The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 112

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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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Ch. 112
Kalid and I discussed the stigma.
Where to begin the investigation, whether my knowledge was still refusing to answer, and other such matters.
Just as questions without answers continued to flow back and forth, a soft knock sounded and the door opened.
“What are you doing here?”
Father’s sharp gaze flickered upon spotting Kalid. His strides were purposeful and without hesitation as he entered.
“Haven’t you packed your things? I’m leaving without you.”
Oh, that’s right—today was the day we were leaving Ipson!
The day we were returning to Zelocks.
“You said we weren’t departing until afternoon anyway.”
“Cheeky. Talking back to me.”
A large hand ruffled Kalid’s hair into complete disarray. The boy grumbled in displeasure and bit his lip.
But the young boy’s footsteps soon halted, for a dark shadow had fallen across his back.
“Kaaaal—”
A beast’s voice, melodious as a song.
Even the fearless young boy froze solid in that moment.
“Didn’t I tell you not to enter my granddaughter’s room without permission? Didn’t I?”
“…Only…today.”
Creak, creak.
Kalid retreated with the jerky movements of a wind-up doll.
“From now on, please…exercise restraint.”
“You brat.”
Grandfather’s eyes gleamed as he tucked the boy’s head under his arm.
“Bring Void and Liam! All of you, to the Training Ground—tumble away!”
“…I’m going, I’m going right now!”
In the end, Kalid fled at full speed to escape Grandfather’s petting assault.
“See you later, Rubian!”
Of course, he didn’t forget to greet me.
“Take care, Kalid.”
I waved my hand gently in farewell.
He really does have it rough in so many ways.
Grandfather clicked his tongue regretfully and spun his head back around.
Our eyes met directly.
“My little snot-nose. Where’s my little snot-nose?”
Grandfather swept his hand through the air searching for me. I thought our eyes had met, but…was I mistaken?
“Grandfather, I’m here.”
I raised my hand quietly. Only then did Grandfather grin and scoop me up into his arms.
“Huh? You’re not a goldfish?”
“What?!”
Shock.
“Why are you teasing me!”
Annoyed, I struck Grandfather’s shoulders repeatedly, and a hearty laugh erupted from him.
“Krhahaha! You caught me.”
As Grandfather examined my face carefully, his gaze grew slightly more serious.
“But… I heard something remarkable happened yesterday.”
Grandfather, who stayed in the Separate Building, had only just learned of the commotion from the previous night.
A deep sigh escaped me.
“That’s what I mean, you rascal. Why did you suddenly chase after that madman? Thank goodness the Emperor kept it quiet. You nearly got tangled up in something terribly troublesome.”
From what I’d heard from Kalid, it seemed the Emperor had smoothed over last night’s incident as a sudden magical explosion.
Zebert Duke happened to be there and was even injured, but I wasn’t mentioned at all, he’d said.
‘Was His Majesty being considerate so that I wouldn’t become the subject of gossip from outside?’
The Emperor… he might be a good person after all.
“Ugh. I’m sorry…”
I bowed my head deeply in reflection.
There were various circumstances last night, but it was true that I’d worried Mother and the family…
Then Grandfather’s wrinkles deepened with a grunt.
“No, no, I didn’t mean for you to be that dejected… Wait, hold on.”
His thick fingers pointed toward Father, who was opening the window by hand.
“When you think about it, it’s all that madman’s fault for jumping out first! Isn’t that right?”
“No, I was also at fault…”
“Mm-mm. Our Rubian did nothing wrong.”
Chomp, chomp!
Grandfather, having arbitrarily reached his conclusion, approached to launch a beard attack on me.
“Ack, my face is going to burst…!”
In that moment, my body lifted into the air.
And settled into a familiar embrace.
“Since our daughter says her eyes will burst, go fetch some ice.”
“This is just bossing Father around.”
Besides, I’m an old man!
Grandfather thrashed about indignantly. But Father merely responded with indifference.
“I understand. So this is… a health walk that a son gives to his elderly father.”
“…”
“What do you think? I’m fine with it.”
It was clearly something he’d just made up on the spot.
“Phew! Whose child is that, anyway!”
Grandfather finally stomped out of the room. He couldn’t bear to see my puffed-up eyes any longer.
“Morris! Let’s go scrape ice from the Basement!”
“Oh my, why would Your Grace do that…!”
“Because it touches my precious granddaughter!”
Bang.
The door closed shut. My yellow slippers, which had been dangling from my toes, dropped to the floor with a soft thud.
Father collapsed onto the sofa and pulled me onto his lap. A warm spring breeze flooded through the room.
“Look at me. Can you see anything?”
“Stop teasing me!”
As if I wanted to cry in the first place!
“The sun’s already high in the sky and you’re just waking up. The youngest sleeping in is practically your job, but at this rate you’ll actually be reborn as a goldfish.”
I started to playfully swat Father’s shoulder in retaliation, then hesitated.
“Father… your arm?”
“It’s all healed.”
But seeing the white bandages peeking out from beneath his sleeve, my heart sank again.
“You know… I’ll make you some ointment. Just listen to me for a moment…”
I mumbled uncertainly, thinking to myself that maybe I could mix just a tiny bit of my mana into it.
But instead of answering, Father simply gazed down at me intently.
Soon a light sigh escaped him, followed by a mischievous smile.
“No. You won’t do anything. What if you use ointment made by a goldfish daughter and become a goldfish yourself?”
“I’m not a goldfish!”
At my spirited protest, Father gently stroked my cheek.
“Rubian.”
“Yes?”
“You remember when I told you to come to me anytime if there’s something you want to say?”
His quiet violet eyes gazed at me clearly.
“…Yes.”
“That offer is valid for your entire life, so tell me whenever you need Father’s help.”
His low voice was incredibly gentle and tender. It sounded almost like a promise to wait.
A lifetime.
I quietly savored that word.
“So for now, don’t think about anything and just play. Eat delicious things, run around a lot. Cry when you need to and laugh when you want to.”
“…”
“That’s your job. Growing up healthy and strong. Understood?”
His soft voice flowed out. It entered through my ears, wrapped around my entire being, and settled deep in my heart.
“I understand.”
I hugged Father and answered. For now, hearing those words was enough.
In that moment, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door.
“Young masters, the patriarch is inside!”
“Rubian!”

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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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