Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 100. The Maximum Speed of a Shuttlecock at Its Peak Is 330 km/h (2)
But if it’s a gift given with heart, isn’t even a single strand of hair precious? After all, people used to cut a bit of their betrothed’s hair before going to war and carry it with them.
“Are you the betrothed of that Illegitimate Child?”
“That’s not quite right.”
“If there’s a custom of cutting hair to give to one’s betrothed, then you should give some to me.”
“Ah, I’d rather not—you seem like you’d curse it.”
The moment I flatly rejected Croa’s curse, he made that sorrowful, ghostly expression again. I’ve seen it so many times now that I’m growing accustomed to it. It’s not as frightening as it used to be.
“If you’re feeling better now, shall we go meet the Emperor?”
“Chief Chamberlain, is it acceptable to speak so informally?”
“There’s no one else around, so what does it matter?”
Besides, what warm feelings could we possibly harbor toward Emperor Astyages that would make courtesy naturally spring forth? In truth, summoning a foreign heir like this after he’s inherited his nation was unprecedented. The great Empire of Astiages simply dominates the Central Continent, so other nations have no choice but to comply.
“Croa, even if it’s uncomfortable, stand with proper posture. If you slouch, that picky one will find fault with you.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Before we entered, should we do a rehearsal? Following the guidance of the Palace attendants of Astyages, we went as far as the Audience Chamber and practiced while waiting for those who would enter with us.
“Hup!”
“Don’t be so nervous.”
I grasped Croa’s waist and gently pushed him forward. Since Croa had his arm linked through mine, from the front we looked like an affectionate betrothed couple.
“Whoa, whoa-o-o-oh!”
But then came the sound of silk tearing from somewhere. At the far end of the corridor, an extraordinarily beautiful youth came rushing toward us. Silver hair, brilliant golden eyes, and beneath his left eye, a beauty mark as an alluring accent.
Though beautiful, he wasn’t so delicate as to be mistaken for a woman like Croa—he gave a distinctly masculine impression while being undeniably handsome.
When had I ever known someone so beautiful, like a king of royal blood itself?
“Tsk, you flirt!”
“Gasp!”
Up close, I could see traces of his old appearance. He’d grown tremendously, but… wasn’t this that snot-nosed Nanakda?!
“Nanakda? Your Highness, Emperor’s Son Nanakda?!”
“Then who did you think I was all this time!”
“Wow, you’ve become so handsome I didn’t recognize you.”
“Huh, really?”
Nanakda, who had been about to grab my cheeks and pull them, let out an enormous cough at my compliment and shrugged his shoulders.
“Hmph, the Little One has good taste.”
“I can’t imagine you’re the same Little One who used to cry and sniffle while eating potatoes back then.”
“You always have to add one more comment and earn yourself a beating!”
“Ow-w-w!”
This Emperor’s Son ended up grabbing my cheeks anyway. But it didn’t hurt, and since it had been so long, I let him be. Then a man who had been following Nanakda from afar grabbed him by the chin and simply lifted him up.
“Princess Vishnabel, are you unharmed?”
“Gasp.”
I recognized him instantly and my breath caught. Then I gasped again. As I continued to hold my breath, the Chief Chamberlain patted my back and told me to exhale.
“Boy Hero! Boy Hero! Boy Hero, sir! Boy Hero, Your Majesty!”
“Please, stop.”
“Wow-w-w-w! The Boy Hero, grown! Twenty years old! The Boy Hero past twenty! Wow-w-w-w! Those arms! Wow-w-w! You’re the best! The Boy Hero is the best! Please sign something for me!”
“No, we can discuss that later.”
“Please marry me!”
“That is not acceptable.”
“Please grant me asylum!”
“Your Highness the Princess, if you keep this up, I’ll truly be executed.”
Ugh. I’m confident we could treat him far better. Emperor Astyages has already devoured nearly all the northern lands, and if the Boy Hero has no intention of advancing southward, isn’t he destined to be discarded like a worn-out tool?
If he crosses over to the Central Continent, we’d not only treat him well but provide him with plenty of battlefields to prove himself. The Central Continental Alliance alone has over thirty member nations.
I was about to explain all this when that bastard Nanakda had the audacity to kick the Boy Hero’s shin.
“You illegitimate wretch, why did you follow us here!”
“Well, because the residence where Her Highness the Princess will be staying is… my home.”
“…”
“…”
Oh, right. Nanakda has been staying at Hisperon’s estate, hasn’t he? The fact that Nanakda requested the Emperor to let him accompany me means… as a result, I’ll be staying at Hisperon’s residence.
“Hehe! How nice to have a place to stay!”
“Yes, having an estate in the Capital is… not something just anyone can accomplish.”
Hmm, has Hisperon’s personality brightened somewhat? Her expression isn’t as gloomy as before, and she seemed quite close with Nanakda. She referred to bringing Nanakda along as picking up a stray cat—perhaps she’s been receiving animal therapy.
Nanakda was bickering with Hisperon, kicking at her shins, when suddenly two walls of different sizes appeared before me. One was Choco and one was Croa, and they both gripped my hand tightly on either side, speaking to me as if they were upset.
“Pisha, I am stronger. Those people aren’t even worth a single punch. You know this well, don’t you?”
“Pisha, I am prettier, aren’t I? Didn’t you once mistake me for a woman because I was so beautiful?”
What are you two saying? Everyone across the continent knows you’re both incredibly strong and incredibly beautiful. I was about to say this when Nanakda, who had been kicking at Hisperon’s shins, suddenly interjected.
“That’s a statement I cannot overlook. When it comes to the strongest on the continent, it has to be Hisperon.”
That can’t be right. Of course, Hisperon is the continent’s greatest strategist, general, and hero, but in one-on-one combat, no one surpasses Choco. Even the great Hisperon couldn’t dream of single-handedly capturing Loruruje Fortress.
I was about to protest hotly when the Chief Chamberlain quietly placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Now, now! Stop the chatter and let’s go inside. The Emperor is waiting.”
Right, we came to meet our Emperor. Now that everyone had arrived, I informed the attendant of our entry, then grasped Croa’s waist and proceeded carefully. Fortunately, no awkward sounds echoed in the Audience Chamber, and I was able to receive the Emperor’s greeting without incident.
“Ah, it’s getting chilly. Autumn must have arrived.”
Huh? But it’s still summer, isn’t it? Didn’t we just return from playing at the beach not long ago? Does the Northern Kingdom have different seasons than the southern regions?
I was deliberating whether I should respond with an autumn greeting when Nanakda stepped forward and bowed his head.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. It’s been so long since we’ve met that our conversation ran long.”
“It’s fine, these things happen. Did you manage to avoid the summer heat from last season?”
So summer hasn’t ended yet? We’re all still wearing short sleeves, aren’t we? Just as I was about to open my mouth in complete bewilderment, Nanakda grabbed my hand and pulled me close, whispering in my ear.
“He’s expressing displeasure that we arrived later than our scheduled appointment time.”
“Eh? What does that have to do with autumn?”
“Roughly, he’s saying he waited so long he thought the season had changed.”
I still can’t understand anything the Emperor says. When I mentioned wanting tea and then wine, he got upset, and now he keeps insisting it’s autumn when it’s clearly still summer.
“May wisdom settle upon great wings.”
Fine, I give up. Let me just offer a proper greeting. I quickly bent my knees and bowed, and Croa instinctively lowered his head as well. Well… Media was in vassalage to Emperor Astyages, so that’s the correct protocol in this case. But don’t go bowing so readily like that in other places, understood?
“May the radiance of the golden lamb shine upon you. Come now, blessed Media in azure, join us.”
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
Since this was my first time in such a formal setting, Croa seemed incredibly stiff. I patted his lower back reassuringly, but he didn’t seem to feel it at all—he just remained rigid, staring down at the floor.
“So you executed your parents and siblings by impalement? That’s quite impressive for someone who looks so mild-mannered.”
“Yes, yes, Emperor. Thank you.”
“What do you mean, thank you?”
This old man had always been a troublemaker. I was about to answer on Croa’s behalf, but Nanakda squeezed my hand firmly. The message was clear—if I interjected, things would only get worse.
“That is….”
“Speak. What exactly are you thanking me for?”
“A decisive resolve is one of the greatest qualities a king can possess. I believed Your Majesty was praising me for that.”
Wow, Croa—for someone so emotionally frozen, you certainly know how to speak well.
Once Croa regained his composure and finished speaking, the cantankerous old man chuckled and moved on to ask about the direction Media would take going forward.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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