The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 48

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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 48
“Rubian?”
“Good day, Professor Borbel.”
I offered a mechanical smile and bowed politely, though my mind was half-absent.
Borbel hummed thoughtfully and guided me to a chair.
“Are you unwell?”
“Not at all. I’m in remarkably, extraordinarily excellent health.”
I’ve circled the Mini Training Grounds three times today, after all.
The only ailment I’ve contracted is an inability to address the Duke by any proper title whatsoever.
Is it incurable? Am I finished here?
Borbel examined me carefully.
“Hmm, from what I can see, you appear quite well.”
At that, Uncle let out a hollow laugh.
“Impossible. Look here. Rubian, who am I?”
I stared at the man before me with vacant eyes.
“Ah!”
“….”
“….”
My mouth fell open and I froze in place.
I had exhausted my repertoire of deflections. Seeing my expression, Uncle pressed his forehead in dejection.
“There it is. I’ve lost everything. Now I’ve been reduced to nothing but an exclamation.”
“Ha ha.”
Word of my entry into service had become quite the hot topic among the staff lately. Borbel, having heard the rumors, chuckled as if he understood the situation well enough.
“Well… I suspect this is simply a matter that requires time to resolve.”
Will time truly heal this, Professor?
I forced an awkward smile, pulling at the corners of my mouth.
Just then, Adolf the Butler approached from outside, fidgeting anxiously.
“Your Grace, we really must depart. The matters requiring your review today are piling up like mountains….”
“Sigh.”
The Duke exhaled deeply and rose to his feet with visible effort.
I timidly waved my hand, feeling guilty for being the source of the wrinkles creasing his brow.
“Safe travels… earn plenty of money….”
Uncle, staring intently at my face, murmured like a ghost.
“I really wish I could turn back time.”
The moment the door closed, I finally released the tension from my awkwardly smiling face.
“You’re having difficulty saying the word ‘father,’ aren’t you?”
Borbel asked, watching me. I nodded weakly, my energy depleted.
“Yes.”
What’s the big deal about a mere title?
Of course… I had scarcely ever spoken the words “mother” or “father” in either my past life or this one.
‘In my past life, I was abandoned twice before my title even changed….’
I called the Mage King Father, but it was nothing more than a hollow title.
“Ugh. I’m such an idiot!”
I buried my face in the table.
No one was more dejected than I was at my inability to control myself. Most of all, it was hardest to see the Guardian’s face, which seemed somewhat disappointed.
“Teacher, can I get better?”
As I asked desperately, Borbel raised an eyebrow.
“Of course.”
“How…?”
“Abandon the thought that you must call him that way.”
“Huh?”
“Then wouldn’t it come naturally?”
Was Borbel the type of person who lived however things went?
At his rather bland advice, I laughed, and Borbel laughed along with me.
“Or perhaps Rubian’s inner conflict has become an obstacle.”
“An inner conflict?”
“Do you perhaps have worries or secrets you haven’t shared?”
Well…. I have plenty.
As I fell silent, Borbel, his eyes narrowing slightly, smiled softly.
“Of course, you may confide in me.”
“No thanks.”
“….”
Ah, I only thought it to myself.
I fumbled to gather my words.
“Oh, it’s nothing! No worries or secrets. Nothing at all!”
“I see. Then that’s good.”
Borbel patted my head a couple of times, then pulled out a jelly brimming with vitality from a drawer and handed it to me. He glanced at his watch and stood up.
“Shall we head to the Study Room? It’s class time.”
“Yes, of course!”
It was a welcome sound to hear.
When my mind was cluttered, it was better to focus elsewhere.
‘Yes, maybe I just need time.’
I thought calmly and prayed that my terrible affliction would heal soon.
* * *
Unfortunately, my affliction did not heal easily.
Spin, spin.
I sat crouched in a corner of the Mini Training Grounds.
For the first time, I succeeded in spinning three and a half rotations and even received praise from my seniors, but I felt no joy.
‘I want to show off to the Guardian.’
To do that, I would have to call him.
Whether you call me Uncle or Father.
But what bothered me was that the words wouldn’t come out smoothly, as if something large were caught in my throat.
“Seriously! What’s the big deal about a title!”
You said you’d be normal, Rubian!
Normal children don’t feel awkward calling someone Father!
“What even is normal in the first place!”
I felt a surge of emotion at the sound of my own voice.
Round and round. My index finger dug earnestly into the dirt floor.
Then, a large shadow fell behind me.
“Oh, our little snot-nose draws snails quite well!”
My body was suddenly lifted. In an instant, my perspective rose, and I saw Grandfather’s mischievous grin.
Grandfather laughed heartily at the symbol of digging I’d drawn in the dirt.
“My goodness, there must be over a hundred! Since this is our little one’s first masterpiece, we’ll have to preserve this Training Ground forever.”
“Then where will I run….”
“We can always build another Training Ground!”
Grandfather carried me along in his arms, taking great strides. Being transported in his embrace felt oddly embarrassing.
“Grandfather, I ran three and a half laps today.”
At that, his wrinkled eyes widened like lanterns.
“A festival.”
We must hold a festival!
I quickly covered his mouth with both hands before he could shout it aloud.
Even with his lips blocked, Grandfather continued to mutter something endlessly.
‘Come to think of it, the word Grandfather flows out so smoothly….’
That’s strange.
“I was just trying to tell you that I can walk on my own two feet! No festivals! No commemorations! No bragging letters to the Imperial Palace!”
I shouted, and Grandfather burst into hearty laughter.
“Of course, of course! Who else would it be but our little one.”
Yet he didn’t set me down, so I had no choice but to be cradled in his large arms as we crossed the vast Training Ground.
Watching his unimpeded gait, I suddenly asked.
“Grandfather, how are your knees doing?”
“They ache sometimes.”
“Ugh….”
It was disheartening.
Too much time had passed for Grandfather’s injuries to be fully healed. Fortunately, since Grandfather had begun receiving treatment from Borbel again, he’d improved considerably from before, but it still wasn’t a complete recovery.
My spirits sank a little.
“I’ll study harder and heal you completely soon….”
“Ahahaha! Don’t worry about it, you rascal! If you’re that concerned, just come by often and blow on them gently!”
Grandfather let out a cheerful sound and tossed me up lightly.
“But why are you so listless today?”
“Huh?”
“I heard Leviathan’s eyes went completely red because he wanted to hear you call him Father. Is that why?”
Oh, so you’ve heard about it.
I blinked rapidly, my eyes darting back and forth. Grandfather’s stern face creased slightly.
“So our little one isn’t too keen on it, hmm?”
“Well… do I have to change how I address him?”
“Of course not. Do whatever feels right to you.”
Grandfather spoke in an unusually gentle tone, then let out a soft laugh.
“Still, it’s rather amusing to watch that fellow fret and worry like that!”
“I feel bad about it…”
“Well, regardless, Rubian.”
A large, thick hand gently pinched my nose before letting go.
“When the way you address someone changes, the relationship changes too. You can grow closer… or drift apart.”
“But I’m already right beside him. How could we drift apart?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Simply being beside someone isn’t everything.”
“I came here specifically to stay right beside Guardian…”
I murmured it almost to myself. Grandfather seemed to catch even that quiet voice.
“That’s right, that’s right. How did our clever one manage it? You chased after that villain and ended up meeting an angel of a grandfather too, didn’t you?”
“…Something feels different.”
“You’re imagining things. Anyway, child, don’t miss this opportunity.”
“What opportunity is that?”
I asked genuinely curious, and Grandfather’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
“The chance to reduce Leviathan to being your personal umbrella for life.”

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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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