Royal Secret: I'm A Princess!

647 FIVE YEARS AGO (9)

“JAGIYA,” Neoma greeted Ruto who showed up on the screen of the “smartphone.” It was the communication device that Trevor made that looked like the latest phone in Korea. “Annyeong~”

Ruto fell silent while looking at the background behind her. “You’re at the Namsan Seoul Tower?”

He could definitely see the love locks behind her because she was sitting in front of them.

And yes, THEIR love lock was behind her.

[There’s no way he can’t see it.]

“Yeah, I’m here even though it’s already past the visiting hours,” Neoma said, then she got straight to the point. “I’ve read your love letter.”

“…”

“What kind of bland reaction is that?”

“I’m shy.”

.....

She laughed because she could really see him blushing. “Ruto, I have a question for you.”

“What is it?”

“What would have you done if I didn’t really remember anything, and I ended up falling in love with someone else?”

“I would get heartbroken, of course.”

“And…?”

“And I would sincerely wish for you to be happy forever– even if it wasn’t with me.”

She wasn’t disappointed with his answer.

[That answer was so… Ruto.]

She had always known that he would sacrifice everything, even his own heart and happiness, just to keep her happy.

“Do you still feel guilty for killing me in the first timeline?”

“…”

Ruto kept his silence, but Neoma could see the truth in his eyes.

“You should learn how to forgive yourself, Ruto,” she said, letting out a long sigh. “Because I already did.”

“…”

[Gosh, he’s really a man of few words.]

“I’ll try,” Ruto promised her after falling silent for a few moments. “I’m good at listening to you, Neoma.”

She burst out laughing at what he said.

[What a walking green flag.]

“Ruto, you’re genuinely a nice guy,” Neoma said, still feeling giddy. “Anyway, let’s work.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“I know it’s hard for you to do it, but can you also help Jasper oppa remember me?”

“Sure,” Ruto said easily. “I’m also thinking of saving some of the people who could help us.”

“Who are those people on your list?”

“Prince Skylus and Princess Monik, but maybe later since they’re still both too young,” he said. “Aside from the two kids, I’m also thinking of saving Miss Dahlia, the Paladins, and Delwyn.”

“I get why you want to save Dahlia and Papa Boss’s Paladins, but why Delwyn?”

“Prince Skylus is the new saint, and the crows know that,” he explained. “But they’ll probably leave the child alone because he lost his divine powers. Even so, we can’t be too complacent. Delwyn is the perfect guardian to protect the Hazelden Kingdom. As long as Delwyn is there, the crows wouldn’t be able to attack Hazelden.”

It made sense.

After all, Delwyn was an Ice Spirit and Hazelden was a kingdom that always snowed.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you,” she said, then she changed the topic. She didn’t need to hear Ruto’s detailed plan. She knew her man would do well even without her supervision. “Anyway, wasn’t Dahlia caught by the crows?”

“It wouldn’t be too hard to free her,” he said nonchalantly. “I’ll take the Paladins with me after I freed Miss Dahlia.”

“That sounds like a good plan to me,” she said, then she paused for a moment. “And Nero…”

“The crows need Prince Nero, hence they won’t get rid of him as long as he’s docile,” he said. “That’s why I believe we must leave Prince Nero alone. Calyx Dalton sticks to him like glue, so he would notice if Prince Nero suddenly remembered you again.”

She already expected that, but she still felt sad for her twin brother.

[We abandoned Nero…]

“Don’t worry, I planted a mole in the Royal Palace,” Ruto assured her. “I won’t let the crows hurt Prince Nero.”

Aww.

She was touched by that.

“Thank you, Ruto,” Neoma said sincerely. And now that they were done talking about work, it was time to get personal again. “How are you?”

“I miss you.”

“Huh?”

“I miss you, Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio.”

Okay, she did not expect that.

She would have teased Ruto for being ‘cheesy,’ but she couldn’t since she also missed him like hell.

“Commander Yoan, professional Esport Player Haruto, Chef Ruto, Mr. Black Soybean, God Slayer, Lord Levi’s divine son, Mr. Walking Green Flag,” Neoma said, calling Ruto by all the names that she had called him. Then she pointed a finger at him. She wasn’t being rude to him by doing so. And based on his reaction, it didn’t seem like he was offended. “You’re my man. And what Neoma wants, Neoma gets. So just you wait– once I come of age, I’ll make you mine right away.”

Ruto burst out laughing.

[Ohh, my man looks good when he’s laughing.]

“Lady Neoma Quinzel, Kim Neoma, Princess Neoma, Miss White Radish, Premium Air Purifier, the one and only royal princess, Little Miss Arrogant,” Ruto said, smiling charmingly at her. “It has to be you. If it wasn’t you, then I’d rather live alone forever.”

***

“TTEOKBOKKI, Soju, Mochi, Kimchi,” Neoma said, sitting on her knees in front of her Soul Beast and Spirits that she summoned in her bedroom. “I have a confession to make.”

Tteokbokki (in his human form) had a plate of Tteokbokki in front of him.

Soju had a bottle of soju, Mochi had a piece of mochi, and Kimchi had a Tupperware of kimchi.

Yep, her Soul Beast and Spirits and their corresponding namesakes were in front of her.

Neoma politely pointed at the food and beverage. “I named you after these tasty snacks and beverage.” She bowed her head, causing her Spirits to gasp out of shock. “I’m sorry. It may look like I didn’t give it a thought, but I honestly named you after the snacks and beverage that I love.”

“I knew it,” Tteokbokki said, scoffing. “You probably named me after that foul-smelling snack because we have the same color!”

She glared at her Soul Beast. “How dare you insult kimchi? Do you want to be Korea’s number one public enemy, huh?”

Tteokbokki just rolled his eyes at her. “Whatever. I don’t care. I already lost my dignity the moment you asked me to turn into a unicorn anyway.”

“You didn’t turn into a magical unicorn,” she reminded him. “You were just a puny ketchup-colored donkey, so don’t be arrogant.”

Tteokbokki covered his ears with his hands. “Don’t remind me of my shameful dark past, you cruel thug princess!”

She smirked.

[Heh. I won.]

It was pretty childish of her to “bully” Tteokbokki, but it was fun.

Then she gasped when she realized she wasn’t here to bicker with her Soul Beast. When she turned to her Spirits, only then did she realize that they were smiling warmly at her.

[Oh?]

“Princess Neoma, you don’t have to apologize to us,” Mochi, the Wind Spirit in the form of a white bunny, said while smiling at her. “You named us after the food and beverage that you LOVE. That’s enough for us.”

Kimichi, the Fire Spirit in the form of a flaming Leopard Gecko, nodded in agreement. She was non-verbal, but the smile in Kimchi’s tantalizing eyes said it all.

[My fire baby is so cute!]

“That’s true, our pretty little princess,” Soju, the Water Spirit in the form of a green toad, said. Then he teased her. “Now I understand why you said my name means ‘a person that frees one from worries.'” His eyes lingered on the soju bottle in front of him. “Indeed, you forget your troubles when you’re drunk.”

Neoma covered her flushed face with her hands. “I’m so sorry!”

***

[OH.]

Mona was a little surprised when she opened the door and saw Go Areum. The lady was with Nichole, and the two were both holding something in their hands.

[I think they are called grocery bags.]

.....

She remembered Gavin Quinzel’s drama. There was a scene where his character bought things in a ‘supermarket.’ She liked that huge place that sold different types of food, so she remembered.

Anyway, it had been two weeks since Nabi and Gavin Quinzel– no, Kim Won-shik, were discharged from the hospital.

And tonight, they decided to have dinner together.

[Neoma and Nabi have been hanging out every day. The two children convinced us to have a big family dinner tonight.]

“I sent Dominic, Nikolai, and Won-shik on an errand. Neoma, Nabi, and Trevor went shopping,” Nichole said as she entered the apartment. “Let’s cook dinner before they come home.”

Since the former Princess Royal already went straight to the kitchen, now Mona was left with Go Areum.

[This is a little awkward.]

It was like meeting her estranged twin sister.

Even so, she broke the silence first.

“It must be heavy,” Mona said, swiftly “snatching” one of the grocery bags from Go Areum. “Let me help you, Miss Areum.”

Go Areum smiled shyly at her. “Thank you, Mona-ssi.”

It wasn’t probably the best place to say this, but…

“Miss Areum, thank you,” Mona said sincerely, bowing her head. “Thank you for raising Neoma well. And I’m sorry for suddenly taking her back.”

“Please don’t apologize, Mona-ssi. I’ve heard you’ve been through a lot because of Won-shik,” Go Areum said, bowing back to Mona. “And you didn’t take Neoma away from us. We’re actually grateful that you still allow us to see Neoma despite everything.”

Mona raised her head at the same time Go Areum did, then they smiled at each other at the same time.

Now she finally understood why Neoma was so attached to her ‘eomma.’

[Miss Areum is a good person.]

***

“WHY DON’T you just invest your money in a company, Your Majesty?”

Nikolai turned to Gavin Quinzel– no, Kim Won-shik. “Dominic also suggested the same thing. I’m still thinking about it, though.”

He lived his whole life as a prince and later, as an emperor.

The direct members of the Royal Family weren’t allowed to run a private business. Hence, admittedly, he wasn’t confident about becoming a businessman. Of course, he studied Economy during his time as the Crown Prince.

But this was an entirely different world. He didn’t know if everything he had learned before would apply here.

Even so, as the head of the family, he needed to provide for his family.

[Nichole and Dominic said that the wealth we have right now is enough for us to live comfortably in this world for many years. But it doesn’t feel right to just sit and do nothing. I want to work in this world for my family.]

Anyway…

Nikolai and Won-shik were in a place called coffee shop while having, well, coffee.

They were waiting for Dominic who obviously left in order to let the two of them talk.

“Why don’t you invest in me, Your Majesty?” Won-shik asked bravely. “I’m thinking of having my comeback as an actor through a movie. But since I was inactive for a year, I’m not sure if investors would be interested in my return.”

“Haaah,” Nikolai let out a sigh. “You’ve become brazen, Kim Won-shik.”

“It’s not a bad idea, is it?”

“I’ll search about investing in movie companies first.”

Neoma recently introduced him to this wonderful thing called ‘internet.’

He also learned how convenient smartphones were, and he had been using it every day to learn more about this world.

And every night, Nikolai and Mona would watch Neoma’s old videos.

[We find it weird to watch our daughter eat in front of the camera, at first. I think it’s called ‘mukbang.’ But now, Mona and I are looking forward to it every night.]

“I’ll be waiting for your decision then, Your Majesty.”

“I’m no longer the emperor.”

“Then should I call you… Nikolai-ssi?”

“…”

“It feels awkward,” Won-shik admitted, then he touched his neck. “I feel like I’d get beheaded for mentioning Your Majesty’s name casually.”

“I agree,” he said, nodding. “Let’s… try it some other time.”

They were cousins, so it shouldn’t be hard.

But Nikolai lived his entire life as a royal, while Gavin Quinzel lived his life serving the Crown Prince/Emperor. Hence, it wouldn’t be easy for them to change their relationship right away.

“Won-shik, Your Majesty, are you two done talking?”

It was Dominic who just returned to their table.

“Yes,” Nikolai said to the former saint. “What exactly did Nichole ask you to do that you need to drag us out here? Aside from the fact that you want me and Won-shik to talk in private, of course.”

Dominic smiled sheepishly. “Your Majesty, Nichole told me to help you get a driving license. I stepped out earlier to make a phone call. Mr. Min will help you get the documents needed to get a license.”

“Driver’s license?” Nikolai asked, knitting his eyebrows. “What do I need it for?”

“For driving a car or other vehicles, Your Majesty,” Won-shik answered instead of the former saint. “Princess Nichole mentioned how much you like cars.”

Dominic nodded in agreement. “You can finally have your own car then, Your Majesty. You have to past the test first and get a license, though.”

Nikolai didn’t want to admit this, but the thought of driving his own car made his heart thump fast and hard against his chest.

[Should I get a career related to cars?]

***

[I CAN’T believe I’m going back to middle school at my age.]

Neoma could only sigh and shake her head while looking at the school uniform on her bed.

Because of her current age, she was forced to enroll as a middle school student. Fortunately, Trevor would accompany her so it shouldn’t be too boring.

“But I can’t waste my time doing nothing,” Neoma whispered to herself. “I need to help my people. Jasper oppa and Hanna have to be business partners and become the richest people in the empire. The new saint and Monik should get on our side the soonest. Lewis and my other children…” She looked at her hands. “I need to be stronger, too.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, my great descendant.”

Huh?

Neoma raised her head to see Aruna de Moonasterio, in her own body, appear before her. “Grandma, you’re here?”

Aruna de Moonasterio smiled ‘sweetly’ at her. “It’s time for your training, dear.”

And that was when Neoma truly understood what ‘hell training’ meant.

[It’s not fun, I’ll give it 3 stars out of 5.]

***

Hi! I launched a dream project recently, and that dream is to write a story with a male protagonist.

I posted a new story titled ‘FISHING FOR DISASTERS,’ and the first three chapters are up. You can search it by typing the title on the app or website if it doesn’t appear on my account yet.

Here’s the summary:

[FISHING FOR DISASTERS]

<You better catch all the Disasters if you want to know ending of One P*ece!>

That’s the reward for saving this world from Sea Monsters and Dungeons that would emerge soon?!

Then Zirkus, who died while stalking a famous Kpop idol and got transmigrated as a minor villain in a dungeon-themed novel, would do his best to catch all the Disasters-in-the-making!

All for the sake of saving the world, of course.

Ahem.

It’s time for a nerd to become a hero!

***

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