Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 41

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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 41. The Fatal Weakness I Never Knew Because I Only Lived in the Imperial Palace (1)
“Your Majesty, you are far too young for this.”
“If you were to commit such an indiscretion….”
“Are you lot cursing me as incompetent?”
Before Prisoner could even address me, I cut through their stammering with sharp words. I couldn’t very well execute them for such a minor transgression, but since they’d failed to control their tongues, I commanded them to strike their own mouths. The two officials, left with no choice, obediently slapped their faces with resounding smacks.
“Have you found what you sought, Father?”
“If you’ve come this far, you must have some idea.”
“Still, I would appreciate an explanation.”
“These madmen are summoning me for a courtesy visit.”
“How absurd.”
“There is no one but the Princess—Kisomalos’s sole legitimate heir—who can stand in my place.”
“There are no alternatives. I must go, whether I wish to or not.”
Such is the bitter fate of being both the legitimate heir and an only child. With no one else to send, what choice do I have? I alone can represent Kisomalos without offending the Astyages Empire. I can only hope the journey proves less exhausting than I fear.
“Very well.”
“Are you essentially telling me to go to my death!”
I leaped to the logical conclusion and thrust it at him forcefully, and the ministers—including the heads of each department—fell silent. Everyone knew what would happen if Chiron abandoned the throne now. Even a six-year-old child understood it. For instance, me.
“I shall remain as silent as a dead mouse. Please lend me Choco.”
“Choco alone might prove insufficient. If we deploy an entire battalion….”
“Are we declaring war on the Empire!”
At my sharp cry, Prisoner flinched, then collected himself and twisted his expression into a grimace.
“Tch, that cursed Empire—we should have shattered it into pieces long ago.”
“A sentiment shared by all the continents, it seems.”
In the past hundred years, the Empire’s territory had quadrupled. If not for that distant southern kingdom, all the continents lived in fear of the Astyages Empire’s southward expansion.
Still, when I go to the Empire, won’t I see the Boy Hero again? They wouldn’t hold a banquet without summoning an imperial representative from Kisomalos. They’ll introduce me to their royal family, and I’ll certainly meet the Boy Hero.
Besides, the Boy Hero and I are already acquainted. For the sake of friendly relations between our nations, they’ll surely present him to me at the forefront.
After calculating all the variables, I suddenly became aware of the Princess Palace’s pitiful budget and threw myself prostrate on the ground, striking my forehead against the floor.
“Your Majeeeestyyy!”
“Ah, so you’re asking for money.”
“Please lend your one and only precious daughter some funds!”
“Ha, there it is.”
Prisoner found me amusing and gestured for the other officials to laugh along. As he chuckled heartily, the ministers—save for the Chief Chamberlain—forced out strained laughter.
“I have my dignity to maintain, after all! I shall need new dresses and various other necessities!”
“True enough. The Princess goes as the face of the Imperial Kingdom.”
“And when I return, I must purchase gifts for Emily and my friends! What of my dignity! My dignity!”
“Who does this shameless posturing come from?”
Isn’t it from your own genes? You certainly put on quite the display yourself.
When I spoke softly enough for only Prisoner to hear, he nodded in understanding and promptly approved the additional budget.
“I hereby grant one hundred million Lakma as an emergency dignity maintenance fund for Princess Vishnabel.”
Excellent! One hundred million Lakma! With that, I could procure seven complete sets of dresses and accessories. My stay in the Empire would likely be about a week. In any case, Prisoner’s calculations are always precise.
“Furthermore, Princess Vishnabel shall be accompanied by Madam Listo, the Chief Chamberlain, to maintain her dignity.”
“Eek!”
When I shot Madam Listo a look of utter disdain, the woman let out a high, cheerful laugh and greeted me warmly.
“I don’t want to! I can do just fine on my own!”
“A guardian’s accompaniment is necessary. The Princess should return now.”
“Aaaaah!”
I was about to throw myself on the ground and throw a proper tantrum, but before Prisoner could even call for them, the palace knights came rushing in, scooped me up, and carried me right out of the Audience Chamber.
I continued screaming the whole way, but the knights just barked their marching cadence and delivered me to the Princess Palace, where I landed snugly in Emily’s arms. Since there was nothing I could do about it, I decided to console myself with spending money instead.
“Emily! Bring me the catalogs! I’m going to personally select from the hottest designers right now!”
As I wiped away my streaming tears, Shirley and Croa approached with worried expressions. They must have thought something serious had happened since I was crying. But don’t worry—I cry at the slightest provocation normally!
“But surely something grave occurred for you to weep so, Your Highness?”
“Not at all. When I throw a tantrum and cry, people give me what I want immediately.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. It’s a perfectly ordinary trait of children. I learned it after meeting Prisoner.”
Once you both grow accustomed to Father, you’ll find yourselves crying and throwing tantrums too. Last time, I cried and begged him to catch butterflies because I didn’t want to study, and the man actually went and caught one in a terrarium and brought it to me!
“Hehe! Though I did release it soon after, worried it would starve!”
“Wow.”
“Such a world exists.”
Neither Shirley nor Croa had grown up with proper parents, so these ordinary stories fascinated them. But this was something they’d grow accustomed to in time—for now, preparing for my business trip was what mattered. I told my friends about what happened in the Audience Chamber, then got down to serious packing.
“If we’re traveling somewhere as distant as the Empire, surely we’ll be taking an airship?”
“Well, Prisoner isn’t a petty man, so he’ll arrange airship passage for us.”
“Wow! An airship sounds amazing!”
Shirley envied the prospect, mentioning how one cannon shot could burst the hydrogen balloon—she wanted to ride one too. I gave her a light punch. This fool, why would you say something so inauspicious to someone about to leave on a business trip?
“Hmm…”
Prisoner would prepare the gift for the Emperor, so I thought I’d carefully select something to give to the Boy Hero Hisperon. If I purchased it within the budget, Prisoner would approve it. It wasn’t like I was uprooting pillars this time—it was just a courtesy gift to exchange greetings.
“What would be a good gift for Hisperon…?”
As I flipped through the catalog Emily brought, Croa pointed at a beautiful brooch and suggested it.
“What about this white lily ornament? It would look nice pinned to a cloak.”
“Oh, it looks modest but has a price that’s anything but modest. And it’s quite beautiful.”
It was important that the Boy Hero accept the gift comfortably. If he thought it was cheap and wore it carelessly, I could enjoy the private satisfaction of knowing it was actually quite expensive.
Croa had surprisingly good taste in selecting gifts. I was about to settle on it when Shirley flipped through the book with a suspicious expression and spoke in an ominous tone.
“The white lily’s flower language means… purity and death.”
“…”
“Hahaha, I had no idea it carried such meaning.”
Why does Croa have such a suspicious expression despite speaking so casually?
I was about to ask if she really didn’t know, but since she insisted she didn’t, it felt odd to press further, so I decided to choose a different gift. As I continued browsing the catalog, Croa and Shirley began playfully swatting at each other like cats fighting.
When they first met, they were so hostile, but now they seemed to get along well. That was a relief.
“Emily! Get me a different catalog! Everything in this one is too shabby!”
“Yes, Your Highness! Bringing the next one!”
I really hoped my lisp would clear up before meeting the Astyages Emperor. Since only a little time remained until full recovery, I clenched my tongue firmly and took medicine said to be good for blood circulation.
From the time I sent word that I was going to the Astyages Empire, through all the protocol arrangements and preparations, it took about a month before departure.
Before I left, I heard that Aelset and Lorowi have been waging war continuously for an entire month.
In any case, they seem like people with nothing but bloated pride.

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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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