The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 199

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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 199
* * *
While my family was rolling the Mage around playfully.
“They seem to be enjoying themselves. Thank goodness.”
I drew the curtain shut at the window and turned around. The last thing I saw was Hazel approaching the Mage, casting a dark shadow over him.
“Of course. They’re welcoming him so warmly.”
When I turned, I spotted Father sitting diagonally on the sofa in my room.
“Now that Hazel’s got him, things should stay quiet until tomorrow.”
The timing of this Mage’s appearance—it was likely meant to ruin my coming-of-age ceremony.
‘If it were revealed that the Zebert Duchy’s young lady is actually a Mage…’
It would cause quite the commotion.
‘And if it came out that I’m the Mage King’s seventh child, someone closest to him… it would be even worse.’
That was still a secret few knew. Especially now, with the Mage Kingdom being treated as an enemy, it was a fact I couldn’t reveal lightly.
The nobility wouldn’t stay silent.
They might redirect blame toward the Zebert Duchy for hiding this truth, attempting to diminish our family—already at the height of political influence. Regardless of whether it was true or not.
‘Especially the nobles who follow the First Prince.’
Zebert clearly wasn’t on the First Prince’s side. They’d seize the opportunity to attack.
‘The Mage King probably planned to expose this fact, ruin my coming-of-age ceremony, separate me from the Zebert family somehow, and then approach me.’
I laughed.
Because his plan had a massive flaw.
‘I don’t think my family would cast me out just because the Duchy’s reputation took a hit.’
Of course, the Mage King wouldn’t know that.
‘He only sees his children as weapons.’
“A massage!”
I kneaded Father’s shoulders vigorously. Whenever I felt a surge of affection, I found myself wanting to touch him more.
“Are you showing off your strength?”
“Is it strong?”
“Very.”
Father chuckled softly and gestured toward the table.
“But what are you planning to do with that?”
“Oh, that’s right!”
I hurried over to the table. A large bowl was filled with fresh cucumber slices.
“I completely forgot about it.”
Actually, I had quite a busy night ahead of me!
“As you know, I’m the main character tomorrow. I need to prepare a bit…”
I murmured while pressing fresh cucumber slices onto my face one by one. Brr, so cold.
Father let out a slight laugh, as if finding it absurd.
“After this, I’m planning to finish with a milk wash. Tonight, I intend to squander a bit of Father’s wealth in this manner. I’ll ask for your permission in advance.”
“What do you think our family’s wealth is?”
I half-listened while carefully placing a cucumber slice on my cheek in the mirror at my vanity.
“Ah, but Father. Munch.”
A slice slipped from my mouth the moment I opened it.
By chance, the edge of the cucumber found its way between my parted lips. Crunch.
“It’s delicious.”
“Stop that. Come here.”
“But this is cucumber.”
Father gestured me over with a flick of his hand, and I quickly went to rest against his thigh, using him as a cushion.
“Should I just place them?”
“Yes. Cover every inch of skin carefully….”
Hmm.
Father muttered that he’d never done anything like this before, then carefully arranged cucumber slices across my face.
“Ugh, it’s cold!”
Father hesitated for a moment, then warmed the cucumber slice against the back of his hand before applying it to my skin.
“So why did you call me just now?”
“Oh. That thing. I was wondering why you kept holding onto it.”
I glanced sideways with my eyes toward where Father sat. He’d been fidgeting with something since earlier—it turned out to be an old bundle the Mage had brought.
“I wanted to check if someone had tampered with the item. Since you brought it up, this is convenient. What do you think?”
“There’s no magical mechanism….”
“But it is your possession?”
“Yes.”
Father’s fingertips paused slightly as he applied the cucumber to my forehead, then continued.
“Hmm. These tiny things are indeed your belongings….”
I lifted my eyes to gaze up at Father’s handsome face, round and full like the moon.
“Your Grace’s eyes are tinted with greed. You look like a villain.”
Father then pinched the tip of my nose lightly.
“You’re mistaken. But stop eating them. Do you want to apply them or eat them?”
I had actually been licking the cucumber stuck to my lips with my tongue the whole time.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
“Why is it so delicious? It’s full of moisture. So refreshing.”
Fine, I give up.
When I sat up abruptly, all the cucumber slices fell from my face.
“If it’s good when applied, wouldn’t it be even better eaten?”
“It doesn’t seem quite right, but the logic is sound enough that I have no rebuttal.”
“Great, Father! Let’s finish it all!”
I picked up the remaining cucumber from the plate and shared it with Father.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
By draining a glass of milk completely, I had perfectly completed my preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony.
* * *
Leviathan left Rubian’s bedroom and walked down the corridor.
“What about him?”
Leon, who had been following behind, answered in a crisp voice.
“Hazel has handled it well.”
Which meant she had locked them away somewhere secluded and was keeping watch.
“What about the Emperor?”
“He doesn’t seem to have noticed the mages yet.”
Leon had discovered the mages who had smuggled into the Southern Region first and captured them alone.
Since Rubian’s paternity case was entangled in this situation, Leviathan intended to be cautious about informing the Imperial Court for now.
“Report to me if either side shows any movement.”
“Yes. Will you be retiring to your bedroom?”
“Hmm….”
Leviathan stared out at the pitch-black window for a moment, then turned his steps somewhat impulsively.
“I have somewhere to visit. Withdraw and rest.”
Leon bowed lightly and withdrew.
Thud, thud.
His measured footsteps came to a halt before a certain door deep within the Duke’s Residence.
As he opened it, the interior appeared neat and orderly. It was a sort of unused storage room, but inside it was filled with baby items that had never been used.
‘I had stocked the Townhouse with these as well, in preparation for coming to the Capital.’
Why had this place suddenly come to mind?
It was unknowable.
‘I should organize this place too….’
I hadn’t been able to organize the items in the Eastern Room of the Northern Duchy because Rubian had been stubborn about it.
Perhaps Rubian was right… there were things in this world that were fine to leave as they were, frozen in time.
He smiled faintly and walked across the interior to stand before a small baby crib.
On the crib lay an equally tiny baby pillow.
“….”
He rummaged through his clothes and pulled out a worn bundle.
Inside it too was a baby pillow.
When he placed them side by side, they were so small it was enough to make one laugh.
“Even a bread wrapper would be bigger than this.”
He went ahead and pulled out all the clothes Rubian had worn and all the baby clothes he had purchased himself.
Then suddenly.
“…These are far too new.”
His gaze fell on the stiff, brand-new clothes and Rubian’s garments, wrinkled and worn in places.
Objects carried time within them.
It was clear where the breath of the one who had bought them had touched.
My chest ached again, as if being stabbed.
The new clothes, abandoned without ever meeting their owner, suddenly felt profoundly sorrowful.
Yet what was strange was that what I held in my hands were Rubian’s worn clothes.
As sorrowful as losing my child, as much as I yearned.
‘What was Rubian like when wearing these….’
Because I was curious.
What kind of baby was Rubian?
How did she cry and laugh?
The Rubian I never knew—before she turned ten.
The Rubian who slept on a pillow no larger than my palm, who opened her eyes and whimpered in those early days.
‘If only I could hold her just once….’
Without realizing it, Leviathan shook his head at the thought that had crept unbidden into his mind.
‘What am I thinking.’
About a child already grown.
He chuckled softly and tidied his surroundings.
“It seems I regret more than I expected.”
Watching her grow.
That she’s already come of age and about to leave my embrace.
Leviathan left the room, mocking himself for still lingering in that moment in time.

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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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