The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 205

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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 205
* * *
Kalid sat atop his horse.
A long procession wound its way out of the Duke’s Mansion, heading toward the Imperial Palace.
Those who glimpsed the carriage’s crest bowed respectfully or prostrated themselves on the ground, their curiosity about the young lady traveling within evident in their gestures.
Kalid maintained heightened vigilance as he escorted the procession, scanning for any potential threats.
“Ugh, it’s getting cold.”
The senior knight beside him muttered softly under his breath. Kalid tugged at his collar irritably in response.
‘Cold? I’m burning up.’
My face still burned with heat.
‘Rubian….’
Just moments ago.
The image of Rubian descending the stairs on the second floor of the Duke’s Mansion remained vivid in my mind.
She had approached me with a flushed face, whispering close to my ear.
I nearly lost consciousness right then and there.
“Hey, you know? This really is a potion, right? I tried mixing it a little with Father’s, but it wouldn’t blend.”
I couldn’t process a single word she said.
She was simply too beautiful.
No other thought existed in my mind.
The flowing blue dress like water, her lustrous silver hair half pinned up and half cascading down, her skin impossibly smooth and radiant, and those sapphire eyes gazing up at me so gently—I felt my consciousness slipping away entirely.
‘Was that dress always this beautiful?’
Kalid rubbed his cheek with his fist while holding the reins.
I had seen the dress Rubian would wear for her coming-of-age ceremony many times before, as it had been prepared long in advance.
It hadn’t impressed me much then.
I had simply thought it was more elaborate than her everyday clothes, nothing more.
But seeing Rubian in it today….
‘It’s a masterpiece.’
I didn’t know who the dress designer was, but they had undoubtedly created the magnum opus of their lifetime.
It was absolute perfection.
Kalid glanced back at the ornate carriage behind him. Through its large window, I could occasionally glimpse the crown of Rubian’s silver head before it disappeared from view.
‘The coming-of-age ceremony… I wish it hadn’t happened.’
I knew it well.
What appeared beautiful and appealing to my eyes would appear similarly to others’ eyes as well.
In that sense, a day like today was dangerous. All manner of beasts from the Capital would swarm around her.
‘How many confession letters were there again?’
The thought made my stomach ache.
Rubian was susceptible to sincere words.
What if one of those countless letters managed to touch her heart….
‘How depressing.’
Kalid urged his horse forward with a somewhat melancholic heart.
When I glanced back at the carriage, my eyes met Rubian’s as she poked her head out. She smiled, her eyes crinkling slightly.
[ Look ahead! ]
Rubian opened the communication channel rarely, whispering through it.
“….”
Kalid turned his head slowly and touched his lips.
[ What is it. Listening and chewing on my words again? Hey! Yay! ]
If I responded, she’d stop talking anyway.
That’s what I thought to myself.
But this voice is mine.
My mood lifted instantly, as if I’d never been melancholy at all.
* * *
“Hmm, it won’t blend.”
The potion didn’t mix.
Since I’d roughly anticipated this result, it wasn’t particularly surprising.
“Satisfied your curiosity? Go fix your hair quickly. You look a bit frightening right now.”
“Ugh!”
Father clicked his tongue, questioning why I’d need to completely undo my hair just to pluck a single strand.
‘Still, I’m relieved to have confirmed it!’
Though it was partly done just for amusement.
‘…But why did Sebelena send such a letter?’
I stared out the window with a puzzled expression. The carriage rolled smoothly past the Imperial Palace gates toward the Banquet Hall.
Actually, I’d received a letter before departure. It looked hastily scrawled.
【 Miss, it’s Sebelena. Don’t use the potion yet. 】
Whether it was because she was still clumsy with the Imperial language or because she was in a hurry, even my name was misspelled—it was a mess.
Had there been some kind of mistake?
‘There was no problem.’
In any case, I hadn’t used it on the Mage as originally planned, so I didn’t think much of it.
I’d meet Sebelena at the Banquet Hall anyway. The truth would come out then.
“We’ve finally arrived!”
The carriage stopped and the door opened. Kalid took my hand and escorted me.
The adults were summoned by the Emperor immediately upon arrival, so I decided to head to the Banquet Hall building with Kalid and a few guards.
“By the way, Rubian. Did you have a nightmare yesterday?”
I flinched.
“Do I have dark circles? That shouldn’t be the case.”
“Not that. Just a feeling.”
‘That ghost.’
I glared at Kalid, then bit my lip.
‘But why is he dressed like that?’
Wait, is this his coming-of-age ceremony? He’s styled his hair so beautifully and elegantly? Did he really need to dress up so handsomely?
Of course, I swallowed those words carefully and answered.
“I got nervous thinking about the dance, so my sleep was restless.”
At the mention of dreams, Kalid’s voice—sharp as steel—echoed in my mind again.
“Smells like rotting corpses.”
‘You came out like a wild beast. Your temperament looked truly repulsive.’
So Kalid, the male lead of Part Two, really was a morally bankrupt adult.
Of course, I couldn’t say that aloud.
“Wow. You really say things like ‘dog-like.'”
At that, Kalid’s brow furrowed.
“Why would you say such a thing? It’s beneath your station.”
“Ah, of course.”
“There are far more refined and devastatingly eloquent curses in this world….”
“Fine. You’re clearly superior.”
I shook my head dismissively and moved forward. Just then, Kalid overtook me and stopped in his tracks.
“What now?”
“You don’t have a fever, do you? Your face looks rather pale. You’re not getting a nosebleed again?”
“No fever. Completely normal….”
I started to touch my own forehead but hesitated.
“Let me see.”
A hand extended from ahead, cradling my forehead with surprising gentleness.
“You’re burning up.”
Heat rushed to my face in an instant. As if to cool it, a faint current of mana flowed in pleasantly.
“Ah…. That’s just, body, body tem….”
One corner of his mouth curved upward with indifference.
“Your natural body temperature.”
“….”
“I know.”
Kalid glanced around before whispering softly near my ear.
“You seemed a bit tense. I was just trying to share some mana. It seemed natural enough, didn’t it?”
His low voice pooled heavily in my ear.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t know your body temperature.”
In that moment, my mind became utterly hazy. Kalid’s scent was far, far too intoxicating.
‘Yes, I really am….’
“Rubian! Aren’t you coming?”
Just then, Void and Liam, who had been walking ahead, suddenly turned around.
“Oh, coming!”
I grabbed the hem of my dress and rushed forward as if fleeing. Kalid watched me with a puzzled expression before joining the escort formation around us.
“Fairy. Why is your face so red?”
“Body tem-tem-temperature! Body temperature! Body temperature!”
“…Are you trying to say there’s an emergency?”
Hearing Liam’s bewildered voice, I covered my mouth with both hands.
‘So it really is her…!’
“Rubian, come with me! You can’t just run around like that in a dress!”
I don’t care! What am I supposed to do!
* * *
The birthday banquet was utterly delightful.
Though the scale was grand, invitations hadn’t been distributed carelessly, so there were no completely unfamiliar nobles in attendance.
Still, there were quite a lot of people.
I cut through an impressively large five-tiered cake and received an abundance of congratulations.
After so long, I reunited with my Academy friend Sortie, met with Jerdin, saw Olivia, and we all laughed together. I was happy!
Delicious food flowed endlessly. Lively music played, and occasionally fireworks that Asha had specially prepared burst brilliantly, adding to the festive atmosphere.
“My lady, I congratulate you on your eighteenth birthday.”
When the atmosphere had grown quite warm.
The Emperor approached me.
I hesitated slightly before bowing deeply.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m so glad you came!”
‘About the letter I sent at dawn.’
Would the Emperor bring it up?
The Emperor’s gaze deepened with affection.
“Yes, my lady has finally grown up. I remember when we first met, you were just a tiny peanut.”
He gestured near his waist.
“I wasn’t quite that small….”
“Ah, right. You were a little booger then? Well.”
Ugh.
I quickly turned my head and shot my Grandfather a slight glare. Grandfather, who had been enjoying his pale pink drink, let out a small hum and avoided my gaze.
The Emperor whispered softly to me.
“Anyway, we have unfinished business, don’t we? Let’s talk after the party. For now, I need to give a speech.”
I stiffened completely. Everything had been perfect, but that last sentence hit me like a bolt from the blue.
“A…speech?”
“Yes. I prepared something special since it’s quite an occasion. Why?”
“Oh…. No. Oh. What an honor! A speech from Your Majesty! Oh! Wonderful!”
Wait a moment.
Was this actually coordinated with the hosts?
This time I shot a glare at Father standing far away. He was happily playing with Mother and didn’t even glance at me.
In the end, I gestured toward a nearby table and whispered softly to Hazel.
“Hazel, could you get me fifteen cushions?”
Just how long would this speech be today.
“Would you like me to draw eyes on your eyelids?”
“Ah, I should have brought the Painter.”
“What a shame.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll try to stop you today.”
A low chuckle echoed from beside me.
A tall man approached with a gentle smile.
The Fourth Prince. Around us, people gasped and held their breath. He was devastatingly handsome—the kind of face that drew admiration equally from men and women alike.
“I can’t let your special day be wasted on Father Emperor’s speeches.”
“Licht—”
“What is it?”
“I almost slipped into casual speech out of habit.”
Licht bent slightly at the waist, amusement dancing across his face.
“I’ve already done so, I’m afraid. My lady.”
Then, with natural ease, he drew my hand toward him and pressed his lips to the back of it.
“Please forgive my rudeness.”
In that instant, a commotion erupted in the distance. Crash! Thud!
Calm down! Lord Void! Shh!
Rubian! Olivia, breathe, breathe—!
‘An assassination attempt…?’
Surely not?

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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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