Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 43

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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 43. The Fatal Weakness I Never Knew Because I Only Lived in the Imperial Palace (3)
“When we meet next time, will the golden sheep still be certain?”
This old man was subtly scratching at how chaotic our nation’s political situation had become. I was deeply displeased, but I couldn’t pout in front of a foreign emperor.
“The new Emperor was established by my will.”
“And you’re confident you can reclaim that position by your own will?”
“What’s impossible about that?”
Still, my irritation made my tone sharp and pointed. The Emperor looked intrigued and told me I could rest if I wished.
“You must still be recovering from your journey. Please rest comfortably, even if just for a moment.”
“I’m grateful for your consideration.”
Phew, my tongue moved smoothly, didn’t it? I’d made a good decision asking them to prepare stronger medicine during the journey. My tongue wasn’t stiff, and my words flowed beautifully.
As I left, I merely bent my knees and turned sharply to exit the Audience Chamber. Once the massive doors closed behind me, Head Attendant Grandmother pressed her hand to her chest.
“You did wonderfully. Splendidly.”
“Right? I was completely splendid, wasn’t I?”
“The way you spoke much while not revealing your hand in the parts you didn’t mention was especially excellent.”
Even when the Chamberlain praised me, she did it in such a backhanded way! I cursed at the Chief Chamberlain, calling her foolish, and decided to stop by the Central Garden I’d seen on the way here. I entered the garden thinking I’d pet the cats, but the wary felines scattered and hid the moment I appeared. I was so annoyed that I returned to my room, pulled the blanket over my head, and grumbled.

✦ ✦ ✦
They said to rest for a while, but I barely had a day of free time before being dragged to banquets continuously. For two straight days, welcoming banquets were held, and I was formally introduced to the imperial family.
I met the Emperor, the Empress, the Imperial Consort, the Emperor’s lover, and eight sons and three daughters officially registered in the family registry, but I couldn’t meet Boy Hero Hisperon. It seemed they didn’t even include the illegitimate child in the family introduction.
That filthy Astyages Empire Emperor. Or rather, how could he brazenly bring his lover but not bring the child born between them?
I wore a diplomatic smile like armor and attended the welcome parties, but whenever I had a moment, I searched to see if Hisperon was nearby. I searched so earnestly that I once got lost in the palace, and Choco had to run around in all directions looking for me.
In the end, I was severely scolded by the Chief Chamberlain. She questioned how I could possibly get lost in such a narrow space with dozens of people watching, saying she couldn’t understand it at all.
“No, I didn’t get lost—I was searching to see if Hisperon was around.”
“If you didn’t get lost, then why on earth did you go to the Underground Storage in the building next door, not even near the Banquet Hall!”
Who knows? I just followed my instinct that Hisperon must be in that direction, and somehow ended up there.
“We should request permission from the Emperor and deploy additional security personnel. We need to increase the number of watchful eyes.”
Normally it was proper etiquette to travel with only the minimum number of attendants, but Head Attendant Grandmother moved busily, saying the Emperor would permit it if we disarmed the security personnel.
“Hmm…”
It was certainly strange. I was sure I’d been lingering near the Banquet Hall, but how did I end up in the Underground Storage? If that place had been where the Empire kept precious items, I would have been in serious trouble. It was fortunate it was just a place where cleaning tools were stored.
I listened to Choco scold me not to do such reckless things anymore and attended the third banquet. This time, since it was a banquet open not just to the imperial family but also to nobility, I could meet various people. Of course, among them was Boy Hero Hisperon.
“H-Hisperon! Hisperon! Boy Hero! Boy Hero Hisperon!”
Upon spotting Hisperon, I was so delighted that I ran the ten meters distance swiftly while calling out to the Boy Hero. The black-haired, black-eyed Boy Hero looked startled when he saw me and brought his finger to his lips.
“Shh! Shush!”
“Boy Hero! It’s been so long! Do you remember me?! I’m Vishnabel of Kisomalos!”
“Shh! Please don’t say that ‘Boy Hero’ thing!”
“Why wouldn’t I call the Boy Hero by the name Boy Hero! Or were you actually a Girl Hero?”
“C-come this way!”
Boy Hero Hisperon took my hand. How wonderful. The Boy Hero walked with commanding strides while dragging me along. How wonderful.
“My, how forward you are.”
As I twisted my body and expressed the pure emotions of a girl’s heart racing, the Boy Hero gripped my hand even more tightly. It seemed like he was trembling.
In any case, I was dragged along as he dawdled, and while the Chief Chamberlain, Choco, and the other Kisomalos personnel followed in a bustling crowd—hardly the atmosphere for a secret meeting—we were able to slip through the Veranda doors and relocate to a shadowed corner to continue our conversation.
“Please, don’t call me the Boy Hero. I’m not someone so remarkable.”
“But you are a boy and a hero, so what else would I call you but the Boy Hero?”
“And the title Hisperon is equally troublesome. Your Highness carries yourself with such confidence as royalty. Someone like me need only be called Hisperon.”
“What? I dislike that, Hisperon.”
The Boy Hero Hisperon took a deep breath and then splashed water on his face. Watching him as though life weighed heavily upon his shoulders, Choco burst into oblivious laughter.
“If you persist, I shall have no choice but to take my leave. It was acceptable in Your Highness’s quarters before, but there are many eyes here.”
“Oh, that’s right! Hisperon, I brought a gift for the Boy Hero from so far away, didn’t I?”
When I had the attendants bring the gift, Hisperon’s eyes grew moist. There was no need for him to be moved already.
“Hahahaha! Ha ha ha ha! Pfft! Ahahaha!”
“Please stop laughing. It’s unbecoming.”
“But isn’t our Princess just so adorable?!”
I found a small gift box and presented it with a flourish to the Boy Hero. He seemed quite burdened by it, and when I gazed at him with sparkling eyes, he reluctantly unwrapped the package.
“This is….”
“A sword ornament. It’s a low-grade spirit stone, but it carries good fortune within it.”
“I cannot accept this.”
“This is something I can afford with my own allowance. It’s not something outrageously expensive like last time.”
“But if I only keep receiving….”
“The fact that the Boy Hero lives and breathes is reward enough for me.”
When I spoke with sincerity, Choco laughed so hard she nearly choked, and the Boy Hero’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
“Though it’s not an expensive item, it carries my earnest wishes. I hope you return safely without injury.”
“Then… thank you.”
Keke ke. I knew he’d accept it if I called it cheap, this Boy Hero so weak to burden! The truth is it’s worth ten million Lakmas! Even if it’s a low-grade spirit stone, how could it be cheap when it carries fortune that influences causality itself!
Foolish Boy Hero! He’ll carry my gift jingling at his side for life and avoid fatal wounds! Excellent! Absolutely excellent!
“Then please return to the Banquet Hall. If I, a lowborn, spend too much time with you, it will tarnish the Princess’s reputation.”
I wanted to protest, but it was the truth, so there was nothing for it. Had this been Kisomalos, I could have insisted, but since this was Empire territory where Hisperon’s position could become precarious, I obediently complied.
“I eagerly await our next meeting.”
“Thank you always for your excessive concern and attention.”
I nodded and parted ways with the Boy Hero. My mood was splendid. Absolutely splendid! Now that I’d met the Boy Hero, I’d essentially completed everything I came here to do.
The Emperor summoned me to pay respects, so I showed my face. I met the person I wanted to see. Even if I returned to my homeland now, I wouldn’t harbor a single regret!

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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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