Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 106
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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 106. The Maximum Speed of a Shuttlecock at Its Peak Is 330 km/h (8)
“Kisomalos also has an illegitimate child who isn’t recognized as a member of the imperial family. His name is Trimuti, and he’s become a eunuch now.”
“I knew there was an illegitimate child, but I didn’t know he’d become a eunuch.”
Since this was new information, Nanakda decided to trade secrets in equal exchange and revealed his own.
“That man was… back when Abamama was still the Crown Prince…”
“Oh my! Oh my goodness!”
So Hisperon’s mother got the Emperor absolutely drunk and seduced him?! She thought that if she had a child, it would open doors for her future?!
Good heavens, good heavens. The Emperor, who’d only engaged in obligatory defensive encounters with the imperial concubines, would have been furious enough to execute the young hero’s mother.
So the story about his mother being of lowborn status and thus not receiving a family name—that was fabricated to hide this truth? If she had enough standing to approach the Emperor and drink with him, she must have been nobility. She should have simply asked for an official concubine status. If she’d squandered her family fortune while making demands, that man’s temperament might have granted her a concubine’s residence.
“Then, is it uncertain whether Hisperon is even a true descendant of Astiages?”
“Everyone vaguely senses it. …Not only does he look nothing like them, but that woman merely claimed to have conceived an imperial heir.”
I’d always wondered why all the Astiages imperial children had silver hair while Hisperon alone had dark hair.
I’d thought it cruel that even if he were illegitimate, he shared the Emperor’s blood—but now I understood the Emperor had such a dark history.
“You can’t go around telling people about this, right?”
“I understand. Since it would be insulting to Hisperon, I will never reveal it.”
Nanakda and I linked our pinky fingers, stamped our seal, and then high-fived before returning to our room.
I was thrilled to have discovered Hisperon’s hidden secret. This truth would go with me to the grave.
“Have you finished discussing all the secrets?”
“Yes. Let’s begin the meeting.”
Since we had no official schedule tomorrow, we decided to scatter and each prepare for the party. The Chief Chamberlain would handle food and interior decoration, Choco would recruit nighttime staff, Croa and Nanakda would secure a musical ensemble, and I would—
“Handle the date to distract Hisperon!”
I announced this confidently with a flourish, but Choco jeered and spoke the truth.
“That’s just Pisha’s selfish desire!”
Choco went “boo,” and the Chief Chamberlain, Nanakda, and Croa all joined in booing me. So I decided to follow Father’s example and simply own it boldly.
“Yes, it’s selfish! So what?!”
“Look at her, she’s picked up Chiron’s mannerisms.”
“I would have hoped she wouldn’t adopt that particular trait.”
Ha ha ha! If you’re so unhappy, why don’t you become the Imperial Princess of the Imperial Kingdom yourselves? When I invoked my status and made unreasonable demands, Nanakda raised his hand and invoked his status just like me.
“I’m the Prince of Astiages, so shouldn’t my opinion count too?”
“I have the status of a guest of the Empire, so my opinion takes precedence in this case. It’s a social convention.”
“You really do have an annoying way of speaking.”
“I learned that from Chiron as well.”
Choco pretended to cry, saying she never used to speak so annoyingly. You really do resemble our Maternal Grandmother in how you fake sadness. But I shouldn’t mention that or Choco will get upset.
“Anyway, it’s an imperial decree, a decree! Operation begins tomorrow!”
When I insisted stubbornly, everyone reluctantly agreed and went to rest. I had dinner, bathed, and played fairly with Croa and Nanakda until just before bed, preparing myself for tomorrow.
✦ ✦ ✦
When the new sun reached its zenith, we dispersed one by one to fulfill our respective duties. The Chief Chamberlain quietly summoned the estate’s servants and explained the plan, while Choco went to recruit those willing to work for additional night wages.
Croa, Nanakda, and I ventured out with Hisperon, then naturally parted ways. I took Hisperon shopping and sightseeing through the district until I stopped before a theater.
“Gasp!”
That’s right—the Astyages Empire had that performance for patriotic fervor, military recruitment, and propaganda purposes! I’d seen an article about this theater troupe performing it professionally!
“My purse! Where’s my purse!”
I hastily ordered Emily, who had followed me to the Empire, to find my purse. As everyone rummaged through their belongings in a fuss, Hisperon stepped forward and opened his wallet.
“If it’s an urgent matter, I can provide the funds on your behalf.”
“No! This isn’t something that can be solved with pocket change!”
“Pocket change….”
Hisperon was looking at me again as though I were a profligate princess, but there was nothing to be done about it. I’d need approximately fifty million Lakma right now.
“Your Highness! I’ve found your checkbook!”
“Excellent, thank you!”
“A checkbook….”
Hisperon looked at me again with an expression wondering what extravagance I was about to commit, but I had to overcome his judgment and spend the money.
“Young Hero, please wait here! I’ll finish this conversation and return shortly!”
I instructed my guards to watch over Hisperon carefully, then entered the theater to find performers willing to give a guest performance of “The Young Hero’s Epic.”
When I told the Theater Troupe Director that I needed performers for a show at Hisperon’s Residence tomorrow and thrust my checkbook at him, the man made a face as if to say this shouldn’t be done.
So I drew lines through the checkbook and rewrote the amount as one hundred million Lakma, then thrust it at him again. The man then smiled broadly and promised to see me tomorrow.
“I am a guest of the Emperor of the Astyages Empire. If you break your promise, you’ll all be executed, so remember that well.”
“Yes! I’ll make the arrangements with utmost care, Your Highness!”
Good. With generous payment, he’d surely gather experienced performers. Using the contract-reading skills I’d honed under my father the Emperor, I swiftly reviewed the documents, checked what needed checking, deleted what needed deleting, conducted final negotiations with the director, and even completed the signature.
How thrilling! I’d finally see “The Young Hero’s Epic”! In my country, it’s not only banned from performance but even forbidden from publication! Though of course, that’s natural since it’s imperial propaganda!
“How thrilling, how thrilling♫ The Princess is thrilled♪”
I hummed merrily as I left the theater. Hisperon, who had been waiting for me, looked at me with an anxious gaze.
“…It seems your business concluded favorably?”
“Yes!”
Riding high on excitement, I decided to dance a light folk dance with Hisperon before returning. The Young Hero initially refused to dance on the main street, but when I invoked imperial command, he relented and took my hand, spinning round and round. I’d keep today’s dancing brief and save my energy—tomorrow would be the real celebration.
We circled the commercial district once, then reunited with Croa and Nanakda’s group to stretch out the time further. Then, as if nothing had happened, we returned to the estate and made a request of Hisperon. I asked to borrow something we’d need to work on at the Villa, given what I’d just spent. The Young Hero still showed an anxious expression, but he didn’t voice any refusal.
Hehehehe! The naive fellow has no idea what awaits him tomorrow.
We confidently deployed the night-shift workers to the Villa and hurried with preparations for tomorrow’s banquet.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next day, after finishing our preparations, we descended and all climbed into the carriage together, driving smoothly through Hisperon’s Residence. We traveled about ten meters within the estate before tumbling out, and Hisperon simply stared at us with a bewildered expression.
“What are you doing? Get out quickly.”
When Nanakda urged him, he did exit the carriage, though the man still appeared utterly confused. As we confidently entered the Villa’s Banquet Hall, we found the estate’s servants already enjoying a party within.
“…What on earth is this?”
“We asked the Emperor to clear his schedule so we could have fun together.”
Though hastily arranged, everything was decorated beautifully. The food was impeccably presented too. The orchestra was somewhat… classical and jazz seemed to be competing with each other, but I understood—Nanakda and Croa must not have reached agreement on the music selection.
I had no idea which one Croa preferred.
“….”
Was it classical? Jazz? What if Croa asks me about it? Would I be able to guess correctly? My palms are getting sweaty right now, aren’t they?
“The Emperor… gave his permission?”
“Yes, that’s how it came to be.”
His expression seemed more astonished by the Emperor’s approval than by our party preparations themselves. It felt somewhat disappointing, and thinking of how he must have been treated all this time within the Imperial Palace made my heart ache.
The young hero still sought confirmation from Nanakda, as if unable to believe it. Nanakda, as usual, let out a huff and crossed his arms before speaking with characteristic arrogance.
“That’s how it is, Hisperon.”
Hisperon displayed the most varied expression I had ever seen from him until now.
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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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