The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 208

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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 208
* * *
“By that logic… it seems like what I have is the real one?”
Rubian spoke with a peculiar expression.
“Because… I actually tested it a little.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes. I did it with people who absolutely couldn’t be blood relatives…”
“…”
“I’m certain.”
The Princess concluded firmly.
Enough to make Sebelena doubt herself.
‘Did the King… bring multiple finished batches? And they got mixed up?’
Sebelena let out a short hum and sipped her drink.
‘…No. There’s only one finished batch.’
Besides, the finished batch was deliberately stored in a glass bottle with a rattling lid—Sebelena’s own method of identification against tampering.
“Anyway… since you gave it to me, I’ll take it.”
The Princess said so and took the potion she had given.
Her expression looked somewhat confused, but she hurried away from the balcony before I could stop her.
‘Who on earth did she test it with?’
Questions arose, but Sebelena decided not to pry any further.
‘Well, I gave her the real potion anyway, so she’ll figure it out.’
“Let’s go, Nova.”
She drained the last of the banquet hall’s wine without hesitation and turned away.
“You’re not going to watch the ball start? It’s supposed to be quite spectacular?”
“Busy. I need to handle the King’s affairs.”
“Hmph.”
Unaware that she had created irreversible ripples in the still lake, the Princess left the banquet hall with a refreshed expression.
* * *
Beneath warm lighting, soft music flowed.
The nobles gazed with pleased smiles at Duke Zebert and the Princess dancing as smoothly as water.
“What an affectionate father and daughter.”
From the Duke’s face, once cold and harsh as a bitter northern wind, tenderness dripped down like honey.
It was an expression no one could have imagined before.
Eight years had already passed since the ten-year war between humans and demons that shook the continent came to an end.
The hero finally appeared at ease within the fence he had built.
“The Princess dances quite well too. Though her face still looks rather young.”
“I heard there’s a rumor that she grew unusually slowly as a child, so even the Duke’s household mistook her age.”
“My, is that so? …But isn’t the family section a bit noisy?”
People’s gazes shifted toward where the Zebert Duchy’s people had gathered.
“Oh dear. The Old Master is absolutely seething.”
“Is the Duchess warming up?”
“Why do the young lords have cushions under their feet? Are they heading off to a martial arts competition?”
“But… do all family members usually dance in turn like this?”
The nobles fell silent at the pointed question.
“Well… you find eccentric people everywhere, don’t you?”
As always, the Zebert Duchy was displaying the very pinnacle of eccentricity today.
The waltz surged toward its crescendo.
“….”
Meanwhile, Leviathan fixed his gaze intently on Rubian’s round forehead.
“Turn.”
Rubian spun sharply at his command.
‘This is a problem.’
There’s something wrong here.
The dance steps flowed like water. Not a single movement out of place.
‘She hasn’t stepped on my feet once.’
Rubian danced far too well.
“You… are you hurt somewhere?”
“Huh?”
Leviathan leaned down low and whispered. Life finally returned to Rubian’s vacant eyes.
“Either that, or you’re hiding something from Father.”
“I’m… not?”
The answer came immediately.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Rubian, whose lips had been moving hesitantly, looked up at him carefully.
“Father.”
“Yes.”
“Can we talk for a moment later…?”
“Sure.”
“…No, wait. Ugh!”
As Rubian’s steps twisted awkwardly, Leviathan quickly lifted her and set her back on the floor. A soft gasp rippled through the surrounding crowd.
Leviathan clicked his tongue inwardly. It had been so long since he’d held his daughter, yet she felt impossibly light—nothing like he remembered from when she was small.
‘What if she stays this fragile?’
He couldn’t very well sit her on his lap and feed her meat or cake anymore.
The thought left Leviathan feeling oddly melancholic.
“Father, are you happy that I’m your daughter?”
Rubian asked this after a long pause.
“Of course.”
“…More than…?”
Her voice was swallowed by the music.
“…What did you say?”
When Leviathan asked a beat too late, Rubian laughed and shook her head.
“No, Father.”
The child gripped his garment tightly.
Just as she had when they first met. With a face tinged with longing.
“The best thing I’ve ever done in this world was to run for my life on that battlefield and come to you, Father.”
Rubian rested her round head against his chest.
“Thank you for bringing me here. And thank you for raising me until eighteen. I really mean it.”
Those brilliant blue eyes gazing up at him.
Leviathan found himself momentarily speechless.
When they first met in the Ruined Village, he had felt a similar sense of helplessness gazing into those eyes. A sensation like his heart plummeting, as if falling through the void.
But now he understood.
It wasn’t helplessness at all—it was an affection he couldn’t help but feel. A first greeting to a beloved presence.
The fear, the thrill, the anticipation that this child who swept into his life like a tempest might turn everything upside down.
It was the sum of all those emotions.
“Father is grateful too.”
Leviathan pressed a kiss to Rubian’s forehead.
“Happy birthday, my jewel.”
That’s why he thought he must have misheard.
“Father, are you glad I’m your daughter?”
“Of course.”
“…More than the baby in the Memorial Garden?”
There was no reason Rubian, who had just thanked him, would suddenly bring up that subject.
His eyes grew heavy and distant.
* * *
“You were dancing so cheerfully—why the gloomy expression?”
The Emperor approached and spoke to him.
Leviathan stared ahead while sipping red wine. Rubian was now dancing affectionately hand-in-hand with Rosetta.
“I’m troubled about something.”
“Troubled?”
Should he press further, or let it be.
Rubian was hiding something from him. But truthfully, it wasn’t unusual for a grown daughter to keep a secret or two. Of course, as a father, he would prefer she had no secrets at all, but he knew better.
Such desires were merely his own wishes and greed.
The child was not his possession.
A child was not his to own.
“But Duke, is your household at peace?”
“…”
Leviathan’s gaze shifted sharply toward the Emperor.
The cunning old fox’s intent was transparent.
‘He said Rubian sent a letter at dawn.’
He was likely probing after having discerned Rubian’s identity and learning that the smuggled Mage was confined in the mansion.
“As you can see.”
Leviathan gestured toward the center of the Banquet Hall, feigning innocence.
Rubian was now being twirled through the air like a paper doll, held in Ballock’s grasp.
“If there were anything worth reporting, I would have done so already. As for the rest, I’ll handle it myself, so please don’t worry.”
The Emperor exhaled deeply.
He knew that Leviathan had become overly defensive whenever matters concerning the Princess or the Mage Kingdom arose.
“I have no intention of exploiting the Princess’s identity.”
“Is that so.”
Leviathan twisted his lips into a smile.
“How presumptuous. The Duke tends to regard me as some heartless, bloodless creature.”
Then those violet eyes fixed upon the Emperor with piercing clarity, their gaze brimming with cold intensity.
“Am I wrong?”
“….”
The Emperor found himself momentarily speechless.
It was because, behind the Duke, he caught sight of Licht standing near the entrance to the Banquet Hall.
That was precisely why the Duke of Zebert would never fully trust the Emperor.
The Emperor laughed as though sighing.
“Yes, I suppose I deserve that. Well… fine. Then let me put it this way: the Princess came to me with a proposal for a bargain—to protect her and the Zebert Duchy—and I accepted it. And as Emperor, I always honor the promises I make.”
I understand.
That’s why I didn’t stop Rubian.
The Emperor had determined that embracing Rubian would be advantageous to him. That was sufficient.
“So the Duke must cooperate with me as well. Soon, I will dispatch an expedition toward the Mage Kingdom. I’m sure the Duke understands what that means better than anyone.”
Leviathan did not answer. Yet his silence alone was answer enough regarding the expedition.
Some time later, the Emperor spoke with an expression tinged by regret.
“And Duke.”
“….”
“It’s somewhat amusing for me to say this myself, but… even a man like me can change. Just as the Duke has changed.”
His eyes appeared worn and weathered, as though buffeted and worn smooth by the passage of time.
Leviathan regarded that visage with indifference, bringing his wine glass to his lips.
The banquet continued.
Ballock, sweeping across the stage with spirited momentum, whispered something mischievous into Rubian’s ear. It was clear he was teasing his granddaughter with his words. Rubian bristled as she usually did, huffing indignantly before breaking into soft giggles.
‘I should ask more carefully once more.’
An unpleasant flutter stirred within him. The blood flowing to his head grew cold, and every nerve in his body tensed, alert to the creeping sensation of unease.
He recognized this feeling. It was like that ominous premonition that precedes some impending calamity.
It was just as he furrowed his brow deeply and reached for a fresh wine glass.

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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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