Royal Secret: I'm a Princess!

678 DUCKIE'S SIN

DUCKIE gulped hard while looking at the ground.

He was back in his duck form since he couldn't maintain his human for long, considering that he was injured earlier.

But even though he was a small duck, he was still an Elemental Guardian.

And yet, he was reduced to an insignificant pebble in front of Ruston "Ruto" Solfrid Stroganoff.

[This boy has the license to kill me…]

"Wilton."

Duckie flinched when the child mentioned his real name.

Veton, the Thunderbird.

Kingston, the White Lion.

Lapiz, the Blue Whale.

And there was him.

"Wilton, the Winged Serpent."

That was true.

Duckie was originally a Winged Serpent who ruled the sky, the land, and the water. He could fly, crawl, and swim. Hence, his fellow Elemental Guardians used to be so pissed at him every time he "invaded" their territories.

[Ah, those were the days…]

"Do you regret it now?"

Duckie was pissed at Ruto's question, making him forget that he was facing the heartless God Slayer. "No," he said firmly as he raised his head to meet the God Slayer's glowing dark purple eyes. "I will never regret killing my previous owner."

Yes, that was the sin that he committed in the past.

He killed his previous owner.

Hence, as punishment, he was reincarnated into the body of a weak animal. It had been so long since it happened so he didn't remember what animal he first transformed into. But it didn't only happen once.

Since he became a weak animal, he died pathetically.

And after he died, he was reincarnated only to become a weak animal again. That cycle continued for many, many years until he became the duck that he was today.

"Your last owner was a piece of work, indeed," Ruto said indifferently. "He sacrificed an entire town just to summon Helstor."

It was a shame, but the God Slayer was correct.

Helstor, the God of Eternal Darkness, was already considered a forgotten god.

But five hundred years ago, his previous owner sacrificed at least three thousand innocent people just to help Helstor regain his power and influence in the human world.

"Thanks to that horrible incident, the world once again heard of Helstor's name," Ruto continued. "That's how he gained new followers. They aren't that many, but the number is enough to give Helstor the power to control Darkness once again."

His previous master committed a grave sin, hence Duckie wasn't killed even though the Elemental Guardians were forbidden to kill their own master.

[Hence, I still needed to be punished to "set an example."]

Duckie fell silent for a moment before he responded. "My previous master… was a Solfrid, a young man that the Sun Goddess blessed herself."

The young lord's face remained indifferent. "That's right. He was the disgrace of the Solfrid Clan. And Wilton…" His gaze suddenly turned sharp. "You have information regarding that bastard, don't you?"

Again, the young lord was correct.

When he sent a message to the Elemental Guardian owners, except for Princess Neoma who wasn't an official owner yet during that time, he was actually only aiming for the Solfrid Heir.

[The only person who'll benefit from the information I have is this boy.]

But Duckie still lured the Elemental Guardian owners with the information that he had because he thought Ruto was the leader anyway.

He was wrong, though.

[I know that they don't have a formal leader… but isn't Princess Neoma leading the Elemental Guardian owners well?]

"Did he finally reincarnate?" Ruto asked coldly, interrupting Duckie's thoughts. "The disgrace of the Solfrid Clan."

Duckie would know because his soul was practically tied to his previous owner's soul.

"He was indeed reincarnated for the first time after five hundred years."

The Solfrid Heir knitted his eyebrows. "'Was?'"

"His soul was kicked out of his own body, so he's technically dead now," Duckie said firmly. "A strong being stole his body, and is currently using it as a shell at the moment."

Ruto looked confused, as expected. "Who stole the body of that bastard?"

***

"ME, THE CURRENT Crown Prince, and the self-proclaimed First Star– choose wisely," Neoma said to the Northern Lords. "But just so you know, I don't need your help to sit on the throne."

"You're crossing the line, ma'am," Count Lucchesi said firmly. "Even if you turn out to be telling the truth about your identity, it's still a crime to openly talk about stealing the throne from the legitimate Crown Prince."

"Did I say I was going to steal the throne?" she asked calmly. "I said I was going to sit on the throne."

The Northern Lords looked confused as if they didn't know the difference.

"I'm not going to steal the position of the Crown Prince from Nero," she said confidently. "He's going to hand it to me willingly."

Now the Northern Lords were looking at her as if she had gone crazy.

[Well, it's true that I'm not sane so I'm not really offended.]

"Anyway, don't fret about the details," she said casually. Then she paused for a moment to address the nobles with her gaze. "The Northern Lords are known as the Neutral Faction for many generations now. I can see why you chose to neither support nor oppose the crown. Just take my paternal grandfather for an example. He was a crazy bastard, wasn't he?"

The Northern Lords just either faked a cough or avoided her gaze instead of responding properly.

"My paternal grandfather was a piece of shit, but you're no better than him," Neoma said in a cold and firm manner. "When the good men are silent, evil prospers."

She had a big brain, but those words didn't come from her.

[There are some pretty wise men back on Earth.]

"Do you know why bastards like my paternal grandfather succeed with their evil doing?" she continued. "It's because people who have the power to stop them do nothing."

"It's far-fetched to say that we could have stopped the previous emperor, ma'am," Count Dawkins said. "We are a part of the Twelve Golden Families, but we are not as rich or as powerful as the other members."

"And whose fault is that?"

Now even Viscount Morrisey looked offended by her remark.

"The North has so much potential to be rich and more influential all over the continent, but you're not using your resources properly," she said while shaking her head. "You chose to stay the same even though the world is changing already. If you continue staying stagnant, then all of you shall be replaced."

"Is that a threat, ma'am?" Count Russo asked coldly. "Are you threatening us now?"

Oho?

Neoma found it cute when Count Lucchesi, Count Dawkins, and Count Russo released their bloodlust as if they were trying to intimidate her.

The timid Viscount Morrisey tried to stop the three counts, but none of them listened.

"What do you think you're doing in the presence of Her Royal Highness?" Jasper oppa asked in a cold voice, his own bloodlust dominating the counts' bloodlust in the instant. "If you don't stop being rude to the royal princess, then you leave me no choice but to exercise my authority as a duke and arrest all of you here."

That might be difficult to do even for Jasper oppa.

He might have a higher rank than the Northern Lords, but the Northern Lords were all part of the Twelve Golden Families.

Fortunately, the three counts listened to the young duke's threat.

[Oh~ Jasper oppa is cool~]

"Gentlemen, we should be embarrassed of ourselves for talking about dirty politics when there are people who are hungry and hurt in the castle," Neoma said, smiling bitterly. "Let's end this conversation here, and help the poor citizens first."

Fortunately, the Northern Lords seemed to agree with her.

Jasper oppa, after she confirmed that the meeting was over, stood up and offered his arm to escort her.

[What a gentleman~]

After putting her hand on Jasper oppa's arm, she suddenly remembered something important.

[I should throw a bait they couldn't resist first.]

"The resources I mentioned that would make the North rich and influential– I can share them with you," Neoma said, smiling "gently" at the Northern Lords who couldn't seem to hide their greed at the moment. "But in return, you have to open the North to everyone."

***

"WHAT ARE you thinking, Princess Neoma?"

"That I suck at politics," Neoma said in response to Jasper oppa's question. Right now, the two of them were walking in the hallway that led to the main exit of the castle. Only the two of them were there, so she figured it was safe to talk. "I was tempted to give the Northern Lords a detailed guide on how to use the resources they have to improve the living conditions of the citizens here."

Of course, she had no intention to keep it all to herself.

She would eventually help the Northern Lords, but she needed them to realize first that they NEEDED help from the crown– whether they wanted it or not.

[You can't help people who don't want to be helped, after all.]

"The Northern Lords want to detach themselves from the crown as much as possible, but the North still belongs to the crown," she said. "We have to put aside our personal feelings and work together in order to help the suffering citizens."

Jasper oppa let out a sigh while shaking his head. "The Northern Lords have always been stubborn. Princess Neoma, do you think they will listen to you?"

"Of course, they won't. Not for now, at least," she said. "Even so, I can't ignore the Northern people. I'll use my personal funds to support them in the meantime."

"You don't have to do that, Princess Neoma," Jasper oppa said. "Let me pressure the Northern Lords to do their jobs properly."

"Oppa, they're still a part of the Twelve Golden Families…"

"They're the weakest among the Twelve Golden Families, though? The only reason they aren't removed from their position yet is because their families are founding members of the empire," Jasper oppa said, shrugging. "But the Northern Lords neither have money nor influence– while I have both."

"Oppa, you sounded like a villain just now. And that's so cool!" Neoma gushed while patting Jasper oppa's arm. "Oh?"

Jasper oppa's arm was firm.

[Muscles…]

"Oppa, you must be training hard," Neoma said while forcing her bad hand to remove itself from Jasper oppa's arm. "Nice biceps."

Jasper oppa's face turned red as if he was embarrassed.

"Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio."

Hmm?

Neoma was surprised when Ruto suddenly appeared in front of them.

Even Jasper oppa was shocked.

[We didn't notice him…]

"The Queen of the Spirit World has just arrived," Ruto said in a very cold voice. "Her Majesty wishes to speak to you."

"Uhm, sure," Neoma said awkwardly. "But why do you look mad, Ruto?"

Jasper oppa groaned as if he was suffering. "Did you really have to ask, Princess Neoma?"

"What do you mean by that, Jasper oppa?"

"'Oppa?'" Ruto asked, his dark purple eyes glowing menacingly. "I'm also older than you, so why do you only call Jasper Hawthorne 'oppa?'"

Oho?

Neoma finally realized what was happening. "The jealous, red flag Ruto has come out, huh?"

***

[I'M A SHRIMP, and I'll die when these two whales fight.]

Jasper was aware that he wasn't on the same level as Princess Neoma and Lord Ruto when it came to strength.

But he never realized how weak he truly was until that moment.

Lord Ruto obviously saw Princess Neoma touch Jasper's arm earlier.

[Hence, the jealousy.]

On the other hand, Princess Neoma belatedly realized that Lord Ruto was jealous because of their closeness.

[They're not going to fight, are they?]

"The jealous, red flag Ruto has come out, huh?"

"I'm not jealous," Lord Ruto said in response to Princess Neoma's teasing, then he bumped his fist against the post behind him. "Why would I be jealous?"

[Then why are you trying to destroy the post by your hand, Lord Ruto?]

Jasper gulped while looking at the long cracks around the post that appeared after the young lord bumped his fist against it.

[Not jealous, my foot.]

Perhaps this was the real reason why two people with strong bloodlines weren't allowed to marry: they would probably destroy properties if they fought.

"Jasper oppa is my oppa," Princess Neoma said. "You're my jagiya."

"Then don't call Jasper Hawthorne 'oppa,' too. We're not in Korea anymore."

"Gosh, stop being UNCUTE."

Jasper found himself in the middle of a scary lovers' quarrel.

Princess Neoma and Lord Ruto didn't look like they were going to fight physically, but both had strong personalities it was scary just to get caught in the middle.

[Someone save me, please…]

<"Hey, don't fight!">

Huh?

It was Duckie, and the Elemental Guardian was already back in its duck form.

<"What are you going to do if you two monsters accidentally kill my new owner?!">

Princess Neoma and Lord Ruto turned to Jasper at the same time.

And wow.

Princess Neoma and Lord Ruto looked so intimidating.

[What a power couple.]

But hey, that wasn't what was important at the moment!

"Me?" Jasper asked Duckie in surprise while pointing a finger at his face. "I'm your new owner?"

***