The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 23

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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 23
What did you say?
“I think your words got a bit tangled there.”
“Ugh.”
He looked considerably flustered.
It was strange and oddly fascinating to see this grown man stammering, thinking I was angry with him.
Looking up at the imposing figure who seemed unusually diminished today, I continued speaking with deliberate clarity.
“I’m not angry. I was startled yesterday, but my feelings weren’t hurt. Rather, I apologize for shouting so rudely.”
I bowed deeply from the waist.
A sharp gaze pierced the crown of my head.
With a soft crumble, a bust sculpture fell.
Glancing over, half the face of the founding patriarch had been devastatingly obliterated.
“You didn’t hate me?”
“Why would I hate Grandfather? I actually thought it was I who was hated by you.”
“There are people who hate a tiny speck like you?!”
Was he picking a fight, or trying to make peace?
But by this point, I could roughly understand Grandfather’s pattern.
His words and actions were so grand and rough, but when examined carefully, most of what he said was praise for me.
“Where did you pick up such refined manners!”
It was always like this.
“Please don’t rub your cheek against mine…”
Before I knew it, Grandfather had scooped me up in his arms and thrust his bristly chin toward me. I gently pushed his face away.
“That’s enough. Let’s go!”
“Yes!”
We crossed the Lobby and stepped outside.
Ah, what lovely weather.
Before the Castle stood a carriage with no roof, completely open on all sides.
“You said you can’t ride in ones that are completely enclosed, right? Hmm, though the weather is at least somewhat warm today.”
At Grandfather’s gesture, Morris brought out an additional outer garment from somewhere. Ugh, how suffocating.
I climbed into the carriage, now puffed up like a ball.
“…Are you a chick today?”
“Pardon?”
Grandfather, sitting beside me, tapped the pin with his thick finger.
“When exactly did you gather so many of these pins…”
His gruff voice suddenly trailed off.
Grandfather turned his head toward Hazel, who stood quietly near the carriage.
“Hazel.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did that bastard really give you the key to the Eastern Room?”
Hazel answered quietly in the affirmative.
“…I see.”
A sudden shadow crossed Grandfather’s weathered face—something dark and chilling.
It was an emotion that felt like sorrow, like rage, like longing all at once.
What on earth could be in the Eastern Room?
‘I’ll investigate it later.’
I made a quiet vow to myself while gazing at the slowly shifting landscape beyond the carriage window.
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage swayed.
The Duke’s Mansion’s main gate had been wide open for some time.
“Hey! This is my first time in Zelocks, and I’m incredibly excited!”
Unable to hide my enthusiasm, I spoke—and his thick eyebrows twitched.
“Can I look around places other than clothing shops?”
Clatter, clatter.
“I can’t?”
“Of course you can, you silly thing! Stop asking! You’ll bite your tongue!”
A large, thick hand gripped my body firmly.
* * *
Perhaps I had been misunderstanding Grandfather all along.
He possessed such formidable presence that ordinary people would naturally fear and avoid him—or so I’d assumed.
Wherever he walked, people would part like the Red Sea, their eyes filled with admiration, yet they wouldn’t dare speak to him easily.
‘That’s the image of the Northern Duke!’
At least, that’s how the Capital people had regarded Leviathan.
But.
“Your Excellency! It’s been so long!”
“Ballock! How have you been? Your beard is magnificent as always!”
“Your Excellency, take a look at these ores! I’ll give you a special price!”
I turned calmly to look beside me and asked.
“…Grandfather, are you a celebrity?”
“What’s a celebrity?”
“Someone famous, I suppose.”
“Hah! Famous, my foot.”
And yet.
The previous patriarch of Zebert was truly a grandfather beloved by all!
We left the carriage at the entrance to the Shopping District and walked through the streets. The eyes of those who saw Grandfather were filled only with warmth and affection.
‘Come to think of it, it was the same when I saw Leviathan.’
I recalled the first time I’d entered Zelocks with him.
Of course, I’d been completely tense back then, so I hadn’t observed carefully.
‘The people of Zelocks must love the Duchy.’
Trust and affection. These weren’t built in a year or two.
It felt like the camaraderie unique to those who survive harsh lands together.
‘Wow, this feels nice.’
Unaware that the attention pouring toward Grandfather was now extending to me, I walked forward lost in thought.
“Welcome—oh my. Your Excellency, what brings you here?”
We had arrived at a grand and ornate boutique.
“I’ve come to purchase proper clothing for this child.”
“This person is… could it be.”
The air was filled with a pleasant fragrance. A beautiful woman dressed in an elegant gown looked down at me.
Feeling suddenly shy, I quietly hid myself behind Grandfather’s cloak.
“H-hello?”
“Hello! I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Yusana, the designer here!”
The beautiful woman’s face brightened instantly. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. But…
‘Heard about me?’
What rumors could possibly exist?
“However, Evelyn won’t be returning for several more days. What shall we do?”
The sign hanging at the entrance reading “Evelyn Boutique” came to mind. I had naturally assumed the beautiful woman was the owner, Evelyn, but apparently not.
“We’ll have to dress you in ready-made pieces for now! Just look at this state!”
Grandfather pulled me out from behind him.
Though he’s my son, he’s truly hopeless in these matters, he grumbled on and on.
Grandfather continued listing my faults, but no one paid him any mind.
“I see. So you need something temporary to wear?”
Yusana’s eyebrows tilted sympathetically as she observed my sleeves drooping down.
“That’s fine. I’ll help by altering your existing clothes. Just give me three hours.”
“O-okay…”
I answered hesitantly. Truthfully, clothing was hardly my concern.
“Shall I take your measurements first?”
That question snapped my attention back instantly.
“I don’t want to take my clothes off!”
“But for accurate measurements, it would be better if you changed into something thinner.”
“N-no, I don’t want to…”
I reflexively clung to Grandfather’s leg.
Grandfather, who had been looking down at the floor with a confused expression, suddenly bellowed.
“Ah, you little brat, don’t be so stubborn!”
My loudest supporter!
“Then I’ll measure over your current clothes. Would it be alright if you removed your outer garment?”
“Yes. That’s fine!”
I quickly removed my outer garment and had my measurements taken.
Snap! At the sound of Yusana’s finger snap, the maids moved in perfect unison. Racks upon racks of clothes came rolling in endlessly.
Surely all of these couldn’t be for me? Didn’t she say that someone called Evelyn would be coming in a few days to have clothes tailored for me again?
“Have ready-made pieces tailored like custom garments! Now, let’s go!”
Grandfather, speaking like a ruffian, spun around abruptly. Because of that, I missed my chance to ask.
“Let’s go together!”
“Ugh, how bothersome. Just sit there and eat cake like a good child. Why are you insisting on tagging along?”
“Hehe, I’m curious about the Blacksmith too…”
The moment I gripped the hem of my cloak, Old Master, who had been staring down at me intently, suddenly cried out, “Ahhh, it tickles! It tickles!”
Had some insect crawled onto him?
Meanwhile, at Evelyn Boutique.
“That’s strange. Did I mishear something?”
Yusana tilted her head as she reviewed the carefully recorded measurements. The junior designer, who had been laying out children’s shorts, asked a question.
“Yusana, what’s wrong?”
“I could have sworn you said he was a dignified young master…”
Something…
Yusana trailed off. It was merely a hunch—a designer’s eye for detail, an aesthetic sensibility, that sort of thing.
“Am I the only one who feels it?”
The people inside the boutique exchanged glances. In truth, several of them had been thinking the same thing, but none had dared voice it aloud.
The junior designer waved her hand dismissively.
“No way. He must just be exceptionally beautiful. After all, even the Fourth Prince is more lovely than most girls.”
That was true. Assuming someone was female simply because they were pretty and cute could itself be disrespectful.
“That’s…… right.”
“And our Duke, for all his reputation as a gruff swordsman who knows nothing but blades,”
“Right?”
“He’s hardly so scatterbrained as to mistake a child’s gender.”
“Exactly.”
Hahaha, of course, of course. Bright laughter rippled through the shop.
Yusana, feeling somewhat relieved, lifted up a boy’s tunic with a large collar.
Ah, how adorable. This color would suit those lovely eyes perfectly.
“….”
Yet why did this nagging unease refuse to fade?

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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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