Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 168

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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 168. Learning Only the Bad Things About Being Young (2)
“Should we open this propeller component production contract to public bidding?”
“Edison won’t sit idle about this, Your Highness.”
“Huh? What can he do if he doesn’t sit idle?”
I’m the Princess, aren’t I? What could a mere fiefdom administrator possibly do against me? Come crying to me with tears in his eyes?
As I laughed brightly and spoke of the vast wall of status between Edison and the Princess, Croa and Shirley regarded me with warm, worried eyes.
“We should ensure no revolution breaks out during your reign.”
“We just need to work hard. People prefer autocracy as long as life is comfortable.”
Right. The Mortal Realm’s history spans over eight thousand years, and the reason monarchy hasn’t collapsed yet is partly because of this—the ancestral deities select the most capable among them and make them their descendants. If an iron-willed ruler continues to hold power, autocracy is efficient for governing a nation.
Of course, autocracy inevitably becomes corrupt, so stagnant regimes crumble and new dynasties continually emerge. The nation that maintained its dynasty the longest was the Thousand-Year Kingdom of Mesica, wasn’t it? Come to think of it, no one has ascended to the rank of Supreme Deity since Mesica. If Kisomalos had ascended to Supreme Deity before the regression, it would have left a remarkable mark on history.
“So what are Larima’s intentions? Can he succeed if given the opportunity?”
“Let’s give it a shot!”
That’s right, well done. If you want to bring Aunt Kazelnu here, you need at least that much ambition. And if Larima is going to involve himself in family business, the Aisette Elder Council won’t particularly object.
He’s merely neglected by his father and stepmother, but the council has no reason to view him poorly. Why? Because his maternal family is wealthy. The fact that such a distinguished legitimate line of Alset even resorted to a political marriage meant his maternal family was extraordinarily prominent.
Surely… Larima’s mother was the princess of Midas City-State, the city-state with the greatest gold mines on the Central Continent, wasn’t she? That household had many connections, and Larima’s mother wasn’t particularly favored, but still—the Aisette Elder Council’s position was that she couldn’t be ignored.
If Larima shows results this time, the Midas side will likely approach him to add their spoon to the pot. It’s somewhat irritating since Father and I raised him ourselves, but still—having more cards to play is a good thing. It will also strengthen Larima’s position in continuing the family line.
“Then, let’s proceed with this matter through public bidding….”
After contacting the Military Ministry, it would be best to conduct the bidding at the Outer Palace. I decided to compile a list and announce the public bidding to promising domestic families, and asked Larima something I’d been curious about.
“Why do you like our Aunt so much, anyway?”
Even if it was love at first sight… well, there weren’t exactly elements that would inspire love at first sight, were there? Aunt was considerably older than Larima, and she didn’t do anything particularly special at that bridal search ball back then. When I asked what aspect of her he found so appealing, Larima’s face flushed red and he made a strange sound.
“Kazelnu has this… somewhat… fragile appearance, doesn’t she?”
“…Fragile?”
“It triggers a protective instinct, I suppose. I just want to protect her.”
“…Protective instinct?”
What is he talking about? That woman goes to war and kills a hundred thousand people single-handedly before returning. Of course, now her explosive divine power is sealed, so she can’t function as an anti-tank human weapon… but she’s still strong enough to take down ten grown men barehanded.
“When she was dragged away by Marquis Lorowi back then, I saw a beauty so fragile it seemed it might shatter.”
“I see….”
He’d fallen in love after capturing a single moment that lasted only 0.1 seconds in Aunt’s entire life. Poor fool. I gently patted Larima’s head out of pity, and decided to enjoy the banquet. I heard nothing. I decided to pretend I heard nothing.

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It was only natural that news of the public bidding reached Edison’s ears as well. The fool who had been standing slack-jawed beneath the persimmon tree apparently got his wits about him, for he came rushing up to the Capital the very next day and stormed into the Imperial Palace itself.
“How could you treat me this way!”
I was attending to business in my Study Room—which doubled as a garish pink office—when Edison burst in, huffing and puffing like some newly minted rich man. The fact that I had to work in this accursed pink space already grated on my nerves, but having this fashion-disaster of a man stride in made my eyes ache.
He hadn’t even announced himself to Emily before barging in, which was a breach of protocol.
My mood thoroughly soured, I retrieved the military-issue Walther P38 that Father had gifted me years ago and pointed it at Edison.
“Manners.”
“May the radiance of the Golden Lamb shine upon you! Long live the Princess! A thousand years, ten thousand years, eternal years!”
The first part was correct, but the rest was that southern-style greeting Shirley liked to joke about. He must have learned Imperial Palace etiquette from Achilles—it’s a complete mess. Still, he seems to be doing his best, so I’ll let it slide.
I shoved my beloved Walther back into the drawer and turned my attention to the documents. I was already reviewing the list of families hoping to bid and filtering out the ones I didn’t want.
“But you promised to give me that business! How can you suddenly do this, my lord!”
“It’s my decision.”
“Of course! As the legitimate heir of the great Kisomalos Imperial Family and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, it is entirely Your Highness’s prerogative!”
Why does this bastard always whine like that while fawning over me? I told Edison to back off, worried Croa might burst in, then informed him of my circumstances.
“You know Larima Alset is my person. Give me the propeller manufacturing process.”
“What! No way! All Air Force contracts are mine!”
“Ugh.”
Why does he get more petulant as he ages? Not that it’s entirely unpleasant having a handsome man clinging to my arm and whispering like that.
Though his nouveau riche fashion sense was somewhat off, Edison had been eating well and maintaining himself properly, so an air of refinement emanated from his face. His body had filled out to an aesthetically pleasing degree, his complexion had improved, and his hair had become lustrous with good nutrition. He carried a subtle, pleasant scent—whether from bathing in fragrant oils or something else.
What was this scent? It smelled like flowers, yet also like the sweet aroma of the medicinal tonic Netcha had given me. It didn’t smell of alcohol, so it certainly wasn’t perfume.
As I continued inhaling it without any headache—in fact, feeling rather at ease—the door suddenly burst open and Croa entered.
“Moooother!”
“…What are you doing?”
“Huh?!”
Caught with my face pressed against Edison’s neck, I raised my voice defensively.
“I-I wasn’t doing anything!”
“Then why were you burying your nose in Edison’s neck?”
“I never did!”
Burying my nose? I was merely smelling an intriguing fragrance! When I protested my innocence, Edison fortunately came to my aid by producing evidence.
“Ah, this. It’s a scent sachet that’s become fashionable among gentlemen lately. It seems Your Highness found the aroma intriguing.”
“A scent sachet?”
“Yes. Ever since Genie Teacher’s followers entered high society, southern goods have become all the rage.”
Really? I had no idea such a trend was spreading, since Genie Teacher herself is completely odorless. Well, it’s natural I wouldn’t know about gentlemen’s fashions.
“Hmm, so this sort of thing is fashionable now?”
“Yes. You saw earlier how much Your Highness enjoyed it. These days, a scent sachet is practically essential among gentlemen.”
“Hmm, hmm.”
Croa opened his notebook with his usual habit. He must be planning to buy one later.
“What sort of scent did Pisha prefer?”
“Huh? Well, earlier I found something that smelled like medicine, and it made me feel quite at ease and pleasant?”
“Medicine-like scent…”
“It could be Count’s Remedy or agarwood. I’ve heard they’re used as medicinal ingredients as well.”
“Count’s Remedy… agarwood….”
He’s scribbling notes furiously. Fortunately, he seems to have forgotten that I had my nose buried in Edison’s neck earlier.
“In any case, the public auction is already decided. Why don’t you just compete fairly with Larima?”
“No, why is that brat suddenly stirring up trouble?!”
The situation is more complicated than that. Larima is probably at the Political Detention Center visiting my Aunt right now. Want to go have a word with him? The moment I made this suggestion, Edison eagerly accepted and headed toward the high-security prison located within the Imperial Palace.
In the spacious prison adorned with lavish ornaments, my Aunt sat with her head bowed, utterly exhausted from dealing with Larima.
“Haaaaaah!”
Edison, who had been huffing and puffing as he followed me, suddenly let out a breathless sound. And then he uttered something I couldn’t possibly understand.
“Her beauty shines through misfortune, like a daffodil by the water’s edge!”
Could it be that my Aunt is the type who becomes more beautiful the more unfortunate she becomes?

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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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