Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 112

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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 112. The Emperor Is a Dictator. The Princess Is a Budding Dictator (4)
But honestly, I had no desire to visit the Night Market—a place crowded with people, devoid of anything worth seeing, filled with unsanitary stalls and unlicensed vendors peddling their wares. When I expressed this frankly, Prisoner laughed and shared a childhood story about Helbatro.
“He also pretended to be mature and declined at your age. But when he turned twelve, he snuck out on his own and caused quite a scandal.”
“Ende found him crying in a gambling den without his underwear.”
“Oh….”
My adoptive father had lived a life riddled with dark history, yet here was another shameful chapter I’d never heard of. I let out a noncommittal exclamation to signal my lack of interest and trudged along.
“I’m really not curious about this.”
The Night Market was tedious to walk through, loud, and unsanitary.
As I continued to grumble, Father scooped me up, insisting we go and see for ourselves, then loaded me into the car. We left the Imperial Palace, parked in the paid lot at the market entrance, and stepped into the Night Market, where colorful lights sparkled brilliantly.
“Wow! There are so many people! Seriously, so many people!”
“Pisha, what on earth are they selling over there?”
“Ha ha ha! No idea! Should we go check it out?”
As I bounced around exploring the Night Market, I could feel the Chief Chamberlain, Choco, and Prisoner watching me with ambiguous smiles.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing. Enjoy yourself.”
“It’s funny.”
“You said you didn’t want to come, but now that you’re here, you’re having so much fun—it’s amusing.”
Why would I wear a gloomy expression when I came out to have fun? I’m a Princess who understands how to read the room, so I simply enjoy myself appropriately for the occasion! When I made this logical argument, the Chief Chamberlain, Choco, and Prisoner smiled ambiguously again.
“Yes, please do enjoy yourself.”
“It’s quite amusing.”
“Pisha, you’re really entertaining.”
If they’re going to use me as entertainment, shouldn’t they at least pay performance fees? When I rightfully demanded compensation, Father, the Head Attendant Grandmother, and Choco rummaged through their pockets and each handed me a 5,000 Lakma coin.
“Tch….”
“That should be enough for spending money.”
“If you find any stalls overcharging, remember them. I’ll discipline them later.”
“Fine….”
Keeping tabs on tourist trap prices at the Night Market is important. Yes, I understand. They compensated me for being their jester, and they’re giving me spending money to scout for price gouging—it’s all reasonable, so why does this feel so irritating?
“Hey there, pretty young lady! Come try this!”
“Oh!”
There couldn’t be anyone prettier than me, right? I glanced around but saw no one more beautiful, so I cheerfully skipped over to the stall and received something brown wrapped in newspaper rolled into a cone shape from the vendor.
“What is this?”
“First time trying it, miss? Here, use a toothpick—just poke it like this and eat it.”
“Like this?”
I picked up the round, wrinkled thing with a toothpick and ate it. As I chewed, something juicy burst out from inside.
“Wow! It’s savory, salty, and has this indescribable, exquisite flavor—it’s absolutely delicious!”
“My, what a blessed appetite you have, miss.”
Once I started eating these, I couldn’t stop.
I picked them up one by one with the toothpick, but soon I was just dumping them into my mouth in frustration.
“Delicious!”
“Would you like another?”
“Yes!”
Wow, if I dipped this in a shot of clear liquor, it would be absolutely divine! Why haven’t I discovered this food until now? Don’t they bring ingredients like this to the Imperial Palace? This is completely new to me!
“That was delicious!”
I need to tell Emily and the Chief Chamberlain to have this brought to the Palace. To set a proper example as a Princess, I disposed of the wrapper in the trash, dusted off my hands, and decided to head toward the stall where my companions were gathered.
“Wait, wait! Miss!”
“What is it?”
“You need to pay for that!”
Huh?! That was supposed to be paid for?! Then you should have said so from the beginning!
“…Wasn’t that a sample?”
“Who gives two bowls as a sample!”
“Well, since you’re such a pretty young lady, I thought I’d let you try it.”
“That’s just a sales pitch!”
No, no—if you’re going to be that confusing about it, you should have been clearer from the start! I was so exasperated that I appealed to the Chief Chamberlain, Father, and Choco, who had been watching me intently, to take my side.
But Father and Choco were clinging to the shop’s pillar, tears streaming down their faces as they laughed.
“Ha ha, ha ha ha!”
“A pretty young lady, kehehk! Thought it was free, aha hahk! Aha ha hahk!”
I’m glad they both seem to be enjoying life so much. But I’m the one who’s been wronged! I turned my pleading gaze toward Grandmother, my last lifeline. She then pulled out her coin purse with a decisive click and withdrew a 5,000 Rakma coin.
“We will naturally pay for the food. However, your sales pitch does have a problem.”
“I see. My daughter is pretty, so if someone says they’re giving food for free to a pretty child, she would naturally accept it.”
Exactly! Father understands my feelings! He’s been laughing at my predicament this whole time, but the fact that Prisoner is on my side remains unchanged. Though he’s still struggling to suppress his laughter.
“That’s right! We can think of it as Pisha receiving the food as payment for her beautiful face!”
“Ha ha, Pisha does have an innocent side to her.”
Croa and Shirley, you two said you had no presence, yet you’re both holding chicken skewers and roasted corn in both hands. So that’s why we had an early dinner. To eat night snacks at the market.
As we were bickering, a crowd gathered, and Choco explained the whole situation to the anxious onlookers.
The citizens and tourists passing through the market looked between me and the shop alternately, then laughed and jeered at the shop.
“Give one to the pretty girl!”
“Ha ha ha, I knew that guy was always grabbing every passerby like that—I figured he’d finally get caught!”
Hmm, it seems excessive solicitation is frequent here. It could be burdensome for tourists. Not only do prices need regulation, but the vendors also need education on proper solicitation practices.
“How did I end up running into these fools today.”
The vendor who sold me food looks quite shocked, but he’ll be in for an even bigger shock when he learns these “fools” are the Royal Family of the Imperial Kingdom and their entourage.
I persuaded my companions to move on and explore other stalls. Thanks to the crowd we’d gathered, the food stall that wrapped something brown in newspaper had a line of customers.
“But what is that? I want to eat it again later.”
Once the ingredients arrive, Chef Bap at our Palace will prepare it for me.
When I asked Father what that food was, he asked if I was really sure I wanted to know.
“What is it? Is catching that illegal?”
“Silkworm pupae.”
“Silkworm pupae?”
What is that? Silkworm pupae? It can’t be what I think it is, can it?
“What are silkworm pupae?”
“It’s the stage of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis before it becomes an adult.”
“…?”
“The edible ones are typically silkworm pupae.”
Ah, I see… Since silk thread usually comes from cocoons, they must collect the pupae this way and boil them to eat. It’s the kind of practical wisdom born from the people’s daily lives….
“Ha….”
There was something oddly wrinkled about them. I felt like I could eat them again if I just didn’t look at them directly.
“They’re absolutely divine with rice wine and a quick dip.”
“Let’s eat them with mackerel sashimi next time.”
When I grow up, I’m definitely setting up a drinking table with those two dishes. I made a pinky promise with Father and continued exploring the Night Market.
After wandering through the market well past midnight, we’d had our fill of fun and returned to the Imperial Palace. The Night Market certainly has its charm.
But after surveying it so thoroughly, I realized something: it wasn’t nearly exciting or entertaining enough to warrant sneaking out of the Imperial Palace in the dead of night to visit!
Father dragged me around that night to teach me this truth through experience. While I only had study schedules to worry about, he had work the next day too. It was truly a sacrifice worthy of praise. I thanked him sincerely in my heart and hurried along to keep up with today’s schedule.

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Much time passed after that. The Newspaper Company completed its remodeling, and through connections from my time in prison, we smoothly hired staff. I visited the Newspaper Company with Father for the grand opening ceremony photographs and cut the ribbon with scissors.
The newspaper printed with Princess Vishnabel’s lovely daily life on the front page, and not long after, I received a shocking report.
We had spectacularly failed at the media business.

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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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