The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 206

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 206
“Stop it. Don’t rehearse your theatrics with me. And it’s gross.”
I whispered softly. Licht chuckled, his throat vibrating as he withdrew his hand.
Since he’d been wearing thin silk gloves from the moment we entered the room, I hadn’t actually felt the touch of his lips.
When you thought about it, it was just a common greeting.
So I didn’t make a big deal out of it.
“But you look beautiful today.”
At my whisper, Licht scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.
“How can you say what I was about to say? …Am I okay?”
His hair, which usually fell naturally, was now beautifully arranged. It felt completely different from what I’d seen at the Library or the Academy.
“I’ve never tried this style before. It feels strange.”
Licht murmured.
So he was the type to be a bit fussy about things.
Anyway, I gave him a double thumbs up, saying it suited him well.
“But, Rubian. You know.”
“Yeah.”
Licht softened his gaze and extended his hand toward me. His lips trembled slightly as he looked a bit tense.
“Would you dance with me later….”
That was when it happened.
Squeak! Chirp!
“…?”
A creature suddenly appeared from somewhere and swung something at Licht.
A twig, perhaps?
“…A squirrel?”
The squirrel, holding a twig in one paw with an air of confidence, radiated a menacing aura.
“Where did you come from? Our little squirrel. How adorable.”
Licht extended his hand to me again.
“Anyway, happy birthday….”
Chirp!
“And dance with me later….”
Squeak!
“….”
“….”
Thud.
“You can’t go around swinging twigs at the Prince.”
I taught my little squirrel soldier some manners.
Licht, smiling coldly, completely ignored the squirrel and extended his hand once more. Thin veins stood out rarely on his smooth forehead.
“Happy birthday, and dance with me later….”
“Licht, you really don’t know how to give up, do you?”
“Of course not. That’s why….”
At that same moment, the Prince’s hand was firmly grasped.
“….”
Someone’s rough breathing blocked my view entirely.
“It’s been a while…. Phew.”
“….”
“-your Highness.”
Screech.
When Kalid applied pressure to their clasped hands, Licht broke into a radiant smile.
“Filthy, Lord Kalid.”
“My apologies.”
“When did you develop this habit of grabbing people’s hands so carelessly?”
“Just now. I’ve already corrected it.”
Kalid hastily released his grip and withdrew a handkerchief, wiping his hand with meticulous care. Licht did the same.
“Your habits are quite inconsistent—appearing and disappearing at will.”
“What would someone who crawled around outside the Palace know.”
“Right. Demon Subjugation seems to suit your tastes. Why not embark on another campaign.”
“I’ve earned enough merit. I’ll defer to his Highness, who sits like a flower within the Imperial Palace.”
The sharp energy clash between the two handsome men drew everyone’s attention. I exhaled a sigh and excused myself from the scene.
“Both of them really are just overgrown children….”
Still, Kalid doesn’t even speak informally to the Prince despite his confidence….
Leaving them alone won’t cause any harm.
Growl, rumble, bang, clang.
What am I to do with these rivals.
Ugh, it’s hot.
I moved my steps toward the small balcony.
Throughout the banquet, the constant stream of attention had completely drained my energy. And the ball hasn’t even begun yet. This is a disaster.
In one hand, I held a sweet strawberry soda. I can legally drink alcohol now, but….
‘I’m too nervous to drink.’
What if I get drunk and make a fool of myself?
“I’ll drink with my older brothers later.”
Or perhaps with Father.
“Anyway…. This place is incredibly beautiful.”
Beyond the balcony stretched a vast lake. The landscape of the lake bathed in reddish twilight was truly breathtaking.
‘Who would have thought to build a banquet hall in the middle of such a lake.’
Crossing the bridge had been somewhat frightening, but now that I was here, nothing could be more beautiful.
‘It’s truly gorgeous.’
Shimmering red reflections on the water’s surface captivated my gaze. The Capital didn’t experience particularly harsh winters, so ice rarely formed.
If I came during the day, I could probably see a brilliant sapphire-blue lake.
“My lady.”
At that moment, a familiar voice reached my ears from behind.
It was Sebelena.
“Oh, Your Highness. I was just looking for you, actually.”
“There you are.”
Sebelena approached with hurried steps and offered me a brief greeting. Then she spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
“Pardon?”
Her sudden apology left me tilting my head in confusion.
“That potion….”
It was the moment Sebelena was about to continue.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion from somewhere shook the entire Banquet Hall.
* * *
“I’m so sorry! My sincerest apologies!”
Asha Drucan bent at the waist until her forehead nearly touched the ground in apology.
“There was an accident while moving the magical devices for the fireworks outside. I kept saying I needed to handle them more carefully, and yet…!”
The Emperor let out a short sigh.
“Are there any injuries?”
“The servants moving the crates suffered some minor wounds, but nothing serious. However, the only bridge connecting to the Sapphire Hall was damaged somewhat…. It will take some time to repair it.”
The Emperor’s Attendant, who had gone to check the situation outside, relayed this information.
When I glanced over, I could see Leviathan with a deeply displeased expression, his brow furrowed.
It was clear he viewed this as a blemish on his daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony—an event that demanded absolute perfection.
“Ensure it’s repaired before the banquet ends. We cannot have chaos when the guests depart.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll do my very best….”
The Outpost Mage wiped away profusely streaming sweat while deliberately ignoring Leviathan’s piercing gaze that seemed ready to bore through the back of his skull.
“In the meantime…. It may be necessary to arrange alternative routes, so we’ll have to use boats.”
“I’ll have transport boats prepared immediately.”
The Emperor’s Attendant vanished like the wind.
Surrounded by the Lake as it was, traveling by boat for leisure and enjoyment was common here, so this was hardly a major inconvenience.
‘There, Duke? You see, Duke? Just because there’s a problem at the Imperial Palace, don’t go twisting your insides over it.’
The Emperor stared intently at Leviathan. Whether he had read his thoughts or not, Leviathan quickly turned his head away and resumed whispering with his wife.
It had been his own suggestion to hold the Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony here. He had no intention of being blamed for trivial mishaps.
After the minor incident passed, the nobles resumed enjoying the party.
With the Emperor present and the banquet not yet in full swing, everyone assumed there would be no problems by the time guests departed.
Meanwhile, Rosetta shrugged as if relieved.
“That was startling, truly. It’s an accident, so there’s nothing much to say about it.”
Thunk. A large piece of chicken was placed on her plate at that very moment.
“Why can’t you say anything? I’ll say something later.”
“To Asha?”
“To the Emperor.”
“Ah.”
“Ah, that looks delicious too.”
Leviathan, muttering to himself, reached for a scallop dish generously sprinkled with cheese.
It joined Rosetta’s plate as well.
“….”
Rosetta stared blankly at her own plate, which had become a small mountain of food.
“That one too….”
This time, buttery shrimp grilled to glistening perfection.
“And this….”
“Stop.”
She finally put her foot down, halting her husband’s behavior.
The grand Banquet Hall.
Bathed in the light of golden chandeliers, the man was, as always, impeccable—his expression unchanged from its usual composure.
“Are you in a bad mood? Did a magical device malfunction?”
Leviathan raised an eyebrow slightly.
“My mood… is fine?”
“No, it’s not. It’s bad. Whenever you’re in a bad mood, you deal with it by feeding me.”
Me.
As Rosetta whispered this, Leviathan finally looked down at her mountainous plate.
A tomato slice slipped mockingly from the pile and dropped to the floor with a soft plop.
“Ah.”
It was a habit only Rosetta knew about.
He often soothed his mood this way, feeding her things he claimed looked delicious—yet not a single bite ever made it into his own mouth.
Her husband was quite the voracious eater by nature, so this sign was unmistakable.
“If it’s not because of the explosion earlier… then tell me what’s really bothering you.”
Only then did Leviathan set down the serving tongs and stroke his chin.
“I suppose it might be from this morning with Rubian and that potion.”
“A potion?”
“That ridiculous Casalia potion.”
“Ah, that….”
“He wanted to test whether it was real or not.”
At his quiet murmur, Rosetta paused in thought before carefully opening her mouth.
“You hoped it would work?”
Leviathan then slowly met her gaze. His vivid violet eyes gazed at her tenderly.
“There’s no more terrible sound in this world than that, Rose.”
A brief silence fell.
“…Well, I suppose that’s true.”
She whispered as she pulled Leviathan into an embrace.
The music that had paused resumed softly, and Leviathan kissed the crown of Rosetta’s head.
Their child was dead. Long ago.
That was where the story ended. Could there be any other possibility? And even if there were, the very thought of it was too cruel to contemplate.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————