PRIDE AND JEALOUSY

NEOMA wanted to strangle herself.

[I'm in my super petty era.]

"Forget it," Neoma said before she stooped even low. "I'm not craving ice cream. And I know that you can't make it at your current state anyway."

Ruto frowned at her words. "That sounds like a challenge to me."

"Children should be in bed by now, so let's all go home."

"I'm not a child," Ruto said, confused. "I'm older than you, Princess Neoma."

"I'm talking about me and Lord Preston," she said, then she turned to Preston. "My same-age friend, let's go. It's past our bedtime already. And staying up late isn't good for our skin." She raised the edible flowers in her hands. "Thank you for these. I love them."

Preston smiled and nodded. "You may not be familiar with this place yet, Princess Neoma. Would you like me to walk you back to the temple?"

"Thank you for the offer, but it's alright, Lord Preston," she said. "My children are already here."