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Neoma was still amazed to see her now big family sharing a long table, even though it had been five years already since they got together like this.

[Time flies, huh?]

“It’s a noir movie, and the director is promising. My gut feeling tells me this is a good project.”

It was still strange to hear that from Papa Boss although it had been three years since Raon Entertainment was established.

Yes, it was an entertainment agency.

[‘Raon’ means ‘joyful’ in the Korean language.]

As of now, there were only three artists who were signed with Raon Entertainment: Kim Won-shik (still a famous actor after his comeback), Go Areum (now an influencer/vlogger after retiring as a news anchor), Kim Nabi (the top mukbanger in Korea at the moment), and Trevor (model, but would only accept deals if he felt like working).

“Your gut feeling has never been wrong so far, so let’s choose the noir film for my last project this year,” Won-shik/Gavin appa said. “Daepyo-nim.”

.....

‘Daepyo-nim’ meant CEO.

Yes, the CEO of Raon Entertainment was none other than Papa Boss.

[I guess I shouldn’t be surprised Papa Boss has the knack for running a business. From emperor to CEO real quick. My father is really born to boss people around, huh?]

But it didn’t shock Neoma since she knew Papa Boss would survive anywhere.

[The thing that shocked me is the fact that Papa Boss and appa could talk now like civilized people. Before, they would often go after each other’s throat. If Mama Boss and Areum eomma didn’t step in, there would have been a bloodbath already.]

Ah, those were the (exciting) days…

“I hope your new project brings a lot of money and success,” Uncle Dominic (the former saint) said with a bright smile on his face. “After all, Eternal Love Orphanage depends on your donations.”

“That’s right,” Aunt Nichole agreed while nodding. “Our family is growing bigger, so we need more help financially.”

Yep, Uncle Dominic and Aunt Nichole– who were already married in this world– were running an orphanage together.

[And they’re trying to make a baby with the help of modern technology in this world.]

“I’ll donate all my earnings from my last vlog to the orphanage,” Areum eomma said, smiling. “Most of my followers also donate to the orphanage after they found out about it.”

Although Areum eomma already retired as a news anchor, she was still an online celebrity.

“Speaking of the orphanage, please don’t forget that we’re scheduled to visit the kids there this weekend,” Mama Boss reminded them. “Free your schedule, okay?”

Areum eomma and Mama Boss could still pass off as twin sisters.

But, this time, the difference between the two was evident.

[I don’t know how to explain this, but Areum eomma looks pure Korean (because she is). Mama Boss, on the other hand, looks like the “European” version of eomma? Ah, it’s hard to explain, but that’s how I see it.]

“Kids, did you hear what I said?” Mama Boss asked. “You’re all free this weekend, right?”

“Yes, Mama Boss,” Tteokbokki said cheerfully, addressing Mama Boss like how Neoma did. “I will bake pastries for the kids!”

“I’ll help Tan oppa, Aunt Mona,” Nabi said, addressing Tteokbokki by the Soul Beast’s “human name.” “We can also teach the kids flower arrangement!”

“I guess we have time,” Trevor said, then he turned to Neoma. “But Princess Neoma and I will be busy that day.”

Now everyone at the table looked at Neoma while expecting her answer.

“We always have time for the kids in the orphanage,” Neoma said, smiling at her family. “I have a “date” in the afternoon, though.”

***

“GREETINGS, PRINCE Calyx.”

“Hello, Sanford,” Calyx greeted back Nero’s most enthusiastic knight. “How’s my baby brother?”

There were two guards outside Nero’s office.

The first one was Sanford Devon, a fallen prince, and also one of the few young Swordmasters on the entire continent. And the other was Raku, the quiet half human-half dragon who just bowed to Calyx without saying a word.

[They’re useful because they’re loyal to Nero, and I get along well with them.]

“Well, Prince Nero is always grumpy,” Sanford said, laughing. “But I think His Royal Highness is angrier today than usual. I actually feel bad for Melvin.”

Melvin Luchessi was Nero’s aide/secretary.

“Now I’m nervous,” Calyx said, laughing. “I wonder if I should go in or just go back later. I’m afraid of Nero when he’s in a sour mood.”

Of course, that was a lie.

He just wanted to hear how Nero’s knights would react to his comment.

“You have nothing to be afraid of, Prince Calyx,” Sanford said encouragingly. “Prince Nero is mean to everyone but Your Highness. Moreover, only Prince Calyx can make Prince Nero calm.”

Raku didn’t say anything, but he nodded eagerly in agreement with what Sanford said.

And that made Calyx smile.

Yes, those were the words that he wanted to hear from the closest people to Nero.

[If Nero’s closest aides can tell that I’m special to him, then it must be true. Nero is only kind to me, and I’m the only one who can make him calm.]

“Alright,” Calyx said, grinning. “Announce my arrival now, Sanford.”

Sanford cleared his throat before speaking. “Your Royal Highness, Prince Calyx has arrived.”

After that announcement, Raku opened the doors for Calyx.

“Scram!”

Calyx witnessed Nero throwing a thick pile of documents at Melvin Luchessi’s face.

[Aw, poor secretary.]

Melvin, who looked exhausted and fed up with Nero’s outbursts, just bowed to the Crown Prince before picking up the scattered documents on the floor. Then he quietly walked towards the door after greeting Calyx in silence.

Calyx just patted Melvin on the shoulder to console the poor aide.

[Hang in there, Melvin.]

“Nero, don’t be too hard on your secretary,” Calyx scolded him lightly. “Melvin is proficient at his job, you can’t afford to lose him. Understood?”

Nero raised his head to glare at him.

[Ah, so freaking handsome.]

The last five years had only been good to Nero when it came to his aesthetics.

Aside from Nero’s gorgeous face, his height and body were both ideal, too. The Crown Prince was tall and fit. His clothes hid the lean muscles underneath. Hence, even though His Royal Highness looked thin, he actually had an athletic body.

[And that gorgeous young man is mine.]

His and his alone.

“If you’re just here to scold me, then leave,” Nero said coldly. “I don’t have the time to listen to your nagging.”

Calyx just laughed it off, then he sat on the table while facing the Crown Prince. “What’s making you upset?”

“Those darn pirates…”

Ah, the Pirates of the South.

The royal family had their eyes on Duke Rufus Quinzel’s territory in the South Region where the Quinzels ruled for many generations now.

However, they couldn’t do a proper business with the South Region now because of the pirates that invaded the Lajar Sea. It was the safest route that they could take in order to get to the duchy. But the pirates that came out of nowhere a few years ago were ruining their plans.

“Can’t we just kill them?” Calyx asked. “Are they that hard to kill?”

“I already sent Lucien and the first squadron of the Order with him, but they can’t still deal with those damned pirates,” the Crown Prince said, obviously frustrated. “They’re like roaches of the sea.”

Hmm.

That was indeed a problem.

Lucien Attewell was the “problem child” in Nero’s Order of Knights since the wizard was too much of a war freak who liked throwing explosives here and there. The wizard liked fighting because he always had a new bomb or explosive to test on the battlefields.

But the fact that Lucien Attewell couldn’t overpower the pirates was worrying.

“Then should I go to the South and deal with the pirates myself?”

“And what?” Nero asked, raising an eyebrow at him. “You’re going to leave me here in the palace alone?”

Aww.

Would you look at that?

[It looks like Nero would rather kill me than let me leave him.]

That kind of possessiveness only thrilled Calyx.

.....

[Yes, Nero should be THIS clingy to me.]

“I’m sorry, I misspoke,” Calyx said, smiling. “I’m not going anywhere. Not without you, at least.”

“At least you know that,” Nero said, then he leaned down and pressed his forehead against Calyx’s lap. “So, what brings you here?”

[Aww… he must be tired for him to lean on me like this.]

“I’m here to fetch you, of course,” Calyx said while running his fingers through Nero’s smooth and silky hair affectionately. “Mother wants to see us.”

***

NERO BOWED to the woman sitting on the throne. “Greetings, Mother.”

“Oh, raise your head, darling.”

He did as he was told.

Juliet de Moonasterio– the Empress Dowager– smiled at him warmly. “Prince Nero, I heard you’re having a hard time dealing with the Pirates of the South?”

“It’s embarrassing that Mother has to hear about my difficulties,” Nero said indifferently. “I apologize for making Mother worry. I’ll make sure to wrap everything up the soonest.”

The Empress Dowager was placed on the throne after the previous emperor, his father, ran away with his lover– Mona Roseheart.

[And no one knows where the two have been after eloping.]

Emperor Nikolai abandoned the throne, but Nero couldn’t fill his father’s vacancy because he was a minor back then.

But fortunately, Juliet Sloane had returned.

Since the former empress was the mother of Calyx, the representatives of the Twelve Golden Families– led by Marquis Vincent Lennox– made Juliet Sloane the Empress Dowager.

After that, Calyx was officially recognized as the First Prince since he was older.

Nero, on the other hand, remained the Crown Prince since he had the support of the Empress Dowager and the First Prince.

[And I’m the one with the Soul Beasts, so naturally, more people supported me.]

“Prince Nero, the South Region is ruled by the Quinzels,” the Empress Dowager said, her gaze going past him. “Hence, I took the liberty to invite the Quinzel Princess to help us deal with the matters concerning the Pirates of the South.”

The doors to the throne room bust open.

And then the Quinzel Princess entered the room with a bright smile on her face, then she greeted Nero politely.

“Greetings to the Lesser Moon of the Great Moonasterion Empire.”

He nodded as a way to greet back the Quinzel Princess. “It’s been a while, Lady Regina.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Prince Nero,” Regina Quinzel said, then she smiled apologetically at her. “I apologize, Your Royal Highness. I was supposed to bring Lady Hanna here, but she’s currently sick.”

“It’s alright,” Nero said indifferently. “I’m aware that Hanna’s heart disease is worsening.”