Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 256

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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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Epilogue
Side Story 2. How Should a Centaur Wear Pants? (2)
“Hmm….”
What was the point of a family registry anyway? All I could glean from it was that Kisomalos had precious few heirs. The lineage stretching from Grandmother to me contained only three names: Helbatro, Mother, and my adoptive father Chiron.
Since I’d taken multiple consorts, my branch would soon be filled with names cascading downward, but Croa, as the Consort, would need to be registered first before Shirley and Nanakda could claim their places in the registry….
“Oh.”
Ohhh.
“Ah.”
Ahhh.
“Aha!”
Now I understood what Father was trying to say. Okay, okay. I got it perfectly. This would more than satisfy Croa.
I devoured the snacks I’d wrapped for Croa while heading toward the Consort Palace. As I entered the interior, newly decorated in Media style, the attendants of the Consort Palace guided me carefully.
Oh, look at him sulking in protest. Normally he would have come all the way to the entrance to greet me.
“Croa, you seem quite busy?”
“Judging by your confidence, it seems Father has lent you his wisdom again?”
His intuition was remarkably sharp—that part of Croa always grated on me. Though I thought so inwardly, I kept it hidden and linked my arm through the Consort’s.
“Wisdom? Father would be hurt to hear you call it that.”
“He wouldn’t be hurt. He probably doesn’t even consider someone like me family.”
I knew he’d say that. I chuckled at Croa, who knew only half the story, and triumphantly produced the copy of the registry Father had given me.
“He just doesn’t express himself well—he’s been thinking of your position all along.”
Look at this. If Father had only favored Nanakda and Shirley, he would have registered their names long ago instead of waiting for your turn. By law, only the Consort can register their name first before the next spouse’s name can be added, so the fact that the seat beside me remains empty shows just how much Father acknowledges you.
“Hmm, ahem.”
He’s such an easy one. Knowing he’d melt the moment I praised him, I planted a quick kiss on his cheek, and Croa’s lips curved upward as he opened the snack bag.
“Well, if Father truly acknowledged me, wouldn’t he have put it in writing?”
“Of course. Don’t you know Father? He loves signing contracts and stamping confirmations more than anything in the world.”
“By the way, why is there only one snack left?”
“I ate the rest on the way here.”
But I did manage to restrain myself and save one for you to taste. I said this proudly, and Croa sighed before popping the strawberry rice cake into his mouth.
“Impressive that you held back on strawberry snacks.”
“Right? Aren’t you proud of me?”
“Ugh….”
Why was he making that disgusted face? Shouldn’t the future Consort show only his best side before the Emperor? As I scolded him and scrunched my face playfully, Croa raised his hands in surrender and smiled beautifully.
“By the way, I have a suggestion, Pisha.”
“Go ahead. Say whatever you wish.”
An emperor must listen well to his Consort within the household. Recalling the “Ways of the Household Head” that Father and Head Attendant Grandmother had lectured me on before marriage, I lent Croa my ear.
“We’ve been married for quite some time now—don’t you think it would be good for us to share a bed?”
“Oh, you mean sleep together?”
That sounds good. If we move quickly on having children, we’ll stabilize the succession issue and strengthen our alliance with Media.
“Yes. Ismenios has been pestering me about why we haven’t consummated the marriage yet.”
“The Media nobility must be impatient from their perspective.”
Let’s settle on a formal date with the Chief Chamberlain later. For now, shall we try sleeping together as a test run?
Sometimes you have to push forward boldly, so I spoke with conviction. Croa glanced nervously at the people around us and pinched my side.
“H-how could you say such a thing in front of everyone?”
“What does it matter? We’re married.”
I flashed a bright smile at the attendants as if seeking their approval, and they responded with warm expressions, eager to assist.
“A most reasonable statement, Your Majesty.”
“Shall we prepare the bathwater?”
Absolutely. Since I’d already made up my mind, I decided to move things along quickly and said I’d go wash up. One of the attendants approached me quietly and asked about my intentions.
“Will you be bathing with the Consort Emperor? If you wish it, we shall prepare accordingly.”
Hmm… that seems a bit premature. Bathing together is something people have different preferences about. I said this should be decided by mutual agreement first, and the attendant withdrew without complaint, saying he’d follow my orders.
These people here have excellent discipline. They were sent from Media, weren’t they? It seems Ismenios chose the personnel carefully. I was worried there might be people with factional loyalties mixed in, which would have been troublesome.
“This way, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. Let’s go.”
Of course I trust Croa’s competence, but he has this tendency—when someone pushes strongly, he just goes “Oh, is that so?” and agrees. That’s probably why, even with that power as a child, he was locked away in a small room and just did whatever his family told him to do. Because of this past, there are quite a few Media nobles who look down on Croa. I should purge them all at once and have them burned at the stake someday.
“Are you in pain?”
“Not at all. It feels perfect.”
I received bathing assistance from the attendants, then dried my hair and body before entering the bedroom in a fluffy state. Croa was on the bed, equally fluffy, but for some reason he was kneeling.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Well, I’m nervous.”
If you’re already like this, how will you manage when we’re actually sleeping? At my bewilderment, Croa agreed that was a good point and relaxed his legs comfortably, gathering the blanket around us.
“But, Pisha… you’re remarkably composed, aren’t you?”
“Well, I’ve seen things.”
I’m the legitimate son of Helbatro, that legendary libertine. I’ve seen every sight worth seeing—and some not worth seeing—so I boasted proudly. Croa took a deep breath and pressed his hand to his chest.
“I see… that makes sense. Well, you must be quite accustomed to this.”
My experience is different from that of a sheltered gentleman like you, I chuckled. I became a bit smug and flopped onto the bed, then gestured for the attendants to withdraw.
“C-could I… perhaps… hold your hand first?”
“Don’t we hold hands all the time anyway?”
“The order matters.”
That’s fair. I boldly took Croa’s hand, and this man who loved following proper steps requested the next stage.
“An embrace! Let’s embrace!”
“Alright!”
Croa and I hugged with a whoop and rolled around on the bed. We rolled left, we rolled right, savored each other’s warmth, and then agreement was reached on the final stage.
“A k-kiss! Let’s kiss!”
“Alright!”
“Not on the cheek!”
“Of course not!”
A married couple’s kiss should naturally be on the lips! I leaned over Croa’s body, cupped his face, and pressed my lips to his with a smack, then moved around his face, kissing every corner.
“Ha, haha, that tickles.”
“Want to try kissing me?”
“Y-yes!”
Croa answered with confidence, cupping my face and pressing his lips against mine. With a soft “mmm,” he held the kiss for a long moment before pulling away, then gently kissed my cheeks and eyelids just as I had done.
“This is wonderful, Pisha! Now I understand why everyone wants to cuddle together in one bed!”
“Right! My chest feels all tingly!”
“Yes! I just want to hold you so badly I can barely contain myself!”
“Should we embrace again?”
“Yes!”
We embraced once more, rolling around with delighted squeals, then decided to cool off by fluttering the blankets before settling in to sleep.
“Pisha, if you don’t mind, could we stay like this in each other’s arms until we fall asleep?”
“Of course. I’d like that too.”
“Once I’m asleep, I’ll naturally let go, I promise.”
“Why not just sleep while holding each other the whole time?”
“No! There could be… unforeseen complications!”
Hmm… I could guess what he was imagining, but those unforeseen complications would never happen. After reaching a final agreement with Croa, I drifted off to sleep in the Consort Palace bed, snoring softly.
I must have tossed and turned quite a bit in my sleep, because when I woke, my pajamas were half-undone. Wanting to sleep a little longer, I pressed my head against Croa’s chest, and the Consort Palace gently pulled me into a tight embrace.
“….”
“….”
“…?”
“….”
“Huh!”
I wanted to sleep more. It was barely past nine in the morning. Father had only just finished his post-meal nap, so I pulled Croa closer, but for some reason he swiftly strapped on roller skates and cinched them tight.
“Whoa!”
“What? Why are you doing this?”
Deceptively strong for his appearance, Croa scooped me up and glided down the corridor with a smooth rolling sound, descending all the way to the entrance. Then he grabbed the Inner Palace’s mini vehicle and raced it to the Main Palace.
“What is this! What’s the emergency! Can’t I at least put on some clothes?!”
“It’s urgent! Time is of the essence right now!”
What could be so urgent! Did a war break out while I was sleeping?! Did some regional conflict erupt overnight? Or did the Princess of Hecta Duchy finally declare martial law? Though given how well she gets along with her father, I’d think she’d just inherit the throne peacefully…

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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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