How to Protect My Sub Male Lead Dad

A dazzling interior with nowhere for the eyes to rest.
Elegant music flowing gracefully.
A sophisticated scent teasing the nose.

The grand hall where the banquet was held was stunning to the point of ecstasy.

Brantley wasn’t near the center. He stood by a pillar, gazing towards Hanelope.

The escort knights were only allowed to guard their masters from afar. But Brantley was a bit different. His silver eyes toward Hanelope flickered with confusion and desire. Suddenly he heard the nobles chatting..

“I heard you made money from Morning Glories?”
“Hahaha. Who hasn’t made a fortune out of it? I’m sure you did too.”
“It’s a good thing I invested in a new type. Well, there’s a saying spreading that anyone who doesn’t make money from morning glories these days is a fool.”
“A new type? Please share more about it.”

One by one, the nobles talked about how much money they had made from the Morning Glory and how much more they could make.

Among them were the Duke of Eisen and Yakov. But Brantley wasn’t interested in that.

He was more concerned with Hanelope and Philip.

‘Since when Hanelope and Philip were this close?’
In truth, they weren’t that intimate. But in Brantley’s mind, the image of Hanelope smiling at Philip was playing on a loop.

And-

“Princess, you have grown so much since I last saw you.”
“The corsage you’re wearing is very pretty. But, of course, it can’t be compared to your beauty.”

Numerous nobles gathered at Hanelope’s side.

“Haha… It’s actually deadlier than it looks.”
“Of course it is, just like your beauty!”

Hanelope was overwhelmed by all the flattery. But the crowd of people crowding to get to know her only grew larger.

Brantley’s fists tightened.

It wasn’t the interest the nobles had in Hanelope that bothered him. It was the burning feeling inside him that emphasized the distance between him and her causing distress.

“Her Highness truly looks magnificent,” Philip, standing beside Brantley, said in a low voice. He seemed unaware of Brantley’s absent-mindedness. Philip’s eyes were fixed only on Hanelope, “Isn’t she gorgeous?”

The words were spoken more like an exclamation than a request for an answer.

Philip looked at Brantley. His eyes were filled with longing and affection for Hanelope.

“She was the one who brought you to the capital, didn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“She is also the one who saved me from hell. I would give up my life for her.”

Philip confessed with a trembling heart. His cheeks were flushed with emotion.

‘Hanelope is loved.’

Whether by the justified interest of the nobles or the pure affection of the knights, Hanelope was receiving love from everyone.

‘Hanelope is out of my league.’

As Hanelope was accompanying him these days, he seemed to forget the fact.

He refused to go to the capital and even pretended not to know the etiquette, only to spend more time.

‘Hanelope wasn’t someone I could be with. Even if she extended her hands, I dare not hold it.’

He already knew, but his heart couldn’t help but shatter again.

Then a loud voice echoed at the entrance of the hall.

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

 

***

 

Grandfather entered with his envoys. It was unusual for him to do so.

I thought to myself, ‘Does that mean he considers this visit important?’

There were three envoys.
The tallest was the Second Prince, Gallota.
The shortest was the Fourth Prince, Palleta.
And the oldest man was Mahach, the teacher of the Emperor and the grandfather of the deceased Crown Prince.

Having seen their procession and received their portraits in advance, I recognized them immediately. Especially, Prince Galolta, with his thick eyebrows and tan skin, looked captivating,

“Your Majesty, thank you for hosting this welcoming banquet,” Gallota said politely.

‘How is he so fluent in the Imperial language?’

I could sense that others were surprised as well. People started seeing them in a favorable light.

“The banquet is nothing compared to the gifts the Prince has brought.”
“You are flattering me, Your Majesty.”
“I am impressed seeing you speak our language so well.”
“I have learnt the language since I was a child, dreaming of one day coming to Berg.”
“Prince Gallota is modest and quick to joke.”
“It’s actually better to learn this language than the Eastern’s. The Imperial language is also easier to learn. After all, our country isn’t that big.”

The hall filled with laughter at his bold joke. Grandfather seemed to be in good spirits.

The Emperor turned to Gallota, who sat next to him.

‘“Since I have received such gifts, I won’t send you away empty-handed. Is there anything you wish to keep?”
“I don’t have particular wishes, but my father does.”
“And what is that?”
“It was the Berg Empire that leaked the cultivation method of our treasured Morning Glories.”

The hall went silent at Gallota’s words. But he continued his rude remarks in a casual voice.

“My father doesn’t want any compensation, he’s willing to forgive his friend.”
“And?”

Grandfather asked sharply. Gallota smiled and said, “Ban the cultivation of Morning Glories in the Berg Empire and grant the exporting monopoly to the Eastern Continent. His Majesty should punish whoever leaked the method.”

The person who had discovered the method was a closely guarded secret.

‘We can’t put a finger on it and say it was stolen. Someone could have found a way while studying the plant.’

Grandfather glared at Gallota, “I prefer to give my people as much freedom as possible. And to accuse us of stealing is extremely rude.”’
“I apologize if it came across that way. But this is what my father desires.”

His demand was too much to fulfill.

Gallota must have realized that the Morning Glory craze was already out of control.

‘Then this is bait’

After making an absurd demand, he plans to put forward a ‘comparatively reasonable’ demand. Which is undoubtedly his goal.

I looked at the two Princes.

It was evident why they suddenly traveled to the far away Berg Empire. The reason why they had insisted on coming when they hadn’t been invited to.

It wasn’t to improve the relationship between the nations.

‘They want to impress the Emperor of the East so they can become the new Crown Prince.’

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Continent died recently.

The Emperor now has three sons. The two who came as envoys, and another.

‘And they all have different mothers.’

This is because the Emperor of the East has several wives.

‘So a bloody competition for the Crown Prince position has begun.’

The Princes were eager to elevate their position using the Berg Empire.

It would be best if they could get what they wanted for the Eastern Emperor, but even if they couldn’t, they could show belligerence towards their enemies.

‘To take advantage of Berg…’

I was glaring at Gallota. Perhaps sensing my gaze he turned to me with a sneer.

“Isn’t it natural for someone to take back something precious stolen from them? Imagine if someone took away the corsage you’re wearing” Gallota said, mocking me.

‘He was trying to humiliate the Empire by targeting me.

“Isn’t that right, Princess?”

Gallota pressed for my answer.

Grandfather’s eyes darkened at his rudeness. Dad, seated next to me, was furious and tried to take over. I squeezed his hand to stop him and looked straight at Gallota.

“When you lose a treasure, it’s natural to want it back.”
“I suppose so…”
“But being sad shouldn’t make you lose your senses. Especially your reasoning.”

I pulled out the flower corsage hairpin and tore off the flower corsage.

Gallota’s almond eyes widened.

“If a flower is torn like that, even the most skillful craftsman won’t be able to put it back together again. Mending it will leave scars, perhaps getting a new one would become imperative.”

Gallota stared at me blankly. And after a moment, he burst out laughing.

‘You’re right, Princess. I wasn’t thinking far.’

Gallota bowed deeply to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness. I was foolish and did not exercise good judgment.”
“What fault could the Prince’s have been, when the Emperor desired such,” Grandfather replied coldly.
“I spoke up because of my filial piety. It is true that my father wishes for it, but he did not tell me to demand it of His Majesty.’
“Then is this what the Prince desires?”
“Yes. I thought I was fulfilling my father’s wishes. But thanks to the Princess I know that it was not filial piety, but folly.’

Grandfather twisted up one corner of his mouth.

“Then I hope you will make wiser demands next time.”
‘I will, Your Majesty.”

Gallota bowed again.

His sudden politeness was suspicious. But grandfather seemed to be pleased with it.

There was a hint of amusement in his glance at me. I smiled back, then flinched at the piercing stare. His gaze was different from when he mocked me.

It was a more of sincere gaze, containing a deeper emotion than mere courtesy.