I’Ll Protect My Tyrant Dad! [EN]: Chapter 68

Tyrant Dad, I’ll Protect You! Episode 68. I’m the Star of This Celebration! (68/140)

I’m the Star of This Celebration!

2023.07.25.

From the Empire’s perspective, conquering a small duchy in a war would have been an easy feat.

However, complex political situations were intertwined, preventing such action.

The duchy was founded by Elven half-bloods, whose magical power was unmatched.

And that’s not all.

Hundreds of years ago, they were drafted into the Empire’s continental conquest war, fought admirably as part of the Empire’s alliance, and earned the position of a neutral country.

Although small in size, it possessed excellent talent and abundant natural resources, making it a place that could not be easily ignored.

‘Besides, His Majesty the Emperor has high expectations for the Mikel Mine contract.’

The Crown Prince swallowed hard, looking at Ambassador Heinrich.

The ore from the Mikel Mine, Mikel, was, in short, a mana-amplifying magic stone.

It was said that a wizard with a magic stone could unleash over a hundred times their ability.

As soon as news spread that the Crown Prince had invited Ambassador Heinrich for the Mikel Mine contract, the number of applicants for the position of Imperial Court Wizard increased tenfold.

Therefore, even if Ambassador Heinrich acted in a way that displeased him, he had to endure it for the time being.

Just as the Crown Prince’s face was about to contort, the carriage stopped at a perfect moment.

“Your Highness, we have already arrived at the Imperial Palace.”

***

Ambassador Heinrich, stepping out of the carriage, looked around with an uneasy expression.

No matter how he thought about it, the protesters he had seen earlier bothered him.

‘Those protesters, their ears seemed a bit pointed. Was it just my imagination?’

Duchy citizens could recognize each other.

Unlike ordinary continentals, they had Elven blood mixed in, making their ears noticeably pointed.

‘But why would Duchy citizens be protesting in front of the Empire? It doesn’t make sense.’

Ambassador Heinrich shook his head inwardly.

From the beginning, the duchy was a closed-off place, and entry from the outside was not allowed except in special cases.

Moreover, he had no intention of antagonizing the Empire, especially the Imperial Palace.

He imagined selling the magic stones in the Mikel Mine at the highest possible price and sending talents to study at the Empire’s academy, a fake smile spreading across his face.

This matter was an important contract for the Empire, but it was also an important issue for the duchy.

The most important thing was the development of the duchy’s technology.

However, when he entered the hall of the Imperial Palace, where the celebration was taking place with the Crown Prince, he faced a suspicious situation.

The atmosphere inside the ballroom, which was supposed to be celebrating him, was strangely cold.

The ambassador looked around the ballroom with a bewildered expression.

“How can this be? Bringing a young lady from a family who hasn’t even made her debut to a ballroom!”

“It’s absurd. This is truly absurd, Grand Duchess.”

“The Mirmord family wasn’t even invited to the celebration!”

It was a strange sight, with nobles clinging to the walls and criticizing the people standing in the center.

Moreover, the two being criticized were a very handsome man with a cold impression and a small child resembling a cute baby bird who looked like they would make a ‘pop’ sound if touched.

He had heard that the ball was held to celebrate him, the ambassador of the duchy, but for some reason, the atmosphere was chaotic and even uncomfortable.

Ambassador Heinrich glanced to the side and paused. He saw the Crown Prince grinding his teeth.

“Matthias Mirmord…….”

The Crown Prince didn’t even seem to want to enter the ballroom. What’s more, he didn’t even acknowledge his presence. Heinrich cleared his throat a couple of times to draw attention.

“Is there perhaps a problem with the celebration, Your Highness?”

The Crown Prince, as if realizing the atmosphere, changed his expression again and whispered.

“No. Let’s go inside, Ambassador.”

***

Unfortunately for the Crown Prince, the atmosphere became even more somber as they entered the ballroom.

Sienne and Matthias were laughing happily as if they were in their own world.

Was the problem that most of the people in this place were from the anti-Mirmord family and pro-Crown Prince faction?

The princess, who had rarely come out due to the celebration being held in the Imperial Palace and the Mirmord family not being expected to attend, was also leaning against the wall, covering her face and seething.

Ambassador Heinrich awkwardly leaned against the wall and tried to talk to the Crown Prince, but suddenly muttered.

“The atmosphere is a bit…….”

Heinrich, who couldn’t hide the amplitude of his emotions as a diplomatic envoy, carefully moved his lips and then closed them again. The Crown Prince barely managed to put on a graceful smile and muttered.

“Ah. The atmosphere is good. Although an uninvited guest has arrived.”

Even if they were an uninvited guest, it was the powerful Mirmord family. Seeing the Crown Prince’s face filled with discomfort, Ambassador Heinrich skillfully changed the subject.

“Rather than that, I would like to enjoy the celebration. The orchestra’s performance is amazing.”

At the mention of the orchestra, the Crown Prince’s face brightened instantly.

“Aren’t the Duchy citizens of Elven descent? I don’t know if they can perform as beautifully as the Elves, but my younger sister, the princess, put a lot of effort into organizing this celebration.”

“Does Her Highness have a deep knowledge of the arts?”

“Yes, she does. Ambassador Heinrich, would you like to have a conversation with my younger sister, the princess?”

“Oh, that would be nice. If you are a citizen of the duchy who inherited the blood of the Elves, you can’t help but love artists and engineers.”

The Crown Prince gestured towards the princess, who was leaning against the wall silently. She occasionally twitched her hand spasmodically, but it didn’t seem like a serious problem to Heinrich.

She seemed to be gradually regaining her joy as she talked to him about the orchestra.

“Count Yoter is also here.”

“Nice to meet you, Ambassador Heinrich.”

“Pleased to meet you, Count Yoter.”

Count Yoter, whom the Crown Prince introduced this time, was a dignified gentleman in his 50s with a splendid mustache.

There was a greasy feeling in his eyes. But he lightly dismissed it, thinking that ordinary people who run trading companies might have tired eyes.

Rather, he thought there must be another reason why the Crown Prince was introducing Count Yoter.

As expected, the Crown Prince patted Count Yoter on the shoulder and continued.

“Count Yoter here is my close aide.”

“Oh, is that so.”

“He is also a close friend of mine. If the Mikel Mine contract is signed this time, this friend will take some of the magic stones.”

At the word ‘magic stone,’ Count Yoter’s eyes gleamed with desire. Instinctively feeling repulsed, Heinrich awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth and said.

“So, what exactly does Count Yoter do?”

At that moment, Princess Anessa, who had been quiet as if she didn’t exist, quickly opened her mouth.

“Count Yoter also sells things. What he’s focusing on these days is testing kits.”

The princess’s gaze turned towards the small lady holding her father’s hand in the center of the ballroom. Was it the Mirmord family?

“He also inspects the condition of crops. Above all, he is building a paternity test system to identify illegitimate children of nobles and commoners.”

“Oh, those are all topics of interest in our duchy as well. I know that paternity test research is also being done in the duchy, but it seems to be at a standstill. It’s impressive that the Empire is implementing it first.”

A picturesque smile appeared on the princess’s lips.

“There are those who dare to pretend to be real when they are fake.”

Count Yoter chimed in.

“Haha, if I get the magic stones, I’ll be able to conduct paternity tests right away. I’ll also be able to pay some royalties to the duchy.”

Like the people of the duchy who are always interested in new technologies, Ambassador Heinrich responded with sparkling eyes.

“The future is truly promising.”

However, even while sharing rosy visions with them, Ambassador Heinrich was feeling a strange sense of incongruity.

‘Something about this conversation feels strangely empty.’

Moreover, the princess’s attitude was quite suspicious. She was trembling at first, but from the moment the Crown Prince introduced Count Yoter next to her and publicly announced that he would share the magic stones with him, she seemed to have completely regained her happy smile.

‘Something’s strangely off.’

Just as he was having a conversation with a strange sense of incongruity, the orchestra stopped.

And from afar, he heard the sound of someone running towards him.

It was the ten-year-old child who was in the ballroom earlier. He said she was Mirmord’s daughter?

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince, the light of the Empire! My name is Sienne Mirmord.”

The young lady acted recklessly, as if she didn’t know etiquette.

The faces of everyone in that place, except for Ambassador Heinrich, who liked children, turned cold.

But the ten-year-old lady seemed oblivious to such things and only looked at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince reluctantly opened his mouth and replied.

“Yes, I see the young lady of the Mirmord family. What brings you here so suddenly?”

Unfortunately, even from the Crown Prince’s point of view, it was not easy to publicly dismiss a ten-year-old child in the ballroom.

Especially if a foreign ambassador was nearby.

It wasn’t that Sienne Mirmord knew that fact, but still.

The young Sienne smiled innocently and clapped her hands lightly.

“I heard that a foreign ambassador has come, so I was curious and came to see you!”

It was sudden, but it was childlike. Ambassador Heinrich had a kind personality towards children. Without offending the Crown Prince, he whispered in a gentle tone.

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes! Your ears are so cool!”

To the children of the Empire, the ears of the Duchy citizens with Elven blood must be fascinating. It must be the first time they’ve seen them.

Ambassador Heinrich smiled casually, treating it like a child’s curiosity.

“Our Duchy citizens have inherited the blood of the Elves, so our ears are generally pointed.”

“Ah, is that really so?”

“Yes, that’s right. Is it your first time seeing ears like mine?”

Sienne tilted her head. As if she was looking at an incomprehensible problem.

“Umm, that’s strange…….”