Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 105
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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 105. The Maximum Speed of a Shuttlecock at Its Peak Is 330 km/h (7)
Having failed in my plan to restore the Chief Chamberlain’s youth, I continued discussing dragons as a consolation. Dragons generally inhabit the southern regions of the continent, so unlike the central and northern lands, the south abounded with myths and legends about them. There were many ancestral deities related to dragons as well. According to recent scholarship, petroleum is said to emerge from the places where dragons die. Considering how much fossil fuel is found in the south, it’s a plausible theory.
“Now, now! It’s getting late. The children should retire for the evening.”
Oh, had it really gotten so late? Upon hearing the Chief Chamberlain’s words and confirming that the sun was setting, I bowed respectfully to the Empress, who presided over the Banquet Hall, and took my leave from the hall.
Even in summer, once the sun sets, the air becomes thick and humid. I suppose it’s more pronounced here in the north.
“Pisha, would you like to link arms?”
Oh! Croa, are you cold too? I’d been wearing short sleeves and my arms were getting chilled, so the timing was perfect. I was about to link arms with Croa when Nanark suddenly wedged himself between us. Standing squarely between Croa and me, Nanark linked both our arms with his and spoke confidently.
“Wow, it’s freezing! Having heaters on both sides is wonderful!”
At that, Croa’s expression turned decidedly unpleasant. I’d never seen Croa look like that before. He’d never made such a face even toward Shirley.
“…Would you mind stepping away?”
“No one can command the Prince of the Great Astyages Empire. Except Abamama.”
“I could curse you.”
“You know full well you can’t use curses until you reach adulthood.”
“Isn’t that contract only valid within the Kisomalos Imperial Palace?”
Quite the fierce exchange. It was impressive that Nanark had discovered the contract between the Kisomalos Royal House and Croa personally, and equally impressive that Croa knew of the loophole in that contract.
While I wanted to praise them both, I prioritized issuing a stern warning before Croa could entertain any reckless ideas.
“Croa.”
“Yes, Pisha.”
“Don’t use curses—they’re bad for your health.”
“If that is your wish, I shall comply.”
Having already lost the ability to walk as a penalty for cursing someone else, what would be next—losing the use of something else? If the backlash shortened your lifespan, it would be truly hopeless. You’re supposed to spend a hundred years with me, after all.
When I pressed this point firmly, Croa broke into a genuine smile rather than his usual bitter laugh.
“Wise words indeed. We should live together until we become grandparents.”
“Though no one knows if we’ll remain a couple until the very end.”
Your Highness, if you keep needling like that, our Croa might just pummel you with words again.
“You haven’t even gotten married yet.”
“What did you just say?!”
There he goes again. Why does he always start trouble when he never comes out ahead?
I gazed toward Hisperon in the distance who had come to greet us, lost in thought. In two days, there would be a banquet for ordinary nobles and merchants, wouldn’t there? I had no particular reason to attend, and I could have the acting governor and Count German handle the reception, but do we really have to skip it?
“Prince Nanark Astiages, Your Highness.”
“Hey, why are you calling me like that? You’re scaring me.”
“Because Your Highness keeps spouting nonsense, Pisha is upset. Apologize quickly.”
“Is there actually a way for you to die?”
“Even if we go to the next banquet, we’ll just end up eating in awkward silence under Hisperon’s watchful eye. Why can’t we just enjoy ourselves together?”
Couldn’t we prepare food at the estate and have our own private gathering? The hall there was quite spacious.
When I voiced this opinion, Nanark hummed thoughtfully before giving a positive response.
“If I contact Abamama beforehand, she’ll grant permission. I’ll say the Princess looks exhausted, so she should rest at the estate, and I’ll personally take responsibility for showing everyone around the sights.”
“Oh, truly worthy of Prince Nanark. Your heart is as vast as the sea.”
“You’re thinking ‘Why is this petty bastard being so considerate today?’ aren’t you?”
“Haha.”
I smiled without any warmth, and in that instant, Croa flinched. Seeing that reaction, I was reminded of the time I’d misspoken years ago and had to deliver a public apology. And then Nanakda, with his uncanny ability to read the room, uncrossed his arms and began pinching my cheeks mercilessly.
“You’re not denying it?!”
“Ow-owww!”
If I hadn’t been so mischievous in the first place, I wouldn’t be in this situation! Besides, you must have had something weighing on your own conscience to think I was being petty, didn’t you?
Since all that came out was unintelligible whimpering, I’d managed to say everything I wanted without restraint, but Nanakda, with his ghostly perception, pressed my cheeks together to form a fish-mouth shape and snapped at me sharply.
“If you keep doing that, I’m handing over your escort duties to my older brother!”
What?! I don’t want that!
I startled and pushed Nanakda away, then immediately clung to Hisperon as he approached.
“No one can separate me and the Young Hero!”
“I really hate it when she looks for the Young Hero like that.”
“I share that sentiment.”
The two of them linked arms and looked quite friendly together. Let Nanakda and Croa ride in the same car and spend a hundred years together in marital bliss. Hmph, hmph, hmph. I’m riding in the same car as Hisperon, hmph, hmph, hmph.
“Ah! It’s so cold, Hisperon. Please warm me with your body heat.”
“I shall remove my outer coat for you.”
Thinking I must be quite cold, Hisperon wrapped me completely in his outer coat, creating a perfect Vishnabel-in-a-coat bundle. Then he simply lifted me and tucked me under his arm as he walked.
Behind us, I heard Nanakda’s booming laughter and Croa’s whimpering giggles.
You two are dead men walking once we get home. I’ll make sure you understand what terminal illness feels like.
“Just bear with it a moment, Your Highness the Princess. The heater is on in the car, so it will be warm.”
“Wow… how thoughtful you are…”
With such meticulous attention to detail, no wonder he’s won so many battles. Hisperon is certainly skilled in mercenary tactics, but most wars are decided during the preparation phase before they even begin.
The number of trained soldiers, firepower, smooth supply lines for provisions—when these three elements align, victory is nearly assured. Tactics are merely a supplementary factor.
“….”
Of course, the Young Hero Hisperon has countless tales of returning alive even when all three of those elements were destroyed, wielding tactics like a street fighter! In that sense, I hold him in tremendous respect! No, respect isn’t the right word—this is faith! Hisperon is a god!
“Hisperon, I love you!”
“Thank you.”
“Hisperon, will you marry me?”
“That is not possible.”
I couldn’t contain the overwhelming emotions surging through me and proposed to Hisperon. But I was rejected again. Sigh, this is precisely what makes him so captivating.
Still wrapped in the coat bundle, I was moved to the back seat of the car that Hisperon was driving. The Chief Chamberlain rode in the same car as me, and apparently having heard my proposal, she spanked my rear end repeatedly, asking if I had no shame.
How disrespectful. I’ll have to give the Chief Chamberlain a proper beating when we get back.
After returning to Hisperon’s Estate, I picked up a love stick and struck the Chief Chamberlain’s hand three times. I’d intended to stop at three and forgive her, but she cursed at me for being shameless, so I hit her two more times.
And when Choco saw this spectacle, she laughed so hard that I gave her five strikes as well, for fairness.
“How about we proceed with our plan discreetly?”
“Discreetly?”
After the beating was done, I isolated Hisperon and began gathering people to prepare for a party.
If I told him beforehand that I wasn’t going to the banquet because I didn’t want to deal with his awkwardness, he’d definitely object. So I had no choice but to prepare everything in advance and strike first.
As I predicted the Young Hero’s reaction, Nanakda nodded in agreement.
“Right, that bastard will decline if you tell him beforehand.”
“Ah, come on! Stop calling him that.”
“What else should I call an illegitimate child but an illegitimate child?”
“Just call him by his name instead.”
“Hmm.”
Nanakda, who had been deliberating back and forth, nodded as if unexpectedly convinced.
“Well, he didn’t choose to be an Illegitimate Child either.”
“Ooh.”
What was this? Did Hisperon have some secret unknown to the world? When I poked Nanakda’s side out of curiosity, he clamped his mouth shut, saying it was a scandal of the Imperial Family that shouldn’t be spoken of.
“Then I’ll trade one scandal of the Kisomalos Royal House in return. One-for-one exchange—deal?”
“Deal.”
I told the others to wait a moment while I went to discuss the secret, then took Nanakda’s hand and left the room, whispering conspiratorially in his ear.
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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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