Royal Secret: I'm A Princess!

This happened during the Korea Arc~

***

[PAPA BOSS and Mama Boss are in the middle of a lovers' quarrel.]

"Of course, it's Papa Boss' fault," Neoma said while pouring soju into her father's shot glass. "Why did you even get jealous of a customer who asked for Mama Boss' number? You know Mama Boss wouldn't leave you for a baby, Papa Boss."

The 'baby' in question was a college student, probably in his early twenties, who asked for Mama Boss' number while Mama Boss was working as a cashier in the café. Every once in a while, when the flower shop didn't have that many customers, her mother would help at the café as a cashier.

That was what happened earlier.

Mama Boss was helping out at Areum eomma's café when a college student tried to hit on her– and Papa Boss, who was there to fetch Mama Boss, witnessed everything and threw a tantrum.

[Well, not really. But Papa Boss was sulking the entire time, so Mama Boss got upset and decided to hang out with her friends instead of having dinner with us.]

"I also don't know why I got upset just because a child asked for Mona's number," Papa Boss said, then he finished the soju in his glass in just one big gulp. "I'm just probably worried because I'm nearing my forties. And I'm not sure if I still look as good as I did when I was younger."

"Papa Boss, Mama Boss is the same age as you. She's nearing her forties as well."

"But your mother still looks young and beautiful."

"And so do you, Papa Boss," she said, rolling her eyes at her father. "Have you forgotten that I was even mistaken as your young mistress before?"

Her father frowned at the unpleasant memory.

When Papa Boss was pictured with Gavin appa before, her Papa Boss suddenly became an instant celebrity because of his good looks.

During the short time that Neoma did modeling with Trevor, a nasty rumor broke out that she was being sponsored by the CEO of Raon Entertainment. People bullied her online, saying that she only bagged her endorsements because of Papa Boss not knowing that Papa Boss was her father.

Hence, Papa Boss had to release a statement announcing that she was his daughter.

Then Papa Boss sued all the reporters and netizens who posted nasty comments about her.

[Papa Boss ruined so many lives… and rightfully so.]

"I guess I haven't completely gotten over my possessiveness," Papa Boss said, sighing while shaking his head. "I don't want Mona to hate me."

"Then apologize to Mama Boss and grovel, Papa Boss."

Since Mama Boss was upset, she went out with Areum eomma and Aunt Nichole so the three of them could have a girls' night out.

[I can't go with them because eighteen is still a minor in Korea.]

And that was exactly why she was drinking soju with Papa Boss at home.

"Should I bring flowers?"

"Mama Boss is a florist but her shop is already closed. She'll hate you even more if you bought flowers from another shop, Papa Boss."

"Oh," Papa Boss said, obviously dejected. "You're right, Neoma."

Aigoo.

"I inherited your pettiness, Papa Boss," Neoma said, then she took a sip of her soju. "I picked a fight with Ruto's ex-fiancée before just because I got a little jealous. Gosh, I can't believe I got jealous of a child."

"Why would you even get jealous of a child?" Papa Boss scolded her lightly. "You're the prettiest girl in the entire world, Neoma."

She giggled at her father's sudden compliment.

[Papa Boss is being vocal about his feelings now.]

"Papa Boss, be honest with me," Neoma said, grinning. "Am I your favorite child?"

It was something that she could only ask because Mama Boss wasn't there.

[Mama Boss would be upset if she heard my question.]

"Yes, I'm more fond of you than Nero."

Oops.

[Mama Boss would be upset as well if she heard Papa Boss' reply.]

"But that doesn't mean I love Nero any less," Papa Boss said. "I just find you more lovely because you look like your mother, Neoma. Of course, I'm not talking about your face alone."

After all, Neoma and Nero were like carbon copies of Papa Boss.

"On the other hand, Nero looks and acts exactly like me most of the time," Papa Boss said, frowning. "Hence, I know that your brother will just hate it if I shower him with love and affection as I do to you."

Pfft.

To be honest, she didn't expect that Papa Boss would answer honestly.

After all, it was common for people to think that having a favorite child was a bad thing for parents.

And Neoma experienced it firsthand.

[It hurt me when Papa Boss showed his favoritism towards Nero when we were younger. But Papa Boss has changed now. He's trying to love us equally.]

But, of course, her father wasn't perfect.

[Although Papa Boss says I'm his favorite, I still get jealous when he gives Nero more freedom. Especially when it comes to marriage. He let Nero get engaged early, but he gets really upset with just the thought of me dating Ruto.]

"I love both you and Nero," Papa Boss said softly, then he gave Neoma a warm smile. "But maybe I love you a little more than your twin brother?" Her father even showed his index finger and thumb, barely touching each other. "Just this much. You're lovelier than Nero because Nero inherited my grouchiness, while you inherited your mother's sunny disposition. Mona is lovely, so naturally, our daughter is lovely, too. Nero is lovely as well, but not as much as Neoma. Hehe."

Pfft.

Neoma burst out laughing because Papa Boss was starting to talk in a childish way.

And her father was grinning way too much!

[Yep, Papa Boss is sooo drunk.]

No wonder her father's face is already red.

[It's weird because back in the empire, Papa Boss is a hard drinker. But he becomes a lightweight when it comes to soju!]

"Papa Boss, do you love Mama Boss?"

Papa Boss grinned, and he wouldn't grin like that if he was sober. "Of course. I love your mother the most in the world!"

[Ah, wait. Let's keep a receipt~]

Neoma took out her phone and started recording her father. "Papa Boss, how much do you love Mama Boss?"

Once again, Papa Boss grinned while making a huge sphere in the air. Yep, the cold and stiff Emperor Nikolai wouldn't do such a thing. But her father was clearly drunk, so he was acting cute. "I love Mona this much! Mona, my love, I'm so sorry for being so narrow-minded." He clasped his hands as if he was praying, then he pouted while looking at the camera with puppy dog eyes. "Please forgive me, love. I'll never be jealous again." He bowed his head in apology. "I promise to be more mature as a partner!"

Neoma laughed out loud while recording Papa Boss' 'aegyo.' "Papa Boss, you're so gonna regret this once you sobered up!"

***

HI! ROYAL SECRET ALTERNATE UNIVERSE: LET'S NOT DIVORCE is now posted on my P/atreon account.

Just copy-paste this link: (patreon.com/sola_cola) or G0ogle P/atreon sola_cola to find my page. My profile picture is the same as the one I have here on WN. And the background picture says 'SOLAVERSE.'

I have TWO TIERS.

ROYAL FAMILY TIER (2USD) grants you access to the completed main story + book cover reveal. Total of 24 chapters.

IMPERIAL FAMILY TIER (3USD) grants you access to the completed main story + book cover reveal + exclusive SIDE STORIES + power to vote on polls.

See you there!

And I hope you enjoy the AU!

You'll get a strong independent Mama Boss, a CRYBABY Papa Boss who calls Rufus 'Hyung', a Nero who "hates" Neoma, and a delinquent Neoma who gets bullied by her schoolmates!