple, heeded his request not to let the Holy Knights know about their arrival. The Holy Knights had been infiltrated by the crows once.

It wasn’t like he didn’t trust the Holy Knights anymore.

He just wanted to be more careful.

“Thank you, Dion,” Mona said to the former Paladin. “It’s nice to see you again after a long time.”

Dion bowed to Mona politely. “It’s an honor to have the chance to serve you again, Lady Roseheart.”

.....

“Unfortunately, we don’t have time for pleasantries,” Nikolai said. “Is the portal room connected to the Cyran Temple ready?”

Only the de Moonasterion emperors, the guardians of the Cyran Temple, and the saint were aware of the existence of the portal room between Astello Temple and the Sun Goddess’ temple. Not even the High Priests were aware of it.

[And it’s one of the reasons why I asked Dion not to tell the Holy Knights about our arrival.]

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Dion answered politely. “I’ve already activated the portal room with my Mana.”

After saying that, the former Paladin discreetly led them to the secret room.

Of course, Dion only found the portal room connected to the Cyran Temple because he told him about it.

“How are the Holy Knights reacting to the news of Calyx Dalton being the first “true” prince?” he asked while they were walking in the hallway as quietly as they could. “The Holy Knights must be confused.”

Dion let out a sigh. “At first, they didn’t care about the news of the apparent first prince because they only cared about Prince Nero. After all, they still believed that His Highness, the Crown Prince is the reincarnation of Nero Roseheart.”

“The first Holy Knight in history?” Mona asked curiously. “Nikolai, what about it?”

“Ah, right. I haven’t told you about the biggest scam that Neoma had pulled off to trick the Holy Knights into supporting her as the Crown Prince,” he said, then he turned to her. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

Mona just smiled and nodded.

He turned to Dion again. “Have they changed their mind about supporting Nero?”

“The Holy Knights were shaken when they heard that Calyx Dalton has the White Lion, Your Majesty,” Dion reported to him. “Now, they are questioning if Prince Nero is actually the First Star that will bring the new saint to the temple since Calyx Dalton is older than the royal twins.”

“I see,” he said grimly. “It seems like Yule’s prophecy has come back to bite us in the end.”

“I’m not too worried about the Holy Knights even if they switched sides, Your Majesty,” Dion said confidently. “I don’t think Prince Nero or Princess Neoma would want people who are easily swayed by unverified news anyway.”

He smiled at what the Paladin said. “You’re right. My children wouldn’t need those kinds of people.”

“However, we cannot underestimate the influence that the Holy Knights possess,” Mona, his voice of reason, said worriedly. “Nikolai, the Astello Temple also helped you ascend the throne in the past. If the former saint didn’t support you then, the people wouldn’t have accepted you as the new emperor after you killed your own father for the throne.”

“Mona, I understand your concern,” he said softly. “However, the true influence that the Astello Temple of the past had come from the former saint and not the Holy Knights themselves. Once Neoma brings the true new saint to the temple, everything will be solved. Moreover, Nero intends to expose Calyx Dalton soon.”

Mona still looked worried, but she nodded in the end. “I’m not happy that we’re relying too much on our children, Nikolai.”

“I don’t like it either, Mona,” he said while shaking his head. “However, such is a fate of a de Moonasterio. The royal children, unfortunately, do not get to have a normal childhood. Since we were born with the ability to mature faster than average people, we were also expected to act like adults early on.”

Mona looked sad after hearing that.

It was already too late for Nero and Neoma to have a normal childhood.

Their son was currently turning the empire upside down while playing with politics, while their daughter was busy making deals with divine beings. Wherever you looked at it, Nero and Neoma could never be normal children because of their brains that worked differently.

“It’s alright, Mona,” Nikolai encouraged her, then he held her hand and gently squeezed it. “We may have failed to give Nero and Neoma a normal childhood. But we can protect their happiness this time.”

Mona smiled and nodded. “Sounds like a great plan.”

***

“THIS IS amazing, Nikolai,” Mona said, amused. “This is the most fascinating portal “room” that I’ve ever been to.”

Most portal rooms would just lead you to a long and plain hallway.

But the portal room that was connected to the Cyran Temple of the East Continent was a whole RIVER. And the vehicle that they were using to travel? A cabin that navigated the river like a boat.

“It’s like we’re in an underground river,” she said while looking around. “The ceiling and the walls of the portal room resemble a cave.”

And the “cave” walls were shining against the darkness because of the crystals attached to them.

Plus, the river itself was beautiful. The surface of the water sparkled like little diamonds. And the water lilies? They were shining, too. There were also some special kinds of fish swimming under the cabin as if they were guiding them to the right path.

“Yes, this portal room is really beautiful,” Nikolai said as he joined her on the balcony of the cabin to watch the beautiful sight around them. “This is already my third time using this portal room, but it never fails to fascinate me.”

The cabin that served as their “cruise ship” was good for a family of four.

It had two bedrooms. The master bedroom had a big bed in it and an adjacent bathroom. On the other hand, the second bedroom had two single beds. There was a separate bathroom and toilet in the shared space.

There was also a small living room, a small kitchen, a dining hall with a table for four, and a balcony.

“Ah, there are food and drinks enough to last us a week,” Nikolai said, then he shook his head. “Dion packed a lot, even though we will only stay here for a day.”

A normal boat from the West Continent would take at least a month to reach the East Continent by the sea. And it would take longer than that if the boat or the ship would need to stop in many ports.

A luxury cruise ship headed to the East Continent from the West Continent would only take about a week since most luxury cruise ships had built-in portals. Of course, those luxury ships had permission from the cities or countries in the itinerary to use the portals, hence the price of the tickets for those kinds of ships was astronomical.

“It’s amazing how it will only take us a day to reach the East Continent,” Mona said, amused. “It’s fast and efficient.”

“Well, to be fair, the length of the journey that this portal room depends on the amount Mana used to activate it,” Nikolai explained. “I heard that Ruston Stroganoff and the Sun Priestess activated the portal room in the Cyran Temple with their Mana. Hence, it will only take us a day to reach the East Continent.”

“I see,” she said, then she teased him. “Nikolai, our future son-in-law is impressive.”

“Son-in-law?” Nikolai scoffed. “There’s no such person in this world, Mona.”

She just laughed at Nikolai’s pettiness.

But her joy didn’t last long. After all, she was really worried about the twins. Especially now that they weren’t with their children.

“We’ll meet Neoma in the East Continent later, so I’m a little relieved,” she said. “However, I’m worried about Nero. He’s alone in the palace now. Worse, he’s surrounded by the crows. Don’t you think it’s irresponsible of us to run away together and leave everything to Nero?”

“I hate to say this, but right now, Nero isn’t our son,” Nikolai said firmly. “We’re following the orders of the future emperor. I can feel it in my bones- my time as the emperor is almost over.”

Of course, she worried after hearing that. “Nikolai, your Moonglow...”

He smiled at her sadly. “At first, it was only Neoma who absorbed my Moonglow. But recently, ever since Nero woke up from his deep slumber, he began absorbing my Moonglow, too.”

“That has never happened before,” she said in disbelief. “Only the heir to the throne is supposed to absorb the current emperor’s Moonglow.”

“Mona, both Nero and Neoma are destined to sit on the throne.”

She already knew that.

But, somehow, hearing that after learning that Nikolai was getting weaker day by day because their twins were absorbing his Moonglow, made her face the cruel reality.

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you about it, but I know you’d be more upset if I kept it a secret from you,” Nikolai said, then he cupped her face between his hands. “However, can you keep this a secret from our children? I don’t want my circumstances to hold them back from accomplishing their goals.”

She frowned at his request. “Nikolai, you...”

“I won’t die, Mona,” he assured her.

“Lies,” she said, upset. “No emperor in history survived after their successor had absorbed their Moonglow.”

“Then I’ll be the first,” he said casually. “Isn’t it our family’s expertise to make history?”

She was upset a moment ago.

But after hearing Nikolai’s confident words, her heart was put at ease. After all, he was right. Their family had set several precedents already.

The emperor was right.

[Nero was the first male Roseheart born in our household after a long time, and Neoma was prophesied to become the first empress regnant.]

“I won’t let you die, Nikolai,” Mona promised, then she wrapped her arms around Nikolai’s waist and buried her face against his chest. “I’ll fight the heavens if I have to just to keep you by my side.”

“That’s reassuring to hear,” Nikolai said, laughing. Then he wrapped his arms around her. “I won’t die, Mona— I won’t leave you and our precious twins alone.”

***

“YOUR ROYAL Highness, please change your mind.”

Nero had to hold back his laughter when he was greeted by old men as soon as he stepped out of his palace.

He purposely prepared for school early, but these old geezers were quick.

[They’re not complete, though.]

Out of the representatives of the Twelve Golden Families, only eight had showed up to beg him: Duke Rufus Quinzel, Marquis Vincent Lennox, Count Sean Dankworth, Marquis Lawford Gibson, Count Benjamin Russo, Count Larry Dankins, Count Tyler Lucchesi, and Viscount Austin Morrisey.

[As expected, the Noble Faction didn’t show up.]

“Change my mind about what?” Nero asked indifferently. “About stepping down as the Crown Prince? About reinstating Lady Juliet Sloane as the empress? Or about processing my father’s divorce once Lady Sloane became the empress again?”

.....

Since his father already left the palace with his mother, his immediate power as the Acting Emperor was now in effect.

That was the reason why it wasn’t only Lewis who was standing behind him.

He also had Geoffrey Kinsley following him around. The royal knights were also under his command now, thus he was surrounded by more knights than usual.

[So bothersome.]

“Your Royal Highness, please stop everything and ask His Majesty to return,” Duke Quinzel begged him. “Let’s discuss the problem more thoroughly this time.”

“The problem doesn’t lie with me and my father, Duke Quinzel,” Nero said to the duke, then his cold eyes wandered to Marquis Vincent Lennox, then he smiled. “I wasn’t the one who kept pushing his granddaughter to be reinstated as the empress.”

Marquis Lennox flinched at his sarcasm.

“I heard you took Lady Sloane and Calyx Dalton home after the conference, Marquis Lennox,” Nero said, laughing. “Did you have a fun family reunion?”

Much to his surprise, the marquis lowered his head towards him.

“I recognize that I’ve been arrogant and hasty, Your Royal Highness,” Marquis Lennox said calmly. “I beg Your Royal Highness’ forgiveness.”

Nero raised an eyebrow. “And...?”

“Please forget about reinstating my granddaughter as the empress,” Marquis Lennox said. “And please don’t step down as the Crown Prince. My great-grandson Calyx doesn’t wish to compete for the throne.”

Oh?

He didn’t expect Marquis Lennox to back down this easily.

[Did Calyx Dalton say something to the marquis?]

Well, it didn’t matter.

[This proves that the crows really need either me or my father to sit on the throne.]

“Is that all?” Nero asked in a bored manner, then he pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. “If you have nothing else to say, then excuse me. I don’t want to be late for school.”

“Your Royal Highness, please wait a moment,” Count Benjamin Russo said a little firmly. “What can we do to make you change your mind?”

The other nobles agreed with Count Russo’s “offer.”

[They’re desperate to the point that they’re willing to negotiate?]

But these nobles had forgotten one important thing when it came to negotiation.

[The one with the upper hand rules.]

“You should ask yourselves that,” Nero said as he walked past the nobles. “What can you offer me?”

While passing them by, he subtly gave Duke Rufus Quinzel a knowing look.

Duke Rufus Quinzel gave a slight nod as a response.

[Now, it’s your turn to play your role, my future father-in-law.]

***

“ARE YOU trying to give me indigestion?” Neoma asked the rude dude who joined her table without permission. “I’m holding a bread knife, so don’t try me.”

Rubin Drayton rolled his eyes at her. “I told you, didn’t I? Our conversation isn’t over yet.”

Right now, the two of them were in the dining hall of the cruise ship for breakfast.

Her children were occupying the tables around her while glaring at Rubin Drayton.

She didn’t want to gain more attention. Even though she dyed her hair with magic to hide the fact that she was a de Moonasterio, her beautiful face still gained attention- especially unwanted attention from men who thought she was already sixteen. After all, she was tall.

Anyway...

Greko was supposed to join her, but Rubin Drayton beat him to it while the child was getting an omelette.

“Gosh, you’re so annoying,” she complained while spreading butter on her bread with the knife that she wanted to impale Rubin Drayton with.

“How did you know I’m looking for Regina?” Rubin Drayton asked while glaring at her. “How did you even know her when you were supposed to be hiding in the Cosmic Tree’s dimension all this time?”

Oh.

[He’s using his brain this time.]

“You hired people to look for me,” she said. “I didn’t like it, so I hired people to investigate you. That’s how I found out that you’re looking for a girl who may or may not be dead already.”

“You’re very obnoxious, do you know that?”

“Thanks,” she said sarcastically. “I love being obnoxious to people like you.”

“How much do you know about Regina?”

“I just know that you’re obsessed with her,” she said, then she paused before she raised her head to meet Rubin Drayton’s light blue eyes. Gosh, how could someone so horrible possess such pretty eyes, huh? “If we were engaged, you would betray me for her, wouldn’t you?”

“We wouldn’t have gotten engaged in the first place,” he said bluntly. “I would rather die than marry you.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she warned him. “I could marry you out of spite just to see you die little by little every fucking day.”

His jaw clenched. “You-”

“Why are you headed to the East Continent?” she asked, cutting him off. “Did you get a tip that Regina Crowell is on the East Continent or something?”

Rubin Drayton glared at her. “That’s none of your business.”

“Then fuck off,” Neoma said, then she took a bite of her toast while giving Rubin Drayton a dead look. “This conversation is over now, Rubin Drayton.”

***

HANNA should have known that Nero would also turn the academy upside down...

... and make her his “accomplice” to the crime.

[Dear Mother and Father, your daughter has become a delinquent on her first day of school.]

Right now, she was literally covering up Nero’s crime using her Veil of Darkness.

Inside the Veil, Lewis was beating up the noblemen that were foolish enough to pick on Nero earlier. Of course, Lewis was only beating them to a pulp under the Crown Prince’s order.

[Dear Neoma, your “son” Lewis has also turned into a delinquent knight under Nero’s command. I’m sorry, I failed to protect Lewis. I thought it would be better to let him beat our schoolmate because if I let Nero go ballistic on them, he would just kill those kids.]

Well, those young lords were the same age as them.

But she got influenced by Neoma who would refer to everyone around them as “kids.”

“Nero, that’s enough,” Hanna said firmly when she thought the kids that Lewis was beating up wouldn’t last long. “Tell Lewis to stop.”

Nero looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Why? I’m not yet done punishing them.”

“They’re going to die at this rate,” she said firmly. “That’s enough punishment.”

She heard what the kids had said earlier that made Nero mad. Thus, she kind of understood where Nero’s anger was coming from. However, too much violence was too much.

“I’m not satisfied yet,” the Crown Prince said, his eyes turned glowing red.

[Ah, he’s losing it again.]

There was only one way to stop Nero from falling into his Lunacy state.

“I’ll tattle on Neoma if you don’t stop this instant.”

Nero clicked his tongue, his eyes returning to normal immediately. “Lewis,” he said as he turned to the fox boy. “Stop.”

Hanna secretly let out a relieved sigh.

[Nero is turning into a little tyrant.]

***

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