Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 246: Papa’s Victory

"U-uhm... I just w-wanted to go on a walk with you, Father. That’s all...! I-I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop or anything...! I swear...!"

He fidgeted nervously, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

Suddenly, the arm wrapped around his waist tightened.

"Hieek!"

A tiny squeak of fear escaped him.

His father was scary.

Rocco trembled in his grasp, but his father remained silent for several long seconds before muttering under his breath.

"...Enough. Everyone, leave."

And just like that, the discussion was over.

His father stood up—without a moment’s hesitation—still holding Rocco in his arms.

Then, he strode out of the room, as if the meeting had never even happened.

Rocco blinked his eyes in confusion.

Huh?

Wasn’t there still more to talk about...?

Looking back over his father’s shoulder, he found the remaining adults in the room frozen in shock.

Then, chaos erupted.

"P-please wait, my lord!"

"The discussion isn’t over yet—!"

The officials scrambled after them, their voices laced with desperation.

Among them, Strasbourg subtly mouthed a silent plea to Rocco—

"Stop him!"

Rocco’s eyes sparkled with determination.

If they needed a hero, then a hero he would be!

Turning his attention back to his father, he tapped his shoulder.

Then, gently tugged at the hem of his coat.

Thankfully, his father stopped.

Rocco looked up at him with slightly teary eyes and spoke earnestly.

"Father. It is bad manners to leave in the middle of an important discussion! You must return to your seat!"

With a tiny but firm finger, he pointed back at the head seat of the table.

His father stood still, as if processing the command.

Then, with a slight pout—clearly displeased—he wordlessly walked back and sat down.

"...Weren’t we going on a walk?"

"We will! But only after you properly finish the discussion!"

As if sulking, his father hugged Rocco tighter on his lap.

Rocco patted his arm, gently soothing him.

Then, without a single word, his father shot a sharp glance at his subordinates.

It was a silent order.

"Hurry it up."

The room instantly sprang back to life.

"A-as I was saying... about forming a bond between Young Master Rocco and His Highness the Crown Prince—"

CRACK.

A sharp, creaking sound echoed.

The wooden armrest beneath his father’s grip splintered slightly.

Probably, only Rocco and Rino—who were closest to him—had actually noticed it.

Rocco had a vague sense that whatever the officials were saying had hit one of his father’s sore spots.

He cast a quick glance at Strasbourg, and—just as expected—his aide discreetly mouthed something to him.

"Pa, pa, to, marry."

Pa... pa to mary

"...!?"

Marry to Papa...!?

Wait, wait, calm down!

Breathe in—breathe out—deep breaths.

Fuu...

Thinking it over, Rocco realized something.

Considering the flow of the conversation, whatever Strasbourg had just mouthed was most likely something he had to say to his father.

But why!?

Why on earth did he have to say something so utterly ridiculous!?

Rocco’s brain screamed in confusion, but—

If Strasbourg was telling him to do it, there had to be a reason.

The confident smirk on Rino’s face practically screamed, "Trust me on this one."

"Mmmnngh...!"

Fine.

Fine!

There was no helping it, then!

Rocco could do this!

After all, he was the cool and formidable second-born of the Di Malvento family!

If there was ever a time to steel his resolve, it was now!

He took a deep breath—

Then, with all the determination he could muster, he called out.

"P-Papa!"

"...!?"

His father—who had been on the verge of lunging at the officials spewing nonsense about marriage—suddenly froze.

His breath hitched.

Rocco’s eyes widened in shock.

I-It actually worked...!?

Strasbourg was a genius!

Strasbourg was amazing!

Alright! Now for the finishing blow!

While his father was still frozen in place, Rocco delivered the final strike—

"I’m gonna marry to Papa!"

"I-I’m going to marry Papa! So marrying the prince? That’s totally impossible!"

Even though his words were clumsy and awkwardly monotone, Rocco relied on his special move—Just Shout It Out!—to push through.

Clinging tightly to his father, he shouted those words, and suddenly, silence filled the study.

The weight of his own embarrassing and absurd declaration settled in, making Rocco unable to lift his head.

Sure, he had obediently followed Strasbourg’s lead, but now that he thought about it... what on earth did I just say?

If his father gave him a horrified "What the hell are you talking about?" look, what would he do?

I’m sorry for saying something weird.

Please don’t abandon me.

Shaking with nerves, Rocco held on even tighter, determined not to be pried away.

That’s when he noticed something.

The trembling... He had assumed it was his own fear, but—no.

It wasn’t him trembling.

It was his father!

...Wait, why!?!

"P-Papa... ahem. F-Father?"

"...Bring it."

"Huh?"

Uh-oh.

Was his father so dumbfounded by his sheer stupidity that he had moved past anger into stunned disbelief?

Just as Rocco was bracing for the worst, he heard a tiny whisper escape his father’s lips.

He blinked.

What was that?

If it was an insult, he might actually cry.

He readied himself for tears, lowering his brows in anticipation.

A few seconds passed—then, his father finally lifted his head.

With an air of absolute authority, he delivered his next command into the dead-silent room.

"Bring me a marriage certificate."

For a moment, Rocco’s mind went blank.

His father—who had just moments ago looked ready to explode with quiet fury—was now brimming with a serene, almost radiant confidence.

There was something refreshing about his demeanor, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

With Rocco frozen stiff in shock, his father casually ruffled his hair, looking utterly pleased with himself.

A hint of amusement tugged at the corners of his lips as he continued.

"Hmph... As a father, it is only right to grant my child’s wishes."

Uh... Excuse me?

Rocco was the one who had said it, but even he knew this was not the kind of wish a parent should be indulging.