Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 158

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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 158. This Can’t Entirely Be Blamed on Pisha (2)
“Tomorrow.”
“What?! Tomorrow?!”
“You reckless fool. If you’d foreseen this meeting coming to pass, you’d have made all your preparations already. You might’ve even departed from Ljubljana by now.”
Hmm, knowing Nanakda’s temperament, that was entirely possible. He had this infuriating tendency to believe his opinions would naturally prevail or that he’d win at gambling without question. Though admittedly, he always laid the groundwork to ensure victory before making his moves. Still, a little humility wouldn’t hurt—his overconfidence was utterly insufferable.
If Father’s schedule had been set for tomorrow, that meant his itinerary had suddenly shifted. Father’s audience schedule was usually packed three months in advance, so rather than him simply foreseeing this cancellation, it felt more like Nanakda had orchestrated it. That was exactly the kind of move the Nanakda I knew would make.
“Shouldn’t we be concerned about Imperial Palace security?”
“I’ve thought from the beginning that having the Outer Palace attached to the Inner Palace is the problem.”
Hmm. That structure exists for administrative efficiency, but it’s created a security vulnerability with the government ministries so close to the Inner Palace. At the very least, the Military Ministry should be separated into its own independent facility.
“Once telephones become usable, we won’t need to shuttle documents back and forth.”
“Wasn’t it the Princess who first worried about hacking?”
“Hmm….”
Right, that’s how it turned out. Since telephones operate through radio waves from antennas, Shirley had argued that she could steal those waves. That was serious enough that we invested in hacking defense and information disruption technology.
“Oh!”
Now that I think about it, Edison’s light spirit, Lord Edison, once accidentally let Morse code slip while forgetting the spoiler prevention treaty. Didn’t he say it was strange that wireless phones came before wired phones?
Shirley, who grasped the principle of wired telephones instantly, explained how they worked to me. To put it bluntly, it was like a really long string telephone. Since it only allows one-to-one communication, it wouldn’t be easy to intercept.
“What if we set up wired hotlines between each ministry head and the Emperor’s Office, and handle less important matters through telephone reports? The people working on wireless phones now will probably figure it out soon anyway?”
“I’ve received reports about wired telephones from Doctor Mutchi before. I’ll inquire at their research facility.”
Hmm, so it was already being discussed? Anyway, intelligent people really are different in every way. It’s been worth generously funding science and engineering programs for the past four years.
“Oh, since we’re talking about intelligent people.”
“…?”
“Leon. Isn’t he rather late in speaking?”
The child born to Doctor Marichi, who took the names of Kisomalos and Achilles—that one. He’s Father’s first grandchild, and he’s already three years old, yet he only says “mama mama”? There’s no one to call “father,” so he can’t say that word either.
I spoke with half amusement and half concern, but Father tilted his head and offered a perspective quite different from mine.
“Leon combines simple words to form sentences. He knows his own name and understands short instructions. His development is normal.”
“…Really?”
“When I met with him alone yesterday, he said, ‘Your Majesty, hello, sir.'”
“He even used formal speech?”
But in front of us, he can’t even say “mama” properly and just goes “um-ma um-ma”?! Wait—were Emily and the nanny laughing at us because they already knew Leon could speak?!
“He probably only uses that word in front of you all because.”
“Huh?”
“He’s figured out that acting helpless makes you dote on him.”
“How cunning!”
I knew it! Shirley and I started speaking around that age, but for some reason, that child only said “mama mama”?! He still walks with those wobbly steps! And when he falls, it looks slightly unnatural!
“He was trying to look cute?!”
“It’s survival instinct.”
“He takes after Achilles! That’s why! He takes after Achilles!”
Kisomalos doesn’t have cunning children like that.
Wait. Now that I think about it, didn’t Shirley act helpless when we first met? He’s like Shirley. He’s practically Shirley’s spitting image.
“Since you all worry more and dote on him when he seems slow, he’s acting accordingly. It’s a type that exists fairly often.”
“Why does he insist on living such a harsh life?”
The mysteries of childhood.
“So where are we meeting Nanakda tomorrow?”
“On the bench where pigeons gather in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“…At the very least, we should meet indoors.”
“He has no sense of propriety.”
Yes, that’s right. The way he made plans was certainly lacking in decorum. Still, he’s my friend. He might become someone important someday.
As I spoke gently and persuaded Father, he sighed as if resigned and suggested a small room.
“Let’s use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room.”
“Sure, that works. The one with a desk and four chairs, right? Where the staff take their breaks.”
“I won’t compromise any further.”
“Let’s go with that.”
At this rate, when we entertain guests, we might as well serve tap water.
After reaching an agreement with Father, I went to carry out today’s schedule. Now that I’m older, practical work has been woven into my lessons. Most of it involves going to the Military Ministry, which is a bit strange, honestly….
‘I think back then, around this time, I used to go to the Emperor’s Office and help my adoptive father with his work….’
No matter how different the circumstances are now, shouldn’t I be learning the Emperor’s duties? Besides, rather than learning work, I’m actually working as the Air Force Commander-in-Chief right now. Shouldn’t I be getting paid at this rate?
“Commander-in-Chief, regarding the new fighter jet development project…”
“Excellent! This time, we’ll produce everything domestically!”
Anyway, I’m busy right now. Starting this year, we’re not outsourcing the new fighter jet production line—we’re bringing it all in-house. Edison and the people from Achilles Territory have been a great help with this.
I headed to the conference room with Sristha and the others. If I keep getting scheduled to work here, I should ask them to make me a military uniform. Standing alone in a princess dress among uniformed grandparents doesn’t look very dignified.

✦ ✦ ✦
Morning dawned the next day. I’m happy to see Nanakda, but I’m anxious about whether it’s really him. I did see Nanakda’s face, but still—the fact that he suddenly grew so much is strange, isn’t it?
“The possibility that it’s not Nanakda is even more terrifying…”
If it’s really not Nanakda, then what on earth is it? Besides, he even knew about the pen pal letters we exchanged. I’d rather it be Nanakda who was suddenly attacked by an old man than something else entirely.
“Your Highness, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is this way.”
“Oh, is it?”
Since I rarely come to the Outer Palace, how would I know where anything is? I followed Emily’s guidance and changed direction, entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room. Father had already arrived and was elegantly enjoying tea time, and across the table from him sat a glass of tap water.
“Hmm…”
He really was going to serve tap water. I wasn’t sure whether to be proud that my prediction came true or to convince him to stop with the tap water.
“Here comes someone.”
“Where!”
I pressed my face against the window to observe the guest arriving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Two vehicles were parked in front of the building, both luxury new models from Aelset. Four people in white clothes descended from the rear vehicle and escorted the young man from the front vehicle…. Were they personal attendants? Or disciples? Since our country doesn’t have any major religions, I couldn’t quite understand the relationship.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness. Nanakda has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
After the attendant announced his arrival, the door opened and a figure presumed to be Nanakda entered. Wow, he really is incredibly tall. He’s quite large too. No matter how you look at it, he doesn’t appear to be a teenager. And from the photographs, I hadn’t noticed, but there’s a huge scar on his neck. How on earth does someone get a scar like that?
“May the radiance of the golden lamb shine upon you. Your Majesty the Emperor. Your Highness the Prin…”
The man who was greeting us according to proper etiquette suddenly looked distressed when he saw me. It looked like he was about to cry. No, who cries like this on a first meeting?
“Waaahhhhh!”
“What? Why are you crying!”
I had a feeling he might cry, and sure enough, he’s actually crying! Seeing this idiot, it’s definitely Nanakda!
“I’m not saving you! I found you but I’m not saving you, waaah!”
“I heard about you the day after the execution! How was I supposed to save you!”
Ah, this is definitely Nanakda. I’m certain now. This foolish idiot is unmistakably our Nanakda.
I went over to the wailing Nanakda and gave him some tap water to drink. He held the glass with both hands and gulped it down eagerly, then started crying again.
“Waaah! Sob! Sniff!”
“Ah, stop crying already!”
“Father, I’m not forgiving you!”
“I’m sorry! I said I’m sorry!”
As I patted Nanakda’s back and apologized repeatedly, the man wiped his tears away and forced a bright smile onto his face.
“I didn’t think you’d believe me. Here’s proof—a photograph.”
“What’s this photograph supposed to prove?”
In the photograph he presented as evidence, there was an old image of Nanakda crying while eating potatoes.

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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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