Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 86

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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 86. Misfortune Is Everywhere (3)
Well, my intelligence network isn’t as extensive as Nanark Astiages’s, but I could easily predict the Imperial Family’s situation. Since Hisperon was thriving without a hint of death thanks to the healing elixir I provided, those ahead of him in the succession would be absolutely terrified.
That’s why Nanark’s older brother and sister had completely severed contact with him and treated him coldly. This Prince had even done quite a few suspicious things because of me—like flattering Father in ways he never had before, purchasing prime real estate, establishing his own intelligence network, and so forth.
“….”
Isn’t this Prince in a rather dangerous position right now? I’d heard that the struggle for the Imperial succession was brutal. If Nanark kept making moves to secure his own position like this, the others would surely be deeply uncomfortable?
Just to be safe, I asked Emily if letters had been arriving recently.
“Yes! The last letter arrived a week ago!”
Phew, thank goodness for that. I opened the next letter with relief.
Hey, you’re really building an air force?
“Emiiiiiiiily!”
Military secrets had been leaked! How could this happen? I hurriedly checked the date the letter arrived, discovered it was from last month, and immediately sent a telegram to the Prisoner.
The Prince of Astiages knows about the air force establishment. Is it normal that he knows this?
A reply came saying it was normal. No matter how classified a secret, it’s impossible to prevent all leaks completely.
“Your Highness, a reply has arrived! It appears the information was leaked when we consulted with aircraft experts in Panbolo!”
“Ah, so we involved another nation. Then there’s nothing we can do about it.”
This wasn’t something we could prevent through caution. Our nation lacks expertise in aircraft manufacturing, so we have no choice but to consult with other countries. In that process, word about Kisomalos building an air force was bound to spread.
Still, it seems Nanark Astiages has built quite an impressive intelligence network. The fact that he knows even this much is impressive.
I happily read through Nanark’s letters and diary entries, then reluctantly opened the final letter. Hmm, I was just getting into it, and it’s already over. That Prince could make a living as a writer. If he wrote an essay like “My Survival Guide in the Imperial Palace,” it would probably become a bestseller.
It seems I’ll be moving. Well, “moving” might be the wrong word—it’s more like being driven out of the Palace. It appears I’ve made myself quite disliked by my older siblings.
The Imperial Family, which had been fighting amongst itself, has now split into the Crown Prince faction and the First Princess faction. I wanted to remain neutral and simply join whichever side was winning, but my older brother found fault with my position.
He said he couldn’t live in the same place as a rat who plants people in the Imperial Palace and eavesdrops for entertainment.
I’ve been expelled from the Imperial Palace for the crime of not taking either my older brother’s or older sister’s side. My own lands have been confiscated, and I’m told to pack my things and leave. I’m at a loss for what to do going forward.
Wait? Shouldn’t this Prince be asking me for protection? While I was thinking this, Nanark Astiages, skilled in Imperial Palace intrigue, seemed to have read my thoughts and wrote the next sentence.
Don’t recommend that I marry into Kisomalos right now. In the current situation, it would look like I’m throwing myself into the succession struggle backed by a real marriage alliance.
Ah… so there was that problem too. How troublesome.
I glanced at the edelweiss bookmark Emily was diligently making, and looked at the blue-eyed cat doll beautifully displayed in the cabinet. Though we only met briefly, she’s become someone I care about, and if she were to suddenly die, I’d probably have nightmares.
“Since I’ve already earned their displeasure, even if I sided with either the Crown Prince or the First Princess, it wouldn’t matter anymore….”
Neither the Emperor nor the Empress particularly pay attention to me—they only shield the Crown Prince and the First Princess. If I had to rely on someone, there’s only one person.
I picked up one of Nanark’s letters and circled the name Hisperon with my pen.
“Emily, bring out the finest stationery! The kind with the Imperial seal! The one with gold leaf!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Nanark might be displeased, but to survive, I have no choice but to rely on Hisperon right now. I picked up the pen Nanark had given me as a gift and wrote carefully on the stationery.
To the Young Hero Hisperon
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am Vishnabel Lorowi Kisomalos, Princess of Kisomalos. I am writing this letter because I have a request. As you may know, Prince Nanark Astiages is being forced to leave the Palace. Since we have shared hardships together, I find myself concerned about him. If the Young Hero Hisperon would be willing to take him in and protect him, both Prince Nanark and I would be greatly honored.
Of course, this is not a demand. I always respect the Young Hero Hisperon’s wishes. If you find the thought of taking in Prince Nanark unbearable, then please simply leave him be. I will accept it as fate, even if he were to die abroad.
Rather, regarding the amphibious operation you commanded previously….
I filled three pages of stationery with casual remarks, then handed the letter to Emily. First, I would send a brief telegram to Hisperon’s Estate, and send the formal letter separately—that would be proper etiquette. I instructed her to handle it respectfully according to Imperial protocol, then gathered all of Nanark’s letters and organized them into a file.
“Collecting things like this turns them all into memories.”
I felt oddly satisfied. Before my regression, I never had friends who exchanged letters like this. Moreover, since Nanark was a Prince and I was a Princess, we could share the same worries and empathize with each other, which was wonderful.
I used to think it was tedious, but from now on, I should send letters regularly. And perhaps include Kisomalos specialties as well. The flowers and doll Nanark sent are just miscellaneous items, but thinking about how they traveled over mountains and across waters, I find them rather touching.
With one problem resolved, I relaxed and played freely with my friends. Between studying my daily lessons, running about, and visiting Father at work to tease him, a week slipped away like water. Then a reply arrived from Hisperon. Fortunately, it contained his agreement to protect Nanark at his estate.
Nanark apparently despised being indebted to Hisperon and had thrown a fit about it, but when he heard it was my request, he went limp like a cat accepting a bath and was dragged along passively.
“Haha.”
Hisperon certainly has an amusing way of expressing himself. A cat accepting a bath—what a perfect description.
“Is something amusing, my lady?”
As I giggled while reading Hisperon’s letter, Croa slipped over and stood behind me. Since Croa had grown so much taller than me, the contents would surely be visible to him, so I hastily folded it up. The little one let out a disappointed sound.
“Am I not allowed to see it?”
“Even friends have their privacy.”
“I have nothing to hide.”
“Shirley’s learning to drive without my knowledge, and you’re hammering away in secret.”
“Ugh….”
Croa, don’t tell lies that are so easily exposed. When I scolded him, he puffed out his cheeks with a disgruntled expression. I teased him that he looked exactly like a pufferfish and laughed merrily. Pretending to be angry, Croa then mentioned a place we’d be visiting.
“If you keep doing that, I won’t tell you about the Clover Field I found!”
“Oh, you found one?”
“Yes. But what do you use clovers for?”
“I’ve been making bookmarks lately, haven’t I?”
The four-leaf clover symbolizes fortune. If I find exactly five, dry them carefully, and we each keep one, wouldn’t that be perfect?
When I said this, Croa nodded, saying that since the symbol of Kisomalos is also fortune, it would be fitting. Then he asked me why specifically five people.
“You, me, Shirley, Nanark, and the young hero Hisperon.”
“Why those two?”
“That’s just how it is.”
When I say it’s just how it is, that’s what it means. I mobilized my resources to search for four-leaf clovers for Nanark and Hisperon, and within three days, I’d gathered five and made paper bookmarks. That’s when a telegram arrived from Nanark.
“My lady, a telegram from Prince Nanark!”
“Huh? This time it’s not a letter?”
He’d gone on about romance and all that, so what was this sudden change? Thinking it odd, I read the telegram and found it filled with resentment toward me.
You didn’t reply to my letters for two years, yet you send letters to that illegitimate child?
Ah… I see. It could be interpreted that way. I hastily wrote an explanation letter and sent it along with the clover bookmark, but even after half a year passed, no reply came from Nanark.
He was deeply offended.

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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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