485: I AM THE PLAN

I AM THE PLAN

"I'M SO fucking pretty," Neoma said, then she let out a sigh while looking at her beautiful reflection in the mirror. Even though her hair was short and she was wearing the uniform for the male students of the Royal Moon Academy, she still managed to look pretty. It would be hard to pretend as a boy when her features were so lovely and soft. "Ah, the burden of being born with a shocking visual…"

Thirteen-year-old Neoma would definitely become Royal Moon Academy's most beautiful face.

[I can already see myself breaking so many innocent hearts.]

And damn.

Royal Moon Academy's school uniform was pretty cool.

Actually, it wasn't that different from the male uniform in Korea. Her uniform comprised a white button-down shirt, maroon jacket, maroon vest, maroon necktie (for freshmen), maroon pants, and black shoes. The buttons and the accents in the clothes were all gold.

But the coolest thing in the ensemble was the maroon shoulder cape with gold accents. Plus, the golden brooch attached to it: a full moon wearing a crown while floating above an open book– the Royal Moon Academy's emblem.

"Y-Your Royal Highness!"

She looked at Lewis, who was standing behind her, in the mirror.

Sixteen-year-old Lewis really looked good in his knight's uniform. Soon, her "son" would wear the uniform of her own Knight Order and not the emperor's.

[But, gosh.]

She knew she shouldn't be saying this towards her "son," but Lewis really grew up as a handsome young man.

[Here's another heartbreaker in the making.]

"B-Blood," Lewis said, his face red as he avoided her gaze in the mirror. "There's a spot of blood in your pants, Princess Neoma."

Blood?

In her pants?

Neoma gasped when she realized what it could be. "I got my period?"

Why did her menstruation have to begin on her first day as an academy student?!

[I mean, I already expected this– but it's still shocking.]

***

"HANNA, you're so cute!" Neoma squealed as soon as Hanna entered her bedroom. "And your uniform is cuter than mine!"

As expected, girls' uniforms were the best.

Hanna wore a white ruffle blouse with collar, maroon ribbon, maroon midi jumper skirt, black thigh-high socks (that almost looked like leggings), and black shoes. Her uniform also came with the same maroon shoulder cape and brooch that came with the boys' uniform.

And her cousin added a little detail to her outfit that made her look cuter: a black beret.

That beret really looked good on Hanna!

"Thank you, Neoma. You look great, too," Hanna said, smiling. But concern was still visible on her face. "Are you okay? Period cramps are painful."

"I'm fine," she assured her cousin, then she put her hands on her abdomen. "I'll live."

"Don't bring sanitary garments in your bag since everyone's eyes will be on you. And although unlikely, we shouldn't diminish the possibility of your things getting stolen," Hanna reminded her gently. "I'll bring them for you. So, if you need to change, just tell me."

  The 'sanitary garments' used by women in this world were underwear made of a special fabric that worked like a sanitary napkin.

[Very convenient.]

"Thank you, Hanna," she said, smiling.

"You should drink this pill first, Neoma," her Mama Boss, who returned to her room with a glass of water and a pink pill in her hand, said. "This will lessen your abdominal pain for eight hours."

"Thank you, Mama Boss," she said cheerfully, then she took the medicine.

Her Mama Boss, on the other hand, smiled while looking at her and Hanna. "I'm so proud of you, young ladies," her mother said softly, and it was clear that she was getting emotional. "It's not easy for girls to enter the Royal Moon Academy– but the two of you didn't only pass the exam, but you came on top. You did well, Neoma and Hanna."

Hanna bowed her head towards Mama Boss. "Thank you, Lady Roseheart."

Her mother smiled and nodded at her cousin.

A few moments later, Hanna had to leave first when Duke Rufus Quinzel arrived to fetch her. The duke wanted to escort Hanna to the academy in their family's carriage.

[Which is understandable.]

"Is Amber with Rufus?" Mama Boss asked Hanna. "I haven't seen Amber in a while."

Hanna smiled apologetically. "Mother isn't with Father right now, Lady Roseheart. My mother went to pick up my grandparents to come and watch my final match. They will head directly to the academy."

"Is that so?" her mother asked, smiling understandingly. "Then will it be alright if I invite your mother to the palace for an afternoon tea next time?"

"Of course, Lady Roseheart," Hanna said, then she put her hands over her chest. "I'm sure my mother would love that."

After that, Neoma and her Mama Boss walked Hanna to the main entrance of the Blanco Palace where Duke Rufus Quinzel was waiting. After sending off the father-and-daughter duo, she and her mother went to Yule Palace.

"Neoma, I'm worried," her Mama Boss said while they were walking in the hallway of Yule Palace– holding hands. It was okay for her mother to call her by her name since they were walking while covered by a soundproof barrier. "You're weak because of your period. Why don't you just use your Spirits to fight with you instead of depending on your Moonglow? Your Roseheart Blood isn't a secret, anyway. And since the people of the empire know that a male Roseheart is a special existence, they wouldn't think badly of you for using Spirits to fight."

She laughed softly. "Mama Boss, do you really think that's the case?"

Her mother fell silent for a moment before her shoulders slumped. "No," she said, disheartened. "The people of this empire would only recognize you if you use your Moonglow and your Soul Beast in the fight."

"Yep," she said, nodding. "The West Continent worships Lord Yule, and the rulers of the Great Moonasterion Empire are the descendants of the Moon God. The Royal Moon Academy was originally established in order to educate the de Moonasterios properly, and it is run by people who have deep faith in Lord Yule. So, the majority of the population would get disappointed if I fought using Spirits."

Moreover, summoning her Spirits required Mana.

She was low in Mana and Moonglow, so she had to conserve them. The best thing she could do during the fight was to use powerful yet efficient attacks.

"Do you have a plan, Neoma?" her Mama Boss asked worriedly. "Will you really be okay?"

"Mama Boss, Grandma Roxana taught me a special technique. Plus, I have a plan," Neoma said confidently, then she pointed to herself. "Me– I am the plan."

***

"ARE YOU still upset that Neoma scolded you for breaking Lewis Crevan's ribs?"

Nero almost rolled his eyes at his father's teasing question.

But he couldn't even look at the emperor without remembering the time he cried on his chest like a baby. He wasn't in his right mind then. Still, he was embarrassed to death. If he could trade half of his life just to completely erase that scene from his mind, he would do it.

"Why aren't you looking at me, Nero?" his father asked. "Are you still embarrassed for crying–"

"Father," Nero growled at his father, then he finally turned to him. "Can we please not talk about it again?"

The emperor, who was dressed formally (and adorned with luxurious, rare accessories from head to toe), laughed merrily. "I am this close," his father said while showing him his index finger and thumb that were about to touch. "I am this close to calling a mage to pluck out that warm memory of us and immortalize it through a photograph."

He glared at his father. "Don't you dare, Father. I'm serious."

His father just laughed again.

Thankfully, they were interrupted when they heard a knock on the door. Then, a few moments later, Neoma and their mother entered his father's bedroom.0

"Wow, Papa Boss," Neoma exclaimed while looking at their father with sparkling eyes. "You're extra handsome today."

Their mother didn't say anything, but the blush on her face suggested that she agreed with Neoma's comment.

[Well, it's true that Father is handsome and he's even more handsome dressed like that.]

"I need to look good because I'll be putting eupalettes on your shoulder cape later," his father said to his twin sister.

In the Royal Moon Academy, the student representatives of each year had eupalettes on their shoulder capes as a status symbol.

Suffice to say, his father was already claiming Neoma's victory.

[And rightfully so.]

"I won't let you down, Papa Boss," Neoma promised, then she looked at him– much to his surprise. "I won't tarnish your reputation as the Crown Prince, Nero."

"Just don't get hurt," Nero said. Neoma losing had never crossed his mind. But he knew that it would be tough for his twin sister, since she was practically low on Mana and Moonglow. "If you need to, kill Calyx Dalton. I'll deal with the consequences."

"I would, but then my Hellgate would open up once I kill him," his twin sister said. "Anyway, I wish you and Mama Boss could watch me claim my victory against that crow psycho later."

"Your father will be using a communication device directly connected to mine so Nero and I could watch your match in real-time," their mother said, then she hugged Neoma. "Good luck, Neoma."

Neoma hugged their mother back. "Thank you, Mama Boss."

Nero and his father both stood there like statues, but deep inside, both men wanted a hug from the two most important women in their lives.

***

MONA was in Nero's room while attaching premium Mana Stones that served as a communication device to the wall when, all of a sudden, she felt an ominous aura that sent shivers down her spine.

That happened just half an hour ago after Neoma and Nikolai left the Royal Palace for the Royal Moon Academy.

[When the cat's away, the mice will play, indeed.]

It wasn't funny.

"William, I know you're there," Mona said, anger rising to her chest. "Come out."

When she turned around, she saw Nero– who was sitting on the sofa– stop turning the page of the book in his hands. Then her son gave her a confused look.

[Ah, Nero didn't feel it.]

"I'm here," William said as he appeared in front of her. "What can I do for you, Mona?"

"Stay here and protect Nero with your life," she said sternly. "And make sure the entire room is covered with your divine power."

Nero looked shocked, while William remained calm, as if he already expected that.

"As you wish, my liege," William said, bowing his head towards her. "I'll hide and protect Nero with my life."

As expected of the Grand Spirit, he also felt the ominous thing that covered the entire Royal Palace. And he knew that he had to HIDE Nero aside from protecting him. Thus, even though he hadn't forgiven William yet, she knew she could entrust her son to the Grand Spirit.

"Mother," Nero called her worriedly as he stood up. "What's going on?"

"Eyes," she said through gritted teeth. "A god dares to set his eyes on you."

She opened her right hand and summoned Nydia– her main weapon.

It was a rose-gold staff with vines snaked around it. The top of the staff had a fully bloomed pink rose on it encased inside a transparent glass sphere. A staff was usually used by witches and wizards to channel their magical energy.

That concept was kind of similar to how she would use her staff.

She could summon Spirits anytime, easily. But to borrow the power of gods, she needed her staff. In short, Nydia served as her medium to summon gods.

"Mother, I'll come with you," Nero said seriously. "I can disguise myself and–"

"No," Mona said sternly, cutting her son off. Then she walked towards the window while spinning the staff in her hand as if it was a baton. "Let your mother take care of this, Nero."

***

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