Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 101

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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 101. The Maximum Speed of a Shuttlecock at Any Given Moment Is 330 km/h (3)
“So this tradition of having one person inherit the nation and another curse it—does it end with the Emperor’s Son’s generation?”
“Yes. We will abolish this practice and inscribe new laws into the legal code to ensure such a thing never repeats.”
“Good, good. Media has much to recommend it, but that petty tradition has always rubbed me the wrong way.”
The Emperor said we could withdraw, mentioning he would discuss the details tomorrow with Media’s Regent and his delegation upon their arrival.
“Ah, our household affairs are rather bothersome at the moment. I summoned Nanakda, who’s been living outside the Palace, but the golden-haired Princess—is she well?”
“Yes, I find this arrangement quite comfortable and preferable.”
“Good, good. It’s pleasant to see the children getting along so well.”
The Emperor let out a long, weary sigh, relieved that we at least got along. Watching the Crown Prince and First Princess bicker seemed to exhaust him.
We thanked the Emperor for dismissing us early and slipped out of the Audience Chamber. On our way out, I quietly escorted Croa, managing to exit without a sound.
“Today’s schedule is done!”
“Then we should move our luggage.”
“I will show you the way.”
Hisperon told us the vehicles were ready and to go ahead with Nanakda and wait in them. I followed Nanakda out of the Imperial Palace as Hisperon instructed, and once we left the Main Palace, I could see a circular garden in the distance where a line of vehicles waited. Nanakda and Croa stood quietly, studying each other.
“….”
“….”
They gazed at each other in silence for a long moment, sizing one another up, before both let out confident laughs.
“I’m more handsome.”
“I’m more beautiful.”
Both praised themselves simultaneously, then immediately glared at each other.
“What good is a man being pretty?”
“Beauty is an expression of aesthetic appeal that encompasses both genders. It’s superior to handsome.”
“Says who?”
“The dictionary.”
“Ah, that’s why you’re so scrawny from reading books all day?”
“It seems the Emperor’s Son suffers from nutritional imbalance, which is why he’s so short.”
“I’m average height!”
“Either way, you’re shorter than me.”
“Ugh!”
Croa won that round. Father must have raised him well—he doesn’t lose when it comes to sharp tongues. The way he didn’t shrink back before the Emperor earlier showed it too. Today, Croa really distinguished himself. When I praised him for everything that happened in the Audience Chamber, the Little One laughed happily and thanked me.
“Listen! This marriage alliance thing is nothing! It’s just like buying and selling goods! It can be dissolved anytime!”
Well, that’s true enough. But why mention something everyone already knows right here? Since Media and Kisomalos are neighboring nations, marriage alliances rarely break apart between them, but with other countries, such alliances seldom lasted to the end.
Spouses could turn their backs on each other whenever circumstances grew unfavorable. Though with Croa, it felt more like having a sibling than a spouse. So perhaps we wouldn’t turn our backs on each other so easily?
When the marriage alliance came up, Croa seemed incredibly irritated for some reason. He glanced at me, clenched his fist, and took a deep breath. Then, displaying that sorrowful smile he wore so often, he held up his left hand to Nanakda.
“Regardless, my current partner is me.”
“You bastard!”
Ah, he was showing off the ring. As Croa wiggled his fingers, the gemstone caught the sunlight and sparkled beautifully. I hadn’t noticed it well indoors, but seeing the luster in daylight—was that a diamond? The Prisoner had at least maintained minimum courtesy.
“Come, let’s go first. The servants will move the luggage.”
Nanakda lunged at Croa, but Hisperon suddenly appeared and scooped Nanakda up effortlessly. Thrashing about in midair, he looked just like an angry cat. No wonder Hisperon kept comparing Nanakda to one.
“Haha.”
His hair was nearly white silver, making him look even more like the neighborhood cat. The urge to touch it was irresistible, so I let out an “Oh my, how cute” and reached out to pet Nanakda’s head. Little One let out a sharp cry of protest.
“Stop treating me like a child!”
“I’m treating you like a cat, not a child.”
“That’s even worse!”
As I laughed heartily at our banter, Hisperon seemed amused as well and chuckled along. Hmm, his personality really has brightened considerably. This was the first time I’d seen him express his emotions so openly through laughter.
“Pisha! You should ride in this vehicle!”
“Got it! Coming now!”
I told Hisperon and Nanakda we’d meet later, then climbed into the car where Choco was already seated, alongside Croa. Croa linked her arm through mine as she sat beside me, and kept pushing her head toward me. I couldn’t figure out why she suddenly wanted to show me the top of her head.

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“Pisha is a complete idiot!”
The moment I stepped out of the car in front of Hisperon’s Estate, Croa hurled an insult at me. She rushed into the mansion with a rustling sound, and Emilies hurried after her. I had no idea what had just happened.
“Pisha, what mistake did you make this time?”
“What? I didn’t do anything.”
“If Croa is acting like that, you must have done something wrong.”
Who knows? Maybe she’s just going through adolescence with wild mood swings. Still, worried there might be something I’d overlooked, I recounted everything that happened during the car ride to the Chief Chamberlain. For some reason, Croa had linked her arm through mine and kept pushing her head toward me. As I explained this, the Chief Chamberlain’s expression grew equally puzzled.
“Based on what you’re saying, it doesn’t seem like you did anything wrong at all.”
“Right?”
“I’ll go try to calm her down.”
“Yes, please do.”
I’d need to demonstrate our closeness as a couple later at the Banquet Hall, and if Croa stayed in this state, it would disrupt the schedule. I decided to trust the Chief Chamberlain’s skill at soothing children and stuck close to Hisperon.
“Oh my, Hisperon! The grandeur of this estate truly reflects your noble character and refined nature!”
“You’re too kind.”
“If I may be so bold, might I have the honor of seeing the ceremonial sword you wielded when you were ambushed? I’ve been unable to sleep since yesterday, hoping for such an opportunity!”
“You slept the entire airship ride.”
Oh no, Choco! This is not the time to be tactless and blurt out the truth!
Why was she suddenly saying such unhelpful things when she usually reads the room so well? Regardless, I pestered Hisperon about seeing that legendary ceremonial sword I’d only read about in tales of young heroes.
“That sword? The servants insisted on displaying it somewhere visible, so it’s in the entrance hall.”
“Oh! To the entrance!”
I clung to Hisperon and headed toward the entrance. He’d been impressively tall at fifteen, but now at twenty, he’d grown absolutely massive—like a mountain. If he kept growing, he’d rival the Prisoner in size.
“Wow! Is this the legendary beautiful blade of steel that killed ten assassins in an instant when you were ambushed at the Emperor’s birthday banquet, where you had to attend unarmed!”
“Well, it wasn’t really such a remarkable feat… but yes, that’s correct.”
“Ha! Of course it wasn’t remarkable!”
Choco, why do you keep ruining the mood? Sensing my displeasure, I gave the man a sharp look, and Choco flustered as she tried to defend herself.
“I mean, it’s true though. What’s so impressive about killing ten people with a metal club?”
“Most people would find that impressive.”
“If it just looked like a sword! I can cut down a hundred!”
“Well, that’s only natural coming from you.”
Hisperon isn’t a battle-crazed killing machine like you—he’s a commander. The remarkable part is that someone so skilled at strategy also excels in combat.
As I explained this carefully, Choco seemed to accept my point and calmed down somewhat. But just as I’d settled one problem, another one started acting up.
“Hey, that guard or whatever you brought along—isn’t he being a bit too boastful?”
“It’s not boasting, sir!”
“No, it’s not boasting. Choco supposedly slew a thousand men with a single blade at Loruruje Fortress.”
When I stated the facts plainly, Choco let out a satisfied hum and shrugged her shoulders. At that, Hisperon chuckled and brought up the Prisoner’s name.
“Your Highness, that is merely a rumor the Emperor deliberately spread to intimidate neighboring nations.”
Wow, so that’s how other countries interpreted it? Though I suppose the notion of a single person infiltrating a fortress and slaying a thousand soldiers in one night does strain credibility, doesn’t it?

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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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