8 - Never Let Go of a Black-Haired Dad

Chapter 8: Even a Scoundrel Can Succeed with Effort (1)

Translator Note:

Episode 8

Whistling while riding a tricycle, life is truly enjoyable.

Today, I roamed the Imperial Palace, reveling in a life of leisure without studying.

My very own elephant slide was guarded by thoroughly drilled Imperial Guards, so I could wander around outside without worry.

The maids and servants seemed to be suffering as they followed me, but I, who had decided to live recklessly, didn't care about such trivial things.

"Oh! Piggy!"

Who is this? It's Lorowi, my fellow in dismemberment!

Unlike me, that bastard was the Minister of Finance of this country, who was subjected to dismemberment without a shred of injustice.

The amount of money he embezzled during the Emperor's reign was equivalent to the Imperial Treasury's supplementary budget. Anyway, he was the one whose body was torn into five pieces before mine when that was exposed.

Whether it was intentional or not, seeing that sight made the fear even greater.

I really thought I was going to pee my pants from fear when they connected me and the ox with ropes.

"Your Highness, it's not a pig, it's the Minister of Finance."

"Ara, Piggy."

When I laughed and forced him to laugh with me, the minister and his subordinates forced a smile.

Ah, it's good to be the second highest in status in the Empire.

Power is so sweet, Piggy.

"What brings you here? This Ministry of Finance is not a place for a young Highness to play."

"Bonini, is there a 'Gaji Motal Gosi' inside the Imperial Palace?"

"That's not what I meant."

"How dare you, 'Teujibeul Jabeul Seminiah' to the procession of the direct line?"

Ugh, kneeling with that bulk, his joints must be breaking.

Get up quickly. You need to use those joints for the rest of your life.

"I was presumptuous, Your Highness. Of course, the direct line can go anywhere."

"Onya. Bonini's heart is wide, so I forgive you."

"Your grace is boundless."

Well, let's see... Since we met like this, should I say what I've been planning to say?

"Piggy."

"It's the Minister, Your Highness."

"I also know how to get holiday money.When I made an 'ah' sound, opened my mouth, and said, "Insert coin, please," the Minister of Finance chuckled and took out a 500-coin from his pocket.

"Are you trying to make fun of me?"

"Oh my, Your Highness already knows the value of money."

When the pig laughed heartily, the people around him also laughed heartily. After laughing arrogantly for a while, the pig took out a 100,000-lakma bill, the largest denomination in the Empire, and handed it to me.

"The future of the Empire is bright with Your Highness's intelligence."

"Piggy, I'll be watching you."

He's looking down on me now because a child is asking for a bribe?

Does he think I'm a direct line who will be satisfied with only 100,000?

I drove the tricycle, ran over the pig's hind legs, and turned the handlebars.

I need to show this pig who's boss so he'll offer proper money.

✦ ✦ ✦

The place I arrived at with a crowd of servants was the political prison where I had been indebted before.

Lorowi is no longer there, but the friends here are all good people who respect the direct line.

I sped down the slope next to the stairs on my tricycle, greeted by the guards, and looked for someone.

"Pink Pig! Is there anyone who has a grudge against the Minister of Finance!"

Anyone who has a grudge against that bastard, raise your hand quickly! If you give me information, the direct line of this Empire will avenge you!

"What business do you have with the Minister of Finance?"

"Oh! There is! That's it!"

When I stopped in front of the prison where the person who called me was, I saw the same silhouette I had seen earlier.

Pink hair, soft skin, that plump marshmallow-like figure. He's just cleaner than the greasy Minister of Finance, but he's a spitting image.

"...Are you a relative of the pig?"

"How did you know?"

Anyone can tell, you idiot.

Whether he was amazed that I recognized him just by the silhouette, the man came closer to the bars. And when he saw my body, he burst out laughing.

I decided to punish the marshmallow first and ordered him to show his hand. He obediently showed his hand, received the punishment, and listened to everything I said without a word.

"So that's it. My brother won't cough up the bribes."

"Brother?"

"Yes. He's my eldest brother. I'm the youngest, and there are three more in between."

Oh, oh, oh, the mother worked hard in these times.

When I praised the mother's hard work in producing a precious citizen of the Empire, the man thanked me and fell into thought.

"My brother is so clumsy, there are plenty of things to poke at."

"Hooong."

Did you just say that a guy who embezzled public funds in the amount of the Empire's annual budget is clumsy? You must be capable?

When I asked, amazed that I knew the future, the man modestly said that it was only because the other person was family that he could see it so clearly.

"I see. First of all, how much do you want to shake out?"

"Uuung..."

I hadn't thought about that. Well, I don't want that much money, just enough to buy what I want.

"These days, 'Marida' among the people."

"Yes."

"'Hwejeonmongma' and 'Gwannamcha' are popular."

"An invitation should be enough."

"Hohoooong!"

What, is he a genius? I like this pig so much!

According to him, the Minister of Finance has a hidden lover, like all other nobles, and the legal wife is very scary.

He married into a family that worships good gods, so he can't even stand up to his wife.

Anyway, if he invites the lover and the Minister of Finance couple to a tea party hosted by the princess, the pig will be terrified and bow his head before me.

"That's a brilliant idea!"

"I'm just grateful that you think so highly of me."

"You, what is your name?"

When I asked, the soft marshmallow knelt on one knee and spoke to me seriously.

"It's Tarquinus Krishna, Your Highness."

"Tarki, Talkyu."

Why is it so difficult? My tongue is twisting.

I sighed deeply and looked up at the man.

I'm sorry, but I won't be able to call your name until my tongue is untied.

"Marshmallow."

"......"

"Marshmallow."

"Yes."

I told Marshmallow that he could use the people of the Princess's Palace anytime if he needed anything.

Come to think of it, I forgot to commute their sentences. I have to go to the Ministry of Law on the way out and lie down on the floor.

I blew the flute and solemnly declared that I was leaving. Then, from all over the prison, the sound of "Farewell, Your Highness!" echoed.

✦ ✦ ✦

Less than three hours after sending the invitation, the Minister of Finance rushed to the Princess's Palace.

I lay sprawled on the golden chair in the audience chamber of the Princess's Palace and greeted the pig, who was sweating profusely, asking what I wanted.

"I don't want anything in particular~."

"Yes. Tell me what to do, Your Highness!"

"These days, what is it, among the people outside the palace?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Sssseuuuueeeup, 'Hwejeonmongma' or something."

"......Yes?"

"'Gwannamcha' or something, bumper cars or something."

"......"

"Those things are, popular."

When I played dumb, the pig slammed his head on the marble floor, saying that he would start construction immediately.

Marshmallow's strategy is working properly. What a wonderful marshmallow.

I was inwardly pleased and enjoyed the sight of the construction in progress, and I gave Marshmallow a certain amount of gold bullion.

Since the softie doesn't ask me to do this or that, I have no choice but to express my heart with gold.

There's no one in the world who doesn't like gold bullion.

A few days passed, and today I drank a bowl of antidote and drank cold water to watch the construction site. But for some reason, none of the maids had unblemished faces.

Wondering what was going on, I called Helbatro, but she kept her mouth shut and didn't explain.

"Helbatro, do you want to be severely punished?"

"That is, I am afraid to say."

Hmm. So, the kids from the Empress's Palace have been acting up lately, so they started a fight to teach them a lesson, and they got their faces torn up in the process?

"Huum. So you lost?"

"......"

"Don't tell me you lost?"

No, what is this! The Princess's Palace kids went out to fight and came back defeated!

"You, you shameful bastards!"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness!"

"We wanted to win too!"

"We didn't know they would bring in the Imperial Guards!"

Uh-huh! Why are the Imperial Guards involved in the palace servants' fight! I've never seen such god-damned bastards!

When I smacked the bed in anger, the maids knelt down and sobbed, wiping their tears with their sleeves.

This is not the time for me to be like this. The elephant slide incident and this time, that woman, who is said to be a brainless lover, is too arrogant.

That's why the lower ones are acting up like this.

"Kkeueung......"

However, even if I pleaded with the brainless one, he wouldn't listen because he was blinded by the woman.

I was wondering if there was any way, but I suddenly remembered what Marshmallow had advised me before.

Yes, this was not something that could be resolved face to face. I had to indirectly influence the situation to achieve the desired results.

"Call someone! Send an invitation to the Brigitte Count's family!"