The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 284

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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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Side Story Episode 10
My older brothers had let out roars similar to mine upon hearing my explanation, then scattered to their respective rooms.
“So… to summarize.”
“Yeah.”
“The Duchess had been searching everywhere for that heirloom box, and it finally appeared. But the Duke lost the key to it… so it ended up staying locked? That’s why the Duchess got angry?”
“Exactly… She said she’d go search for the key, but ended up in a head-on collision with Father instead. Boom!”
Kalid shook his head with a rueful expression.
“Well… there must be circumstances, but ultimately it’s the Duke’s fault.”
“Sigh. I knew something was off when he started losing Imperial medals left and right…”
Father had a tendency to be somewhat easygoing, yet oddly careless.
He only paid attention to things he considered important himself, and when it came to possessions, he was the type to harbor neither regret nor obsession over them.
‘He must have completely lost interest in the key once he thought the heirloom box had disappeared.’
Mother had likely trusted that Father was keeping it safe.
‘Of course, no one could have predicted the heirloom box would suddenly reappear.’
At the very least, Father should have confessed to Mother immediately when he lost the key. The key, being an accessory to the heirloom box, held meaning for Mother just as much as the box itself did.
Suddenly, I found myself wondering how Father had come to lose Mother’s precious possession.
It was an incident from over twenty years ago.
I was almost certain Father had been more careless back then than he was now.
“So… we know what caused them to fight. And it looks like the cold war will continue for a while.”
Kalid asked.
“What are you going to do now?”
“Hmm…”
“Above all, why are you so calm about this? Ever since the Dining Hall.”
I slowly leaned my body against the back of the sofa.
That was right.
Setting aside the absurdity of the situation, I had remained composed throughout.
Because… resolving this matter was merely a matter of time.
“Well…”
My lips moved slowly.
“Grandfather will be bringing that heirloom box soon, won’t he?”
At my words, Kalid regarded me intently for a moment, then raised one eyebrow.
“Ah.”
“…”
“If it’s locked with magic, you can unlock it, right?”
I naturally answered with becoming modesty.
“I think I could just run through a few incantations and it would pop right open… As you know, I’m fairly versed in various magical formulas. That’s why some in the Mage Kingdom even call me the Grand Mage.”
“Truly humble yet reliable.”
Kalid pressed his lips lightly against my temple.
After a moment, he let out a short sigh.
“Then… we’ll have to bring up our engagement talk again at that time.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“Yeah.”
Kalid murmured quietly, as if speaking to himself.
“I need to wait until both of them reach 100% marital satisfaction, or I have a feeling I’ll never get to marry you in this lifetime.”
“Why would you go that far…?”
“Of course, dealing with Grandfather at the same time won’t be easy either, but I’ll do my best.”
He was absolutely resolute.
I patted his broad shoulders encouragingly. I felt his solid frame stiffen slightly.
“It’ll all work out. But… you really did buckle that armor tight.”
Touching his shoulder, then his chest plate.
Kneading, stroking.
“It’s incredibly hard.”
“…Stop.”
He gently caught both my hands with a slightly strained voice.
“Stop touching… The armor, I took it off earlier…”
“…”
I gazed at his flustered face intently. And whispered.
“I already knew. That’s why I touched you.”
“…”
“Because I wanted to touch you too…”
“…”
“Hehe. Just kidding!”
I tried to pull my hands away quickly, but he yanked me toward him instead.
As I was pulled up onto his thighs, I observed with some mischief how the veins in his neck had flushed a deep red.
“Seriously… Because of you, I feel like my blood is draining every single day.”
Kalid whispered, burying his face in my shoulder.
“And you keep making it so I can’t do anything more…”
His reluctant hand toyed with the ribbon at my waist.
Kalid drew in a deep breath, gathering his self-control.
“I feel like I’m becoming a beast every day. How am I supposed to take responsibility, Rubian?”
“I’ll take full responsibility through our engagement and marriage.”
Those words seemed to satisfy him, as his sullen expression softened somewhat.
“…Would you like to travel together after the engagement ceremony? Just the two of us this time.”
“Yes. I’d love that!”
“I hope everything resolves smoothly soon…”
He murmured earnestly, then suddenly furrowed his brow.
“But what if things get complicated and we end up having to search for a key…?”
I burst out laughing.
“Pfft! Kalid, your imagination is really something!”
“Is it? I guess I think about all sorts of things normally.”
“My, my…. What could you possibly be imagining?”
Those familiar grayish-violet eyes, having regained their composure, gazed at me intently.
“Curious?”
“My, my, my…. Very much so.”
It was an enchanting evening.
And exactly one week later.
“I’m a worthless mage….”
“Hey, Rubian.”
“I’m a mage with a compulsive lying disorder….”
“Please, calm down. We just couldn’t open the heirloom box.”
“Kalid, you have it easy. Your imagination becomes reality…. Now we actually have to go find the key.”
“…..Would you just let me hit you once?”
Kalid and I did end up taking a trip together, just the two of us.
To the Western Continent, the land of heretics.
The place we’d stopped by briefly during the cruise, the one we’d decided we’d “never return to”.
To that very place where time magic had been cast….
Ch. 2 Rosetta and Leviathan, 19 years old, early summer
Ballock was in a splendid mood.
“Hehehehe!”
His massive frame descended from the carriage with a heavy thud.
His body, draped in a floral-patterned shirt, was evenly tanned by the sun’s rays.
Yet his face bore the pale marks where sunglasses had rested, making him the very picture of someone who’d thoroughly enjoyed their travels.
“I have arrived!”
Ballock’s voice rang out loudly.
“Carriages! Souvenir carriages! Come in quickly and vigorously!”
“Yes, yes, coming right away.”
Cargo wagons laden with gifts for the little ones rolled in one after another.
“Tsk, tsk! If only the carriage wheel hadn’t come off halfway!”
Despite taking the shortcut and hurrying, our arrival was delayed by three days.
‘At least I sent the heirloom box ahead by messenger, thank goodness.’
By now, Leviathan should have opened it with the key he possesses.
‘Our precious Rose. She always seemed to long for her mother’s letters.’
Isn’t it fortunate!
It was a hundred times the right decision to take the route near Biltain just in case.
‘Who would have thought it was buried beneath a scarecrow?’
It was a scarecrow with two fluffy silver buns attached to its head.
The scarecrow had such a peculiar appeal that when I tried to pull it out, I discovered the heirloom box beneath it.
“But why is the mansion so quiet? I’ve arrived! You little rascals!”
Ballock stomped toward the lobby.
(Grand)father has come, so why hasn’t anyone come tumbling out to greet me?
That was when it happened.
The lobby door burst open, and something tumbled out.
“G-Grandfather!”
“Oh my, my precious little one!”
His granddaughter, as lovely as ever, came rushing over and threw herself into his arms.
Since she had grown up, she rarely acted so childish anymore, so Ballock spun her around gleefully like a windmill.
“Heeey… Oooooh….”
But something felt off about her reaction.
“Hmm? Why does this girl seem so wilted?”
“I, I….”
Rubian suddenly lifted her head.
Seeing her blue eyes glistening with tears, I realized something was terribly wrong.
“I’m so sorry for the sudden notice, but I’m going on a trip!”
“…?”
“I really thought I could do it! I was trying to open it with magic!”
“What are you talking about?”
“I never dreamed it would explode if forced open…!”
Rubian sobbed, saying she had no idea how to find an alternate route to prevent the explosion.
“I’m so sorry!”
“…No, wait. Hold on, dear?”
What on earth was happening?
Before Ballock could say anything more, Kalid appeared from somewhere and grabbed Rubian, bowing respectfully.
“I’ve returned.”
“Huh….”
“Then, I’ll be going.”
“Huh?”
Before Ballock could add another word, a massive magic circle suddenly materialized,
Whoooosh—!
The two of them… vanished!
Faced with this sudden turn of events, Ballock could only blink blankly.
“What…?”
Then came a thunderbolt of realization.
“D-d-don’t tell me our little one….”
“Lord Ballock?”
“W-with her boyfriend…. No, she seems to still be keeping it secret.”
“…Yes?”
“Went on a trip…?”
“…Yes?”
Soon the entire mansion rang out.
“The two of them! Went on a trip! Together, just the two of them!”
Whoever approved this, step forward!
His roar shook the world.

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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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