Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 47

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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 47. Your Name (2)
Hmm… pretending to be in a political marriage. That was a clever move indeed. There are two Little Ones mixed into the merchant caravan, and with their completely different appearances and clothing, I couldn’t claim they were siblings. But if I say they were betrothed at a young age, it all makes sense. With that premise, I could explain why the caravan was hiding during travel, and why the Princess was dressed in Kisomalos attire.
A political marriage. A magical phrase that explains everything in one go.
“Hmm…?”
Wait? Isn’t a political marriage actually a good deal for me?
I gave this some serious thought. Marrying into the Kisomalos Princess wouldn’t be a bad choice, would it? Since I’m from the Astiagas Empire’s royal line, I’d be treated well. Besides, seeing this Little One up close like this for the first time, she’s actually quite cute. She’ll grow into a beauty.
And as for me? I’ve been praised for my handsome face since childhood—so much so that my ears have calluses from hearing it. I had little presence among my older siblings, but Mother always said I was the most handsome of all her children. Standing next to this Little One, we’d make quite a picture. A truly perfect couple, as they say.
Though a usurper rules now, Kisomalos is a wealthy nation with military strength to match. If this Little One safely inherits the throne and I secure a political marriage beforehand? For me, this would be a windfall beyond measure.
Living as the consort of Kisomalos’s future Empress and the true power behind the throne sounds rather intriguing. After all, I can’t compete in the succession struggle of the Astiagas Empire anyway.
“Go into the largest tent over there. The Bandit Leader said to treat you as an honored guest.”
And look at what this Little One does. She devises such schemes on the spot against vicious bandits and executes them without hesitation. Remarkable courage. A strong woman is ideal as a bride for the Astiagas Empire.
I nodded and thought I should show the Princess Little One what a capable man I could be. I’d been flustered earlier and acted foolishly, but now that I had my wits about me, I’d make her see that I was someone she could rely on.
“Ahem.”
Perhaps I should start with escorting her down from the carriage. I looked for the Princess to take her hand, but the Little One had already hopped down from the supply wagon and was walking briskly toward the tent.
“Wait, just a moment!”
How could she go ahead when I’m supposed to escort her! This Little One had no sense of awareness from the moment we met!
When I finally extended my hand, she seemed to come to her senses and took it shyly.
Ah, now my shoulders feel a bit straighter.
I took the Princess’s hand and walked confidently into the tent. Even if the Little One had been acting tough until now, coming to a bandit stronghold, she must be getting nervous. From here on, I needed to lead the Princess with maturity and composure.
“Come in. I never expected a feast to become a welcome banquet.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“My, for a noble Little One, you certainly carry yourself like an adult.”
But she’s not scared at all. Far from trembling, she’s asking for fresh clothes like a proper guest and even making bathroom jokes. This kind of audacity is something I’d only heard from ministers twice her age. Why is this Little One so bold?
“Oh.”
After a brief wait, the Princess returned in simpler clothes. With such plain attire, her face shines so much brighter. The dress was so elaborate that it had stolen all the attention. She’s far cuter than my youngest sibling, whom Mother fawns over endlessly. Though I must say, not everyone can pull off such an unusual hairstyle.
“Excellent! You’ve caught cattle. You’ve really prepared quite the feast.”
“The information was reliable, so I made bold preparations beforehand.”
I’d been a bit hungry for a while now, so I decided to have a meal. I lowered my expectations, thinking that since these lowly bandits prepared it, it couldn’t be much.
But no matter how low I set my expectations, there were some things I couldn’t bear.
In a bubbling pot lay something long and gelatinous. No matter how I looked at it, it was unmistakably animal entrails.
“Ugh, entrails? That’s food only barbarians eat!”
Isn’t that a discarded part? Even the people of the Capital don’t eat entrails. I’d only heard rumors that the poor who rummage through garbage and the barbarians of the borderlands eat such things.
To serve such filth to the Prince of the Astiagas Empire—there’s no greater disrespect!
As I cried out in indignation, the Princess rolled her eyes at me, then rolled them again at the Bandit Leader. She could make such a cute expression with those wide, round eyes.
“If he’s my husband, you may lock him in the storage shed.”
“Hey! Tie that brat up and lock him away!”
How dare this lowly wretch call me a brat! But I couldn’t reveal my status, so I held my tongue. Then other lowly bandits entered the tent and lifted me up effortlessly.
“Let go of me! How dare you! Release me at once, you commoners!”
Princess, if you truly cared for your husband, you’d stop these commoners! What are you doing, sipping broth like nothing’s happening! Hey! Show your husband some respect!
“Well now, this young lady is quite kind, isn’t she.”
“A political marriage, then? How unfortunate.”
I found myself imprisoned in a storage shed hastily constructed from wooden planks. It looked so poorly made that I thought it might collapse at any moment, yet surprisingly, even when I struck the walls with all my strength, they didn’t yield an inch.
Growl.
I was starving. I had no idea how much time had passed, but peering through the gaps in the wood, it seemed night had already fallen. I regretted not eating properly earlier instead of impulsively cursing these barbarians. The main dish had been organ hotpot, but there were several milder side dishes I could have eaten…
Creak.
I was so hungry that sleep wouldn’t come. I wasn’t even certain I’d survive this ordeal. Fear began to overwhelm me, and tears threatened to spill, when the storage shed door creaked open.
“Go on in. The Bandit Leader will overlook this much.”
“Got it! Thanks for your cooperation!”
The Princess of Kisomalos? Little One set a plate before me, then swiftly unwrapped the cloth covering it. Inside lay five steamed potatoes.
“You should have watched your tongue.”
Was it safe to eat? When I glanced at her, the Princess nodded. She spoke with such confidence about having observed how things worked here and brought this along, that I hastily devoured the potatoes. They were perfectly cooled, making them all the sweeter.
“This is delicious! Really delicious!”
“Eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion.”
“Mm!”
When the Princess noticed my throat was tight, she thoughtfully provided water, which I accepted and drank, then returned to the potatoes. As I ate, a salty taste spread across my tongue—the tears I’d been holding back were flowing down my throat, adding their flavor.
“Wow, you really are crying.”
What? Hadn’t I swallowed those tears? Confused, I quickly wiped my eyes, only to discover that tears I hadn’t fully swallowed were streaming down my face.
“Hey, outside! Bring that thing you brought!”
“See? I told you the groom would definitely cry.”
The one who’d brought the Princess chuckled and handed over some object. Vishnabel, the Princess, took it and aimed it at me, then clicked—she took a photograph.
“No, no, noooo!”
“Hehe! I’ll have two prints made, so keep one as a memento!”
“You! Give that back here!”
As I lunged to snatch the camera, the Princess dashed out of the storage shed and ordered the Bandit Gang Member to lock the door immediately, treating him like her servant. What kind of princess adapts so well to living among these barbarians?
I wiped away my tears and returned to eating the potatoes. I’d save one for tomorrow morning just in case. With my belly full, at least I could sleep. I curled up in a corner of the shed and closed my eyes. The bleating of sheep being herded echoed through the night.

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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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