TO HAVE tea with Neoma's enemy wasn't in her bingo card.
[But here I am now.]
Levi brought them to his manor.
Neoma had no choice but share the same table with Helstor.
Fortunately, Ruto was also there so she was calm.
[My man's presence is all I need to stop myself from going on a rampage.]
Anyways, the Goddess of Fortune was ushered to a different drawing room.
[With the Goddess of Misfortune.]
Neoma wondered if the Goddess of Misfortune would survive in a room with the Goddess of Fortune.
"A war," Levi said, putting down his teacup on the table. "Neoma de Moonasterio, you wish to declare war against Helstor officially?"
"It's 'Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio,' Father-in-law," Neoma said, correcting her future father-in-law politely. "But, yes— I wish to start a war with Helstor."
"Only a god can start a war with another god."
It was an issue that Helstor raised earlier.
[But I ignored him because I don't feel like explaining to him.]
However, she had to give Levi a proper response.
"My Divinization has started, Lord Levi," Neoma said confidently. "I'll complete my transition before the war begins. But if you won't allow it, then…"
"I'll do it, my lord," Ruto said. "I have the right to declare war against Helstor."
"You will not," Levi said firmly. It was clear that he was opposed to his divine son starting the war. After all, the one who declared the war would be the one responsible for it until the end. "I will allow Neoma Roseheart de Moonasterio to formally start a war with Helstor since she's technically a god."
[Father-in-law is probably talking about the fact that I've completed my Divinization in the first timeline.]
"Thank you, Father-in-law."
Levi just let out a frustrated sigh, and then he glanced at Helstor. "You don't have the right to decline the young princess's invitation to war, Helstor. Based on the curse I see on you, you're bound to the contract that you signed with her."
"I know, Lord Levi. I have no intention to decline Princess Neoma's invitation in the first place," Helstor said calmly, and then he sipped his tea quietly before he spoke again. "However, I wish to exercise my right as a major god, and a god ranked higher than the little princess. I understand that I lost the bet, but I believe I still should be treated based on my status."
Aigoo.
[Losers can't really accept their defeat neatly.]
"Let's hear it first," Levi said. "How do you wish to exercise your right as a major god?"
Helstor glanced at Neoma while answering Levi's question. "First, I want a temporary ceasefire between the Imperial Family and the crows. You understand why I'm making this request, right? Princess Neoma?"
"You need to choose your warriors among the crows the same way I need to choose my warriors among our allies," Neoma said. They both needed that temporary ceasefire, so she didn't really protest. "But we need a definite schedule. We can't delay the ceasefire for long."
"That's my second request. How about two months?" Helstor said, obviously scheming already. "Two months to prepare for a war is ridiculously short already. But since both of us have been prepared for this time, I'm certain two months is decent enough for a temporary ceasefire."
To be honest, she agreed with Helstor's decision.
[Two months is short by human standards, but we're not going to fight how humans fight. So, two months it is.]
"That sounds great," Neoma said, nodding. "Anything else?"
"I have a last request," Helstor said, putting down his teacup on the table. "Since I'm bound to this world until the war begins, I'd like to ask Lord Levi's permission to allow my allies to come here. I need to train them in order to prepare them for the upcoming war. Hence, I need my own residence."
Neoma wouldn't say that Helstor was being demanding.
[All his requests were reasonable.]
"I'll give you your old residence, but I can't allow just anyone to come here," Levi said, pausing for a moment. "Limit it to five people and I'll open the gates for your allies."
"Thank you, Lord Levi."
"We'll be keeping an eye on you while you're here," Levi said firmly while looking at Helstor coldly. "Moreover, keep this in mind: if you do anything that might harm the Upper World and my people, I'll banish you and your allies."
"I'll keep that in mind, Lord Levi," Helstor said, and then he glanced at Neoma while giving her a knowing look. "Let's play fair this time, Princess Neoma."
"I play fair when the game is fair," Neoma said, smiling at Helstor the smile that she knew he hated with a passion. "My attitude will depend on your attitude, Lord Helstor."
***
"I WON'T die yet, Your Imperial Majesty."
Nero raised an eyebrow at what Trevor Kesser said.
[He said 'yet' so casually.]
"I really don't care if you drop dead or something, but do it once you're done serving Neoma," Nero said, crossing his arms over his chest. "What did my twin sister send you here for?"
"I'm here to fetch the fertilizer," Trevor said, placing a hand on the terrarium where the dying former goddess was locked up in. "Princess Neoma asked me to bring this to your Imperial Father and Mother."
Ah, for the Garden of Life.
"Then how about the war?" Nero asked curiously. "Will you still be alive by then?"
Trevor let out a slightly bitter chuckle. "Don't kill me off yet, Your Imperial Majesty. Do you care about me or something?"
"I just don't want Neoma to get distracted by your death."
"As I said earlier, I won't die easily, Your Imperial Majesty."
"How are you so confident?"
"Gods are greater than humans because they have several organs to help them avoid life-threatening injuries," Trevor said, smiling mysteriously. "Your Imperial Majesty, would you like me to tell you how I plan to extend my life?"
"No, not at all," Nero said, waving his hand. "Just get out of my sight."
***
["HANNA, you can't kill Calyx yet."]
What a shame.
Hanna was ready to get rid of the crow when she received Neoma's message.
But she didn't focus on that because the Imperial Princess' second message caught her attention more.
["And I need you."]
She knew what Neoma meant by that exactly, but the way she phrased it was both funny and cute.
Hanna laughed softly. "Sounds like a confession to me."
***
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