Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 236

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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 236
Father had returned.
“…Why does the atmosphere feel like this?”
At the words that burst from my Study, I laughed awkwardly.
Father had just finished touring the Manor, the training grounds, and even the basement where we were preparing defenses against the Imperial Palace’s forces.
“Ahaha…”
Actually, that’s a question I wanted to ask as well.
I couldn’t understand why the atmosphere among our people had become so tense lately.
“Hmm…”
Father observed Levai, the Dragon Duke, and Hauser gathered around me, then fell into his own thoughts.
I was the one who wanted to ask Father something.
Whether things had gone well with Mother.
But judging by Father’s demeanor, it wasn’t a situation where I could ask easily, so I decided to wait for now.
“Since when have you been trailing around with an entourage like this?”
“Well… strictly speaking, Levai isn’t an escort but a strategist, Father.”
“I wasn’t talking about him.”
“…The Dragon Duke is just beside me. It’s nothing unusual.”
“The way they all stare around as if enemies surround them from every direction is unsightly.”
“…”
“All of them.”
Shortly after, Hauser and the Dragon Duke were driven out by Father. I could sense their presence at the door.
Levai remained in his seat with a shameless expression.
“Why aren’t you leaving?”
“…? I have work to do.”
Since it wasn’t an unreasonable excuse, I reluctantly accepted the documents he offered.
After he made that coming-out(?) about having memories, I began watching Levai closely.
But he displayed an attitude no different from before.
It was strange how unbothered he seemed.
Rather, those who had become somewhat strange were Hauser, the Dragon Duke, and surprisingly, Whale.
“Matriarch, do you know that experience is important in any situation?”
“Well, that’s true. But why are you suddenly saying that?”
“In most circumstances, experienced workers perform better than newcomers.”
“…?”
What was he talking about?
I furrowed my brows and flicked a small water droplet at his forehead.
Levai touched his reddened forehead and offered the documents again.
Then, seeming to notice Father’s presence, he bowed his head and voluntarily left the Study.
“Even releasing dozens of Sharks here wouldn’t create such a mess.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m saying it’s a complete disaster.”
The moment Levai stepped outside, my Father offered his assessment.
Oh, for Father to resort to comparing me to a land animal—his mood must be quite unsettled indeed.
“What on earth happened?”
“What happened? Nothing in particular…”
Father had been present when I brought Hauser here, after all.
And since returning, nothing major had occurred… well, except for that invitation from the Imperial Palace.
Beyond that, Levai did confess to having memories, but that hardly concerns me.
“Nothing happened, yet everyone around you has apparently replaced their eyes with new ones.”
“…Hm?”
I set down the documents and turned my head.
With him spelling it out so plainly, I couldn’t possibly miss it.
I tilted my head in confusion.
“…Is it that obvious?”
“Obvious? Anyone who can’t see that must be someone who’s never come within a mile of romance or marriage in their entire life.”
Ouch.
It felt as though I’d been struck without warning.
“Father, forgive me, but failing at romance and marriage isn’t a crime.”
“Of course nothing you do could ever be a crime.”
They say the arm bends inward, after all.
Father’s arm didn’t just bend inward—it curved so deeply it practically burrowed into my core. I felt oddly proud.
“So what’s your plan? You’re surrounded by nothing but dark-hearted fellows.”
“Well…”
“May I kill them?”
“No, absolutely not… One of them isn’t even from our family, and the other is a worker—well, a subordinate—who serves our house.”
Knowing he was joking, I deflected lightly.
Both Levai and Hauser had already revealed their feelings directly, so it’s not as though I should be ignorant of it now.
Yet I felt that alone didn’t fully explain this subtle atmosphere surrounding me.
But from a third party’s perspective, it seemed simple enough.
Second Brother said I was reaping what I’d sown. Getting back what I’d put out into the world, as it were.
“So what do you think?”
“Hm? Oh. As for romance or marriage, I’m not particularly focused on either right now.”
“Then perhaps I should attempt an assassination after all…”
“Father, when you say things like that, it sounds serious rather than a joke. Please stop.”
After a brief silence, I spoke again.
“I can barely manage one thing during this busy period. But I am curious.”
My gaze turned toward Father. He seemed irritated, certainly because of me—or more precisely, because of the atmosphere surrounding me.
But separately, Father had seemed subtly out of sorts since his arrival.
“From someone who’s experienced romance or marriage, what advice would you offer? Any wisdom from someone with experience?”
“…I’ve never been in love.”
“Really? I thought you were fond of Mother.”
I recalled a childhood memory. A handkerchief folded with care. An object I never dared touch, even while cleaning.
“You treasured it so much. That handkerchief. It was through Father that I first felt tenderness—directed toward someone else.”
Father gazed at me intently, then let out a soft sigh.
“I’m hardly in a position to offer advice. Certainly….”
“….”
“Even now, I don’t understand what love truly is.”
With his chin resting in his hand, Father somehow resembled a young man who had just awakened to fresh emotion.
“At least it’s clear that I’ve kept someone alive. There were days when thoughts of her sustained me.”
“Wow….”
How romantic. I never expected to hear such words from Father.
“But according to her, love takes countless forms and sizes. Your love may take a shape entirely different from mine.”
“Hmm, that was quite romantic, Father. Does Mother love you less?”
“….”
Father’s expression grew sullen. I suppressed my laughter with effort.
‘Control yourself. If you laugh now, you’re done for….’
Sad thoughts, sad thoughts.
As I fought to contain my amusement, I suddenly recalled a day in the third loop when I listened to one of my subordinates seek romantic counsel.
Back then, this Study was filled with subordinates scattered about or standing at attention.
Laughter never ceased.
Yet they all died in the end….
My mood shifted strangely.
For just a moment, I felt an odd discomfort at how quiet this Study had become.
A considerable discomfort at that. And a strange sense of discord as well.
“Calypso.”
“Huh? Yes?”
“What are you thinking about? You don’t answer when I call.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Father. Um….”
Just as I was about to respond, someone knocked on the door.
The door opened and the Retainer entered.
“Matriarch, a guest has arrived.”
…A guest?
* * *
“…I greet the Matriarch.”
Well, what is this now.
I sat in my chair, watching the man before me bow with half-curious interest.
It seemed unlikely such a thing would ever happen in my lifetime.
Of all people, the Black Panther bowing before me in greeting.
As he slowly lifted his head, his face was indeed strikingly beautiful.
Yet there was a certain sharpness to it—a roguish quality, so to speak.
It was Palaya, Second Brother of the Black Panther House.
Because I had gone to the Snake Clan with Lili, the uniform he wore was that of the Snake Clan.
With time’s passage, he had grown into a fully mature man. This appearance was more familiar to me as well.
“How courteous of you to greet me.”
“…The fact that you’ve become Matriarch has already spread as common knowledge.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
I laughed while seated, swinging my legs leisurely.
“Why would a Black Panther bow to me? Aren’t you Orcas beneath your notice?”
At my provocative tone, Palaya’s expression faltered for just a moment before returning to one of composure.
“Perhaps my older brother, younger brother, and father would think that way. But I’ve come here as the representative of the Snake Clan. And to me, you are my benefactor.”
“Ah, so you won’t treat the other Orcas the same way?”
“…I seem to have omitted something. The Snake Clan does not regard aquatic Beastkin as insignificant. We do not despise them.”
I straightened my posture. This was an interesting story.
“Of course, when I was with the Black Panther Clan, I used derogatory language many times, and I have no intention of turning a blind eye to the mistakes of my childhood. However, my mother, the Matriarch of the Snake Clan, has never despised aquatic animal clans. Neither have the Snake Beastkin.”
My fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest.
This was something I already knew.
Because of this, the Matriarch of the Snake Clan was rejected as peculiar by the terrestrial Beastkin and even separated from her husband, the Black Panther Dragon Duke.
“My mother, the Matriarch, has always said that snakes are animals that live both in water and on land from the beginning.”
“Hmm, I like the sound of that.”
As Palaya continued speaking, I felt the hostile gazes of my subordinates toward him gradually soften.
“So what’s the real reason? You didn’t come here for nothing.”
“…”
Palaya was momentarily flustered.
He seemed to have expected the conversation to continue with more formalities, as terrestrial clans typically did.
“We prefer efficiency. The point, the conclusion. So what is it?”
“…I’ve come to bring you news of Lili.”
“Obvious lies aren’t entertaining.”
News of Lili could always be conveyed through a letter as usual.
Yet here stood the man who cherished Lili so dearly that he ultimately abandoned even the Black Panther Clan.
Palaya seemed to sense he was losing ground. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment.
Then his face revealed the true purpose. All pretense of composure vanished, replaced by urgency.
“Matriarch, I beseech you—will you please help us?”

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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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