Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 49

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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 49. If This Were a Game, a “Quest Complete” System Window Would Have Appeared (2)
“Waaaaaah! Waah! Waaahhh!”
How disrespectful! If I sent out an SOS, shouldn’t you have come running immediately? And if you’d been watching me properly in the first place, I wouldn’t have fallen into that strange wormhole! A child could get lost chasing after a cat! But isn’t it an adult’s job to watch them carefully?
“Waaah! Kitty waah! Waaahhh!”
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re saying. You’re too ugly for me to understand.”
“Waaahhh!”
I don’t care—it’s all Grandmother’s fault anyway! As I complained and fussed, I heard sniffling sounds coming from Grandmother too. She muttered that I spoke exactly like Helbatro, and eventually tears streamed down her face as she patted my back over and over.
“Oh my, how is it you’re so troublesome in exactly the same way?”
“I don’t know. Waaah! It’s genetic, sniff.”
If I was identical to that man, then genetics was the only answer. We embraced each other and cried for a long while, until eventually both our eyes were red and swollen as we emerged from the Storage Shed.
“Pisha! Tania! This side has been taken care of, ma’am!”
Holding Grandmother’s and the Fifth Prince’s hands firmly on either side, I first sought out the Bandit Leader and his family to check on their welfare. Though Choco had beaten them in several places, fortunately they still had breath in their bodies.
I exhaled in relief with a long sigh.
“I apologize for deceiving you. Still, what I gave you, I won’t take back—add it to your livelihood.”
“Well, I had a feeling something about this wasn’t right to get involved with.”
Right? Our scent was a bit off, wasn’t it?
The Bandit Leader spoke with a hollow tone, but fortunately I detected no hatred directed at me. Though he did seem a bit angry.
“You startled me this morning. Your instincts are sharp.”
“I should have dealt with you when we first met.”
I understood his frustration, but he shouldn’t say such things with people around. The Bandit Leader was beaten again by the Imperial Military for his insolence, and he spat blood while cursing.
I tried to pretend I hadn’t heard, but the Emperor’s Son apparently couldn’t just let it slide.
“Those bastards! Behead them at once! They’ve insulted the Emperor’s Son of the great empire!”
Good grief, now that he had his supporters gathered, he was making a big show of it again. I groaned and received a camera from the Bandit Gang. I wound the film and pulled it out, then showed it to the Emperor’s Son. His face flushed crimson as he tried to snatch the film from my hands.
“Give it back! You won’t hand it over?”
“If you want to keep this between us, let’s just move on.”
“Damn it!”
Now it was quiet. I approached the frightened children of the Bandit Gang and reassured them that I’d smooth things over—their time in prison would end soon.
“Let’s go back!”
I nearly died, but since I survived in the end, wasn’t that a good outcome? I cleanly wrapped up the situation and prepared to board the airship heading for the Imperial Capital.
Once bitten, twice shy. I confidently demanded motion sickness medicine and slept like the dead the entire flight.

✦ ✦ ✦
After arriving at the Imperial Palace and resting for a day, I visited the Audience Chamber to meet the Emperor of the Empire. The old man looked incredibly annoyed.
“This is exactly why I told that fellow to watch carefully.”
The Emperor flipped through the telegram that had arrived and tossed it to me. It contained a list of damages that Prisoner was claiming from the Empire.
“Well, what can we do? The security system malfunction was indeed your side’s fault.”
When I spoke with feigned innocence, the Emperor here narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“You didn’t do it on purpose, did you?”
“Goodness, I’d have to be insane to risk my own life like that.”
“Your mouth alone is alive, it seems…”
The Emperor, muttering that I resembled young Chiron, grumbled considerably, then looked me straight in the eye and fell silent for a moment.
“….”
“….”
Since he said nothing, I said nothing either and simply stared back. Then the Emperor suddenly spoke.
“Why. Since you’ve come all this way, do you want to be treated to some tea?”
“Tea? If you’re offering, I’d be delighted.”
Well, I felt terrible about causing trouble, but tea service too? I said I’d be honored if he could spare the time despite being busy, and the Emperor’s frustration boiled over as he called for his son.
“Fifth Prince! Are you out there! Since that’s your name, Nanark! Nanark Astiages!”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Please rest easy now!”
So his name was Nanark. This is the first time I’ve heard the Fifth Prince’s name since arriving here.
Fifth Prince Nanark strode into the Audience Chamber and tried to grab my hand and pull me out again. I resisted from my seat.
“Wait a moment. His Majesty told me to have tea before leaving.”
But why does that man get so frustrated every time I say something? He was even pounding his chest, which seemed strange. Then Nanark whispered something odd into my ear.
“Hey, ‘have tea and go’ means get out right now!”
“Huh?”
Have tea and go? To have tea means… so it really does mean have tea and go, right?
“Not at all! Just walk faster!”
“Huh??”
I wasn’t convinced, but since his son would know his father better than I would, I decided to comply obediently.
Only when I stopped bracing my legs could the Prince finally drag me, and he pulled me in a quick march all the way out of the Audience Chamber.
The banquet schedule had fallen through anyway, and my family would be worried at home, so this might be the last time I see the Prince. Thinking it worked out well, I handed Nanark a photograph I’d had developed yesterday.
“Here! A commemorative photo for you.”
“Eek!”
The Little One let out a strange cry in the corridor before the Audience Chamber, snatched the photo, and was about to tear it apart when he began taking deep breaths.
Making odd breathing sounds like “hic-hic, hic-hic,” the little one quietly put the photo in his pocket and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Princess of Kisomalos. Are you leaving today?”
“Yes, I am. I’ve said my greetings and have no other business here.”
“I see. Is that so.”
If you’re saying goodbye, do it quickly. I need to go shopping for travel souvenirs for Prisoner and my friends.
As I was estimating the shopping time at the Capital Department Store, the little one hesitated before suddenly saying something unexpected.
“If you ever need a political marriage partner, find me.”
“A political marriage, then?”
“Yes. I’m far removed from the succession, and from Kisomalos’s perspective, the terms are favorable.”
Hmm… The Fifth Prince of a great empire. Certainly, if the marriage were arranged, it would be advantageous. The distance between our territories was sufficient to eliminate any territorial disputes, and with military strength to spare, it would be reassuring to have support available when needed.
“You’re so far from the throne that you’re practically out of the Emperor’s favor anyway.”
“But I’m a legitimate heir—the Empress is my birth mother.”
“Still, you ought to have more children.”
“How dare you! When I’m gracious enough to arrange your marriage, you should be grateful!”
The Emperor’s Son pinched both my cheeks and pulled them outward. It didn’t hurt exactly, but an odd sound escaped me: “Mwaaah.”
“With a clumsy Princess like you, do you think anyone but me would take you?”
“Mwaaah, mwuuh!”
I understand already—please let go! I can’t even speak like this!
When I began swatting at his hands, the Emperor’s Son released my cheeks and cleared his throat awkwardly.
“In any case, I’m a popular groom in foreign lands. The sooner you secure me, the better.”
“Yes, I shall think of it positively.”
“Good. Once you return, write to me often. You have my palace’s direct telegraph number, don’t you?”
“I don’t.”
“Sigh… Why do I even bother with someone so thick-headed.”
I hadn’t asked him to take responsibility for anything, yet here he was, acting so self-important. As I grumbled under my breath, the Emperor’s Son said he’d have someone deliver the telegraph number and that I should memorize it well.
“Well then, I’m busy. I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes, do go.”
“You will write to me, won’t you?”
“I said I would.”
I waved my hand to hurry him along, then dashed down the corridor in search of Chief Attendant Grandmother. My business in the empire was concluded. Now it was time for souvenir shopping.

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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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