Free Web NovelChapter 1033: REPORTING FOR DUTY
"WE’RE BACK, Your Imperial Highness."
Neoma smiled while looking at her ’children’ from her throne.
Well, of course, it wasn’t the throne of the emperor.
That seat belongs to Nero, and it’s in a different room.
The throne that Neoma was using at the moment was the one in the audience chamber where members of the Imperial Family often welcomed important guests.
Her Order was almost complete.
Only Lewis isn’t here.
And the person who ’replaced’ Lewis was Jasper Hawthorne.
"Welcome back, my precious children," Neoma said, greeting her found family with a bright smile. "Welcome back, Jasper Oppa."
"It’s been a while, Princess Neoma," Jasper Hawthorne said with a relieved smile. "I’m glad that you’ve returned safely."
"Of course. Can you imagine me failing, Oppa?"
"No, not at all. Even so, can’t I worry about my little sister?"
Aww.
"I’m an attention-seeker, so of course, I’d like it if you continued worrying for me, Oppa," Neoma said, giving her oppa a thumbs-up. "It’s not like you’ll run out of reasons to worry about me, so don’t hold back."
Jasper Hawthorne chuckled while shaking his head. "That’s not something you should be proud of, silly."
Neoma just laughed softly.
And then she noticed her children glaring at the young duke.
Aigoo.
My kids get jealous easily.
"Children, I’d like to hear your report now."
Just like that, her kids turned to Neoma with sparkling eyes.
Juri Wisteria.
Jeno Dankworth.
Xion Redgrave.
Paige Avery.
Greko (Ramsay).
Ah, my children look proud of themselves.
Neoma smiled while observing her kids, who definitely did something worth praising. "Let’s hear it, then," she said cheerfully. "Let’s start with Paige and Greko— tell me about your training with the Cosmic Tree."
***
HANNA was in charge of consoling Lewis.
But even if Neoma hadn’t told her to stay with Lewis during this difficult time, she would have still stayed with her friend.
Thankfully, Dahlia said that Lewis’ memories would help the Silver Foxes believe the history that they were about to show the clan.
That was why Hanna and Lewis were there.
Dahlia borrowed Lewis’ memories for this.
However, Nero— no, Emperor Nero suddenly asked Lewis to leave.
That was why Hanna didn’t hesitate to question the emperor’s order. "Neoma allowed us to be here, Your Imperial Majesty. Tell us why Lewis needs to leave. If there’s a valid reason why Lewis should leave, then we’ll listen to Your Imperial Majesty’s order."
She was glad that Emperor Nero’s Order wasn’t there.
Talking back to the emperor with such hostility was a crime.
Even if she was now the duchess, she still should have minded her manners around the emperor.
Not that I regret it.
"I just don’t see the reason why Lewis Crevan should still be here," Emperor Nero said, crossing his arms over his chest. As expected, the emperor was unapologetic as ever. "His job is done. He had already lent the memories that Dahlia needed to show to the Silver Foxes. Why does he have to stay and watch the process?"
"Your Imperial Majesty, with all due respect, Lewis is a Silver Fox. That’s his clan we’re talking about," Hanna said in a polite yet firm manner. "The clan that your imperial grandfather had hunted down during his reign."
Nero didn’t flinch, but his eyes turned colder.
Hanna didn’t want to admit this, but she was quite intimidated.
Nero can be scary when he’s mad.
But she shook it off and stood her ground.
I’m not going to back down when I know I’m not in the wrong.
Hanna was willing to fight Nero head-on, but...
"Your Imperial Majesty, let me stay here."
It was Lewis, stepping forward and hiding Hanna behind his back as if to protect her from Nero.
However, Hanna also noticed that there was something strange about Lewis at the moment.
Lewis is usually hostile towards Nero, but not right now.
"Please," Lewis begged Nero in a soft voice. And then the fox bowed his head towards the emperor. "Please let me stay with my clan."
Aww.
Hanna’s heart broke when Lewis swallowed his pride and bowed towards Nero, when the fox had promised before that he would only bow and kneel towards Neoma.
But she understood Lewis’ desperation.
Hence, she couldn’t help but glare at Nero.
Neoma will hear about this.
"Y-Your Imperial Majesty, please don’t ask Sir Crevan to l-leave," Dahlia said in a shaking voice. It was obvious that the Black Witch was scared of standing up to the emperor, but it seemed like she was determined to support Lewis. "I-I believe that Sir Crevan’s presence will help the Silver Foxes calm down."
Nero’s frown deepened.
But, in the end, the emperor let out a frustrated sigh— avoiding everyone’s gaze.
"Fine," Nero said, now glaring at the Silver Foxes inside Lapize’s belly. "Lewis Crevan may stay."
Hah.
Hanna didn’t want to feel bitter because she saw Lewis let out a sigh of relief, but she couldn’t help it.
So, Emperor Nero listens to Dahlia.
***
NEOMA, after listening to her children’s lengthy report, sent the kids to their chambers to rest.
There were many things that she wanted to discuss with them.
But she figured everyone needed a rest.
Paige Avery and Greko Ramsay had just finished their hellish training with the Cosmic Tree.
I’ll ask them to show the fruits of their training later.
Xion Redgrave had just returned after sweeping off all the illegal items that she had asked him to buy from the Black Market.
Ah, she also asked Xion Redgrave to buy the ’mouths’ of the people living in the slums.
I’ll ask him to show me the items later.
Juri Wisteria and Jeno Dankworth had been busy dealing with the nobles to make sure that the majority of them would continue supporting the Imperial Family.
I’ll ask them to tell me what the nobles have been up to while I was away.
For now, first things first.
"I’m sorry for asking you to stay, Jasper Oppa," Neoma said apologetically. "I know you’re a busy person."
"It’s alright, Princess Neoma," Jasper Hawthorne assured her. "I always have time for you."
Aww.
And thank goodness Ruto had already left for the Upper World.
For some reason, Ruto gets jealous of Jasper Oppa.
Anyway, Neoma and Jasper Hawthorne had moved to a private reception room in her palace.
The audience chamber wasn’t as secured as her residence, after all.
Our conversation can’t be leaked.
"Princess Neoma, do you need a detailed report about how the nobles moved while the Imperial Family was busy with other matters?" Jasper Hawthorned asked curiously. It was clear that the young duke was curious as to why Neoma summoned him separately. "Or, perhaps, are you curious about the school that we recently built? Or maybe you’re curious about the status of our ’shopping mall?’"
Ah, Neoma almost forgot that the three of them— her, Hanna, and Jasper Hawthorne— had built a shopping mall.
The idea was from her.
Jasper Hawthorne built the shopping mall.
The stores in the said shopping mall were stores and boutiques that belonged to Hanna.
"Yes, the school and the shopping mall are important matters that we need to discuss, too. But I’d like to have that conversation with Hanna later."
"I understand, Your Imperial Highness."
"Who I need right now is not the rich duke, but the owner of the last Elemental Guardian."
Jasper Hawthorne suddenly straightened in his seat, even though he already had a perfect posture.
And, as if summoned, the duck with a foul mouth suddenly materialized.
"I knew you’d need me, Princess Neoma."
Neoma raised an eyebrow at the talking duck. "You knew I’d need you, Duckie?"
The talking duck scoffed. "Of course! A war is about to break out. You’re stupid if you don’t use me to— mmf!"
Duckie wasn’t able to finish his complaints when Jasper Hawthorne covered his beak.
Well, more like the duke closed the duck’s beak with his hand.
"I’m so sorry about my Elemental Guardian’s rudeness, Princess Neoma," Jasper Hawthorne said, obviously embarrassed. And then the young duke glared at the talking duck. "How dare you call Her Royal Highness ’stupid,’ Duckie? You better bow your head and kneel in apology."
The talking duck obviously wanted to complain, but it couldn’t talk because Jasper Hawthorne was still holding down its beak.
Hence, the poor duck could only flap its wings in frustration.
Heh.
Funny duck.
Duckie proved to be funnier than he already was when it used its ability to spray water on Jasper Hawthorne’s face, causing the young duke to let go of the duck’s beak at the moment to wipe the water from his face.
The duck used that opportunity to yap again.
"I will not apologize---"
"Oh, for the love of god."
Jasper Hawthorne immediately covered the duck’s beak again.
"Wilton."
The duck suddenly froze when Neoma called it by its proper name.
Jasper Hawthorne also noticed the change in the atmosphere.
Hence, the young duke let go of the duck’s beak and sat properly while facing Neoma again, glancing at her nervously.
Oh.
I didn’t mean to make them feel nervous, but it’s time to be serious now.
"Duke Jasper Hawthorne, Wilton," Neoma said, straightening her already straight back while looking at Jasper Hawthorne and Duckie back and forth. Unlike the two, who clearly looked nervous, she was calm while dropping the bomb on them. "Will you die for me?"
Because Neoma had chosen Jasper Hawthorne and Duckie— no, Wilton— to be one of her Representatives in the upcoming war.
***
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