Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 155

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 155. Even at Eighteen, Drinking Is Prohibited. That’s Media Law (2)
At this rate, I wouldn’t be able to complete the scheduled agenda. Everyone here was busy, and I felt guilty keeping them any longer. To lighten the mood, I mentioned they needn’t worry about the executed official.
“We will fill Atoni Drakun’s vacant position promptly after consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Drakun family will receive compensation as well.”
They needn’t worry about becoming busier, and since I’d eliminated the head of household, I would provide his family with enough money to live comfortably for life. I thought I’d arranged everything thoughtfully, but half the ministers looked shocked.
“Then, what becomes of us?”
“Pardon?”
“How should we conduct ourselves going forward….”
“Simply continue your work in your current positions?”
I understood their desire to befriend Kisomalos, and I understood their wish to protect Media. The process of becoming an allied nation had been somewhat coercive, after all. They could do whatever they pleased behind closed doors—form factions, socialize—but in public, they just needed to work diligently.
When I said they simply needed to work, the ministers who’d been looking shocked turned to stare at the Governor.
“Your words contradict what you said before.”
“If that’s the case, our position….”
“After accepting all those benefits….”
Ah, there it was—their true feelings. The Governor must have done quite a lot for them. But Father had anticipated this. When someone sits in a position as high as Governor for too long, even the most upright person can’t avoid corruption, or so they say.
Since this was an unavoidable aspect of human nature, Father had instructed me to overlook it as long as it didn’t exceed reasonable bounds.
“I believe I need to clarify my earlier response….”
It seemed people were misunderstanding, so I should explain now. If they remained confused, it would be embarrassing for everyone. Actually, I was a bit embarrassed myself. I should have clarified this properly when answering Grandfather earlier.
“The Governor will return to Kisomalos in one year. When I said it was appropriate for the Governor to sit alongside me now, I meant that since I will become King of Media in one year, he should remain until then.”
“That’s right! As it should be!”
“Most fitting for the King of Media!”
But I’m not King yet, I wanted to protest. While laughter bloomed among the faction led by Ismenios, the ministers with displeased expressions began moving aggressively. Some tried to leave their seats, others hurled insults at the Governor, causing a commotion. I quickly opened my notebook to find Father’s words.
“Manners… manners….”
Ah, found it! When these bastards lack manners. I fixed the page with my finger and confirmed the instruction to shoot them in the head.
“Those who show disrespect in the Audience Chamber will be executed.”
At my single word, everyone fell silent. Father’s words certainly are effective, but isn’t there an excessive number of entries about shooting people in the head?
“Regardless of what relationships the Governor may have established in Media, it would be wise to relinquish everything when you depart.”
I’m saying this truly for your own good. Even if these people don’t harm you, Father certainly will.
As I spoke with a sweet smile, the Governor swallowed hard and forced a laugh.
“I will remember your words.”
“Yes, please do remember them well.”
Otherwise you’ll die. I’ve seen more than one or two people die by Father’s hand. I resolved the situation and continued the meeting.
There were two major matters to address today. One was diplomatic affairs with Kisomalos, including mackerel exports, and the other was my coronation. Since the previous King had died, we needed to discuss who would crown me in his stead.
“Well, we were thinking primarily about symbolism, and we wondered if the Emperor of Kisomalos might be suitable….”
“Why would the Emperor of Kisomalos crown the King of Media! That makes no sense!”
It was a natural objection since Media had no elder in the family. Father would also become my father-in-law, and since Kisomalos and Media were allies, we could invite him to demonstrate our friendship.
“That sounds acceptable. I will speak to Father about it.”
“No! You were doing so well until just now, why are you doing this again!”
What am I doing? When I pouted at Grandfather the Count treating me like an indecisive person, he tapped his chest in exasperation.
“How can the Emperor of Kisomalos crown Your Highness!”
“He will be my father-in-law.”
“That is…! Well, yes, but!”
When a son-in-law has his coronation, it would be proper etiquette for the father-in-law to crown him, right? If it’s court protocol, that’s Pisha’s specialty, but I can’t exactly ask her right now. What am I supposed to do?
“If it’s alright to send a telegram now, I could ask Pisha about it.”
“Why would you ask the Princess of another nation about that! Have some dignity!”
“Why are you getting angry about this?”
Grandfather reaches for the back of his neck. Does that herbal medicine help with blood pressure? At this rate, he’s going to collapse.
“First, I’ll ask Father what he thinks. If he refuses, well, I’ll just have to do it myself.”
“Y-yes, that sounds right.”
I really wish Pisha would do it. But since this is an official matter, there’s so much to consider. Most of all, I suspect Pisha would refuse. It wouldn’t be proper for a foreign princess to crown the King of Media.
Hmm… thinking about propriety, would it be better if Father came? Is that right?
In any case, the ceremony continued, and Grandfather the Marquis alternated between laughing and being exasperated every time I spoke. When the meeting ended and we parted ways, he scheduled an audience for later, saying we needed to talk. When I asked him to come to the Reception Room next to my Bedroom instead of making the trip here in the middle of the night, Grandfather sighed in exasperation but agreed.
“Pffhehehehe! Pffhehehehe!”
“Count German!”
You should have at least announced your arrival! And you clearly saw me frozen there—how could you not help at all?
Count German, whom I’d known since childhood, still maintained his youthful appearance. Or rather, it seemed his skin had become even more taut in the meantime. I should probably start getting treatments myself soon. If I want to maintain my twenties skin into old age, Emily and the others said I need to start moisturizing and elasticity care the moment I enter my twenties.
“My goodness, you youngsters were acting so serious about Kisomalos this and Kisomalos that, so I had to join in.”
“You could have at least given some sign of your presence. Didn’t you see my hands trembling?”
“You did fine though.”
I didn’t do fine at all! I’m certain I’ll remember my slip of the tongue later before bed and kick my blankets in embarrassment! As I spoke while cooling my burning face, the Count said we should stop wasting time and move on to the next schedule.
“But do we really need a parade? What’s so great about me that people would come to see?”
“There’s no one greater than Your Highness in all of Media.”
No, there are quite a few actually. I tried to protest, but the Count dragged me along, saying I should reassure the people, and placed me in a parade car surrounded by bulletproof glass.
Unexpectedly, many citizens gathered to see me.
“Your Highness! Prince!”
“My, you must have worked so hard in Kisomalos!”
For some reason, some people were even crying.
…Why are they crying? In any case, it seemed like I was supposed to wave, so I waved to the people and smiled brightly.
Now I understand why Pisha lies in bed all day after her birthday banquet. There was a reason she said she was an automaton that smiles while saying “May the radiance of the golden lamb shine upon you.” I’m an automaton too right now, just pressing a switch to smile.
After the parade ended, I spoke with the Governor at the Governor’s Residence, and after that, I went to the Ministry of Defense Building and greeted people.
I was about to collapse onto the bed after barely getting through today’s schedule when Count German forcibly lifted me up and brought up the promise we’d made.
“Can’t we do that later?”
“Tomorrow will be even busier! Today is the only time we have!”
That’s true… Unable to refuse, I mustered a bit more energy and moved to the next room, sitting at the table. The materials were there: the paper and pencil that Genie Teacher had written down, and one plate each of food for herbivorous spirits and food for carnivorous spirits.
“This information is reliable, right?”
“According to Genie Teacher, the accuracy is quite high.”
We turned off the lights in the room and lit a single candle. Then we sat facing each other at the table. We each extended our right hand and gently grasped a pencil together, then recited the incantation that Genie Teacher had taught us.
“Spirits gather, spirits gather….”
“Odyssey gracious….”
Now the spirit should have arrived, and the pencil will move on its own. After answering our questions, if the spirit is carnivorous, they’ll eat the meat and leave, and if they’re herbivorous, they’ll finish the vegetable plate and go.
As we stared intently at the pencil, we heard a knock, and then an Attendant’s voice announcing that Ismenios had arrived.
“Oh no, you can’t come in right now. Could you please come back later?”
“What are you plotting with that old fox!”
Grandfather the Marquis burst through the door without hesitation, and though the pencil had barely any weight to it, the spirit must have fled because the candle flame snuffed out with a sudden whoosh.
“You turned off all the lights in the room! What is this!”
When Grandfather the Marquis had an attendant turn on the lights, Count German’s dejected expression came into view.
“…What on earth is all this?”
“Ah, well.”
Count German was so curious about whether things would work out with Chief Chamberlain Listo, so I was curious too about whether Pisha loves me or not, and we were trying to ask together, so I was doing a little divination magic.
“We were trying to read love compatibility….”
“Love compatibility?”
Grandfather the Marquis furrowed his brow sharply and suddenly grabbed the table.
“After being held hostage in Kisomalos for eight years and finally coming back, this is what you do—love compatibility!”
Grandfather flipped the table over and let out a terrible shriek. Grandfather is scary.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————