Royal Secret: I'm a Princess!

"MONA, why do you look awful?"

"I received an awful message this morning," Mona confessed to Gale while they were walking in the hallway leading to Nikolai's office. She wasn't going to his office just because. In fact, she would pay him a visit because of the vision that she saw. She was still the matriarch of House Roseheart and therefore, she still had responsibilities as a noble. "And William had to add to my problems. The nymphs of Rivera paid me a visit last night. They cried their hearts out while complaining how William is wreaking havoc at their home."

Gale, who was in his arms while in the form of a white bunny, let out a long sigh. "That problem child…" She shook her head. "Why is he lashing out on our friends' neighborhood? Should I visit that punk and beat him to a pulp?"

She laughed softly because she knew Gale was just bluffing.

It was true that the Wind Spirit was pissed at William. But she knew that Gale was secretly afraid of the Grand Spirit. Well, most Spirits were afraid of that punk.

[William is such a pain in the neck.]

Anyway, they were free to talk like that because despite being in a public place, Gale had surrounded the two of them with a noise-canceling spell. The Wind Spirit had to do it because the Royal Palace wasn't really a safe space for her.

[There are eyes and ears everywhere waiting for me to make a mistake.]

"Just let him be for now," she said, deciding that William was the least of her priority right now. [Although that punk is known as the Executioner of the Royal Family, he's not that crazy to hurt or kill innocent spirits. The nymphs will be fine.]

She knew that Gale let out a relieved sigh secretly.

[Gale is really afraid of William, huh?]

"William isn't my main concern at the moment," she said in a serious tone. "The message that Mother Tree sent me this time is worrying."

'Mother Tree' was also known as the 'Cosmic Tree.'

In fact, she was probably the only one who called the Cosmic Tree that way. She couldn't help it though. She lost her biological mother early, and she began hearing the Cosmic Tree's voice when she was very young. Thus, the Cosmic Tree became a mother figure to her.

The Cosmic Tree didn't mind that she called it 'Mother Tree.'

That was probably why she gained the moniker 'Daughter of Nature.'

"It's rare for the World Tree to make a move because of something that hasn't been confirmed yet," Gale commented while shaking her head. "Could it be related to the Demon Race?"

She sighed and nodded her head. "That's the only thing that can make Mother Tree worry this much for her to send me to a dangerous mission."

"Are you really going?" the Wind Spirit asked worriedly. "You're pregnant, Mona. I don't think little Nikolai will allow you to go to a dangerous place in your current condition."

"Gale, that's exactly the reason why I'm hiding my pregnancy from Nikolai," she said. "I'll tell him about our child once my mission is over. You know that I can't ignore Mother Tree's request. Especially if it concerns the safety of the human race."

Gale sighed and shook her head. "You're too good for this world, my needlessly kind Master."

She just laughed it off because she never believed that she was a good person.

But she got rid of such thoughts when she finally arrived at Nikolai's office. As expected, Kyle and Glenn were there and the two had different reactions upon her arrival.

Of course, Glenn was happy to see her.

On the other hand, Kyle had an indifferent look on his face. But she could tell that the young lord wasn't happy. It wasn't like she didn't know why.

[Well, I curse Count Sprouse every chance I get.]

Count Kenneth Sprouse was Kyle's father. And that damned count was one of the reasons why House Roseheart met its untimely end. The count could justify his actions back then as simply following the previous emperor's will all he wanted. But she knew better.

[House Sprouse detests the Rosehearts.]

"I'll be taking my leave now, Your Majesty," Kyle said to Nikolai who just waved his hand, then the young lord turned and bowed to her. She was still the matriarch of House Roseheart. Thus, her rank was higher than Kyle who was just the son of a count. "Greetings, Lady Roseheart."

"Greetings, Young Master Kyle," she greeted him with a smile. "I heard Count Sprouse was transferred to the Southwest region." Her smile grew wider. "Your territory in that region is always warm and sunny, isn't it?"

Count Sprouse, as a supporter of the previous emperor, was punished by Nikolai when her lover ascended the throne.

If Kyle didn't support Nikolai during the revolution, the whole House Sprouse would have been sentenced to death. But Nikolai acknowledged the fact that Kyle chose him over his own family. Thus, Count Sprouse wasn't killed. Instead, he would be under "house arrest" along with his people until the day they died.

[Count Sprouse was also stripped off his noble title but Young Master Kyle is yet to accept his father's title. Apparently, he feels guilty for betraying his family.]

The young lord slowly nodded, his face still indifferent. "That's correct, my lady."

She smiled elegantly and spoke as eloquent as possible. "May both sides of Count Sprouse's pillow be warm."

Nikolai sighed while Glenn and Gale both stifled their laughter at her "gentle" insult.

Kyle, who looked offended for his father, simply bowed his head and left the office in a hurry as if he couldn't stand another minute with her.

[Well, the feeling is mutual.]

"Don't hate on Kyle too much, Mona," Nikolai said softly. "Even though Kyle doesn't agree with his father's beliefs, the count is still his father. Your insults toward the count also hurt him."

"Good," she said with a smile. "Nikolai, I was deeply hurt when my mother and my other relatives died because of Count Sprouse's action in the past. Would Young Master Kyle's father die if I insult the count straight at his face?" She shook her head. "I wish he would, but my insults aren't that powerful. Let me lash out on your friend or else, I'll end their lineage."

Glenn, who was standing beside the emperor, slowly avoided her gaze.

She knew that Nikolai cared for Kyle, his childhood friend. Plus, she also knew that Kyle wasn't as crazy as the count.

"Nikolai, if Kyle isn't your friend, I would have killed his entire family a long time ago. Count Sprouse may have just been a pawn, but he still contributed a lot to House Roseheart's downfall," she said coldly. "You know that I hold grudges, don't you?"

This was the reason why she knew that she couldn't be considered a good person.

Nikolai, who seemed to finally understand where she was coming from, bit his lower lip as if he regretted scolding her. "I misspoke," he said gently. "I will never comment on your feud with the Sprouses again."

"Thank you, Nikolai," she said with a satisfied look on her face. "That was what I wanted to hear."

"Lady Roseheart, you're still as fierce as ever," Glenn praised her in his usual cheerful voice, then he turned to the emperor. "Your Majesty, should I ask the servants to serve some tea for you and the matriarch?"

As expected of the emperor's sword.

Glenn knew that she wouldn't come to Nikolai's office unannounced.

"Yes, call the servants," Nikolai said to Glenn. "Have them prepare Mona's favorite tea and snacks."

Mona couldn't help but smile at that.

Gale, on the other hand, scoffed. "Gross public display of affection."

***

"THE COSMIC Tree wants you to investigate the Forest of Impurity?"

Mona nodded and was about to sip her tea when Nikolai spoke again.

"Is the CosmicTree crazy?" Nikolai asked in an annoyed voice. "The Forest of Impurity is the lair of vicious Dark Elementals. Why would that damned tree send you to a dangerous place?"

She almost had a heart attack when Nikolai spoke rudely about her Mother Tree.

Thank goodness she sent Gale out with Glenn because she wanted to have a private talk with the emperor. If the Wind Spirit heard what Nikolai said, she would have nagged His Majesty.

[But Nikolai is rude to anyone he dislikes. He even calls Lord Yule by his first name.]

Come to think of it, her lover was an ill-mannered punk.

Well, she was the same.

[I hope our daughter doesn't inherit our rudeness.]

Even though she was just a few months pregnant, she was pretty sure that their child was a daughter. After all, Rosehearts could only give births to girls. Apparently, their clan was cursed so they didn't have the ability to produce male children anymore.

"Your Majesty, Mother Tree sounded serious when she sent me the message this morning," Mona said, addressing Nikolai formally because she was talking as the matriarch of House Roseheart and not as his lover. "It seems like she's suspecting that there's a strange activity happening in the Forest of Impurity. Mother Tree only makes her move when she believes that the human race would be facing a huge threat. I cannot ignore her request when innocent lives are at stake."

"I'll come with you."

"No, it's too dangerous," she said firmly. "Your Majesty, you can't simply leave the empire just because you're worried about me. You'll just give the nobles a reason to talk behind me again."

He let out a deep sigh knowing that she was right. "Fine, I won't insist on coming with you," he said, but his eyes were still fierce. "On one condition."

[Ah, I knew it.]

"You'll bring Gavin with you."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Your Majesty, Commander Quinzel is the head of the Order of the White Lion. How can I bring him with me on my personal mission?"

"We can't consider this your personal mission, Lady Roseheart," Nikolai said, addressing her as the matriarch of House Roseheart instead of his lover. "The Forest of Impurity happens to be in the territory of Marquis Reynold Spencer. I know you wouldn't like it if you came to his land as a guest."

She pouted because she knew that he was right.

Marquis Reynold Spencer was the father of Young Master Russell who had been pursuing her since they were children. When she got together with Nikolai, that punk began harassing her when the emperor wasn't looking.

But of course, she could take care of Russell Spencer on her own.

"I was actually thinking of quietly trespassing his territory…"

"Lady Roseheart."

She raised her hands in surrender. "Fine, I'll bring Commander Quinzel with me. I'd rather go to the Spencer's territory in an official business than be treated as Young Master Russell's guest."

Nikolai looked relieved by her decision. "Alright. I'll prepare the official request to conduct an investigation in the Forest of Impurity right away," he said, then he turned serious. This time, he didn't address her as a matriarch. "Mona, if it gets too dangerous, please forget about your mission and return to me safely."

Of course, she planned to do that.

She was a reckless person but not anymore. After all, she was carrying a precious life in her womb right now. As soon as she returned from her mission, she would tell Nikolai that she was pregnant with their child.

"I won't put my life in danger," Mona promised Nikolai with a smile. "Thank you for worrying about me, Nikolai."

***

[THE GROUP has become bigger.]

Technically, it wasn't really a big group.

But Mona was surprised when Nikolai also sent Jeanne Audley with Commander Gavin Quinzel. This time, she understood why. There were rumors about her and the commander in the past. Nikolai probably didn't want such a malicious rumor to spread again. And thus, the emperor decided to send the female Paladin with her.

"Lady Roseheart."

Mona smiled and greeted Gavin Quinzel formally.

Right now, the two of them were in front of the carriage that they would be using to get to the Spencer Castle. They had to do a courtesy call to the marquis before heading to the Forest of Impurity.

"How are you, Commander Quinzel?" Mona asked in a friendly manner. She would usually address Gavin Quinzel by his first name because he asked her to do so. But she couldn't do it when they were surrounded by other people. "I heard that you were sick for a few weeks."

In fact, she noticed that the commander was pale.

And it also seemed like he lost some weight.

"Are you sure you're in the condition to work now, Commander?" she asked worriedly. "Perhaps you need to rest more…"

Gavin Quinzel smiled and shook his head. "Thank you for worrying about me, Lady Roseheart. But please don't worry because I have already recovered."

She wasn't convinced but she could see in the commander's eyes that he wouldn't allow himself to be removed from the group. He was that committed to his work. Moreover, she knew that Gavin and Nikolai were close friends.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed that Gavin Quinzel was looking at her face intently. She didn't feel any malice in his gaze but she found it weird. The commander was looking at her as if he was searching for something.

"What is it, Commander Quinzel?" Mona asked gently. "Do you have something you'd like to ask me?"

Gavin Quinzel looked hesitant at first. But in the end, he nodded his head firmly before asking. "Lady Roseheart, do you have a twin sister?"

***

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