The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 22

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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 22
He placed Rubian on his lap without hesitation, still struck by how impossibly light she was for an eight-year-old.
“It’s nothing. Don’t pay too much attention to what Father says anyway.”
“But…”
“Look here. When you worry about unnecessary things, your scalp gets all warm again, doesn’t it?”
“Oh. You’re right.”
Rubian placed her tiny hand on her own head in wonder, marveling at the sensation.
Leviathan exhaled softly.
“So, if you weren’t upset, what were you doing in your room?”
“Huh?”
“You suddenly ran upstairs, didn’t you?”
Pressed with persistent questioning, Rubian turned her head away evasively.
There she goes.
“My stomach really was hurting! But then it suddenly got better…”
“Hmm. I think we should have the physician examine you.”
“I’m not sick. I ate plenty at dinner.”
The child fidgeted with her hands—a habit she fell into when uncomfortable. When anxiety crept in, she’d bring her fingers to her lips.
Leviathan shook his head firmly as he observed the tips of Rubian’s fingers.
He playfully pinched the tip of her round nose and released it.
“What will become of you if you keep growing weak like this? You’re getting a thorough examination, whether you like it or not.”
“I’m really fine…”
The Duke’s Mansion’s physician was away on a business trip.
Void was naturally robust, and Grandfather was a physician who fussed over everything, so they hadn’t concerned themselves with it until now.
‘Still, her small stature for her age troubles me.’
There wasn’t a single boy in the entire Capital as small as Rubian.
“It’s not just because of you. Rose—my wife—will be returning soon.”
Rubian’s eyes sparkled instantly.
“The one you sent the letter to?”
“Yes.”
“I see…”
Her face filled with anticipation.
Leviathan sometimes felt that Rubian understood him far too well. Well, she was remarkably clever, after all.
“That’s enough. Off to bed now. Under the covers.”
“What?”
“You said you’re going out tomorrow. If you want to wake up early, you need to sleep. Is that why you’re not growing?”
“Ha.”
Rubian burrowed into the blankets, peeking out with only her eyes visible as she sniffed at the bedding—a habit, apparently.
Leviathan adjusted the covers for her and collapsed onto the nearby sofa.
“Did you wash up?”
“Yes.”
“Did you brush your teeth?”
“Yes.”
“Take out your hairpin and leave it here.”
“Already did.”
“Would you like some warm water?”
“Why won’t you leave, mister?”
“….”
Sharp child….
He kicked off his shoes carelessly and propped both legs up. As he sprawled across the sofa, a look of utter disdain returned to her eyes.
“Honestly, this sofa in your room is the most comfortable.”
“What’s different about it from the sofas in other rooms?”
“Completely different.”
“…? Then take it. It’s all yours anyway….”
“Stop talking and close your eyes.”
“Okay.”
He adjusted the brightness of the lamp.
“…You’re not going to watch me sleep, right?”
“Of course not.”
I’d been occupied all day inspecting everything from the Northern Outpost to the Castle Walls. I was grateful my body didn’t tire easily.
“I’ll just rest a bit before heading out.”
He let out a long yawn and pretended to sleep first, closing his eyes. Soon, Rubian’s soft breathing filled the room.
And here she was, insisting on staying awake when she’d fall asleep this quickly.
A brief smile crossed his face.
The night was deep and silent.
Leviathan, who had been staring into the void, slowly turned his head.
Rubian was having a nightmare.
“….”
The child’s whimpers continued softly.
Leviathan rushed over like lightning and grasped Rubian’s hand. He wiped her forehead and held her tightly.
Yet Rubian remained trapped in the nightmare, unable to open her eyes easily.
“Rubi, please.”
My heart ached. I felt like I was going mad.
At least when I held her, her expression improved somewhat—that was all I could do.
“What on earth….”
What memory torments you so?
The inability to completely dispel the clinging darkness was simply heartbreaking.
* * *
‘Seventh, my beloved daughter.’
The King of Mages always called me the ‘Seventh.’
There was no particular reason. Simply because I was his seventh child.
‘You’re fighting for me? Father is deeply moved.’
That’s not it. I’m fighting because I have no choice.
‘But please, take care of yourself. If you’re hurt, my heart will shatter.’
A lie.
‘You must capture the dark sorcerer alive. Do you understand?’
‘….’
‘That’s the reason our kingdom is joining this continental war. We absolutely cannot let those continental dogs steal the dark sorcerer’s head from us.’
I had always found that greedy expression revolting. Yet I could never bring myself to resist.
The mark on my body meant exactly that.
Irrefutable proof of absolute obedience to our king.
‘Especially, we must not let that damned Duke Zebert steal the dark sorcerer’s head….’
What should I do, Father?
I disobeyed your command.
But because of that….
I defeated you.
* * *
A bright morning.
I slowly opened my eyes. As I stretched luxuriously, a refreshing sensation washed over me.
Ah, I slept well.
These beddings are truly comfortable….
“…What?”
I froze mid-rise from the bed.
The bedroom was an absolute mess.
“Yawn.”
“Void, why are you here?”
An incredulous voice escaped me.
On the large sofa beside my bed lay Void, crumpled up.
“Card games, yawn, yaaawn.”
“You came here this early in the morning to play card games?”
But he looked like someone who’d been up all night.
“Yeah. But let’s drop it.”
His bloodshot eyes glanced at me before he shook his head vigorously.
“Ugh, I should’ve just gone to the bathroom at dawn instead of coming down here for no reason….”
His back hunched as he scratched his disheveled hair.
Muttering incomprehensible sounds, Void slowly walked away.
I couldn’t make sense of it.
I turned my head slowly, my expression twisted in bewilderment.
On the sofa right beside where Void had been, a man sprawled out like dough stared at me with a vacant expression.
“Are you also playing card games this early in the morning?”
“…Sofa.”
A stubborn voice returned, tightly controlled.
“You’re satisfied with just that?”
Ugh. The man leaned the back of his head against his beloved sofa with a soft thud.
“I’m really aging, getting old.”
I really should seal up the Northern Annex corridor…. muttering on and on.
“I really can’t understand….”
The atmosphere made it clear he wouldn’t explain even if I asked. I buried my nose in the white sheet and merely tilted my head in confusion.
Just how far do the eccentricities of Zebert people extend?
* * *
I had breakfast with the man.
Void was apparently too preoccupied with sleeping to join us.
After efficiently finishing the salad, eggs, some meat, bread, soup, and fruit juice, I prepared to go out. The man had already left the Castle for Knight Order business.
“All washed up!”
“Was there anything uncomfortable?”
“No.”
Hazel’s expression turned regretful.
She seemed genuinely troubled that I was bathing alone.
“You must tell me if you ever need assistance, yes?”
“Yes, yes.”
I nodded vaguely, though I doubted such a day would ever come.
After all, I was already quite skilled at washing myself.
“There, all done.”
Hazel tidied my short hair, carefully selecting and pinning a hairpin after some consideration.
I slung my bag over my shoulder, tied my shoelaces tightly, and descended to the Lobby. Butler Morris stood at the entrance.
“Hello!”
“Good morning, Rubian.”
The gaunt butler was wiping cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief as usual.
I stood quietly in the Lobby and glanced around.
The person I had made an appointment with was nowhere to be seen.
“Um, Butler.”
“Yes.”
“Grandfather hasn’t arrived yet….”
I trailed off mid-sentence.
In one corner of the Lobby, behind a large bust decoration….
A dark silhouette was flickering.
“….”
Well, this is awkward to respond to.
Did he truly believe that massive physique would be completely hidden by that decoration….
“Um, Grandfather… is something troubling you?”
“Pay it no mind. His Excellency is currently in a period of reflection.”
“Reflection?”
“For how I behaved toward you yesterday, Miss Rubian.”
The Butler’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“He didn’t sleep a wink all night, apparently.”
I was taken aback.
I hadn’t realized he’d misunderstood my abrupt departure from the Reception Room as a sign of my anger.
“No, that’s not it at all!”
As I hurried to explain, the bust in the distance flinched. A sound of crumbling stone accompanied the movement.
“Does it bother you?”
“No. I’m not angry with Grandfather. Yesterday was really… I suddenly had a stomachache…”
Morris chuckled softly, wiping away sweat.
I felt uncomfortable lying, so I merely picked at my fingernails nervously.
“So Grandfather isn’t coming with me? I thought he was, and I was looking forward to it…”
Crack. Another piece of the bust shattered.
At the same moment, Morris gently took my hand.
“Why don’t you greet him first? He’ll be delighted.”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes. And… please also look after the bust of the first patriarch of Zebert.”
Ah… I think that ship has already sailed.
I approached the sculpture slowly.
A dark shadow hidden behind the tattered bust flinched and recoiled.
“Hello, Grandfather?”
“…”
Purple eyes peeked out hesitantly.
“Because of me yesterday…”
“If you’re sorry, then you startled me!”
A thunderous voice echoed through the Lobby.

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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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