260 THE EMPRESS MAKER

"I WILL find a way for us to be able to return to Korea, sweetie."

That was a tempting offer.

But Neoma's heart didn't waver.

Of course, she'd love to return to her peaceful life with her eomma and appa. She still hoped to be a lady of leisure in the future. But after discovering that the Royal Family was a scum as a whole, she knew that she couldn't just run away.

"Appa, I'm sorry but I can't return to Korea right now even if there's a way to do so," Neoma said in a sad yet firm voice. "Plus, I made a contract with Lord Yule."

Her appa's eyes widened in shock. "What kind of contract?"

"I shall become the first empress of this godforsaken empire, appa," she said, shocking her dad. "I must also retrieve Lord Yule's missing eyes."

"Agi."

"Nae, appa?"

"When did you grow up this much?" her dad said in a kind of emotional voice. "You even have a boyfriend now."

"Boyfriend?"