The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 324

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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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Special Side Story, Chapter 8
‘Let me try doing the things we did together in the Northern Region again.’
Fortunately, Kalid didn’t seem uncomfortable being with me. There were plenty of things worth attempting.
Dinner proceeded without incident.
While Rubian mentally drafted various plans, Kalid stole glances at her throughout the meal.
‘Is the stew too hot?’
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
“….”
Those lips blowing gently on the stew.
Small and adorable.
Her cheeks working as she chewed the potato looked soft, and her eyes carefully examining the stew’s contents were so serious they were endearing.
When she swallowed a small piece of meat, a tiny wrinkle formed between her brows.
She must be enjoying it. That’s a relief.
“You know, you’ve probably heard this too, but they said that providing appropriate stimulation to the brain helps with amnesia recovery, right?”
Kalid hurriedly averted his gaze.
“Oh, yes.”
Did she notice me staring… ?
Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
Regardless, Rubian spoke enthusiastically.
“So I was thinking we could try various things together from now on. What do you think?”
It seemed likely to be similar to what those Zebert people had done earlier.
“Well, whatever you say.”
“Then after you finish eating, want to go see the Shopping District? You actually quite enjoyed shopping!”
Me?
Of course, I’d never heard of such a thing.
“But that doesn’t really appeal to….”
“A rare outing! It’ll be fun, won’t it!”
“I’m interested. I’ll go.”
“Great. We’ll visit not just the Shopping District, but the Mana Stone Shop too, and the Castle Walls, and the Blacksmith.”
“….”
“And of course we’ll stop by the Knight Order!”
It seemed like it would be quite a busy day.
“Oh! And at the end, what about trying horseback riding? You know that, right? You were the champion of the Shinrok Festival Children’s Equestrian Competition.”
Kalid absently poked at his fork as he spoke.
“…Will you do that with me too?”
At that, Rubian’s eyebrows drooped.
“Oh, sorry. Horseback riding is a bit difficult. My horse isn’t prepared today, so Void probably….”
“Ah. Then I won’t do it.”
“Huh?”
“My leg hurts, so I don’t think I can ride a horse.”
“Huh? Are you okay?! Why does it hurt? Did you get injured in the accident?”
“It’s possible.”
Rubian furrowed her brow seriously.
“This won’t do. Then let’s just postpone shopping for next time….”
“I need rehabilitation.”
“…?”
“Shopping is fine.”
Rubian’s eyes narrowed. Somehow, I could almost hear what was on her mind.
‘Is that what he’s saying, or is he just making excuses?’
That’s when it happened.
Hazel approached with a bright expression.
“Miss, the veterinarian just called. Your horse’s health check finished earlier than expected.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, yes. Completely healthy, they said. Um, Ar, what was it? The Third.”
“Thank goodness. Then… I can go horseback riding this afternoon!”
Rubian exclaimed brightly. But soon her expression darkened again.
“Never mind. Kalid said his leg hurts, so we won’t be able to ride today.”
“I’m all better now.”
“…? You said it hurt?”
Kalid rolled his eyes slightly and chewed on the meat on his plate.
“It got better after eating well.”
“…?”
“Hmm~”
Hazel left with a faint, stifled laugh.
Rubian clasped her hands seriously on the table and stared at Kalid.
“Kalid… I know you’re inconsistent about things. But you shouldn’t hold back pain. Understand?”
“I understand.”
Kalid squeezed out his voice while averting his gaze slightly.
“…So you’ll stay with me this afternoon too…, right?”
“Well, of course.”
The corners of my mouth that were trying to rise were well hidden behind the water glass.
Rubian dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin as if finishing her meal.
“Actually, this might be for the best! Meeting Arherkalberominia the Third after so long might stimulate your memories….”
“Pfft!”
“Kalid, thanks for the water.”
“No….”
Kalid cried out with a deeply flushed face.
“Why are you giving your horse someone else’s name?”
—-‘Kalid’—— the Third, no less.
“Hmm….”
I’ve seen this pattern somewhere before.
Rubian suppressed a smile as the thought crossed her mind.
‘Even with my memories gone, there’s something that remains the same….’
* * *
I stood before the mirror.
I had come up to the bedroom to change clothes before heading out with Kalid.
‘It seems he’s let his guard down around me for now.’
But how to cultivate that powerful will to actually want to recover my memories remained unclear.
In truth….
Kalid seemed indifferent—whether he recovered his memories or not made no difference to him.
‘How do I put it. He doesn’t seem to expect anything good from recovering his memories… like he’s given up hope?’
It was the kind of thought a boy who had never experienced anything good in this world would have.
‘Of course, the current Kalid is adorable too….’
“Kalid, you need to say goodbye to our parents before we go out, so finish getting ready and meet me at Father’s study!”
“Yes.”
“…Why aren’t you leaving?”
“I’ll wait here.”
“No… it’ll take me a while to get ready.”
“That’s fine.”
“It’s not! Go to your room! Change your clothes too!”
“Sister.”
“Hic. Y-yes?”
“You’re sending me away so you can call that blond man again, aren’t you.”
“…N-no, that’s not it! Don’t you trust your sister?”
“No.”
“Ah.”
It was a bit presumptuous, but….
‘How should I describe it.’
The stubborn 23-year-old Kalid and the unstable 15-year-old boy Kalid’s consciousnesses had subtly intertwined….
Creating a jealous parrot-like sister Kalid, so to speak.
“Either way, I need to do this right…!”
If I was the key to his memory recovery as Mother said, then I would need an intense catalyst—something powerful enough to make him think, ‘I want to recover my memories with that woman.’
‘What if he fell head over heels for me romantically?’
Right now he seemed more like an imprinted baby bird.
Hmm, for that to happen….
“Ah, I do look a bit plain.”
I frowned at my reflection in the mirror.
My face was hopelessly dull, from my sadly drooping eyes to everything else, and I found myself dissatisfied with it today.
Hazel had put in considerable effort to groom me, but it still felt woefully insufficient.
‘This won’t create the intense impact I need.’
I rushed toward the Dressing Room.
Then, with trembling hands, I picked up a brush.
“Just apply it for now.”
About 30 minutes later.
I tilted my head in confusion.
“…Is this right?”
“Good heavens. You’re going out like that?”
*Flinch.*
When I shot him a look, Father flinched visibly.
Mother, who had been reading beside me, also furrowed her brow seriously.
“Rubian? Are you struggling that much? Our daughter… should you sleep with Mother tonight? Your eyes are very dark.”
“It’s makeup, Mother.”
“…!”
“…?”
Father suddenly rubbed his eyes with an exhausted expression.
“Don’t tell me you’re trying to impress Kalid?”
“Of course!”
“Sigh… what am I to do with this.”
I had been uncertain when I looked in the mirror, it’s true.
“Was it too much? But I only chose the pretty things.”
Father sighed deeply and removed the diamond necklace from my neck.
“Rubian, no matter how beneficial the ingredients are individually, mixing them all together creates something… monstrous.”
“Are you saying I look monstrous right now?”
Mother stifled her laughter and fell backward.
“Goodness, I thought you’d robbed an Imperial Family grave…”
Mother wiped away tears and plucked three pins from my hair one by one.
“Rubian? To my eyes, of course everything is beautiful, but for an outing, it seems a bit much. I think you should get ready again.”
“Mmph, yes…”
“Where’s Hazel? I think my daughter needs her clothes redone?”
“Oh, I’m here… goodness gracious. Young lady, did you make some kind of wager with the young masters?”
It really wasn’t working.
“Well, I can just wash it off.”
I dejectedly rubbed my lips with a tissue.
‘I was trying to follow Sebelena’s style.’
Everything looked perfect on Sebelena!
Trying to match the sexiest woman in the world, Princess Sebelena, seemed like something I could only achieve in my next life.
“At least Kalid didn’t see me like this.”
“Oh, did Kalid arrive?”
“Ahhhhhhh!”
Why is my life like this?
“….”
Kalid stood at the doorway, staring at me intently. His eyes widened slightly in surprise.
His lips parted as if to speak, but he quickly sealed them shut again.
Anyone could see he was swallowing words he shouldn’t have said!
“I’ll just… go wash up again real quick!”
Whoosh.
I fled hastily.
Kalid stood rigid as stone.
‘…What was that?’
Thump.
Thump-thump.
‘What on earth was that?’
His heart nearly stopped in that moment.
“No, I don’t go around like that all the time. You know that, right?”
“….”
Rubian had returned to her usual bare-faced self and was chattering away.
“I just… kept adding things one by one….”
Right.
She shouldn’t go around like that.
‘The dress clung to her body far too much.’
Was that all?
‘Her lips were so… red.’
Her eyes held an alluring intensity, and the ornaments that chimed with every movement seemed to bewitch with sound alone.
‘I thought she was only cute and pure.’
But she possessed a seductive charm as well.
In that instant, blood rushed to his face.

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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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