The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 40

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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 40
“Thank you for the dinner invitation. See you tomorrow, Rubian.”
And off he went without hesitation—whether it was audacious or simply polite, I couldn’t quite tell.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
The table trembled as if struck by an earthquake.
“Enough now. Stop your brooding.”
I muttered while watching Grandfather’s fist clench like a stone.
“I’ll settle this grievance soon enough.”
“Grandfather… please don’t have conversations with your fist.”
“Hmm.”
Somewhere along the way, Uncle had begun observing the situation with his chin propped in his hand. I laughed nervously and scratched my temple.
“Uncle, I’m sorry. Kalid’s been through hardships since childhood, so perhaps his social skills are a bit… lacking.”
“I rather like his temperament.”
“Huh?”
Uncle turned to look at Grandfather, who was in the process of calming his raging fist.
“Father.”
“Hmph, very well.”
“Haven’t you been feeling bored lately? Your health is excellent, after all.”
“…? I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but show respect to your elders. Hmm?”
“This is the talent cultivation time you’ve been waiting for.”
“…”
What was he saying?
As I watched quietly, Uncle turned his head to the side. A large question mark appeared on Void’s face as he chewed his rice.
“It should provide good stimulation for Void as well.”
“Huh?”
Oh, I see.
I quickly grasped Uncle’s intention.
Grandfather had always wanted to cultivate strong knights of the Northern Region. Just as we’d seen in the recruitment test, Kalid clearly showed great promise, so Uncle was essentially saying to train him well.
“And Rubian as well…”
“Yes!”
I answered enthusiastically. After all, I was also a member of the Zebert Knight Order.
Training with Grandfather? It would be tough, but I’m curious!
“Rubian as well…”
But Uncle merely furrowed his brow and couldn’t continue.
“…Why does this feel so reluctant?”
“Huh?”
Uncle looked at me with a distinctly uneasy expression. He quietly pushed the bell pepper he’d been about to set aside back onto my plate.
How mean!
“In any case, I’ll entrust the little ones to you.”
“Yes, yes!”
Grandfather picked up his plate and shoved a mountain of steak into his mouth.
He barely chewed before swallowing, then jumped to his feet.
“Excellent! The blood’s pumping! I’ll train these brats of mine properly!”
A noble’s table manners were worse than a pint-sized mercenary’s….
I seized the moment when everyone’s attention was on Grandfather and successfully dropped a bell pepper on the floor.
Void’s complexion had turned not just pale, but bruised-looking.
Seeing that made me worry anew. If even that thundering brute Void was frightened….
‘Grandfather’s training must be incredibly brutal?’
“I really don’t want it to be too hard….”
As I muttered without thinking, Grandfather gasped and held his breath.
“What?! Who said I’d make it hard on you?! You just sit in Grandpa’s arms and watch…that’s all.”
Creak, creak.
Grandfather’s expression twisted in real-time as he chewed over his own words.
“…But I can’t just watch, can I?”
The same expression as Uncle earlier.
Soon a small murmur escaped.
Why did this feel so reluctant…?
* * *
Void Zebert was consumed by anguish.
“Young Master, shall I bring you some tea?”
“No….”
“Oh, but it’s your favorite fruit tea….”
Chin resting on the Study Room desk, he waved away the maids’ attendance. His smooth brow was deeply furrowed.
‘Rubian is my younger sibling….’
Tap. Tap. His index finger moved rhythmically across the desk.
‘That bird from earlier… that guy is my sibling’s friend.’
Kalid, wasn’t it?
That bird who appeared so suddenly… that fellow.
He said he was Rubian’s friend. That he came all this way from his hometown to find Rubian.
Yes. That could be it.
‘Liam’s friends often visit too.’
But….
‘But why does this irritate me so much?’
Void’s brow furrowed even deeper.
It was incomprehensible. This feeling, this emotion….
As if someone had suddenly snatched away the younger sibling he cherished….
“Hey, my younger sister brought some guy she calls a boyfriend, and wow, it’s really been bothering me.”
“Huh? You’re not even close with your younger sister.”
“Ugh, what would you know? This isn’t about being close or not.”
“Huh.”
Why did that Academy friend’s words keep coming to mind?
“Why are you doing this?”
Void shook his head seriously, his dark hair fluttering softly.
‘Is it because Rubian is too small, too weak, and too pale?’
That thief-like bastard was taller than him and had a dark complexion. Those filthy eyes were just like Father’s….
“Tsk. I’m cursing Father.”
Void shook his head again.
In any case, if that bastard bullied Rubian, she would be helpless against him.
“Ah, that’s it!”
Void sprang to his feet.
Yes, that’s what I was worried about! As an older brother, I was afraid that bastard would treat my sister badly! Or that she might be corrupted by his influence!
“I really need to protect her well.”
Void took out his diary so he wouldn’t forget his resolve. His hand, which had been reaching for a pen, suddenly stopped.
‘But… what if Rubian ends up becoming closer to that bastard than to me?’
“Ha ha…. How unbecoming of an older brother.”
Void frowned and shook his head.
Act maturely, Void Zebert. You’re already a third-year at the Academy….
After composing himself, Void flipped through his diary again. His hand stopped once more.
Month N, Day N, Day of Week / Weather: Cloudy / Mood: Absolutely great
Achieved 100 sword swings today!
Uncle Obron praised me so much. He gave me raspberries as a reward, and they were so tart that…
…
Had dinner with Rubian…
…
I’ll work even harder tomorrow!
The content was perfect. The structure was perfect.
The problem was the pink handwriting that had intruded at the end of the diary entry.
Great job! ★★★★★
But sword swings (x) → sword swings (o)
tart (x) → astringent (o)
“Ugh! You peeked again!”
This demon! Void jumped up.
No, I hide it so carefully, so how does she find it every single day!
“Young Master! I told you not to run!”
No one could stop the boy as he dashed out like an arrow.
As the door swung open, Rubian, who had been lying on the bed playing with a pale purple stone, lifted her head.
“Look at me!”
“Huh? What’s wrong?”
That innocent expression of knowing nothing at all!
Void glared at Rubian with a huffing expression.
“You and my diary…. What was that just now!”
“Huh?”
“I said, what was that!”
Rubian tilted her head and sat up straight.
‘Ugh. What am I even saying.’
I’d burst in using the diary as an excuse, but seeing her innocent face, something entirely different had spilled out instead.
The diary clutched in my hand had already faded from my awareness.
“That one! The kid with the drained midnight-blue hair!”
“Kalid? He’s my friend.”
“How old is he! He’s taller than me—how can he be your friend!”
“Um…. He’s 12.”
“See!”
“I’m just more mature for my age, you know. I have lots of older friends!”
The youngest’s face beamed with innocent cheer.
Void felt something twist inside him.
“But why are you suddenly like this?”
“I don’t know!”
“What?”
“You’re my brother—how can you be closer to someone else than to me?”
“No, you have friends too, don’t you?”
“Well, that’s true!”
Rubian tilted her head. Her neatly trimmed short silver hair swayed softly.
A pin perched delicately beside her right ear.
Today it was a squirrel. Ugh…. My sister is so cute!
“What’s the problem?”
“I don’t know!”
As I cried out reflexively, Rubian’s lips pressed shut slightly.
“…But why have you been angry at me since earlier?”
“….”
“You suddenly barged in and started interrogating me….”
Hah—Void swallowed his breath.
Her pale cheeks puffed out slightly. These days, the youngest had gained a bit of baby fat in her cheeks, making her impossibly, impossibly cute.
But this is serious. She’s on the verge of pouting.

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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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