Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 162
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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 162. Side Story: Revenge Is My Strength (3)
It just so happened that the Ljubljana Banker had a scheduled meeting with Kisomalos Emperor, so I blackmailed him by threatening to withdraw all the bank’s funds, securing that slot for myself.
Any sane Emperor would have been wary of someone so eagerly arranging a meeting as if they’d been waiting, but from what I understood, Princess Vishnabel’s stepfather couldn’t resist anything amusing.
There were rumors that he’d become the Princess’s father only because prison life had bored him so much that he staged a coup and adopted a child. I was confident he wouldn’t overlook the name Nanac, someone who had a connection to Princess Vishnabel.
As expected, the Emperor agreed to meet me—though not in the Main Palace’s Audience Chamber, but in the shabby Conference Hall of the Foreign Ministry. I might even be served tap water in a cheap glass.
“Sigh…”
I arrived at a hotel in Kisomalos Capital ahead of time, spent a night there, and drove to the Kisomalos Imperial Palace the next morning, my mind churning with endless worries. If the Princess heard that Nanac had entered the palace, she’d surely join the conversation, but what if Vishnabel didn’t recognize me? That would be fine, but what if she saw me as a grown man and fell for me? I’d sworn to take revenge on Princess Vishnabel, hadn’t I?
She had always preferred men significantly older than her. Even as a child, hadn’t she been infatuated with Hisperon? Clearly, her taste ran to men about ten years her senior. By that logic, I was now perfectly within Princess Vishnabel’s strike zone.
“What if she proposes marriage…”
This was a disaster. I’d decided to destroy both the Kisomalos Empire and Princess Vishnabel’s life. If she used her position to forcibly marry me, I’d have no opportunity to plan for the future. What should I do? Should I buy a mask right now and wear it when I go in?
“Being handsome is a curse.”
“There goes Nanac again, talking nonsense.”
“Hey! I told you not to mock me!”
“Why are you eavesdropping on someone’s private thoughts! This is ridiculous!”
I hate these guys. Especially Kirpan with his indomitable spirit—I can’t stand him. If you weren’t Hisperon’s subordinate, I’d have fired you two years ago. Ever since you mocked me, saying I was an ignorant prince who couldn’t even appreciate organ dishes, I’ve wanted to cut you loose. Every time you talk about this “indomitable spirit,” you’re either insulting me or mocking me.
“We’ve arrived. Please refrain from being disrespectful to Kisomalos Emperor.”
“Hey! If anyone’s going to be disrespectful, it’ll be them! What could I possibly do!”
“There you go again with those old prince habits.”
I’m not talking to you!
I got out of the car and slammed the door shut. Then four subordinates who had been following in the car behind me rushed out and started nagging me just like Kirpan did.
“Nanac, do you understand? If we fall out of favor with Kisomalos Emperor, we’re all finished.”
“Control your temper.”
“Let’s brainwash you right now. Nanac is not a prince. Nanac is not a prince.”
“I even bought a spirit stone from the department store that prevents arrogance, anticipating this.”
“Get out of my sight, all of you!”
I brushed off all my subordinates, covered my ears, and ran away.
I glanced into the Conference Hall to see if the Princess was there, and sure enough, Princess Vishnabel was—clinging to the glass wall like a lizard, watching my every move.
What kind of princess behaves like that? From the moment I first saw her, she’s been doing shameless things. Vomiting on a prince’s clothes at first meeting and running away—that was her.
I doubt anyone but me would take her in. If things go well today and I get my territory, I might even consider arranging a marriage proposal…
“No, wait!”
No, that’s wrong. Princess Vishnabel is my enemy. I’ve spent two years sharpening my blade for revenge against her. I will have my revenge! I’ll destroy Vishnabel’s life!
I slapped my own face and informed the Imperial Palace Attendant of my arrival. After the attendant reported to the Emperor that I had come, I entered the Conference Hall, and there before me stood Princess Vishnabel, grown much taller since I’d last seen her.
“May the radiance of the golden lamb shine upon you. Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Highness the Princess…”
Damn it, seeing the Princess brought back old memories. Back then, Hisperon was still alive. I was still a prince, and my family relationships hadn’t deteriorated to this point of ruin.
“Sniff…”
I felt tears welling up.
“Sniff, sniff, sniff!”
“What? Why is he crying!”
It’s your fault, Princess Vishnabel! It’s all your fault! My ruined life, Hisperon’s death—all of it is because of you! If I’d just refused to escort you that day! If I hadn’t made a fool of myself talking about marrying you!
I would have lived a comfortable life in Astiages!
“I won’t save you! I found you, and I won’t save you—waaah, waaaaaah!”
Yes, honestly, that’s what hurt the most. When you went missing, I tried everything to find you. But when I was about to be executed, you didn’t show your face once! You garbage of a person! Ungrateful Princess!
“I only heard about you the day after your execution! How was I supposed to save you!”
You should have come anyway! There’s a courtesy owed to someone you’ve been betrothed to! You should have come and demanded answers from Emperor Astyages about why Nanac was killed! But I’m dead, and you don’t even come north, don’t issue a search order!
You garbage of a person! Garbage Princess!
“Waaah! Sob, sob! Waaaah!”
“Ah, stop crying already!”
“Father, you didn’t save me!”
“I’m sorry! I said I’m sorry!”
The Princess patting my back only made me feel more wronged. After I’d cried my fill, I showed her a childhood photograph I’d brought in case she didn’t recognize how much I’d grown.
The Princess stared at the photograph for a long time, then let out a groan. “Ugh…” Looking at her reaction, it was clear she had no idea where she’d put the photograph she’d taken. What a woman with a ruined character. She was so excited to take it then—why did she just shove my photograph anywhere?
“Why are you speaking informally to me anyway?”
“Huh? You’re not the Emperor’s Son anymore anyway.”
You garbage!
Just when my tears were about to stop, the injustice and sorrow welled up again. What was I thinking, liking someone with such a broken personality? What? Now I’m not the Emperor’s Son anymore? So you were only nice to me because I was the Emperor’s Son back then?
The world is full of war and misery because women like this exist!
“Sob, waaah!”
“That last part was the Princess’s mistake.”
At least Father is on my side. He just enjoys amusing things, but he’s fundamentally a decent person.
I explained to Father how I’d survived all these years and shared my ambitious vision for the future. I will absolutely bring down that Astyages Empire. But for that, I needed a holy land that would serve as my territory and the foundation of my followers’ support.
I earnestly requested this and spoke of warp technology to strike the Astyages Empire and means to win the hearts of the people, but Father seemed displeased.
“I can’t make a contract based on mere boasting. The lands of Ljubljana simply cannot be sold.”
If this continues, I’ll have no choice but to incite the people of Ljubljana and Media to illegally occupy the territory. Since we have no army, any suppression would take the form of civilian massacre. In international society, there’s nothing more diplomatically fatal than being branded a perpetrator of genocide.
I’d prefer to maintain friendly relations with Kisomalos, so it would be better if Father gave me the land through some clever means.
“If the Religious Order illegally occupies Ljubljana, then I suppose there’s nothing I can do about it.”
But Father had just mentioned one of the clever schemes I’d already considered. So it’s true what they say—a father-in-law and son-in-law think alike. Only Father understands my thoughts.
“Thank you so much!”
With this arrangement, things change. For the Religious Order and Kisomalos to build friendship, a strategic marriage could also be an excellent means.
Now that we’ve talked face to face, it seems the Princess simply lacked the intelligence to devise strategies, but she did have the will to save me. And it seems she still has feelings for me. And I, well, ahem, ahem, ahem, seem to as well.
After we marry, extracting every benefit and then discarding the Princess seemed like a good form of revenge.
Kekeke, once she’s no longer useful, I’ll throw her away!
“Now that our business is concluded, might I spend some time with Vishnabel? We have so much to catch up on.”
“Hmm.”
Why does Father keep reaching into his bosom trying to pull something out? And why does Princess Vishnabel keep stopping him? Is he trying to give us a gift?
“Put that away, Princess!”
“Just once! Let me see just once! He’s never met anyone higher than the Imperial Emperor, so he’s like this!”
The Princess was so eager to spend time with me that she pleaded with Father and managed to secure the time, then grabbed my hand. She’s surprisingly strong. Her grip is powerful, and when she dragged me out, I couldn’t resist at all.
“Hmph.”
In Astyages, the stronger the woman, the more welcome she is as a bride. She must have worked hard to understand Astyages culture well.
※ This work “The Black-Haired Father Does Not Abandon” is unrelated to any specific organization or religion.
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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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