The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 325

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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 9
My heart was now pounding so fiercely it ached.
“…In that sense, would you tell me what style you prefer? I have absolutely no ulterior motives….”
Style? Did I really need to specify?
You already possess everything anyway.
Ensnared by an enormous infatuation, Kalid averted his gaze to hide his flushed face.
Though we stood in the heart of the bustling Shopping District, I paid no attention to my surroundings.
“Hm? Tell me.”
The way you cling to me—it’s adorable.
“Just….”
You.
Kalid pressed his lips firmly together. He’d nearly let the words spill out.
“…Never mind, let’s go over there.”
With each step, the back of our hands brushed softly against each other.
Kalid noticed that the ring he wore was also fitted on the woman’s hand. An inexplicable satisfaction washed over him.
The sensation of being connected to someone.
The feeling of being treated specially by someone.
My fingertips tingled.
My throat kept growing dry.
* * *
The two of them wandered joyfully throughout Zelocks.
We visited the Blacksmith and even saw the workshop where I once crafted the Watchtower bell in childhood, and we encountered Maddix, who was clamoring for new blueprints.
At the Mana Stone Shop, we found Asha yawning listlessly, but upon hearing that Kalid had suffered memory loss, she grew unexpectedly excited.
“This is rather absurd…! After such a grand, ostentatious proposal…!”
Proposal?
What exactly had I done?
Curiosity flickered briefly, then faded.
“Kalid! Let’s go there this time!”
Seeing Rubian beside me with her eyes shining brightly, honestly….
I was utterly content in this moment.
We visited a Northern Region cake specialty shop located in the Dark Alley, and stopped by the place where I once drew instant portraits as a child.
We also went to bedding shops, toy stores, and Jewelry Shops.
Rubian said she had visited all these places with Kalid before.
‘I don’t remember any of it.’
Yet as we visited the various shops, I discovered one thing.
‘…They say I enjoyed shopping.’
But it was Rubian whose eyes sparkled brilliantly as she gazed at the merchandise.
It seemed less that she genuinely wanted to possess things, and more that she simply had a curious nature.
‘Perhaps I unconsciously bought things after seeing that delighted expression of hers?’
Because I wanted to see that look of joy….
Even now, I longed to purchase everything Rubian had touched and cradle it in my arms.
‘But I have no money….’
Kalid rummaged through his pockets before unconsciously freezing mid-motion.
‘…Money….’
There’s quite a bit?
Before leaving, the Attendant had slipped a small pouch into my pocket, and I’d wondered what it was.
The sensation of gold coins filling my palm felt strange.
I’d never held even a single copper coin before.
Yet what was truly peculiar was that these gold coins stirred neither greed nor attachment within me.
What I truly desired right now was something else entirely….
“Wow, that was so much fun! Kalid, should we rest at that tea shop over there?”
“Go on ahead. I need to use the restroom for a moment.”
“Hm?”
Kalid immediately revisited every shop Rubian had entered.
“Whoa, what is all this?”
And Rubian’s radiant smile bloomed across her face.
Kalid reflected.
‘…Perhaps this is enough.’
It might not be so bad after all.
Especially after hearing from Void about the reason for my amnesia before coming to see Rubian, my feelings had grown complicated.
“You went on a business trip, heard that Rubian was ill, got into an accident while seeking medicine.”
“A business trip? I was away from my post? …But you said we were engaged.”
“Both you and Rubian were busy with work. How could you stay attached to each other like children?”
‘If I recover my memories, will this closeness end as well?’
How she becomes slightly gentler and softer when I call her sister.
How she tends to me with such care, as though handling fragile pottery on the verge of shattering….
What if everything ends once I recover my memories?
Kalid thought absently.
Somehow… I don’t want that.
The throbbing headache that had plagued me relentlessly had vanished without notice.
* * *
Two more days passed.
Unfortunately, Kalid’s amnesia showed no signs of improvement whatsoever.
I glanced at Kalid across from me, sipping tea with elegant composure.
I was growing anxious.
‘Am I going to have to postpone the wedding?’
No, watching him follow me around all day, I can tell that even amnesiac Kalid harbors affection for me…!
‘Why, why won’t he reach the point of wanting to recover his memories?’
Moreover, his condition had grown even stranger.
His ingrained habits—dining etiquette, tea etiquette—remained intact.
‘Sometimes it feels like my body’s muscle memory(?) just vanishes from strange places.’
It happened the day before yesterday when I mounted a horse.
“Huh? Kalid, why are you spacing out?”
“Ah… I seem to have forgotten how to ride a horse.”
“That can’t be right. You sparred perfectly fine with Void…”
“That’s different.”
“What?”
“Can’t you help me? Sister.”
“…Hehe. Sure~”
In the end, I had to teach Kalid step by step how to hold the reins.
Once he seemed to grasp the technique, I had him ride alone.
“Ah, it’s a bit scary being so high up…”
“Hmm?”
“I need something to hold onto, something to lean on. Can’t you ride with me?”
“…”
“Sister.”
That smug smile on his face.
‘He’s not even trying to recover his memories… Why does he seem so content with the present!’
I truly have no idea what to do anymore.
All I can do is pray that Liam brings the antidote soon…
“What are we doing today?”
Just then, Kalid set down his teacup with a clink and asked.
“Hmm, should we visit the Knight Order Building?”
“Together?”
In that moment, a letter that arrived this morning flashed through my mind.
It was a request from the Mage Tower to return briefly… but I put it off for now. I had no choice.
“Yeah, together!”
Kalid smiled.
* * *
“Oh? Obron!”
On the way to the Knight Order Building, I encountered a familiar face.
“Rubian! Or rather, Your Highness!”
I burst out laughing at the sudden formality.
“What? Where did the strict hierarchical culture of the Zebert Knight Order go?”
Obron scratched his short-cropped head awkwardly.
“But I’m currently on parental leave from the Knight Order.”
“You didn’t resign. I’m still a member of the Zebert Knight Order too!”
“Well, then…”
Obron’s expression became noticeably more relaxed.
“It’s been a while, Rubian.”
“Yes! But what brings you to the Castle?”
“Ah. Rosetta wanted to play with the babies, so I brought them along.”
“Twins?!”
“That’s right.”
“Where, where…! The adorable little ones, where are they!”
I spun my head around eagerly. Obron chuckled and pointed toward Herb Hill.
“Kalid! Would it be alright if we stopped by Herb Hill for a moment?”
“Well… if you wish.”
I dashed off without hesitation.
“Kyaaaaaaaa!”
“Oh, you’ve arrived, my lady?”
“Baaaaabies!”
Indeed, the Garden had transformed into a massive playground.
Mother mentioned she’d gone off excitedly to find wooden dolls like the ones Void and I used to play with back in the day.
I happily patted the plump little bottoms waddling across the picnic mat before suddenly coming to my senses.
“Oh no, Kalid. I’m sorry.”
I’d neglected him while tending to the babies.
“It’s fine.”
Kalid, who stood like a shadow behind me, replied.
‘Come to think of it….’
There was still an unfinished conversation between Kalid and me.
The me from a few days ago, determined to have an earnest discussion about the next generation, felt like a dream.
I entrusted the babies to someone and plopped down on the mat. When I patted the spot beside me, Kalid lowered himself awkwardly.
A cool breeze drifted past as the babies’ laughter rang out like a melody.
I could see them crawling eagerly toward the toys Mother had brought, their movements fluid and enchanting.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“They’re absolutely adorable. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, they are adorable.”
“…You were actually looking, right?”
Only then did his grayish-blue eyes slide away from me.
“I was.”
“So, what do you think?”
This was what had changed because of his lost memories.
‘His expressions are easier to read. More honest, somehow….’
See, even now.
His grayish-blue eyes frosted over in real time.
Like ice forming before my eyes.
“They move constantly. Constantly loud and messy.”
It was a truly emotionless assessment.
Suddenly, Kalid turned his head away.
“…You like that sort of thing?”
“Huh?”
“I’m asking if you like babies.”
“Well… I suppose so?”
“Why?”
I let out a soft chuckle.
“Just because. Babies are adorable and lovable simply by existing, aren’t they?”
Kalid’s gaze turned peculiar.
“…They’re weak, incompetent, and nothing but noisy.”
“Hey, you went through that tiny stage too, and now you’re—”
I stopped mid-sentence and closed my mouth.
In that instant, a realization struck me like a blow to the head.
‘Oh no.’
Had Kalid… grown up hearing such things?
In that mercenary company.
Hearing that he was weak, incompetent, noisy….
“Why did your expression suddenly change?”
Kalid glanced at me cautiously.
“Don’t tell me… that man actually liked children?”
“…That man?”
Then Kalid fixed me with a steady gaze. For a moment, something flickered across his usually expressionless eyes.
“The one you’ve been searching for all this time.”
A twisted smile came to mind.
“The man you’re engaged to.”
“No… that’s you, isn’t it?”
But Kalid merely turned his head away with a grunt.
“I don’t remember.”
I swallowed dryly and chose my words carefully.
“Kalid, you don’t… actually want to recover your memories, do you?”
“…I’m not sure. Just.”
“….”
“Things are good right now.”
The wind whispered softly.
I found myself at a loss for words. So I decided to ask what I most wanted to know in that moment.
From Kalid, who had become more honest since losing his memories, I felt I might finally hear the truth.
“Hey, you know what?”
“Yes.”
“Are you perhaps… afraid of babies?”

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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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