Royal Secret: I'm A Princess!

NEOMA hummed while adding the finishing touch to her new masterpiece: a terrarium.

And the star?

Of course, it was Larissa.

The fallen Goddess of Fertility was currently lying down on the grassland that Namoo, Neoma's Wood Spirit in the form of a wooden capybara, created for her terrarium.

Neoma carved the capybara from the Cosmic Tree's branch that she inherited from Mama Boss. After making the wooden capybara from the sacred branch, she literally breathe life into it.

Hence, Namoo became her Wood Spirit.

Namoo proved to be a valuable Spirit because it could replicate a forest or a garden.

That meant Namoo was able to provide Neoma with the soil, plants, and trees that she needed for her terrarium. Of course, instead of a huge glass, she used her Sphere– her barrier that was, well, shaped like a ball– to create the perfect terrarium for Larissa.

Neoma and Ruto were currently inside the giant terrarium.

Larissa was on the ground, her body embraced by thick and thorny veins from the trees that grew large enough to fit in the Sphere. The fallen goddess was also surrounded by plants– plants that were slowly yet constantly feeding on whatever was left of her broken vessel.

Since Neoma didn't want to hear another word from Larissa, she put a poisonous flower in the goddess' mouth. She also didn't want to see the goddess' red eyes, so she also stabbed her eyes with two long-stemmed pink roses.

Of course, both roses were also poisonous.

Haaah.

Neoma let out a sigh while shaking her head. "I hate that I'm too nice sometimes, babe. Only a softie like me would make her enemy's grave this beautiful. If this is not me being nice, then I don't know what it is."

Ruto turned to Neoma with a deadpan look on his face. "I think we have different definitions of being 'nice,' Neoma."

"If we do, then yours is wrong because I'm always right."

"Of course."

Pfft.

It was really funny how Ruto could be a simp who would just usually agree with whatever she said just to make her happy.

[But he always stands his ground if he has to during serious stuff.]

"Namoo, come here," Neoma said, squatting down and lending her hand to the wooden capybara that was still busy spitting out seedlings. "Watching you work is really fascinating."

Because all the seedlings that Namoo spat out immediately became trees or plants.

And every single one was poisonous.

"You did well, little one."

Namoo then finally stopped "planting" trees and plants, and then it walked towards her until it was resting on her palm.

Neoma then stood up while holding the wooden capybara close to her chest. "You didn't have to make the terrarium beautiful, but you still did. Thank you for working hard." She then kissed the wooden capybara on the top of its head, causing it to slowly disappear in order to return to her soul. "It's now my turn to work."

When Namoo disappeared, she turned to Ruto.

She didn't have to say anything to tell him what she wanted him to do.

"Alright, I'm going ahead," Ruto said, kissing Neoma on the forehead. "Don't push yourself too hard, Neoma."

"Gotcha."

After that, Ruto simply walked through the Sphere.

The barrier that Neoma made was designed for her and Ruto to come in and out of it freely.

Of course, that wasn't the same case for Larissa or anyone else for that matter.

"It's a pity that I should waste my breath on you, but I have no choice since I want you to die slowly, Larissa," Neoma said, gathering the air in her lungs. "But, don't worry, even breathing will be a choir to you soon that you won't be able to enjoy the benefits of breathing the air I breathe."

***

"I CONCEDE."

Mona wouldn't say that she was surprised that Tara raised the white flag quite easily after she summoned Irina.

In fact, that was the outcome that she wanted when she dragged the Cosmic Tree there.

She didn't want to fight Tara if she could make her surrender.

[It's not because of our shallow friendship, but because I know we can't be making enemies left and right when our children's hands are already full. Moreover, I can't let the innocent Spirits living here get dragged into a war they didn't ask for.]

"Good thinking, child," Irina praised Tara. "It would have been a shame to fight the child that I practically raised."

Tara scoffed at the Cosmic Tree, obviously upset by everything that was happening. "You're only saying that because I already surrendered, Lady Irina. But I know you would kill anyone if it means saving your precious daughter."

Mona wanted to step in, but Irina's gentle yet intimidating voice echoed in the air.

"If you already know that, then you better wake up now, Tara," Irina said, talking to Tara as if she was talking to a mischievous child. "You're the Queen of the Spirit World and the fairies. It is your duty to serve and protect the Spirits under your protection. So, why are you pursuing earthy desires, my dear child?"

Tara flinched as if she was a child caught by her parents while misbehaving.

And that was when Mona realized it.

[Mother Irina agreed to be summoned because she wanted to confront Tara…]

***

"I HAVE already made a decision," Nero declared to Dahia whom he summoned to his office. "I'm going to face the male Rosehearts and swallow their resentments altogether."

Dahlia sighed while shaking her head. "Why do Your Majesty and Her Imperial Highness always have to swallow and devour everything in your way?"

"It must be in our blood."

That was the only answer that he could provide.

Because, honestly, it was the first thing that came to mind.

[And I'm just following my instincts.]

"When do you plan to do it, Your Majesty?" Dahlia asked carefully. "Your coronation day is only around the corner."

"Tonight," Nero said confidently. "Let's end this tonight."

***

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