Chapter 1064: THE IMPERIAL FAMILY’S PLAN

[Before Neoma left for her second trip to the Upper World...]

"I AM going to use the Imperial Family to lure Helstor into agreeing with my rules," Neoma announced while her family was having afternoon tea in the beautiful garden of the emperor’s palace. "The clause will be something like, "If Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio loses, then Helstor gains the right over the lives of the entire Imperial Family members.""

She expected her family to at least give her a dirty look.

But everyone just casually sipped their tea as if they didn’t care.

"Mama Boss, Papa Boss, Nero, didn’t you hear me?" Neoma asked, frustrated. "I just said that I’m going to use you as collateral. If I lose, you’re all going down with me."

"Perfect," Nero said casually while placing his teacup on the saucer. "If you lose, you die. And if you die, I die, too." He paused for a moment, tilting his head to one side. "But I don’t think they’ll kill you if you lose, though. They’ll probably turn you into a living Aether."

"Uh, probably?"

"Then tell Helstor he could hand me over to Calyx or whatever if you lose," Nero said nonchalantly. "That would make your offer sound more tempting."

"You can tell them they can experiment on my Spirits and me," Mama Boss added cheerfully. "Those crow bastards have always been interested in my blood as a Roseheart."

"Tell them that they can turn my Soul Beasts and me into their personal slaves," Papa Boss said, shrugging. "I’m sure those pathetic bastards would drool at the thought of having me at their mercy."

"Papa Boss, are you secretly a sadist?"

"You have to say that much to make your offer more tempting," Papa Boss argued. "Neoma, if you want to win a negotiation, you have to act like you have the upper hand. Make your offer sound tempting."

"Make it sound sweet while hiding the fact that it’s poison," Mama Boss added. "Make them think that you’re risking it all, so that they’d bite the bait."

"But I’m really risking it all, Mama Boss," Neoma reasoned, getting a bit frustrated because her family was acting nonchalant. They wouldn’t even give her a side eye! "And I’m using your lives to negotiate."

"Neoma, the Imperial Family would only fall if you lose," Nero said bluntly. "But you’re not going to lose. I can’t imagine it. So, why worry about something that won’t happen anyway?"

"What?" Neoma could only laugh in disbelief. "I appreciate that you have that much faith in me, but even I can’t guarantee that I’d win against Helstor. So, don’t let me do whatever I want. Scold me. Knock some sense into me. Tell me I can’t be this selfish."

"Neoma."

"Yes, Papa Boss? Go ahead."

But it wasn’t just her father who spoke after that.

Papa Boss, Mama Boss, and Nero all spoke at the same time, saying the same thing.

"Just win, and the problem is solved."

What?

It was ridiculous.

So, her family wasn’t worried because they couldn’t imagine her losing?

That they were letting her use them as collateral because they believed she would win the war in the end?

Wow.

Neoma’s shoulders suddenly felt heavy.

However, at the same time, her heart now felt light.

So light that she burst out laughing.

"Well, you’re all right. All I need to do is win."

Neoma felt the intense pressure on her shoulders.

But she was never the type to crumble under it.

Especially not when she knew her family was there to carry the burden with her.

Ah, she finally felt better.

"Mama Boss, Papa Boss, Nero, I’m leaving now," Neoma said while getting up from her seat, and then she flashed her family a confident smile. "I’ll win the negotiation."

***

THAT, Neoma did.

It took a long time, but she finally finished negotiating with Helstor.

She mostly got what she wanted.

Well, she had to lose some, but it didn’t matter.

My priority is to lower the chances of my representatives dying, and to make sure that the kids I’ll bring will be well-protected.

And she managed to secure those two things at the top of her priority list.

Trevor made the contract.

This time, Helstor made sure that there was no clause written in tiny print.

Arien and Astrid even triple-checked the contract.

After both parties were satisfied with the contract, only then did Neoma and Helstor sign.

And that ended the long negotiation.

Finally.

"See you in two weeks, Princess Neoma," Helstor said after they decided on the date of the war. Since the rules had changed, they also changed the final date of the fight. "I can’t wait."

"Me either," Neoma said bluntly. "I can’t wait to kill you."

Helstor just laughed before leaving the room.

Astrid and Arien left with that bastard.

Thankfully, the first contract that bound Helstor to the Upper World was still in effect. After all, the contract said the God of Eternal Darkness was bound there until the war began.

So, his stay here was also extended.

"Good work, Trevor," Neoma said while patting Trevor’s shoulder. "We weren’t able to scam Helstor this time, but I’m glad that I got everything I wanted in the deal."

"Anything for you, my Moon Princess," Trevor said cheerfully. "Should we head home now?"

"Ah, you go ahead. I have something to discuss with Ruto. I’ll ask Veton to take me home after."

"Tsk."

"Did you just click your tongue at me?"

"No, Princess Neoma. That was for Commander Solfrid."

Aigoo.

"Alright, I’ll go home first."

Oho?

Neoma expected Trevor to say that he’d wait until her conversation with Ruto was over, so she was surprised when the Sorcerer conceded easily.

"But I have a favor to ask, my Moon Princess."

Ah, so that was it.

"Alright. Tell me."

Trevor’s face beamed. "Can I borrow Skewer for a little bit, my most beautiful princess?"

She would lend it to Trevor, even if he didn’t butter her up with compliments. And she didn’t even want to ask what he’d use the Death Scythe for.

That’s how much I trust Trevor.

However...

"I don’t mind lending you Skewer, but Skewer hates you," Neoma reminded Trevor. "Can you handle her?"

Trevor smiled and gave Neoma a thumbs-up (something that he had definitely learned from her). "I know how to bribe Skewer, Princess Neoma."

Now I’m curious why Trevor needs my Death Scythe.

***

"WHY ARE you frowning, Ruto?" Neoma asked his pouting lover while she sat on the sofa. Ruto brought her to his residence in the Upper World, away from everyone’s eyes. That fancy villa was safe from Darkness because she had already purified it the last time she was there. "Are you upset because I lent Trevor my Death Scythe?"

She didn’t know what Trevor said to Skewer, but Skewer didn’t try to burn the Sorcerer’s hand this time.

That means Skewer wants to go with Trevor.

Oh, well.

I’ll just ask Trevor about it later.

"Why would I be upset about that? In the first place, I don’t really care about Trevor Kesser that much," Ruto said indifferently, and then he got down on one knee before looking up at Neoma. "You met the Ancient Devil."

"Ah, so your subordinates have reported it to you."

"Did they do well?"

"Yep. They suddenly appeared to protect me when the Ancient Devil followed me to Hell," Neoma said, praising Esther, Aspen, and Faust. She was grateful to the trio, after all. "Make sure to praise and compensate them well."

"Alright, I’ll do that," Ruto said while nodding. "I’ve also heard about the Black Ocean."

No wonder Ruto didn’t react when Neoma brought up the Black Ocean earlier.

Well, I also expected that much.

"Are you sure it’s better to include the Ancient Devil in the war instead of dealing with him now?"

"It’s enough that the Ancient Devil isn’t allowed to release the Black Ocean until the war starts. Judging by how Helstor easily agreed, it seems like he has already spoken to the Ancient Devil in advance."

Ruto let out a sigh. "I can’t believe the Ancient Devil still has that much power in him."

Right?

"Ruto, let’s drop this subject first. There’s something I want to talk to you about."

"Alright. What is it?"

"I want to move our Sapling to the Imperial Palace," Neoma said carefully. "Is there a way to safely bring the mini Garden of Life to the Imperial Palace? I don’t think the Spirit World is safe for our baby anymore, not when Queen Tara is growing more and more suspicious every day."

Ruto fell silent for a moment, obviously in deep thought.

Neoma took that opportunity to stare at her man.

She even cupped his face between her hands, gently squeezing his cheeks.

Ruto’s skin was really soft and smooth.

Moreover...

So handsome.

"Alright, let’s do that," Ruto said, gently grabbing Neoma’s hands that were squishing his face. "I’ll find a way to safely move the Sapling to the Imperial Palace. Please wait a bit, Neoma. I’ll make sure it will be done before the war starts."

"Okay, I trust you."

"Thank you. By the way, Neoma."

"Yeah?"

"Are you in a hurry to return to the Imperial Palace?"

"You know that I’m always busy. But I can spare you more time since I’m already here. Why?"

Instead of answering verbally, Ruto just gently pushed Neoma onto the sofa.

The next thing she knew, her man was already on top of him.

Oh.

"Ruto, you have to know that you’re the only person I’m allowing to manhandle me like this," Neoma said, smiling while wrapping her arms around Ruto’s neck. "You’re one lucky guy."

Ruto nodded, giving her a small smile. "I know, Neoma— I know, and I’m grateful."

Pfft.

Neoma closed her eyes and accepted Ruto’s kiss.

Ah, I’ve missed this.

While they were kissing, Neoma felt something soft and wet against her mouth, prompting him to obediently part her lips for it.

That was how Ruto’s tongue ended up invading her mouth.

***

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