Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 35

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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 35. From Now On, Kill Each Other (1)
“You are forbidden from using curses within the Imperial Palace until you reach adulthood. I’ll explain the details while drawing up a protective agreement.”
“Yes, yes!”
Prisoner, you really do love making contracts and treaties, don’t you? Father said he had plenty to do—drafting agreements, reinforcing surveillance personnel—and wanted to leave quickly, so I waved goodbye to Croa.
“Bye bye!”
“Yes, I shall see you again later!”
Perfect! He’ll be waiting in my palace! The boy seems kind, and he’s even agreed to a contract not to use curses—befriending him would be a divine windfall.
After parting with Father, I hummed my way back to the Princess Palace. Then I informed Achilles Young Lady, my friend whom I couldn’t get a refund for, that another companion would be arriving soon.
Achilles Young Lady shrieked and clawed territorial marks all over the Princess Palace, even gouging her nails into the marble pillars, which cost quite a bit to repair.

✦ ✦ ✦
It took another month for Croa to move into the Princess Palace. I needed time to calm down Little One, who kept complaining that my only companion was Achilles and no one else, and equally long to educate Croa so he could attend our lessons together.
It bothered me that a boy who’d been locked in a cell and used only as a curse machine managed to learn letters and receive basic education in just a month. Regardless, Croa had been cleaned up, polished, and gained enough weight to be enrolled as a student in Marshmallow’s princess education program.
“As you may know, Prince Croa will be joining our lessons starting today.”
“Waaah!”
“Ptooey!”
Achilles Young Lady was still at it. She’d promised to behave properly, so why was she acting like this? She’d made such a fuss about being called Sherlin or Serlin with affection, yet here she was.
…Why did I even have to be in charge of approving her and bringing in a friend?
“Sheryl, behave yourself.”
“Yes, Pisha!”
That was a name only my Aunt used, yet she was calling me that too. Achilles Young Lady, clinging tightly to my arm and showing off her connection by calling me Pisha repeatedly, growled at Croa as if she wanted to devour him. Croa, unbothered by his past hardships, carried himself with an unexpectedly strong presence and introduced himself.
“I am Croa Gede Media. I am ten years old. I was a prince of the Media Kingdom, but now I am under the protection of Kisomalos, so please just call me Croa. I look forward to working with you all.”
“My goodness! Ten years old? I thought he was my age because he’s so small! Hehehehe!”
Sheryl, why do you keep acting like a villainous young lady? I was about to stop you before a fight broke out, but Croa calmly explained the reason for his small stature.
“That’s because I lived on just one potato a day in Media. Now that I’m in Kisomalos, I’m grateful to eat as much as I want.”
How could you say that while blushing and looking embarrassed? As Croa shyly twisted his violet hair that fell so pitifully, Marshmallow the teacher was at a loss for words, and Achilles Young Lady actually ground her teeth.
“Hey! You’re trying to win Pisha’s favor by acting pitiful!”
“It’s not an act, but… am I not actually pitiful?”
“Grraaah!”
Ah, so this is a world where the shameless always win? Croa was strong. The boy who declared himself pitiful with clear, unwavering eyes was formidable.
“Now, now! Let’s save the banter for later and begin the lesson.”
When Marshmallow clapped his hands and announced we’d move forward, Croa cheerfully wheeled himself to the desk beside mine. Come to think of it, installing auxiliary mobility devices throughout the Princess Palace because of Croa’s accessibility needs cost a fortune. I’m just accumulating debt to Prisoner.
“I look forward to your kindness, Pisha.”
“You’re calling me Pisha too?”
“Oh, I overstepped. Should I call you Your Highness the Princess instead?”
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead and call me that. I’ve heard that friends don’t concern themselves with such formalities.”
That’s something my mother told me. Which is why our mother had no friends.
“Hehe.”
Croa laughed cheerfully, murmured “Pisha, Pisha” to himself several times, then focused on the lesson.
Today was geography class, which I hated most, but Croa answered Marshmallow’s questions smoothly and had apparently done advance studying, so I breathed a sigh of relief.
Truth be told, I would have taken classes with them, but when I heard they’d completed the entire curriculum in just a month, I had a premonition. This bastard must be a genius too.

✦ ✦ ✦
“Pisha! Pisha! How about a glass of chess and a round of mojito right now!”
“Pisha prefers moving her body more, doesn’t she? I’ve learned to ride a bicycle.”
Croa, you’ve been diligently doing the exercise regimen Prisoner assigned you—you’re already riding a bicycle perfectly. The moment I praised Croa, Shelly ground her teeth and hung from me like a pendant.
“Then I’ll concede a step! How about a multi-player chess tournament! Come at me all at once!”
“You’re consistently clever, remarkable, and amazing, aren’t you.”
“Hehehehe.”
As I herded the two rascals who came charging to play, I felt an ominous presence from behind. I thought I needed to escape quickly, but by the time I tried to bolt, it was already too late.
“Oh my! Oh my! Isn’t this the pillar of our nation! The Princess herself! May the radiance of the golden lamb shine upon you!”
Argh! The Elset Elder grandfathers are here again!
The old men, wearing the blue lightning emblem—the symbol of our house—on their chests, swarmed around me and pestered me again with invitations and summons. If only these bastards weren’t part of the Three Great Noble Families of the Empire! No, if only I were as shameless as Prisoner, I could just ignore them and leave!
“Surely it’s time to inform the senior officials that Your Highness is in good health. Now would be an opportune moment to host a banquet.”
“I hear Krishna’s youngest son is running about here and there all alone? I’ve heard he’s had quite the ordeal. Perhaps taking on more tutors would….”
“Ah, well, that’s, um, not within my purview.”
What are these lunatics trying to do with a six-year-old child! You’re basically announcing to the whole world that you want to monopolize power by involving me!
“Croa! I’m borrowing your bicycle!”
“Y-yes!”
It’s moments like this when my friends’ unusual intelligence for their age shines brightest. The Achilles Young Lady and Prince Croa, understanding immediately that I needed to escape, threw themselves at the old men with their whole bodies, shouting for me to trample over them and go.
I will never forget your sacrifice, you two!
“Your Highness! Where are you going!”
“Ugh! These little ones won’t let go?!”
I swiftly pedaled the bicycle to a secluded corner of the Princess Palace. On the way, I’d instructed Emily to spread the lie that I’d gone in a different direction, so today should be safe.
“Phew.”
But this is only a temporary measure—I need to devise a fundamental countermeasure. Even if I tell Prisoner, those bastards will only listen in front of the Emperor, and they’ll persistently seek me out to build connections.
Building connections is one thing, but if they’re shameless enough, I could actually be kidnapped. If they seize me, lock me away somewhere, and declare that legitimacy has fallen into Aelset’s hands so Chiron must step down, then even Prisoner would be helpless.
“Sigh.”
This is all because Helbatro destroyed the nation during his reign. That blockhead was so recklessly foolish that the imperial treasury was depleted and the military was completely seized by the nobles. Once he lost military authority, his political influence diminished, and the nation gradually lost all real power. Even now, the Kisomalos Imperial Palace is protected by the funds and military of Prisoner’s house, the Chiron Duke’s House.
But I can’t exactly live confined within the Princess Palace like the Prince of Media either.

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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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