The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 119

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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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Chapter 119
“You’re the Fourth Prince?”
“Yes.”
Now that I thought about it, he had asked if he could write to me.
I reached for the letter, then hesitated.
“Wait, but…”
Why was it so extravagant?!
Gold leaf was just the beginning—the moment I opened the envelope, a delightful fragrance wafted out. When I unfolded the slightly creased paper, it was filled with the essence of countless flowers.
It was, quite literally, spring itself.
Hello, Rubian. It’s Licht.
How have you been?
I’m embarrassed by how plain this stationery is.
What was this? Had my comprehension of the Imperial language deteriorated?
The standards of the Imperial Family truly were different from ordinary folk.
The Academy will be starting its new term soon. I’ve advanced to the intermediate division, though I’m still uncertain whether I’ll register for the autumn semester. Father Emperor always wishes for me to take my lessons at the Imperial Palace.
So here’s the thing… do you plan to attend the autumn camp?
My registration for next semester depends on this important matter, so I’m hoping you’ll reply.
Regardless, I want to see you soon.
Honestly, I’m a bit worried you might forget about me.
– Licht (12 years old, blonde hair, met in the Capital and Ipson)
The final line, written with particularly heavy pressure, caught my attention. I tilted my head in confusion.
“Why would I forget? You’re going to be the Crown Prince soon.”
Wasn’t he underestimating himself far too much?
Besides, I had never forgotten the original story.
After thinking for a moment, I opened a drawer and took out a sheet of paper.
Licht, hello!
Thank you for reaching out.
I’m not sure about the autumn camp yet.
Well… fighting spirit!
– Rubian
PS. I haven’t forgotten you for even a single moment. And I probably never will.
“Is it too short?”
I tilted my chin while holding the pen between my lips.
‘Come to think of it, this is my first time exchanging letters with someone.’
But I couldn’t think of anything else to write.
“I clearly have no talent for writing…”
Wondering if I should keep a diary like Void does, I placed the letter in the envelope.
After asking Hazel to send it, I finished my milk.
Shortly after, the door to my room opened quietly.
“Daughter, what are you doing?”
My face brightened instantly.
That voice!
“Mother…!”
But I couldn’t bring myself to finish the word.
“Who are you?”
Her pink hair had vanished, replaced by a woman with sleek black locks.
“Who am I? How cruel!”
Mother laughed mischievously and kneaded my cheeks like soft dough.
“Mother’s cotton candy hair has disappeared…”
“What do you think? Don’t you like it?”
I shook my head vigorously.
With half her hair elegantly pinned up, Mother looked unfamiliar at first glance, but she was absolutely stunning! Completely different from cotton candy Mother!
“You look so much like Father! You’re beautiful!”
“Ha ha. That’s my girl.”
“Are you planning to play hide-and-seek again?”
“No, nothing like that. Just a change of mood!”
“Oh…”
But Mother had a track record, so I couldn’t quite trust her.
With Father away… did Mother want to cause trouble too?
I decided to watch Mother with sharp, piercing eyes.
“So, want to go out and play with Mother?”
“Wow, playtime!”
I had to stay close to keep watch anyway!
It’s absolutely not because I’m excited!
“By the way, Rubian, I hear you’ve been visiting the Mana Stone Shop frequently lately?”
Mother asked as she dressed me in my outdoor clothes.
I wore a yellow one-piece dress with a large collar and a bonnet with a white brim that covered my hair.
“Yes… because I was bored…”
“My. What about Kalid? Hasn’t he been playing with you lately?”
“…”
The moment I heard the name Kalid, my lower lip jutted out involuntarily.
“You’ve become a yellow duck.”
“Kalid…”
Mother pressed my cheek firmly.
Reflected in Mother’s blue eyes, I looked like someone who was clearly sulking.
【 I’ll be back. 】
At dawn, after all the bells in the Watchtower had been installed.
He left without a word, leaving only that single note behind.
‘Tsk. Would it hurt to write something longer like Licht does?’
Was there really nothing more to say?
No. I could have just greeted him and left after seeing his face!
For some reason, I felt indignant, disappointed, and betrayed all at once.
I pouted my lips resentfully.
“He abandoned me and left! So coldly! So bluntly! So callously!”
“My goodness.”
When he comes back, I won’t even speak to him!
‘Of course, he’s always been like that…’
He had that peculiar side to him.
On the surface, he acted as though we were closest friends, but when it truly mattered, he drew a clear line.
It was strange.
I knew it all along.
“Mother! I’m going to eat fifteen cotton candies today! I want to drink thirty glasses of strawberry soda! I’m going to indulge!”
“My. Our rough daughter is quite charming too, but that simply won’t do.”
Her coldness has been so disappointing lately!
* * *
Kalid stood at the edge of a cliff.
A desolate, cracked landscape filled his vision. The young boy gazed at the barren earth with an expressionless face before turning his head.
“What. I thought things looked a bit better since Zebert, but it’s all the same?”
Allen from the Allen Mercenary Company tapped his shoulder with a casual gesture. Kalid brushed off the spot where his hand had touched and moved forward.
“Ah, that brat.”
Kalid wore the same tattered cloak as when he’d come to the Northern Region. With a sword gripped in one hand, he looked every bit the wandering mercenary.
‘I wonder if he’s experiencing some hazing?’
Well, someone as arrogant and prickly as him could certainly be bullied.
Allen chuckled and followed behind the young boy.
“Hey, just come back to the mercenary company. No matter how I look at it, that’s where you belong.”
“Did you understand what I said?”
He spat out the tree fruit he’d been chewing.
“Who am I talking to?”
“Did you understand?”
“Sigh. What’s the point in telling you? I did understand, but that’s not something simple, is it? Even that supposedly brilliant princess doesn’t know how.”
A cold wind blew.
At the far northeastern edge of the Continent, the season was always a bitter winter.
Allen pulled his collar tight and grumbled.
“Why would you leave something like a Mage’s mark to an ordinary person like me in the first place…”
The method to erase the mark that Rubian had mentioned.
She’d asked me to look into whether there were similar precedents, but honestly, I hadn’t held great expectations.
‘I’ll have to investigate it myself.’
Truthfully, even if Allen were to discover something Rubian didn’t know, that would feel unpleasant in its own way.
Just then, Allen suddenly widened his eyes and asked.
“By the way… how is our princess doing?”
Us…?
Kalid’s eyebrows shot up sharply.
“Don’t speak carelessly.”
“What part of what I said was careless? Look, I’m 100% here under duress, but I’m still one of the people protecting the Princess from behind, right? So shouldn’t I be allowed to meet her at least once?”
Kalid laughed coldly.
“You’ll never see her again, so stop thinking about it. Don’t mention it. Actually.”
….
“Don’t open your mouth.”
“Ugh, this bastard really…. Then don’t ask me any questions either!”
Kalid turned away from Pax and his childish bickering, moving forward.
The jagged stone mountain had treacherously steep terrain.
They had chosen the most difficult path to climb among them all. There was no particular reason—it was simply the shortest route to the summit.
As Kalid walked, I pondered.
‘Did she see the note?’
I’d told her I was leaving. She would have read it and dismissed it without much thought.
After all, Rubian was always busy, and her surroundings were always swarming with people, so she’d quickly return to normal….
….
For some reason, my mood had grown melancholy.
I’d left the note and gritted my teeth, not wanting to leave if I saw her face. But Rubian would be just fine whether I was there or not….
“Huff, huff. Hey. Can you slow down a bit….”
Allen trudged behind me, gasping for breath.
“…You’re becoming increasingly petty.”
“What! You’re calling me petty?! Why on earth!”
Kalid’s face remained expressionless as I continued forward. I heard Allen’s loud curses behind me, but I ignored them lightly.
The Cave hadn’t changed at all.
Somewhere along the sheer Cliff just below the desolate Mountain’s summit.
“Huh, what is this place?”
Allen frowned and shivered. An unusually cold breeze rose from within.
“…A prison? What are these bars?”
Clang, clang.
Deep within the Cave, thick and sturdy bars were densely embedded from floor to ceiling.
Kalid opened the door and stepped inside the prison.
This was the first time I’d returned here since leaving with Rubian.
“Hey, hey. Where are you going? It’s so dark…. I’m getting goosebumps. What if a Demon Beast appears? You’ll protect me, right?”
“Be quiet.”
The echoing sounds were making my mind dizzy.
Kalid stirred my mana slightly. Basic magic I’d learned from Rubian…. A blue light burst forth and clung to the walls.
The interior brightened a little.
“Oh….”
Allen finally looked somewhat relieved.
Kalid slowly swept through the Cave.
‘There’s nothing particularly striking about it.’
A soft rustling sound.
Then, an ancient shackle brushed against my foot.
“What is this? It’s incredibly rusted. Was someone imprisoned here?”
Allen examined the shackle casually, then stiffened abruptly.
“Hey… but those shackles. They look extremely old. Could there actually be… a skeleton here?”
“I didn’t know you were afraid of seeing corpses.”
“A corpse and bones are different things!”
What’s the difference?
I started to ask, then closed my mouth.
‘Extremely old, he said…?’
Allen’s words weighed on my mind.
Now that I thought about it, the shackles and chains did seem excessively worn—like ancient artifacts.
My grayish-blue eyes darkened.
Perhaps I truly had…
‘The price for touching a human soul is merciless.’
Maybe I had committed a taboo.
And if that’s why I’ve been suffering punishment for such a long time…
‘What am I, really?’

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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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