The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 16

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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 16
As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness descended, the aroma of delicious food permeated the entire castle.
“My goodness, what a transformation. This place has become completely different.”
“Adolf!”
I rushed toward the Butler as he entered the Dining Room.
“Where is he? Hasn’t he come down yet?”
“He’s coming down now. But I’m not sure if all of this is really appropriate….”
I pulled out the documents from my bosom and showed them to him.
“It’s fine. I already have the Duke’s signature right here.”
“Hehe.”
Adolf chuckled as he examined the documents.
I was puffing out my chest proudly when something light flicked against the top of my head—a gentle tap.
“I was wondering what kind of trouble you’d gotten into.”
“Ow.”
“What have you done to my castle?”
“Sir.”
“Father!”
Void, who had been crouched in the corner munching on cookies, stood up.
“A gathering of troublemakers, I see.”
He crossed his arms and looked back and forth between me and Void.
I led him toward the center, which was flooded with brilliant light.
The head of the table, its polished marble surface gleaming.
Leviathan tilted his head as he looked down at his beautifully arranged seat.
“You’re the protagonist, so why am I sitting here?”
“No. You’re the protagonist.”
“…?”
“Actually, it was Void.”
I corrected myself. The words still didn’t feel natural on my tongue.
“Void wanted to throw you a homecoming party.”
“Void did?”
His gaze fell upon the boy, whose tail was wagging back and forth.
“You’ve been through so much!”
As if he’d been waiting for this moment, Void spoke with shining eyes. Leviathan’s movements suddenly stilled.
“I’m so glad you came back safely. I… I don’t think I ever told you this when you first returned.”
Void seemed a little nervous.
“This time, I wanted to tell you!”
Leviathan placed his hand on Void’s head, and a soft chuckle escaped him.
“Yes, thank you.”
“…Yes!”
Well, this is a pleasant sight.
I settled into my seat with a satisfied feeling.
As if on cue, an enormous spread of dishes arrived in succession. A cake piled high with pink cream came along with them. Goodness, how beautiful!
“Did you send food to the Knight Order as well?”
“Yes. By now, they should be eating and drinking heartily.”
“Tell the others to go enjoy themselves too.”
Adolf chuckled softly.
“Thanks to you and the young master, we’re all being treated quite well.”
The elderly butler, standing with his spine perfectly straight, bowed with renewed formality.
“Though it comes a bit late, allow me to congratulate you once more on your return, my lord.”
Then the others chimed in with their own words.
“Congratulations on the victory!”
“You’ve endured so much hardship!”
“Why are you all being so ticklish about this?”
Leviathan’s uncle furrowed his brows deeply.
“How many times do I need to return? Go on, get out of here.”
He waved his hand dismissively, his expression flustered.
The people of the Duke’s Mansion laughed softly like the butler, then withdrew.
“Father, did you see my swordsmanship records?”
“I did. You’ve improved quite a lot.”
“Yes! I worked hard at it!”
“You’ll be returning to the Academy next month. Are you prepared?”
“No problem! Ullin also said that I would definitely….”
The meal continued in a peaceful atmosphere.
From time to time, the uncle’s adjutants and closest confidants would visit to offer their congratulations and exchange drinks.
Despite being a hastily arranged and rather haphazard little party, everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
What a relief!
“….”
Still.
I quietly observed the situation, then rolled a piece of bell pepper.
The green morsel tumbled across the table and landed with a soft tap on Void’s plate.
‘Say. It. Now.’
When I shot him a pointed look, Void swallowed hard.
“Um, Father.”
Leviathan looked up.
“I’m really not uncomfortable eating with you anymore now.”
The uncle, who had been reaching for his amber-colored drink, paused.
“So… could we eat together from now on?”
“….”
The uncle fell silent for a moment. I honestly couldn’t tell what he was thinking or hesitating about.
But there was no escape for him now, was there?
The war was over. Which meant I could no longer use the excuse of leaving soon.
‘Since we’re family now, wouldn’t it be nice to get close quickly?’
I glanced between the two of them, turning the thought over in my mind.
Leviathan stared intently at his son’s face, which had grown so much taller. Void fidgeted but didn’t avoid his gaze.
“…I see.”
It wasn’t just his height that had changed…. The man murmured something barely audible.
His expression seemed to convey some kind of resolve.
“Yes, I understand.”
Void’s face brightened instantly.
I smiled warmly.
“I’m sorry for not realizing sooner. It must have taken courage.”
The man gently stroked Void’s hair.
Void, who had been laughing, suddenly remembered something and pointed at me.
“Actually, this party was Rubian’s idea first. Please praise Rubian.”
“Rubian?”
The man turned his head toward me.
“Well, that is….”
As the spotlight suddenly turned to me, I blinked awkwardly.
The man leaned back against his chair.
The way he crossed his arms with a thoughtful hum felt ominous somehow.
“Come to think of it, what I approved was your welcoming ceremony.”
A stern gaze poured down mercilessly.
“You can’t file false reports to the Duke.”
His expression was that of a department head scolding a subordinate for daring to submit such a shabby report.
“Come here. I need to give you a punishment.”
“Huh, what kind of punishment?”
I flinched in surprise. The man gestured lightly with his chin.
“First, those bell peppers you’ve been subtly avoiding since earlier.”
“….”
“Finish them all right here.”
It was an utterly cruel punishment!
I cautiously pushed the bell peppers around with my fork.
“If you don’t finish those, you can only have one slice of that cake you’ve been eyeing since earlier.”
“…I hate bell peppers!”
The texture, the color, the smell—I dislike everything about them! I even told the Chef, so why did they end up on my plate?!
I protested strongly. But even Void betrayed me.
“Rubian, if you’re a picky eater, you can’t become a strong Northern Region knight.”
He crossed his arms with an equally stern expression.
Like father, like son!
“So that’s how it is.”
The moment someone took his side, the man’s face swelled with triumph.
“Woo!”
We’d been awkward with each other just moments ago, and now we were suddenly in perfect sync?
But the score was 2:1.
A complete defeat.
* * *
The man’s punishment was far from over.
“Rubian, welcome to Zebert Castle!”
The party had suddenly reversed roles—I found myself seated in the guest of honor’s place, forced to consume an abundance of sweets and delicacies.
“My goodness, you’re absolutely adorable!”
“I never knew my hands could create something like this….”
The maidservants delighted in placing a peculiar cone-shaped hat they’d fashioned onto my head.
“Look at that expression.”
The man poked my pouty cheek firmly.
“Something’s off. This isn’t what I had in mind.”
Regardless, the castle staff bustled about, offering me words of welcome.
The man and Void wore identical expressions of satisfaction as they nodded approvingly.
‘A first birthday celebration…?’
That’s certainly the feeling I got.
In any case, the party concluded smoothly.
As night deepened and Void, growing drowsy, ascended the stairs to his room first, I too rose from my seat.
“I should be heading to bed too!”
My eyelids were growing heavy.
“Come here, Rubian.”
The villain who’d forced me to eat five pieces of bell pepper extended his hand toward me. Feeling indignant, I ignored him with a huff—though I was swiftly caught regardless.
The man lifted me effortlessly with a grunt, and a faint scent of alcohol wafted from him.
“Why are you following me?”
“You didn’t say goodnight. I should offer a proper farewell.”
“Sleep well?”
At my deliberately curt response, the man pinched the bridge of his nose lightly and released it.
“You’re only respectful when you need something.”
Thud, thud.
We exited the Dining Room and walked down the corridor. Up the stairs, around the corner.
I tilted my head curiously.
“Are you coming to my room?”
“I’m too drunk to make it to my Bedroom.”
“Your steps aren’t even wavering…. Whoa!”
The man suddenly crouched low while holding me, then chuckled deeply.
I thought I was falling!
Of course, the arm cradling me remained as solid and secure as anything could be.
“Look at that. You’re stumbling all over the place.”
“…Are you mocking me?”
“Remarkably clever, aren’t you?”
The unscrupulous man straightened his posture and moved forward. Thanks to his long legs, he reached the room in just a few strides.

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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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