Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 154

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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 154. Even at Eighteen, You Cannot Drink. That’s Media Law (1)
“Huff, huff, huff!”
I’ve been taking deep breaths behind the curtain of the Audience Chamber for ten minutes now. Ever since I turned sixteen, I’d been handling distant state affairs from the Kisomalos Imperial Palace, but this was my first time coming all the way to the Media Royal Palace to conduct official business while facing the ministers directly.
“Huff, huff, huff!”
“Your Majesty, forgive my presumption, but you cannot continue hiding here.”
“Just a moment! One more breath. Gasp, huff, huff!”
Since I’d always hidden behind the curtain whenever something uncomfortable arose, this felt like the safest place. I asked for understanding from the Kisomalos Attendant who had followed me from the Imperial Palace and several of Emily’s companions, then consumed a clarity pill that Genie Teacher had procured from the Southern Region.
“I-I’m fine now. Let’s go!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In my left hand, a notepad containing my father’s precious words; in my right, a mink-fur hair ribbon that Pisha had begged me to discard. Clutching these two items like talismans, I stepped into the Audience Chamber and ascended the throne.
I’m trembling terribly. I haven’t even had my coronation ceremony yet—am I really supposed to sit here? Etiquette dictates that I should, so they’re probably just allowing it, but still, I’m nervous.
“Gulp, gulp.”
How does Father manage to do this every single day? The throne sits only slightly elevated above the floor, yet from my seat, I can see the tops of all the ministers’ heads. Ascending the dais isn’t something just anyone does. Pisha climbed up so effortlessly when she delivered that apology speech. Perhaps there really are people born to be royalty.
“Please raise your heads. This is our first time speaking face to face. I am Croa, Prince of Media.”
I’m not accustomed to speaking informally, so I wonder if the ministers are uncomfortable? At first, I tried to speak with the dignity Father and Pisha possess, but it just wouldn’t come naturally, so I gave up. Father said there was no need to imitate anyway. I should be fine doing things my own way, right?
“Your Majesty, this is your first official business caring for Media.”
“Ah, it’s because my face doesn’t match the role. Would you mind introducing yourself first?”
“Hmph.”
The white-haired grandfather seemed to regard me with utter bewilderment at what he was about to say. He stared at me for a long moment, and when I stared back at him, he cleared his throat and introduced himself.
“Delka Ismenios, of the Ministry of National Defense.”
“Ismenios… Ismenios…”
I opened my notepad and searched for the section on Media’s key positions.
Ah, found Delka Ismenios. He’s been Minister of National Defense since the previous king’s reign. He holds the title of Marquis Ismenios and comes from a house that serves a high-ranking spirit in dragon form.
“So you’re Marquis Ismenios. I’ve reviewed your proposal to construct a new fortress across from Loruruje Fortress. I rejected it as a waste of funds, however.”
“How is that a waste of funds! It’s a matter of national security!”
“Well… since we’re in an alliance with Kisomalos, it’s unnecessary, isn’t it?”
At least while I’m alive, there won’t be war with Kisomalos. I laughed as I spoke, and half the ministers in the Audience Chamber laughed with me, while the other half frowned.
“Please continue with what you were saying.”
“…The one who will become king is conducting official business for the first time. I don’t believe a regent is necessary.”
Ah, now I understand why half laughed and half didn’t. Media is currently divided into the Media Royal Traditionalist Faction and the Pro-Kisomalos Faction, isn’t it? That’s why the Marquis grandfather was testing me with his words—suggesting that Media’s affairs should be handled among Media’s people. By that logic, Marquis Ismenios would be part of the Media Royal Traditionalist Faction.
“Since I’m not yet the formal king, it’s proper that the regent participates.”
“Such—”
“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”
“We must maintain good relations with Kisomalos continuously.”
Hmm… it seems some are misinterpreting my words. Whatever ripples my statement caused, half the assembly seemed festive while the other half grew deeply somber.
“Your Majesty, this is the matter I reported to you beforehand.”
The stationed Media Regent brought forth a document on this year’s mackerel harvest. Right, one reason I made this trip to Media was because of the 189 treaties Father had concluded.
“This year’s catch has decreased, so we may not be able to export twenty thousand tons of mackerel to Kisomalos.”
“Would it not be wise to renegotiate this matter…?”
“Nonsense! A promise is a promise! We should purchase mackerel from elsewhere and send it to them!”
“The Emperor of Kisomalos will be greatly displeased!”
“If we displease His Majesty, Media could fall to the Mortal Realm in an instant!”
The people who had been in a festive mood moments ago were now in an uproar, insisting that we purchase the shortage of mackerel and send it. Marquis Ismenios—my grandfather—was sighing heavily. I should make it clear that this isn’t a big deal.
“How much are we short?”
“Approximately seven thousand tons, Your Highness.”
“That’s nothing.”
I can take a beating if needed. Father could threaten me to catch the missing fish myself, but… I suppose I’ll have to put on a carp-catching show in the Imperial Palace Garden. What else can I do?
“I will inform Father that we’re short. Please don’t worry.”
“That won’t do, Your Highness!”
“Do you not understand His Majesty’s temperament!”
Who knows Father’s temperament better than I do? The years of rolling forward and sideways to dodge his bullets flashed before my eyes like a lantern show, and tears began to well up unbidden.
As I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, Marquis Ismenios and the others let out sympathetic sighs.
“I know Father’s temperament better than anyone, don’t I?”
“Then how—”
“That’s why it’s fine.”
If I say it’s fine, then it’s fine. I didn’t even order the ministers to appease Father, so why are they making such a fuss?
“Are you in your right mind! His Majesty will not stand for this!”
“Hmm…”
This statement seems problematic. This is Media, and I’m the next King of Media, so why is Father positioned as my superior? Kisomalos and Media are clearly allied nations, aren’t they?
This was something Pisha had drilled into my ears since childhood. Media is not a vassal state of Kisomalos but an allied nation. If I become king, I will be equal in position to Father on the surface.
In my heart, we’re not equal at all, but on the surface, we are.
“Wait, I think I wrote this down somewhere…”
When to be strict… when to be strict…
I flipped through my notebook to find the section on governing a nation that Father had taught me. How to handle subordinates who speak out of turn or talk back.
Found it!
“What is your name?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I am Atoni Drakun of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“Drakun… a junior baron with intermediate-level spirits. Then there should be no complications.”
I closed my notebook and spoke to the Imperial Guard.
“Take Atoni Drakun away and execute him.”
“…Pardon?”
Murmurs erupted among the ministers. The Imperial Guard who received my order didn’t move immediately, so I gave a new command to another guard.
“Anyone who doesn’t understand orders immediately will be demoted one rank. You there, take Atoni Drakun away and execute him.”
“Your Highness! You cannot do this! How many years have I served Media!”
“I can do this.”
Precisely because I am the Prince of Media and the next King. As I stated my position firmly, Atoni Drakun, being dragged away by the Imperial Guard, cried out to the Regent.
“Regent! Your Excellency the Regent! Please speak on my behalf! Surely he cannot do this to me!”
Ah, so the Regent has something to gain from this. I had experience watching Father conduct state affairs at the Kisomalos Imperial Palace, so I had a hunch.
“Your Highness, I speak from loyalty. Is this not too hasty a decision?”
As the Regent tried to advise me, my hunch solidified into certainty. He definitely has something to gain!
“Loyalty, you say? I’m afraid His Majesty might misunderstand.”
“Pardon?”
“The Regent serves the Emperor of Kisomalos, not Media.”
If Father heard those words, wouldn’t you be beaten to death? At the very least, you’d be marked as a target during his next hunting expedition.
As I spoke those words with deliberate care, Media’s Regent’s complexion drained to a sickly pallor.
“My sincerest apologies. I misspoke.”
“Then let us continue with the meeting.”
“Your Majesty! Your Majeeeesty!”
As Atoni Drakun was dragged out of the Audience Chamber, a prolonged silence settled over the room.

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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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