The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 272

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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 272
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“Ugh, how frustrating. Even if I spoon-fed you and chewed it for you, you still wouldn’t swallow it!”
Sebelena left in a huff, clearly exasperated.
So the meal ended awkwardly. I was overwhelmed by a sense of self-doubt about what I was doing there, making it difficult to focus on anything—which was perhaps a blessing in disguise.
“Oh, these look fresh.”
Walking home alone, I wandered through the Shopping District, browsing here and there.
Perhaps because it was spring, the Herb Shop had an abundance of fresh items.
‘But then again, I can’t make potions with magic anymore anyway….’
I decided against it.
“Hmm. I like this one too.”
Next, I admired some cute string bracelets.
‘But I already have so many accessories at home….’
I decided against it.
Just as I was turning to leave without hesitation, the Jewelry Shop owner called out to me in a shrill voice.
“Oh my goodness! What excellent taste you have! That bracelet with the pink gemstone has the power to make unrequited love come true!”
Good grief. The advertising here was outrageous.
‘No matter how desperate someone is, who would actually believe such nonsense?’
“No thank you. My wallet is precious to me.”
I laughed lightly and walked past.
After walking for a while, I heard the shop owner’s saccharine voice again from behind.
“Oh my, such a handsome gentleman with such refined taste! Thank you for buying everything!”
I glanced back slightly and saw some man at the bracelet shop who seemed to have been completely taken in….
“Hahahaha! Catch me if you can!”
“Hey, you brats! What are you doing standing in the middle of the street!”
But I couldn’t see clearly because a group of children and a carriage suddenly passed by.
“Oh, this would suit Father well.”
So I browsed sword ornaments.
“Oh, this is for Grandfather.”
Though it was out of season, I also looked at thick woolen scarves.
“Oh, this is for Mother.”
I wandered around looking at newly arrived Capital hair dyes and such. Since buying everything would be quite heavy, I didn’t purchase anything.
‘Shopping alone is surprisingly enjoyable.’
It was a nice change of pace. Now I really should head home.
That was when it happened.
“Um….”
Someone tapped my shoulder.
“Huh? You’re….”
I turned around to see one of the young men I had played with at the Dining Hall earlier.
He was tall with a decent appearance—the one Sebelena had subtly suggested wasn’t so bad.
I thought it was boring that he kept quietly burying himself in the corner.
“Actually, I’d like to get to know you better. Could you tell me your name and family? Or at least a way to contact you…”
He seemed to be the most sincere person in that moment.
‘So, does this mean he likes me?’
Truth be told, I’d received quite a few confession letters back at the Academy. So I’d actually become rather skilled at rejecting things like this.
“Thank you for saying that. But I’m sorry. You’re not really my type.”
“Ah… is that so?”
The young man scratched the back of his head vigorously. Then he laughed cheerfully.
“Well, there’s nothing to be done about it. I’ll be going then.”
“Yeah. I appreciate that you’re not being clingy about it.”
“Ah, actually I’d like to be clingy, but for some reason the back of my head is really throbbing.”
Oh dear, and he’s still so young.
He must have eaten a lot of sweets earlier.
“Make sure to get a health checkup. Well then, bye.”
I waved him off cheerfully, but the young man stopped mid-turn, pausing with an “oh.”
“By the way, you’ve got something on your shoulder.”
“Huh? Where? Maybe it’s from when I stopped by the dye shop earlier.”
I brushed my right shoulder clean. The young man chuckled and reached toward the other side.
“No, it’s here…”
It was right at that moment when we drew closer together.
Suddenly, a heavy wind swept through, filling my vision, and a large shadow appeared.
“Right now…”
The shadow gripped the young man’s wrist with a low, split voice.
“Who do you think you’re putting your hands on.”
“K-Kalid?”
Why is he here?
‘Wasn’t he supposed to come back tomorrow?’
As I stood there with my lips fluttering in surprise, Kalid glanced back at me and bared his teeth.
His shoulders were laden with all sorts of bags. Herbs, dyes, sword ornaments, fur scarves…
‘Shopping right after arriving?’
He really does like shopping, doesn’t he.
“Oh! I didn’t know you had a boyfriend! I’m sorry!”
The young man fled with a whoosh.
“…”
“…He’s not my boyfriend. That guy, really. Ha ha.”
Good job. You’re a good person.
Regardless, Kalid stared down at me intently. His eyes seemed to be twisted with something firm, which felt oddly unfamiliar.
“When exactly did you get here… Wow!”
In that moment, he lifted me up in his arms with eyes that seemed to have made a grave decision.
“I can’t… I really can’t hold back anymore.”
The man muttered bitterly to himself before striding away into the distance.
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When I came to my senses, I found myself trespassing in the garden of some grand mansion.
“Hey! When did you get back? The triumphal procession isn’t until tomorrow!”
“….”
“But where are we? You can’t just barge into someone else’s home like this…. Wait, are you really mocking me to my face now!”
Kalid simply kept his lips sealed and led me deeper into the lush garden, as if my protests were mere wind.
Well, I had no idea what was happening either.
It certainly looked abandoned. If anyone had been home, they would have stopped us by now.
‘Just how far is he planning to take me?’
Eventually, I struggled and begged him to put me down in the middle of an archway tunnel wrapped in verdant vines.
Purple wisteria blossoms hung overhead, swaying gently in the breeze.
“I asked when you got back! More importantly, why did you suddenly go on that expedition? Do you have any idea how much I…. missed you!”
Truth be told, I had missed him terribly.
“So you met those people?”
“Huh?”
“Those creatures that looked like a seafood platter, ugh…. Never mind.”
“What? You were watching the whole time?”
“Yes. You didn’t know, did you?”
Kalid caressed my wrist with a slightly sullen expression.
A long shadow fell across my body, and without hesitation, he undid my bracelet.
“You can’t feel my mana anymore now….”
Then he pulled me close and poured his mana into me, making my entire body tingle.
“If I keep holding you like this, will you be able to feel me?”
“Ah, wait….”
I gasped slightly and patted him repeatedly. The mana I was receiving after so long was simply overwhelming.
Kalid exhaled a long sigh and murmured, “I’m sorry.”
“Were you hurt while I was gone?”
He asked gently, stroking the back of my head.
I gazed steadily into his deep eyes. My heart was pounding fiercely. But I couldn’t tell if it was my own heartbeat or Kalid’s.
“I wasn’t hurt…. What about you?”
“I suffered every single day.”
“What? Why?”
Kalid swallowed hard as if he had made a decision, then swept his gaze over me with unwavering intensity.
“Because I missed you.”
“….”
“I mean it. Rubian.”
His pleasant low voice settled softly against my ear.
“While we were apart, I felt it even more clearly. The time I can’t see you—I don’t think I can bear it anymore. And….”
He pulled back slightly and looked at me.
“I can’t overlook you giving your attention to other men like you did earlier.”
“….”
“…If I’m being honest, I want to lock you away somewhere and make it so you only see me.”
Wait.
That’s my line.
‘Why is he saying it?’
I could only blink in confusion.
Kalid gripped my shoulder and spoke as though it pained him.
“Of course, even if you think of me as nothing more than food you consume and discard….”
“What did you just say?”
“Rubian. You can treat me however you wish. You can feed on my mana and throw me away. So please, just let me stay by your side.”
What kind of pathetic nonsense was this.
“You know what I’ve done for you…. If you feel even a shred of pity for me…. Keep me at your side.”
His words poured out like a dam breaking.
Once he started speaking, he couldn’t stop—Kalid rushed forward without even giving me a chance to respond.
“And if you’re going to meet other men, at least choose ones who are fit and handsome rather than those pathetic specimens…. Ah, damn it. Just imagining it makes my stomach turn. Just hide it from me and meet them. No, wait. Imagining you hiding it makes it even more pathetic. Ugh. Right, this is a matter of my own resolve, so I’ll just have to control myself….”
“Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Wait a second!”
I couldn’t take it anymore and covered his mouth with my hand. His wounded, grayish-blue eyes stared at me intently.
“What on earth have you been saying this whole time!”
What was he even talking about?
I racked my confused mind, trying to piece together his words.
Suddenly, I noticed a string bracelet peeking out from beneath his collar—one meant to fulfill an unrequited love.
So what he was saying was….
What he meant was….
“You…. Do you like me?”

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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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