Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 25
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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 25. Not Exactly My Precious Lover, But What Can I Do for That Person Right Now? (2)
I would spend the entire annual budget of the Princess Palace to supply healing divine stones to Hisperon. This was also for the sake of certain historians obsessed with humanity, history, and military campaigns. Kisomalos is doomed anyway! What does it matter if I live without funds for a year?
“Boni! Starting tomorrow, you can eat nothing but thin meat broth!”
“Your Highness’s noble heart is as vast as the ocean!”
“As vast as the ocean, Your Highness!”
Yes. When it comes to being virtuous, no one can match me.
I summoned the Princess Palace’s financial officer to bring a blank check, wrote down the amount for the healing divine stones, and affixed my seal.
Not long after, the healing divine stones arrived at the Princess Palace, and despite Hisperon’s reluctance, I had him remove his vest and had it sewn into the lining so it wouldn’t fall out.
“Done this way, even that Emperor won’t notice.”
“Your Highness. Truly, you need not go to such lengths.”
“We share the same affliction. I too have suffered greatly because of that bastard.”
Do you know what I endured because of him? I was drawn and quartered, and my feet were set ablaze.
However, since the drawing and quartering hadn’t occurred in this lifetime, I only mentioned the glass embedded in my soles and the burns, and Hisperon nodded with a grave expression.
“I see. So that’s why Chiron….”
“Yes. The new Emperor I established with my own hands.”
“You trust this Chiron?”
“Trust? There’s nothing left to trust or distrust.”
What do I care about this wretched nation? Let it collapse utterly.
When I spoke my true feelings frankly, Hisperon’s expression became peculiar, and he accepted the vest.
“Well then, I suppose I should take this.”
“If you don’t, I’ll just burn it.”
….
Yes, put it on quickly. And go out there to write a new legend. If you do this well, I might witness history I never knew existed.
I was delighted conversing with Hisperon, and the young hero expressed reluctance at parting, saying he should return before sunset.
Of course, I brought a handkerchief and an autograph book, and while I was at it, I had him sign my cloak as well before I tearfully saw him off.
It was wonderful. It was so wonderful that when we parted, I felt devastated thinking I might never meet him again.
I waved my hand for what felt like an eternity until Hisperon’s figure completely disappeared from view before I lowered my arm.
And then, the familiar sound of hoofbeats stopped near me.
Baa, baa? Baa baa baa baa? Baa baa baa baa baa baa baa baa?!
What was it saying? Near the old, sickly sheep bleating as if speaking, a golden candlestick lay on the ground. It seemed the sheep had brought it and dropped it….
That golden candlestick—could it be from the Shrine where Kisomalos is enshrined?
“T-Thief Sheep! Thief Sheep!”
When I called out loudly for the Imperial Guards, Thief Sheep bolted but couldn’t run far before breathing heavily and soon being captured. This creature was no ordinary sheep. It kept sneaking into the Imperial Palace whenever it felt like it, and had even infiltrated the heavily guarded Shrine.
Even when abandoned outside, it returned, and Chef Bap seemed to have lost the will to cook it. When I tried to have servants handle it, they all refused because they worked in the Imperial Palace—there was reluctance to kill a sheep. After all, wasn’t the golden sheep a symbol of the Imperial Family? Besides, whether from age or something else, its wool had become somewhat dingy.
Who would kill it then? It just feels like bad luck.
“Hmm, for now….”
Prison! Lock the captured sheep in the Political Detention Center! Regarding this sheep, I shall consult with the Chief Chamberlain and His Majesty later before deciding its fate!
When I solemnly declared this, the Imperial Guards immediately obeyed, hoisting the sheep and carrying it to the Prison. The dingy sheep cried pitifully, “Baa baa!”
“Did it steal anything else?”
I picked up the golden candlestick, dusted it off, ordered Emily to return it to the Shrine, and commanded a thorough investigation to see if anything else was missing.
Sigh, I’m exhausted from working so hard today.
I announced I would bathe and retire early, but it seems I fell asleep during my bath—I woke to find myself already in bed.
✦ ✦ ✦
“How audacious! Are you trying to humiliate me?”
The moment my breakfast was served, I flew into a rage and hurled my spoon across the table.
This is supposed to be soup? Even a bone broth would have more meat than this!
What they brought as soup was merely salt and a few scraps of meat dissolved in clear water, and what they called rice was long-grain with no stickiness whatsoever.
Rice soup obviously requires round rice! These long grains belong in pilaf!
“I humbly beg your pardon, Your Highness!”
“We have committed a grave offense! But the Princess Palace budget has been completely exhausted, Your Highness!”
“We ourselves ate only three potatoes this morning, Your Highness!”
How on earth can a person survive on three potatoes? And you all work while I merely rest!
As I pondered how this calamity had come to pass, Emily today made a sewing motion with her hands, then formed the shape of a talisman with her fingers.
Ah, that’s right. I did write a blank check promising to provide Hisperon with healing talismans.
I inwardly cursed myself and hastily helped the kneeling attendants to their feet. Then I took a deep breath and spoke.
“Prepare yourselves! We must see Father!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“We shall send word at once, Your Highness!”
My circumstances have certainly improved in many ways. Unlike when that stubborn fool was Emperor, there is one aspect I find deeply satisfying—whenever I wish, I can see the Emperor.
Whether morning or evening, one telegram to the Emperor’s secretariat, and as long as Prisoner is awake, I can meet him immediately. This was one of the promises Prisoner made to me upon ascending the throne.
In that stubborn fool’s time, I had to send a letter and wait three days and nights just to catch a glimpse of the Emperor. Now he’s even provided me with a telegraph machine and tells me to summon him whenever I please—truly, the world has become a better place.
“Your Highness! The Emperor says he is free before his morning audience and can see you at once!”
“Excellent!”
Prisoner keeps his promises well, which makes him a good man indeed.
Since I had matters to attend to, I changed into comfortable clothes and made my way to the Audience Chamber. It seemed each person had their own preferences—Prisoner favored the Third Audience Hall, which had the warmest hues among all the chambers and was delightfully plush.
I was grateful for the thick carpet laid across the floor, and after greeting Prisoner with a morning salutation, I promptly threw myself prostrate.
“…What in the world are you doing?”
“This is the most respectful bow I can manage, Your Majesty!”
“Hmm… So what exactly are you doing?”
“Please increase the Princess Palace budget, Your Majesty!”
The Secretary Chief approached the thoroughly bewildered Prisoner and whispered something in his ear. Having only now received a report of what I had done yesterday, the Emperor’s displeasure became abundantly clear.
“You granted Hisperon healing talismans?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Are you perhaps actually the Princess of Astiages?”
“That is an utterly preposterous suggestion, Your Majesty!”
“Then are you perhaps some hidden blood relative of Hisperon?”
“I am a precious only child, Your Majesty!”
“You certainly proclaim yourself a precious only child without hesitation.”
“Shamelessness is my pride, Your Majesty!”
The Prisoner evaluated me as a truly absurd Princess, rose from the throne, and approached me. Then, as if punishing me, he nudged me with his foot and sent me rolling across the floor.
“Aaahhhhh, my vision’s spinning, everything’s tilting, Your Majesty!”
“If you’re going to generously show mercy, then take responsibility for it, Princess.”
“Five-year-olds are at an age that deserves protection, Your Majesty!”
“So you’re hoping I’ll overlook this with just a bow?”
“Yes, exactly!”
My goodness, our Prisoner really does have excellent comprehension. As I laughed while using my entire body to clean the carpet, the man scooped me up, brushed the dust from me, and tossed me spinning through the air.
“I’ve already closed down the Empress Palace where that blockhead was staying, and I’ve extracted massive compensation from Lorowi and Aelset for wrecking the Imperial Palace. Allocating an additional year’s budget to the Princess Palace is hardly a problem.”
Wow! So he ordered it himself and then billed my Aunt for the building damage? Prisoner, you’re no ordinary man. Grandmother is going to have a fit.
“However. There is a condition.”
“What might that be!”
After tossing me through the air and shaking out every last speck of dust, the Prisoner set me down on the ground and stated his condition.
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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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