Royal Secret: I'm a Princess!

"YOU HAVE to make a decision soon, eomma."

Nichole clenched her hands after hearing what Trevor said.

She was having dinner with Trevor and Dominic in a fancy restaurant to celebrate the release of Trevor's new CF (commercial film). To be honest, she didn't expect that Trevor would suddenly drop a bomb on them like this.

"Does it mean you've already completed it?" Dominic asked carefully. "The spell to remove all the power within our bodies and turn us into ordinary humans?"

"That's right, appa."

Nichole knew that the situation was serious, but she couldn't help but find it cute how Trevor was so used to calling her 'eomma' and Dominic 'appa' so naturally.

[Sometimes I feel like we're no longer playing as a fake family– we're really become one.]

"Appa, it will be easy to transfer all your Mana and divine power to Princess Neoma since the two of you are both the representatives of the Moon God," Trevor continued with his explanation. "Normally, that method wouldn't work since absorbing someone else's Mana and divine power has to put a toll on the receiver's body. But since the receiver is Princess Neoma, it will work. After all, Princess Neoma is like a mukbanger who can eat a large amount of food without getting a stomachache."

Dominic still looked worried. "Are you sure doing so won't hurt Princess Neoma in any way?"

"The only negative side effect would be the fact that Princess Neoma is going to be a lot stronger."

Nichole and Dominic were both confused as to why it was a bad thing.

"The more powerful Princess Neoma is, the more she'd attract the old geezers up there."

Ah, right.

The gods would lose their minds if they remembered that Neoma could be the next Aether that could get rid of the pollution in the Upper World.

"Anyway, Princess Neoma can hide her power so let's not worry about that for now," Trevor said, then he looked at Nichole again. "Eomma, I can also transfer your Mana and divine power to Princess Neoma. But your Soul Beast…"

Nichole gulped hard because that was what she was also worried about. "What will happen to Lady Vespera if I lose all my power?"

"He'll die since a Soul Beast's sole purpose is to protect their master."

She had always known that Trevor was blunt, but it still felt different to experience it first-hand.

[He's only mellow to Neoma.]

"Losing your divine power is equivalent to you dying as a de Moonasterio, eomma," Trevor explained to her. "Once you lose your identity as a de Moonasterio, then your Soul Beast will also lose its purpose. Hence, it will "die.""

Vespera would "die," but just like the others, he would get reincarnated once a new de Moonasterio was born later.

By then, Vespera's memories of her would be completely erased.

[I know that I'm just another de Moonasterio to protect for Vespera. Even so…]

"I don't want Lady Vespera to die just because of my selfishness," Nichole said firmly. "Is there a way to save my Soul Beast?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure because this is the first time that a de Moonasterio will give up her divine power willingly," the demon boy said, shrugging. "Hence, even the Bookworm doesn't know if there's a way to save your Soul Beast, eomma. However, I believe Emperor Nikolai has the answer."

She knitted her eyebrows, confused. "Why Nikolai? We were both educated as Soul Beast owners. I know everything he does about the Soul Beasts."

"Well, Emperor Nikolai is the first de Moonasterio in history to be born with four Soul Beasts. Moreover, His Majesty's Soul Beasts also happen to be the rare Four Holy Guardians. And most of all…" Trevor hesitated for a moment. "Emperor Nikolai and Lady Mona entered the dimension of the Soul Beasts before."

The two were with Juliet back then, but that incident took Juliet's life.

[That's probably why Trevor hesitated to bring that up.]

"Trevor has a point, darling," Dominic said gently, putting a hand over hers. "Do you want me to accompany you?"

Nichole gently shook her head. "It's alright, darling. I'll go and ask Nikolai myself."

***

"SO, Trevor has already completed the spell?"

Nichole nodded at Nikolai's question. "My son is a genius."

"Pfft." Nikolai held back his laughter, then he gulped down the remaining soju in his shot glass. "You talk as if Trevor is really your son."

Nichole and Nikolai were currently having soju in a 'pojangmacha' (aka a small tent that sold street food). Aside from having a drink, the two of them were also sharing some snacks like tteokbokki.

Yes, she also didn't imagine she'd be eating some "commoners' food" with her twin brother who was raised as an emperor since he was born.

[But here we are right now.]

After five years in Korea, Nikolai could now blend in with the crowd well.

He looked like an ordinary office worker now.

CLICK.

Ah, forget about the "ordinary" part.

The girls around them– who looked like they were in college based on the varsity jackets they wore– took a picture of Nikolai while giggling. They were also "whispering" about themselves wondering if Nikolai was a celebrity.

What did Neoma call Nikolai before again?

[Ah, now I remember.]

"A very handsome CEO-slash-chaebol who looks like he came out of a webtoon series," Nichole said. She was aware that she was being random, but she couldn't help it. "You already have two adult children, and yet you still attract young ladies…"

Nikolai's furrowed brows let Nichole know that he had no idea what she was talking about.

[He doesn't even notice that the girls around us are 'fangirling' over him, as Neoma would often say.]

Well, more like Nikolai didn't care since Mona was the only woman for him.

"Spill it now, Nichole," Nikolai said while pouring soju into her shot glass. "You wouldn't drag me out of the office and bring me here for nothing."

Nichole gulped down her drinks in one shot before speaking. "Trevor said Lady Vespera would disappear once I lose my divine power. According to him, it's the same as losing my identity as a de Moonasterio. And once that happens, Lady Vespera's purpose will also disappear."

"That's true," he said casually, obviously not interested in her worries. "But you should already know that the moment you decided to let go of your divine power to become a normal human being."

She glared at her twin brother, but she couldn't really get mad at him because he was right.

[I know Lady Vespera will disappear, but I still selfishly chose to go through this process in order to have a chance to get pregnant…]

"What are you worried about, Nichole?"

"I thought you've become kinder now, but I guess you're only kind towards your family," she said to her twin brother bitterly. "You know Lady Vespera and I are very close, Nikolai."

"I know," Nikolai said bluntly. "That's why I don't understand why you're acting this way."

"Huh?"

"Vespera wouldn't lose her purpose even if you lose all your power," he explained to her. "Well, I guess you can no longer control her once you become a normal person. But that doesn't mean your Soul Beast will die."

"Wait, I don't understand," she said, genuinely confused. "Isn't a Soul Beast's purpose to protect their master?"

"That's the purpose that they're born with," Nikolai said, clicking his tongue at her. "But that doesn't mean the Soul Beasts aren't capable of developing their own purpose."

"But I haven't heard of something like that…"

"There's no Soul Beast who has outlived their master since the moment a de Moonasterio die, they will die as well," he explained again. "But you and Vespera have always been close, Nichole. You, of all people, should know that aside from keeping you safe, your Soul Beast has another reason to continue living."

Her heart thumped hard and fast against her chest because she knew what Vespera wanted the most aside from keeping her safe.

"Let's say Lady Vespera has a purpose to continue existing even after I lose my power," Nichole said carefully. "But if he becomes a stray Spirit, I'm afraid a Grand Spirit like William might take him down. I don't want that to happen, Nikolai."

"You can transfer your ownership to another person."

"Is that possible?"

"Normally, it's not. A Soul Beast is born within our souls, after all," Nikolai said, then he sipped his soju before speaking again. "But aren't the Rosehearts the greatest Spirit Contractors in the entire world?"

"Ah," Nichole said, smiling. "If it's Neoma, then it's possible."

***

"MY PURPOSE?"

Nichole, who was currently sitting on top of a random building, turned to Vespera who was sitting beside her. "Yes. Aside from protecting me, of course."

At the moment, Nichole and Vespera were watching the pretty lights of the skyscrapers around them.

They were actually flying earlier, but they decided to take a break.

"I know you already know what my other purpose is," Vespera said, then he turned to her with a serious look on his face. "And it's to kill every single soul who tormented you in the past, Nichole. I can't rest in peace until I drag those bastards to hell."

It was a little awkward to hear Vespera curse because he looked like Mona, and Mona rarely used vulgar words.

"You'll get along well with Neoma, Lady Vespera."

Vespera smiled and nodded. "I believe so, since that child curses like a sailor."

"I'm sorry," Nichole said, getting emotional. "Because of my selfish decision, you and I have to part ways now…"

"Don't be sorry," he said while putting an arm around her shoulders. "I want you to be happy, Nichole. And I know Dominic can make you the happiest."

"Still, to give you to my niece…"

"Is going to be fun, I bet," Vespera said, laughing. "I'm glad that your niece holds grudges, Nichole. The little princess will surely help me get our sweet, sweet revenge."

Nichole smiled, laying her head on Vespera's shoulder. "Thank you, Lady Vespera."