Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 134
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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 134. How to Not Obsess Over a Child Missing for Over Half a Year (3)
“What is she talking about?”
“Well… the truth is.”
So you all know something? No wonder Croa’s profile came together so smoothly the moment he heard the child’s name. When I demanded they speak plainly, a story far shorter than I’d anticipated tumbled out.
“It seems she became infatuated after seeing my Aunt at the ball.”
“Since then, she’s been visiting once a week to read books to her. We thought she’d be bored in prison.”
That’s really all there is to it? This isn’t some spy Alset sent? Though with House Lorowi completely ruined now, there’s no need to plant spies or anything else.
“But why are you asking me for permission to marry my Aunt?”
Normally, wouldn’t you seek out your Aunt’s mother? She’s right there next to you—that old Chamberlain from that house. When I voiced my confusion, the blue-haired little one from House Alset said something rather pointed.
“House Lorowi has collapsed, and we thought if it came from the Princess’s words, Lady Kazelnu would listen!”
“This little one has a surprisingly keen grasp of power dynamics.”
Now that the Chamberlain has been stripped of her title and House Lorowi’s assets have been confiscated, my Aunt is no longer nobility—she’s become a commoner. But she can still claim the name of being my maternal family’s relative. And the highest-ranking person in this maternal family line is none other than me, Vishnabel Lorowi Kisomalos, the Princess.
If I dig deeper into it, since all of House Lorowi’s assets belong to the Princess Palace, my Aunt, who bears the Lorowi name, could be considered part of my property. Therefore, it’s only proper that they seek marriage permission from me, who possesses my Aunt as an asset.
“Hmm, if I can sell off my commoner Aunt to the eldest son of House Alset, then I’m all for it.”
“Pisha! I don’t want to marry a child!”
Shouldn’t my Aunt at least exchange some pleasantries with me after meeting for the first time in so long—something like expressing relief that I’m safe? This is quite hurtful to my feelings.
Since my Aunt upset me first, I’ll return the favor.
“What about a dowry? How much can you bring?”
“Ah, well…”
Now that I think about it, she’s become a commoner too. Even if my Aunt is a commoner, she’s still a relative of House Kisomalos—I can’t marry her off to another commoner.
“My Aunt is of marriageable age and not unattractive. If I send her abroad as a diplomatic tool, I could sell her off for a good price.”
“Pisha! Are you planning to sell off your Aunt?!”
“If the terms are favorable enough.”
“You…!”
My Aunt was about to lose her temper, but when she saw the little old Chamberlain staring blankly from the adjacent space, she suppressed her anger. Then her expression grew sorrowful.
“Even so, couldn’t you speak a bit more kindly? I’m your Aunt Pisha, after all…”
“That’s plenty kind for someone to say to a kidnapper’s daughter.”
“Whimper.”
Don’t whimper like that! Where do you get off being cute? I coldly dismissed my Aunt, who now had no use except to make a good marriage, and stood before the little one from House Alset.
I’d thought the Duke kept him hidden and never introduced him around, so he’d grown up neglected, but that doesn’t seem to be entirely the case? Given that he can leave home freely and even enter the Imperial Palace on his own. Perhaps he’s simply a child the Duke chose not to acknowledge.
“Introduce yourself.”
“Yes, sir! I am Larima Alset, the eldest son of Duke Alset!”
“Larima? You mean like the gemstone larimar?”
“Yes! The Duke said it resembles my hair color.”
I can’t tell if he cherishes the child or not. Naming him Larima after his sky-blue hair seems hastily done, but the fact that he borrowed a gemstone’s name suggests some attachment… or perhaps not.
“Has he been recognized as a legitimate heir?”
“No. That’s probably because… I won’t become the child of his current wife.”
“I see.”
No matter how thoroughly House Lorowi has collapsed, they remain relatives of House Kisomalos’s legitimate line. I cannot marry off my Aunt to someone who isn’t even recognized as legitimate within his own family.
“Let me be clear on one thing: I will only permit this marriage if you make my Aunt the Duchess of House Alset. Otherwise, I cannot approve any marriage whatsoever.”
“Though I possess nothing, I shall give my utmost sincerity! I will spend my entire life gazing only upon Kazelnu!”
“Does sincerity put food on the table?!”
How do you expect to survive taking a wife without the Duke’s House’s support?
My Aunt grew up wearing ridiculous clothes, yet the House of Lorowi provided her with everything she needed, and she even held the position of Marquis at one point. She was the master of the household, a commander of armies! And you plan to bring her here to do piecework sewing?!
As I scolded the Little One for having no vision whatsoever, Larima Alset’s eyes glistened with tears as he spoke to me.
“Then, what should I do?”
“Obviously, you must become the next Duke! Once you reach that position, I could even send your Aunt to you!”
“Pisha!”
“Quiet! Money doesn’t talk back!”
Larima clenched his fists as if he’d made a resolution upon receiving this goal, but soon his shoulders sagged as he uttered a pathetic response.
“But how could I possibly become the legitimate heir? My current Mother is the legal wife, and my younger sibling to be born will have the House’s support.”
“Hmph, if it’s successor education you need, I can provide that.”
If I could obtain the House of Duke Alset by selling my Aunt, this much investment was worthwhile. Though he would need preliminary studies to keep up with Marshmallow’s lessons.
“Would you be interested in receiving Imperial education?”
“Of course! Please, I beg you!”
Very well then, let’s draft a proper contract. I summoned Emily to bring a simple contract, then crouched on the prison floor and wrote down various conditions.
If he received my sponsorship and became the legitimate heir of Alset, I would permit his marriage to my Aunt. In exchange, he would handle winning her over through his own efforts. And once Larima became Duke, I wanted him to provide electric divine stones at half price. When I specified this as a family discount, Larima’s eyes widened as he looked at me.
“Family… discount?”
“Once you marry your Aunt, you naturally become family to me. Croa and Shirley are like my siblings, so they all become your family as well.”
“Wow….”
The boy smiled so beautifully. When he grows up, he’ll become quite the stunning beauty, which would be quite the bargain for my Aunt….
“Huh?!”
“Pisha?”
Sensing someone’s glare upon me, I spun around to find Croa staring at me with a sorrowful expression. I hastily offered an excuse.
“No! I wasn’t thinking that he’d become beautiful when he grows up!”
“You were….”
Well, to be honest, let me admit it. The boy is incredibly beautiful. Do you think it’s common to find someone with such delicate, soft features? Even if he doesn’t surpass Croa, he’s absolutely breathtaking, I’m telling you? Look at those eyes—they’re like jewels!
“Does that mean my eyes are inferior to jewels?”
“No way! Croa’s eyes are more beautiful than amethyst! Sometimes when I look at them, I feel like I could get pulled in?!”
“I had nothing to look at but my eyes, yet now I must go about concealed like this. I’m uncertain how to proceed.”
“Ah, I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry!”
Hey, don’t you dare bring up that eye patch in such a cunning way! I end up apologizing unconditionally! Ugh, I never should have been kidnapped by that Chamberlain!
As I bickered and sparred with Croa, Larima smiled beautifully and wore an expression full of hope.
“I see. Once I become the legitimate heir, Croa would become my older brother, and Shirley would become my older sister?”
Hmm, that’s not quite right, is it? Technically, Croa would become your nephew-in-law? But seeing Larima construct these dreamlike family plans, I couldn’t bring myself to correct him, so I simply agreed.
“To think I could have a family! It feels like a dream!”
Ah… well, you do have your own family in the House of Alset. But since you’re an abandoned child, I suppose you must be starved for affection. I decided to provide generous support so the Little One could do his best.
“If life in the Duke’s House becomes uncomfortable, come visit the Princess Palace anytime. I have the means to feed and shelter you.”
“Yes! Thank you, older sister!”
Hmm, so I’ve already become his older sister. Well… call me as you wish? We’ll be seeing each other often once we start lessons together.
I decided to send the class schedule later and arranged for the Imperial limousine to pick up Larima Alset whenever he visited the Imperial Palace. Once Little One discovered she had connections within the Imperial Family, Duke Alset would surely pay more attention to Larima.
“Lady Kazelnu! I’ll work hard at this!”
“Pisha, am I supposed to cheer for him?”
“At Aunt’s age, getting a fiancé like that is absolutely amazing.”
“It’s not amazing at all?!”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t asked Little One’s age. Before Larima Alset left, I asked how old he was turning this year. Larima answered cheerfully, “Yes, Sister!” and honestly told me his age.
“I turned ten at my last birthday!”
“Wow.”
Congratulations on your fiancé who’s eighteen years younger, Aunt. When I told her the exact age difference, Aunt looked dizzy and collapsed onto the bed with a thud.
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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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