Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 90

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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 90. First Meetings Often Have Different Meanings Than Expected (4)
But really, when we both know the situation already, do we even need to get consent? What’s a marriage alliance anyway? It’s just a matter of exchanging contracts administratively.
“The pouch. Open it now.”
Huh? What’s so special that you want me to open it? I retrieved the pouch I’d stashed in my crossbody bag for outings and opened it. When I popped open the velvet-wrapped square box, inside lay a small gold ring set with a gemstone.
“A ring?”
“A ring?”
When Shirley and I looked at the ring and said it was a ring, the Chief Chamberlain and Prisoner twisted their bodies in distress.
“Lady Pisha, you may not understand yet because you’re still young. Lord Croa likes you very much.”
“But I like Croa too?”
“No, that’s not it. Lord Croa likes you so much he’s even considering marriage.”
“But I also think Croa would be a good marriage partner?”
“No, that’s not what I mean!”
Ugh, either way, why are you getting upset? And why do they think I’m young? I’m actually over twenty years old.
“I’m going to smoke a cigarette.”
“Could I have one too?”
So Father and the Chief Chamberlain left for ten minutes, saying they’d go have their smoke break. Once they returned after airing themselves out, Choco brought over a crying Croa.
“Waaahhhhh! Sobbbbbbb!”
The child was crying so miserably. Was marrying me really such a shock? I felt like my heart might be wounded, but as a princess of a nation and a former adult, I decided to be considerate of the young Croa and took his hand.
“Don’t cry. No matter how lacking I may be, I can still take responsibility for you and make you happy.”
“Sobbbbb! Waahhhhh! Sniff, sniff. …What?”
“Even if we marry, there’s no need to cry. Looking at royal families from other nations, they just fulfill the marriage contract and if they meet someone they like, they all have lovers on the side.”
“…What? No, that’s, …What?”
“The final objective of this operation is for you and me to marry.”
“…Huh?”
Croa continued tilting his head in confusion, then looked at Father, the Chief Chamberlain, and Choco. Head Attendant Grandmother made a deeply troubled expression and grasped Croa’s shoulders.
“It’s my fault for raising him poorly. I raised him wrong.”
“…Well, there will be many difficulties ahead, but please don’t lose heart.”
“If you don’t like it, just say so. I’ll think of another method besides a marriage alliance.”
There seemed to be amusement in Father’s words. When Emperor Father said he’d prepare a backup plan, Croa was startled and snatched the ring from me.
“No! I’ll do the marriage alliance! Let’s get married!”
“So it’s settled, Princess Vishnabel.”
“Well, so it is.”
“Congratulations on the marriage contract.”
“Since this is merely a contract for now, the ceremony will be held once both of you reach adulthood.”
The Chief Chamberlain’s opinion aligns with Imperial protocol. Of course, the alliance would need to hold until then for the wedding to take place.
But well… barring any unforeseen circumstances, won’t we marry and each rule our own lands? I’ll become the Emperor of Kisomalos, and Croa will become the King of Media.
“Stop that. We’re taking a commemorative photo, so what’s with that face?”
“I’ll go wash up first!”
Croa sniffled loudly and dashed across the hallway with a whoosh, saying he’d go wash his face.
After all preparations were complete, the photography staff moved about with reflectors, and we were able to take the perfect commemorative photograph.
Later, when I saw the photograph printed large, even though Croa had washed his face, there was no hiding the redness around his eyes. And on Little One’s finger, the ring I’d given her gleamed brilliantly.

✦ ✦ ✦
The day of the first meeting had dawned! Tank division preparations—check! Aircraft carrier preparations—check! The manifesto to be recited when we march into Media—check!
Father and I had put our heads together and agonized over that manifesto considerably, and it seemed invoking the Media deity would be most effective. According to the information Croa provided, the Media deity is displeased that the bloodline that continues the nation and the bloodline that carries the curse are different, and doesn’t even visit on Halloween.
When a god sends such a message, ignoring it would be improper. Therefore, we Kisomalos not only protect the Media bloodline but have raised our military to restore it to its rightful place.
Ah, when everything is the will of the gods, what greater justification could there be!
“Princess Pisha, we must depart!”
“Very well!”
I boarded Aelset’s latest electric automobile, complete with safety belts and handholds, heading toward Loruruje Fortress. Truly, the progress of science is remarkable. When I first traveled to Loruruje Fortress long ago, it was a steam-powered vehicle, but now I rode in one powered by electric batteries.
All of this is because a rival called the heat engine has entered the market. Without competition, there is no progress. How fortunate we are to possess both Edison and Aelset simultaneously!
“Shirley was desperately wanting to come as well. In the end, you didn’t permit it, did you?”
“Once the talks conclude, we’ll invade immediately. Children shouldn’t witness such cruelty.”
“You speak of the Princess as though she weren’t a child?”
“I am a princess of a nation before I am a child.”
“Living as a princess must be terribly exhausting….”
Choco seemed to pity me greatly. But that’s simply what being royal entails—there’s no need to feel such sympathy. As I struggled to explain this, Father beside me spoke bluntly.
“It is the princess’s duty. If you’re born royal, there’s no helping it.”
“Even so….”
“A weak heart leads only to becoming like Helbatro.”
The Prisoner clicked his tongue and praised me for maintaining such admirable resolve as a princess.
“But if it becomes difficult, tell me anytime. I became your father to hear your complaints.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Yes, whenever it becomes hard, I’ll complain freely. I felt my spirits lift and swung my feet happily.
Loruruje Fortress, which I visited after so long, had undergone considerable structural changes. The drawbridge on the Kisomalos side was lowered, and the main cannons were aimed toward the Media Kingdom. The reality that this magnificent fortress now belonged to Kisomalos struck me deeply. Having been present that day when Choco became a bloodied mess, I felt an immense sense of pride.
“With iron plating above and below, the atmosphere is incredibly bleak. Is there even a place to hold the first meeting?”
“We renovated the First Conference Room.”
Impressive—they’d prepared everything beyond just the military? Though if the talks go well, I might even marry the crown prince. Perhaps there would be no need to deploy the military at all. That is, if we somehow pierce through the odds and the talks actually go smoothly.
“You have arrived.”
Hmm… but from the very start, this doesn’t seem like it will go well. We own this fortress, so why are they arriving first to greet us? This makes us look like the guests.
As I wore a sullen expression, the crown prince I’d seen before began to read my mood and started making excuses.
“I was so nervous I couldn’t sit still. In my eagerness, I arrived early.”
Well, if he puts it that way, my irritation isn’t entirely unreasonable. The Prisoner and I, convinced by the crown prince’s eloquent explanation, nodded slightly and took our seats at the head of the table.
“Surely the former master is still a master. It seems the fortress itself welcomes us after so long.”
But the lady beside him seems to be saying things she shouldn’t.
As I cleared my throat meaningfully to show my displeasure, the crown prince’s expression hardened and he jabbed his elbow into the person beside him repeatedly.
“What is it, Crown Prince? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
“You didn’t say anything wrong. Just relax.”
This Prisoner is quite good at playing the good man. Father, smiling pleasantly as if he were a kind person, offered refreshments to the two. Once we introduced ourselves first, the two representatives of the Media delegation greeted us with proper courtesy.
“To His Majesty the Emperor of Kisomalos and Her Highness the Princess. May the brilliance of the Golden Lamb shine upon you. I am Amitis Media, Queen Consort of Media.”
“May the Golden Lamb’s radiance shine upon you. We’ve met before, haven’t we? I am Creon Media, Crown Prince of Media.”
That woman is the Queen of Media? She wasn’t a blood relative after all? With her purple hair and a face that looked like a female version of Croa, I’d assumed she was the King’s sister.
“Well now, Your Majesty, you bear quite a striking resemblance to our Croa.”
As I voiced my honest impression, the Queen of Media made no attempt to conceal her expression, her brow furrowing sharply.

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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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