The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 190
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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 190
Kalid’s ears burned for some reason, and he turned his head away. Rubian struck the back of his head with a light tap, saying, “What? You left yourself wide open,” before continuing her conversation with Sebelena.
“It’s truly fascinating. A love story gone wrong.”
“As it happens, our Academy’s graduation academic society is creating a theatrical performance based on that very theme!”
Those words struck Kalid like an arrow, and he interjected once more.
“A theatrical performance? Rubian… you?”
Rubian had joined the Ancient Language Academic Society at the Academy, which was founded by Professor Yuliope, and had been actively participating.
“Yes. What’s with that expression?”
“No… it’s just that you hate standing in front of people.”
At that, Rubian curled one corner of her mouth upward and let out a soft laugh.
“Even I grow and change, you know. Besides, I’ll be on stage for quite a long time!”
Of course she would be.
She was undoubtedly the lead.
Shining so brilliantly like that—a presence as thunderous as lightning amid amber—there was no way she wouldn’t be cast as the protagonist.
Kalid, whose mind had wandered while gazing at Rubian’s confident smile, suddenly latched onto a particular word.
“… A love story?”
Ah, wait a moment.
“Everyone, thank you for your patience! The performance begins!”
“So you really are the lead…”
“Waaaaaaah!”
Kalid’s voice was completely drowned out by the audience’s applause.
For the first time in ages—though with a touch of urgency—he carefully wove his mana together.
[ When do you practice for the play? ]
Rubian glanced sideways, rolling only her eyes to look at him, then pressed her fingertip to her earlobe.
‘Next week?’
[ You’ll show me when I return, won’t you? ]
‘Yes, of course! Though I’m a bit embarrassed.’
He wanted to ask who her scene partner was, but fearing that talk of “blond hair” might surface again, Kalid pinched his thigh and held his tongue.
Licht was also a member of that Ancient Language Academic Society, after all.
‘How petty of me…’
Yet there was no way to suppress the desire to keep even the thought of him from crossing his mind.
When they emerged from the theater, the sun was already beginning to set.
Sebelena watched Rubian walking ahead of them, who was busy explaining the plot of the play to Kalid.
Just then, Rubian stumbled slightly, catching her foot on a protruding stall decoration.
“Oh!”
It was Sebelena and Kalid who caught her.
“Are you all right?”
“Oh, thank you so much.”
‘She smells wonderful.’
Sebelena found herself thinking this without realizing it. The sensation lingering in her hand was incredibly soft and delicate.
‘Looking so fluffy like cotton candy, I doubt she could survive even a single day in the Iosia Forest….’
How had she endured a human-demon war?
‘According to Senia, she must be an incredibly powerful Mage.’
Just as I was about to ask again if she’d been injured, a dark forearm suddenly appeared and snatched Rubian away.
“Let me see.”
Sir Kalid stood with his back deeply bent, his brow furrowed with concern.
“Did you twist your ankle? Can you walk? If need be, I can carry you again like before….”
Sebelena found herself laughing without thinking, a soft huff escaping her lips.
Even the legendary Sir Kalid could be at a loss for words sometimes.
“No, no, I’m perfectly fine. Really.”
“Ah, I see….”
“You say you’re fine, but why do you look disappointed?”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m not. Just watch where you’re going.”
“You tied my cloak too tightly, so I was just untying it. Why are you acting strange since earlier?”
Sebelena suppressed her laughter.
‘So she can see his face a little better that way, I suppose….’
Using his large frame to shield her from others’ gazes.
“Ah, I’m sorry about that.”
“Why do you keep apologizing so suddenly like that….”
It was surprising enough that an apology flowed out so readily, but then came that bright, genuinely delighted laugh.
‘Who on earth is she.’
Sebelena watched the two walking side by side before her.
The princess, who didn’t even reach Kalid’s shoulder, was chattering away incessantly.
The man focused all his attention on her, trying not to miss a single word she spoke.
The way he bent slightly at the waist while concentrating.
‘That looks…. like something he learned from someone.’
It seemed there was someone in his life who listened to the princess like this.
“Wow! What a cute white horse!”
“That’s dangerous.”
“What can I do? It looks just like my Arherkalberrominia the Third!”
“That’s…. what exactly?”
“My white horse’s name. I’ll introduce you to her later!”
“No…. that’s not what I meant.”
The large man’s earlobe flushed slightly in an instant.
“I was asking why you put my name in your horse’s name.”
“Huh?”
“Arher’Kalid’berrominia the Third, you said.”
“Oh gosh, why did I do that? Does it bother you?”
“I’m embarrassed.”
“Huh?”
Rubian, who had been chiding me moments before, quickly redirected her attention elsewhere and picked up her pace. The man who remained behind for a moment rubbed his chin with one hand before slowly following the young lady.
“What.”
Sebelena laughed in exasperation.
“I thought he was someone whose personality had warped from being drenched in too much demonic blood. So it was just that he had no interest in paying attention to others in the first place?”
“What are you muttering about?”
“Nothing. Look at that, Nova. I thought he was a savage stray dog, but he’s actually a loyal hound.”
Wagging his tail quite happily.
Is he that delighted to have met his master?
“Well, it was wise not to reveal the true objective.”
People would have found it ridiculous.
“Remember this, Sebelena. During this visit to Babylon, you must absolutely become engaged to Kalid Liork!”
The King’s voice, drifting about chaotically, clung to her like sticky residue.
‘It’s over.’
Sebelena gripped her handbag tightly.
‘Looking at him, he’s the type who would give his heart and liver to the young lady.’
Besides, in any case…
‘If Kalid becomes difficult, there will be others. Who’s next? The princes of Babylon?’
I wonder what conditions he’ll use to sell me off.
A large cart passed by.
Chunks of meat destined for the butcher hung from it in abundance.
Sebelena thought that she was no different from those pieces of meat with their bellies exposed and hanging.
If the price and conditions were right, she would be sold.
A self-deprecating laugh escaped her.
* * *
“Phew, that was enjoyable!”
After finishing my tour of the Festival, I returned to the mansion.
The escort procession decided to stay here for two days for reorganization before departing.
The King was staying at a grand mansion owned by a nearby nobleman. From what I heard from my senior knights, Father had already finished a brief dinner with the King.
‘They said he had a benevolent impression.’
Yet he was doing such things behind the scenes.
In any case, as soon as I returned, I headed to the Reception Room where Father was.
‘It’s convenient that it’s divided into the east and west wings.’
The east wing was occupied by the King of Casalia’s party, while the west wing was used by Father and the Zebert Knight Order, so it seemed unlikely I would encounter any Casalians. I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of the Princess.
Ah, regarding the surveillance of the Princess afterward…
“Sorry, but I don’t want to monitor the Princess alone.”
“Huh?”
“I’m supposed to be occupied elsewhere, so it looks like I’ll be busy.”
Because Kalid said that, we decided to discuss it again.
“But… where are you planning to be stationed? The Knight Order?”
“….”
“Why are you staring at me like that again?”
“How does this skewered sweet taste? Just one bite.”
“Here… ah, why do you keep taking it with your mouth!”
“It’s delicious.”
I couldn’t very well force it on someone who didn’t want it!
“Hmm.”
What was that?
For some reason, I kept humming to myself.
“Oh, how wonderful~ I’m so happy to see Father~”
With a light step, I flung open Father’s reception room door.
“I’m home!”
“Rubian, your father told you not to come back until after dinner. You haven’t even eaten—where have you been rushing off to like that?”
The Duke, sprawled diagonally across the sofa while shuffling through documents, lit up with concern the moment he spotted me, launching into a barrage of complaints.
I deftly brushed off his worries and promptly told him everything that had happened with the Princess.
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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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