The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 148

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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 148
Ch.15
Presentation Day!
I opened my eyes with unbridled excitement.
‘I’m finally going to see Father!’
Sortie and I ate breakfast in a state of barely contained anticipation, stopped by the Library to greet Professor Yuliope, and then made our way toward the grand Banquet Hall.
The presentation was to be conducted here in the format of a party, or so we’d been told.
“There are so many people outside!”
“Right? My mom and dad said they’d come right when the Academy gates opened… Oh! Father! Mother!”
Sortie dashed forward with a patter of footsteps.
Camelan Count, who had been pacing in front of the Banquet Hall, swept her up into his arms with a radiant expression.
“Oh, Titi! How I’ve missed you!”
Well, that was a heartwarming sight.
But where was my father?
‘Surely he didn’t miss this due to a business trip? He promised he’d definitely come to the closing ceremony…’
Tap, tap. I kicked at the floor with my shoe.
I’d even taken out my nice shoes to wear…
‘Well, if he’s busy, there’s nothing to be done about it.’
After all, it wasn’t the first time I’d attended an observation day without my parents.
‘Seriously, who even came up with observation days?!’
My heart, which had been secretly hopeful, deflated like a punctured balloon.
‘It’s the cold, unfeeling system of adults who assume all children have the luxury of free time and perfectly functional parents!’
My lips jutted out involuntarily along with my indignation.
I marched into the Banquet Hall alone, earnestly criticizing the injustice of it all.
Unlike the crowded exterior, the interior was still somewhat sparse.
‘Kalid hasn’t arrived yet either, it seems…’
Maybe I should just look around for now?
“Ha, so it’s finally the last day.”
Just then, a familiar voice grumbled nearby.
“I still can’t believe the duchess didn’t come. Father specifically told me to make sure she and the Duke had a chance to meet privately…”
It was Haven, bouncing a ball back and forth with his friends in one corner of the Banquet Hall.
“Well, what can you do if the duchess didn’t show?”
“Still, Father’s annoyed with me about it. That thing, what was it—a purple stone? He was planning to sell those!”
“A purple stone? What’s that?”
“I don’t know. Apparently all the Northern Region knights wear them? Because of that, purple gems have been selling like crazy in the Capital and Southern Region lately. But the ones the Northern Region knights use feel somehow different.”
Well, that would be mana stones…
I blinked rapidly.
“My older brother wants one of those jeweled ornaments too. He says it makes you incredibly strong.”
“Whoa, so the rumors were true after all.”
Hmm.
‘What in the world have the senior Knight Order members been doing in the Capital and Southern Region?’
I pondered this seriously.
Of course, the Zebert Knight Order was the object of everyone’s admiration, but I never expected that purple gemstones would become fashionable because of them.
‘Wait, if I think about this carefully… isn’t this a chance to revive our Shop?’
My mental calculator spun into overdrive.
Asha! I think we’re about to become rich!
Even as I thought this, Haven’s grumbling continued unabated.
“Tch, why’d they just register and never show up? Anyway. They said she’s got a stuck-up attitude and a nasty temperament. Guess that’s true.”
I touched my nose. It felt a bit soft, but I wasn’t sure about being stuck-up…
“Ru!”
Just then, someone called my name, and when I turned around, Jerdin was approaching.
Today, he’d taken special care to groom his characteristically fluffy hair neatly—apparently making an effort for meeting his parents.
Much like how I’d worn these pretty shoes.
“Hello, Jerdin.”
“What, they’re commoners.”
Right on cue, Haven spotted us and started picking a fight.
“Hey, you wearing some fancy shoes today? Whoa, they actually look real?”
“They are real.”
I proudly extended my sleek shoes. A small gemstone was embedded in the band that covered the instep.
These are my 64th birthday present shoes! What of it!
“Hah! How’d you manage that? Let me see! I need to verify whether they’re genuine.”
“Sure! Then hurry up and prostrate yourself at my feet so you can inspect them thoroughly!”
“Why does that bother me?”
By now, bickering like this had become somewhat familiar.
“P-picking fights is wrong, Haven.”
Jerdin, standing beside me, gently restrained Haven. At first, it seemed Haven couldn’t even properly meet his eyes…
Haven huffed and puffed, but didn’t spew the vicious remarks he once would have.
‘Wow, the power of 99 demerit points.’
Haven had nearly accumulated 100 demerit points by mocking Jerdin long ago. But Jerdin had given him one last chance.
Professor Yuliope said that if Haven sincerely apologized to Jerdin and Jerdin accepted it, he would deduct one point from his demerit total.
‘Well, it might just be a forced apology because he doesn’t want to be expelled.’
Still, didn’t it become an opportunity for him to realize his actions were wrong?
“Really! So you help each other out, huh? Let’s see commoners help each other and live well!”
“Now he’s even offering blessings.”
Well, that habit of his about “commoners this, commoners that” still seemed to have a long way to go.
“No, wait—!”
“Haven, you’re being loud.”
Just as Haven was about to cry out, a large shadow fell behind him.
“Oh, Father!”
My eyes widened slightly.
A middle-aged man with a distinctly fastidious expression was staring at me with his face twisted in displeasure.
‘Wow, it’s Husin Count.’
I felt Jerdin beside me subtly step back.
“You seem to be doing well. But….”
A cold gaze swept over Jerdin and me.
“What are you doing among these children?”
These children….
Truly, a word choice befitting Husin Count….
“The nobles are gathered over there, so let’s go.”
“Y-yes….”
“This place reeks of commoners, unlike the Academy atmosphere. Tsk.”
So Haven’s habit of muttering about commoners was indeed inherited from Father.
“Move aside. Don’t get in the way.”
The Count waved his hand irritably, shooing Jerdin and me away like flies.
Just as I was backing away, thinking how utterly unpleasant this was.
I noticed the entrance had become unusually noisy.
What’s going on? I tried to turn my head to look.
“Whoa! What—!”
My body suddenly lifted into the air.
“Your father told you.”
Gasp, this voice!
“Eat well.”
“…!”
“Sleep well.”
My body spun once.
Then my vision filled with deep violet eyes!
“Ah…!”
“If anyone bothers you, write down their names.”
“Ah, Faaaaaather!”
It’s Father!
Rubian’s father has come!
I couldn’t help myself and threw my arms around his thick neck. Father chuckled softly and pressed his large hand firmly against my back.
“When did you arrive? How was your business trip? What time did you get here? What did you take? Where did you go? What were you doing there!”
I thought you wouldn’t come or would arrive much later!
Overwhelmed by how much more delighted I was than expected, I bombarded him with questions, and Father gently tapped my mouth.
“Ask one at a time. Your father only has one mouth.”
“But I only have one mouth too, and you asked me so many questions!”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
Father examined my face carefully and chuckled.
“Sending you to school was worth it.”
I was so incredibly happy to see him!
“Sniff. Dad…”
“Your whining has only gotten worse. I’m actually starting to think sending you to the Camp was the right call.”
I wrapped my arms tightly around Father’s neck again.
The chatter that had filled the Banquet Hall came to an abrupt halt. Every eye in the room turned toward us in shock, but I was too delighted at seeing Father to notice.
Not until I heard the incredulous voice of Husin Count—or rather, Abelus Count.
“Duke Zebert is… why… calling him Father…?”
Only then did I realize how eerily silent the surroundings had become, and I pulled away slightly.
‘Oh no, I got too excited and said it out loud.’
Looking around, I saw Jerdin’s face frozen in surprise.
Haven’s expression was even more shocked than his.

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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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