Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 88

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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 88. Formal Meetings Between Families Often Carry Different Meanings. But Here, It Means Exactly That (2)
Well, that’s certainly a reasonable proposal. In fact, I found it strange we hadn’t discussed it until now. Was I simply too young, so you were waiting?
“Unless you’re someone with the authority of a king, there’s nothing to gain for Kisomalos?”
“Please recognize me as Crown Prince. I will ensure the kingdom passes to me without fail.”
“Hmm, is that so? By next year, will that kingdom you’re to inherit even exist on the map?”
He knew we’d completely obliterated Ljubljana. When I smiled wickedly at the thought, the Crown Prince of Media’s laughter faded.
“Of course Media will endure. Next year, and the year after that as well.”
“Then in three years, it might not exist?”
“It will exist even a hundred years from now!”
Goodness, how frightening. Did you see him slam the table like that? You came here as a diplomat—how can you let your emotions show so openly? When I shrieked in mock terror, Father tapped the desk thoughtfully and brought order to the situation.
“My daughter lacks manners, but today she’s outdone herself. My apologies.”
“Not at all. I’m impressed that she’s grown so honest and spirited.”
“So precisely who is proposing to marry whom?”
Since an alliance was possible if the terms aligned, Father asked seriously about the details. Creon produced a list of dowry items to be exchanged and spoke our names aloud.
“A marriage between Crown Prince Creon of Media and Princess Vishnabel Lorowi Kisomalos of Kisomalos.”
“As my daughter said, unless you’re someone with the authority of a king, there’s nothing to gain for Kisomalos.”
“Until I inherit the throne, I hope Kisomalos will protect us.”
“What if the Crown Prince dies in an unfortunate accident?”
“…My younger brother would succeed me. I will ensure the alliance faces no complications.”
“What if that brother dies as well?”
“….”
Father really does have a nasty disposition. The way he was completely turning this person inside out was incomparable to how I’d needled the Crown Prince earlier.
What he was really saying was: once your parents and siblings disappear, Croa will inherit the kingdom anyway. So if we eliminate everyone and make Croa a puppet king, Kisomalos can swallow Media whole.
“…In that case, the alliance would not be established.”
“What are you planning to do with Croa once you take him?”
Right, what exactly are you planning to do with Croa? Do you have some particular target you’re desperate to curse? When I pressed him on it, Creon pressed his lips together firmly and shook his head.
“That is classified information. It’s not something I can discuss with a nation we haven’t yet formed an alliance with.”
So there’s definitely something scheming going on.
Rather than the outcome of this marriage alliance itself, I was far more curious about what he intended to do with Croa, so I leaned close to Father’s ear and whispered.
“What’s he planning to do with Croa?”
“Who knows. But one thing’s certain—if we let him go, he’ll return as a blade pointed at us.”
“Should I ask Nanakda?”
“I’d rather not be indebted to that loose-ended Emperor’s Son.”
Why not just go ask directly? With that thought, Father made another proposal to Creon.
“We could talk in circles forever like this.”
“What do you mean by that….”
“If you wish, we’ll arrange a formal family meeting.”
The location would be Loruruje Fortress, and he requested that one of the king and queen attend. When he made this demand, the Crown Prince of Media thought carefully, then nodded.
“I’ll take that as a positive response. I shall go report this to Abamama.”
“Make sure you prepare thoroughly the list of what we’ll be trading.”
“Of course.”
Creon smiled with a slight smirk, bowed to me with a promise to meet again later, then withdrew.
Once the diplomatic delegation, including Creon, had left and only Father and I remained in the Small Audience Chamber, we both spilled our true intentions without hesitation.
“I’ll need to prepare for a personal military campaign. Once the talks conclude, I’ll mobilize the troops immediately.”
“So it was intentional that you suggested we meet at Loruruje Fortress on the border?”
“Naturally.”
Under international law, launching a war without a formal declaration of war places responsibility on the invading nation. So if I prepared the military in advance, issued a formal declaration of war on Kisomalos soil, then vaulted over the fortress to invade Media, I could occupy the capital in the shortest time possible.
“I’ll advance by land. You and Choco take the aerial route to the Royal Palace and prevent the royal family from escaping.”
“And do some bombing while we’re at it?”
“If you want to spend money rebuilding, feel free.”
“I should aim for a beautiful conquest, then.”
The key would be infiltrating quietly and capturing the king swiftly. Once Father draws attention by advancing via land, the capital’s forces would march down to stop him. With that in mind, my Air Force alone, along with Choco’s unit, would be more than sufficient to seize the Royal Palace.
“Those secret passages in the Royal Palace that Croa exposed—they still exist, right?”
“Of course. I’ve organized them, so take a copy with you.”
I reached for the file Father had thoughtfully organized and turned to leave humming. But something told me that wasn’t the real reason I’d come all this way.
“Your Majesty!”
Remembering what I needed, I threw myself flat on the ground and performed the most elaborate bow possible.
“What are you doing now?”
“Please, I beseech you, incorporate the Air Force into the Military Ministry budget! It’s unreasonable to expect me to operate it from the Princess Palace’s funds!”
“I gave you military power, and now you’re trying to spit it back out?”
“At this rate, the Princess Palace will go bankrupt!”
“Ljubljana’s tribute and taxes will turn profitable soon enough.”
“I can’t wait that long! I’ll be a pauper before that ‘soon enough’ arrives!”
“Tsk.”
Father clicked his tongue and, frowning, handed me a rank insignia.
“If I appoint Lorowi Marquis as vice commander, she’ll handle the financial issues.”
“Can’t the Chiron Duke’s House just provide support directly?”
“If I step in, the Three Great Noble Families of the Empire won’t stay quiet.”
Ah, right. Since Father is Emperor now, there’s nothing strange about him controlling the Air Force, but if I reclaim the throne with military power concentrated entirely in the Chiron Duke’s House, the backlash would be enormous.
Since Aelset and Lorowi originally split the Army between them, and Chiron has now inserted himself, having Lorowi step back and redirect her personnel to the Air Force would look good politically.
Now that I think about it, Lorowi must have charged at me demanding to be involved in this precisely for this reason. If I’m the Air Force commander-in-chief, the position of deputy would essentially be vacant, and she wanted to claim that seat.
“That old woman is getting her way no matter what.”
“She’s not just ruthless—she’s also cunning. Be careful, Princess.”
“How am I supposed to be careful about that?”
That woman is like a natural disaster. You can’t avoid an earthquake or typhoon just by being careful, can you? It’s exactly the same.
“Ha, a natural disaster. Pisha’s right.”
“See? My metaphor was pretty good, wasn’t it?”
“It shows the benefit of having Croa around.”
Compared to my apology speech performance, my vocabulary had improved dramatically, and the Prisoner let out a laugh I couldn’t quite interpret as mockery or something else.
“Speaking of Croa, that reminds me.”
The Prisoner rummaged through the space behind his cloak, muttering that it would surely come in handy someday. No matter how many times I witnessed objects tumbling out of that four-dimensional garment, it never ceased to astound me.
“Open it when you wish to live.”
Are you a strategist who summons the southeast wind?
Curious about what lay inside, I shook the pouch, but heard no sound of objects rattling. Instead, by running my hand across it, I could discern the shape of its contents—a rectangular prism.
“What’s in there?”
“You’ll know when you open it later.”
Well, I’d keep it then. It wasn’t particularly bulky anyway. I stuffed the pouch into my bag and returned to the Princess Palace.
The Emilys at the Princess Palace had apparently already received word of the formal meeting, for they bustled about arranging my new dresses and accessories.
“Pisha! What is all this commotion?”
“The attendants suddenly became frantic after receiving a telegram, my lady.”
As my friends pressed me for details, I boldly announced the grand event that would unfold this coming weekend.
“A formal meeting will take place soon.”
Croa and Shirley tilted their heads in confusion at the mention of a formal meeting.

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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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