Royal Secret: I'm a Princess!

"YOU'RE HERE," Regina greeted Dilan who arrived at the mansion in Rubin Drayton's body. "You even brought extra baggage with you."

By "extra baggage," she meant Neoma de Moonasterio and her knights.

"Neoma de Moonasterio has a deep grudge against Rubin Drayton," Dilan said, then he plopped down to the bed. "It's amusing how much they hate each other even though they barely interacted all these years. And the one who spent time with the young lord was supposedly the Crown Prince."

"Obviously, that "Crown Prince" was the royal princess in disguise," she said, then she sat stood in front of the open window and looked outside. "Now that Princess Neoma walked into the lion's den on her own, we'll use this opportunity to squeeze the truth out of her."

She didn't hear a response from Dilan.

[Rubin's body probably fell asleep already.]

She didn't bother to turn around because she was busy observing the outside.

The mansion that the crows built on the Leoflor Island was located in the deepest part of the Lawless Jungle.

Most of the family members residing there were researchers conducting some experiments under her leadership. She may only be fifteen years old, but her ability was already recognized by His Excellency.

She may have failed before, but she wasn't someone that the Crowells or the de Lucas could easily dispose of.

[That's what it means to be one of the "favored children."]

But she was the only girl who achieved that title, so she couldn't fail this time.

[I'd hate to hear those bastards say that I can't do anything right just because I'm a girl.]

She looked at her gloved hand.

Yes, it was the hand that Ruston Stroganoff had cut off during their confrontation in the past. The mage in the family managed to attach a different hand for her. However, she could no longer use that hand to turn things into ashes.

But it didn't matter since it wasn't her only ability anyway.

[Ruston Stroganoff, I wonder how you'd react if I sent Princess Neoma's severed hand to you?]

According to the information shared within the family, Ruston Stroganoff– apparently–  treasured Neoma de Moonasterio as if the royal princess was his lover.

She didn't expect that from the royal chef, though.

[Ruston Stroganoff, do you not have any conscience? I know that Princess Neoma is a beauty who looks older than her age. But she's only thirteen years old, you cradle snatcher.]

As expected, men were really the scum of this world.

"What are you thinking, Regina?"

Ah, it wasn't Rubin's voice.

[Dilan…]

"I'm thinking about Ruston Stroganoff."

"Are you trying to make me angry?"

Before she knew it, Dilan had already planted both of his hands on her either side– trapping her between the window and his solid body.

[The perverted psycho is acting up again.]

She let out a sigh before turning around to face Dilan.

Jet-black hair, black eyes (with heavy bags underneath them), and pale skin that might be paler than the de Moonasterios.

This man that looked depraved of sleep was the true appearance of Dilan Crowell.

[And that ridiculous amount of earrings and piercings...]

She wondered how Dilan's ears hadn't fallen off yet despite being covered by different earrings and piercings.

[I know that it's to seal his powers, but it's still ridiculous.]

"Why are you thinking of Ruston Stroganoff?" Dilan interrogated her in a cold, stiff voice. "Isn't he the bastard who cut off your hand?"

Regina smirked at Dilan's disgusting reaction. "So what? Are you going to say that you're going to cut off his hand to avenge me?"

"Do you think I'm not capable of doing that?"

"You're not," she said bluntly while nodding. "Ruston Stroganoff is the divine son of the God Among Gods. Calyx is not even a match to him."

"Are you implying that Calyx is better than me?"

"Well, who's called the 'Masterpiece' between the two of you?"

She was bluffing.

Of course, she knew very well that Dilan was a lot stronger than Calyx.

The only reason Calyx was chosen as the 'Masterpiece' was because he could act like a decent person. Aside from his socializing skills, Calyx was actually smart if only he would stop acting dumb just to look "cute" and "friendly."

Dilan, on the other hand, was a hopeless case.

[After all, Dilan is just a killing machine.]

"Regina," Dilan said coldly, then he pinched her chin and forced her to look at his face. "Don't test my patience."

She didn't want to admit this, but she felt a shiver down her spine.

[Not yet.]

She wasn't strong enough to confront Dilan yet, so she must stop here for now. Or else he might really lose it and harm her.

However, she didn't want to back down like a coward.

"What, are you going to snap at me?" Regina asked, smirking. Then she used the back of her (normal) hand to caress Dilan's cheek– slowly yet roughly as if she wanted to scratch his unnecessarily handsome face. "But didn't you already succumb to me…" She trailed off on purpose, then she tip-toed and whispered in his ear. "Brother."

Dilan suddenly grabbed her by the waist, then he buried his head against her neck while growling lowly. "You only call me 'brother' when you know you're in trouble."

She rolled her eyes, but her hand moved to comb his messy hair. "You know that, and yet you fall for it every time."

He laughed like the lunatic that he was, then he wrapped his arms around her body. "When will you cry FOR me again, Regina?"

She bit her bottom lip when she was reminded of the biggest mistake of her life.

But she refused to entertain Dilan's provocation.

"Stop acting sentimental and get back to work," she said, then she pulled Dilan's hair to force him to look at her.

As expected, Dilan was smiling even though she had just pulled his hair.

"I like it when you're being this aggressive, Regina," Dilan said, his smile getting creepy every time she saw it. "But I like it more when you act like a good baby sister since I wouldn't worry about accidentally killing you."

[See? Men are indeed the scum of this world. Especially if the man in question is your perverted psycho older brother.]

She let go of his hair. "Then should I act cute for you?"

He just raised his eyebrow at her as if he was challenging her.

"Neoma de Moonasterio came with the demon who turned out to be the Devil's Grimoire," Regina said, acting pitifully. Then she put her hands on his chest. "Will you help your poor, weak baby sister to get rid of Trevor Kesser, my reliable brother?"

God, this was disgusting.

But she had to survive in this godforsaken family.

"I know you're just acting, but it's still fun to see you act like a good girl that you're not," Dilan said, then he grabbed her face and leaned down until their faces were only a breath's away from each other– without breaking eye contact. "As a reward, I'll deal with Trevor Kesser for you– we belong to the same bloodline anyway."

***

NEOMA was startled when Trevor suddenly shivered beside her.

They just entered the Lawless Jungle.

As expected, they were attacked by different forces right away. The first things that "welcomed" them were the crows. But she didn't get the chance to see the enemies properly since her children took care of the attackers swiftly.

Juri, the Tank, led the party and attacked the enemies with her sledgehammer.

Since Lewis– the Fighter– wasn't there to help the Tank on the frontline, Paige– the Mage– took their commander's place.

Jeno, of course, was in the rear while attacking the enemies.

But the Marksman was currently using his Mist ability to conceal himself, so the only thing that let them know about his presence was the continuous gunshots they heard.

[Greko and I are taking it easy.]

Jeno created a flying sofa made of clouds for her and their maknae.

Trevor, on the other hand, was lying on his stomach while using Bookworm as a flying vehicle to keep up with them.

[What a horrible master.]

"What's wrong?" Neoma asked Trevor who was rubbing his arms. "Did you get goosebumps or something?"

"That's right," Trevor said, then he touched the back of his neck. "I feel like someone is aiming for my life here."

"Why would anyone target you when I'm here?" she asked, confused. Then she put a hand over her chest. "I'm the gold prize here, you know? Everyone should just focus on me."

The demon boy looked at her as if he was confused, then he laughed heartily. "My Moon Princess, you really love attention, huh? Even if they are from the enemies."

"Of course," she said, then she looked ahead. "I need the enemies to focus on ME and only me so they will leave my people alone."

After all, she was the strongest among her people.

She wasn't underestimating them, but she would feel more at ease if she was the one in danger instead of the people she loved.

Trevor, who was laughing like a hyena earlier, sighed. "Princess Neoma, you're too kind for your own good."

"I hate to agree with Mr. Trevor, but he's right," Greko said. "Eomma, I hate that you have a sacrificial mindset."

"That's not true," Neoma denied firmly. "I don't enjoy sacrificing myself fr other people, though? I'm a selfish, vain princess."

[Right?]

***

Please ADD my story to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :>