The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 34

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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 34
“Rubian, breakfast is—… what’s with that expression?”
My guardian appeared in casual clothes, leaning against the doorframe with one leg bent.
“…Good morning, Uncle.”
I hauled myself up with a hollow, furious face. I dragged my yellow slippers toward the door.
“You didn’t sleep, did you?”
“I slept fine, as always.”
“…”
Rip, rip. I peeled away the long strip of tape I’d stuck to my door.
My guardian exhaled a deflated sigh.
“Was all this really necessary?”
“You kept peeking while I slept! I have a right to privacy too!”
It was a measure I’d taken out of desperation. Every time I dozed off, he’d observe me—I simply couldn’t bear it. What if I mumbled something embarrassing in my sleep?
‘Of course, he could just vault over it with those long legs…’
But it was the principle of the thing.
“Sigh. This is ridiculous.”
My guardian shook his head and extended his arm. I naturally nestled into his embrace as we walked down the corridor.
Phew, venting my anger made me hungry.
I was still grinding my teeth over Kalid Liork shutting me out.
‘No, stay calm. He might just be sleeping in, right? I can check the shop later anyway.’
I repeated deep breaths, trying to soothe the roiling fury inside me.
Just then, someone approached us.
“Your Grace.”
“Oh, Senior Leon! Good morning!”
Leon regarded me quietly before nodding in greeting.
Then, with a stolid expression, he rummaged through his pocket and handed me a small madeleine.
Why does he carry these every single day? Is he running low on sugar?
Regardless, I was hungry enough to munch on the madeleine while listening to my guardian and Leon’s conversation.
“Your Grace, the Knight Order is running short on personnel. We may need to recruit new squires or knights. What would you have us do?”
“Hmm. The spring subjugation is coming up soon, so we’ll need to. Any applicants?”
“Not yet, I’m afraid…”
“Wow, so I’m finally getting juniors?”
I swallowed the madeleine, and Leon fished through his pocket again, producing a bottle of strawberry milk. What is this? A magical pouch?
“No matter what, there’s no chance anyone younger than you will be joining.”
Aw, what a shame.
I pouted my lips while sipping the milk.
“Do your best to find candidates before the subjugation.”
“Understood. I’ll relay that to Obron as well.”
Leon gave a formal salute and walked away. Before leaving, he made sure to empty his entire pocket, handing me every variety of madeleine he had.
“Lemon, chocolate, vanilla, Earl Grey… Wow, is Senior Leon’s dream to retire and open a dessert shop?”
A gruff former Knight opening a dessert shop… Hmm, it might actually catch on.
“Finish your meal first, then eat.”
“Okay!”
The moment we arrived at the Dining Hall, I bounded out of my Guardian’s arms.
Perhaps it was the sweetness, or perhaps it was Kalid’s fault—either way, my irritation had lifted considerably.
“Let’s eat quickly, then train, then visit the shop!”
Another busy and productive day!
But I didn’t sense my Guardian following behind me as I’d expected.
Turning back in confusion, I found that handsome face wearing a distinctly displeased expression, arms crossed.
“…You’re going out?”
“Huh? Why?”
“Then this afternoon, I’ll have to…”
“What?”
My Guardian pressed his lips into a thin line and exhaled deeply. Then he walked over and poked my cheek with a laugh.
“Never mind. Go and play to your heart’s content.”
* * *
Just past noon, in the Study.
Leviathan rose abruptly from his seat.
“This won’t do.”
Rubian had gone out again today.
Because of that, the afternoon snack time I usually spend with the child was cancelled once more.
“I feel like I’m suffocating under all these documents.”
He frowned at the mountain of parchment piled before him. He needed a change of pace.
Leviathan gathered a few documents that needed immediate attention and headed toward Rubian’s room.
The moment he opened the door, that distinctive sweet scent unique to the child washed over him. His tense shoulders relaxed, and a faint smile played at his lips.
He slowly surveyed Rubian’s bedroom.
What immediately caught his eye were the pale purple magical stones arranged neatly along the windowsill.
“Quite fond of these, it seems.”
On the floor, hearts had been drawn in glittering magical stones, and beside them were fresh herb decorations bundled like a bouquet.
At the sight of it, a soft chuckle escaped him.
‘Does the child have a collecting hobby?’
Like a squirrel gathering acorns?
Leviathan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Among the nobility of the Capital, there were noble daughters who collected magical stones of rare hues—though not many. Most of those daughters also tended to have a hobby of collecting jewels as well.
‘Perhaps the child actually wants jewels too, but hasn’t said anything because he’s a boy?’
It certainly seemed the child had a fondness for shiny things…
“Ah, Your Grace. You were here.”
As I pondered this, Adolf approached from behind. It was fortunate timing—I had been meaning to call for him anyway.
“Adolf. Find out who currently owns the jewelry shop near Central Road.”
“All of a sudden, sir?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No… of course not.”
Adolf glanced at the purple mana stone Leviathan held and answered. He could roughly piece together the situation.
“But what’s this about?”
“Ah, Physician Borbel has requested an audience.”
“Borbel?”
Borbel was the Jebert Family’s personal physician who had recently returned.
I wondered why he was seeking me out, and then recalled having him examine Rubian upon arrival.
Surely. There wasn’t something wrong with Rubian, was there?
My fingertips turned cold.
“Show him in at once.”
The door opened, and a middle-aged man appeared.
“Your Grace, I’ve come to report the results of Rubian’s examination.”
“Give me the conclusion first.”
“Well, he is in good health.”
“‘Well, good health’?”
Leviathan tilted his chin. Borbel swallowed hard as the air grew sharp and cold.
“Explain why you hesitated just now.”
“That was based solely on a basic examination. His growth is considerably slower than children his age, but it’s not due to any illness. However.”
The physician, who had been speaking calmly, narrowed one eye slightly.
“You mentioned there are significant scars on his body, correct?”
“…Yes.”
“I wanted to examine those as well and conduct a more thorough assessment, but he was quite reluctant to have his body touched. I’m troubled that I could only perform the basics.”
“He tends to be wary of strangers.”
Though I tried to appear indifferent, Rubian was quite cautious around unfamiliar people.
The memory of how he would squirm and crawl into my embrace in crowded places softened my expression slightly.
‘Truly, it’s remarkable that such a child followed me so readily.’
It seemed he was particularly unguarded around me…
“Yes, that appeared to be the case. I should examine him again after he becomes more familiar with me.”
“In any case, there’s no immediate concern, correct?”
“Correct. If you continue managing his care as you have been, his growth rate should improve gradually. Though he will likely remain smaller than boys his age…”
Leviathan nodded quietly, then suddenly furrowed his brow deeply.
“Uncle! I think I’ve gotten fat since coming here! At this rate, won’t I grow as big as Hazel?”
The memory of that child speaking with such bright eyes surfaced.
Rubian had seemed simply delighted, but hearing those words left me profoundly conflicted.
“He’s grown in just a few weeks.”
It hadn’t even been a full month.
Since Rubian had come to the Duke’s Mansion.
In just that brief span, simply by feeding him well, the child had gained weight, his complexion had improved, and he had grown slightly taller.
‘How poorly must he have eaten before?’
Leviathan cradled his forehead in one hand, groaning. His insides felt as though they were being torn apart.
“Borbel, would you be able to send someone to Iosia?”
“It’s a place where I studied abroad briefly, so it’s possible. But what for?”
“Rubian is from Iosia. I’m curious if there’s anyone who knows her—parents, relatives, that sort of thing.”
How on earth had she survived with those (presumed garbage) people?
‘This won’t do anymore.’
Leviathan had decided to wait until Rubian told him about herself directly.
But would such a day ever come?
It was merely a hunch.
Prying into her past like this left him deeply unsettled, yet Leviathan had made his decision.
He was Rubian’s guardian now. Therefore, he needed to know everything about the child.
Only then could he truly protect her.
And…
“If you weren’t in pain, what were you doing in your room?”
“My stomach really was hurting! But then it suddenly got better…”
He recalled Rubian’s eyes darting away from his gaze.
He hoped it wasn’t the case, but the thought crept in regardless.
‘Could Rubian be hiding something?’
Crunch. Without realizing it, the documents in Leviathan’s grip were crushed mercilessly.

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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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