The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 51

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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 51
“Surprisingly, people make many mistakes, don’t they?”
“Mm….”
“We live by forgiving and being forgiven. Children especially need to receive far more forgiveness than they give.”
The Gravedigger tapped her cocoa cup lightly.
“Bitter, then sweet. Isn’t that the truth of life?”
“….”
Was it really that simple?
In my past life, I’d never experienced anything like it.
One misstep and it was over. I must have stumbled twice, and so I lost my family twice.
The desolation and shame I felt each time I was returned to the orphanage remained as a dark knot within me.
“And I don’t think you’ve made such a terrible mistake. It seems a shame to distance yourself from such a good friend out of needless fear.”
“Um…. I’ll give you a certificate.”
“What?”
“For psychological counseling….”
“Ha ha ha. How adorable.”
The Gravedigger laughed heartily and ruffled my hair affectionately.
We sat side by side this time, sipping our cocoa.
A meal and dessert—it felt like I’d been treated to a full course, and thanks to it, my heart had grown considerably lighter.
I drained the last of my cocoa and rose from my seat.
“I’ve made a decision.”
“Have you?”
“Later, once I’ve finished what I need to do. I want to tell my friend the truth and apologize.”
That might turn into quite a long story. I’d have to start from my past life.
Will Uncle believe me? I still don’t know.
“I want to ask if I can still stay by his side….”
My plan to leave is withdrawn.
‘Once I achieve my goal, I’ll tell him everything I’ve hidden.’
I want to ask him to remain my family, even after that….
The fear of being abandoned still lingered. But it was better than before.
And even if I were to be hated, I don’t believe the affection he shows me now is false.
‘It’s okay.’
I really was okay now.
Only then did I feel I might finally be able to call him by his name.
“I…. I should head back!”
I leaped from my chair. Twilight darkness was creeping in through the window.
“Go on then! I won’t see you out!”
The Gravedigger waved from her seat at the table, her bright face making me wave back in return.
Before I closed the door completely, I paused and added something.
“By the way, I’ll make sure to spread the word that you’re not a witch!”
At her words, the Gravedigger let out a soft chuckle.
See? She’s so kind and beautiful—calling her a witch is really too much!
I resumed my patter-patter sprint down the hillside.
‘…Wait, hold on.’
My effortless stride faltered for a moment. I tilted my head in confusion.
‘There’s something in that conversation I feel like I missed.’
What was it? Was I imagining things?
“Rubian! Where have you been!”
“Oh, coming now!”
At Void’s distant shout, I resumed running.
Well, it was probably nothing.
All I could think about was hurrying to fetch my Uncle.
Click. The door closed, and through the window, I could see the child scurrying away in quick little steps. The woman rested her chin in her hand, gazing at that retreating figure for a long while.
A smile bloomed naturally on her lips.
“Girls really are different, aren’t they?”
Whose daughter could she be?
Lord Yugen’s? Lord Hector’s? Or perhaps the daughter of one of the new Knights they’d recently hired?
“She must have come to the Castle to visit with her father.”
And then lost her way?
According to Mrs. Uris, children that age are discovered in the most extraordinary places. They’re always busier than adults, exploring everywhere.
As the image of that round face streaked with tears came to mind, I felt both a pang of sympathy and an urge to laugh. What secret could have made such a small child so sorrowful?
“Ah, I should have at least asked her name!”
The realization came too late, making me regret it all the more.
How much time had passed since then?
By the time complete darkness had fallen over the Memorial Garden and the fireplace embers had dimmed to ash.
The weathered cottage door opened silently.
“Come in.”
Only then did the woman rise to her feet. The interior was soon filled with shadowy figures wearing black masks.
“It’s been a while, Hazel.”
Hazel, at the head of the shadows, gave a brief bow.
“You’ve returned early, my lord. I thought it would take longer.”
“Yes. Liam opened a path halfway through, so I just came ahead.”
“And Master Liam?”
“He went to buy a monster encyclopedia or something. Sigh, honestly. I don’t understand why boys that age all have the same interests.”
Rosetta Zebert exhaled a shallow sigh of genuine exasperation. The affection woven through it made Hazel’s eyes smile.
“By the way, Aina. You’re the one they call a witch?”
“Is that so?”
One of the shadows tilted her head.
This cottage was the hidden base of Rosetta Zebert and her Mercenary Maids. Few knew of it.
The various sinister rumors they had spread to keep people away seemed to be working quite effectively.
“You’ve dyed your hair.”
“Yeah. Does it suit me?”
Hazel nodded with a smile, her pink hair now seamlessly concealed—a sight I’d grown accustomed to.
“But… who was visiting?”
At the follow-up question, Rosetta nodded.
“Oh, a girl. She wandered into the Small Garden by mistake, it seems.”
A girl? The Maid’s eyes sharpened with intensity.
“…Now that I think about it, some Knights brought a child today. Some sort of foolish gathering, they called it. I’ll warn them to be careful.”
“Never mind, never mind. It’s nice to have children around. What’s the fuss?”
Rosetta spoke lightly and stretched languidly.
“So, Hazel. Rubian must be quite adorable? Your expression has changed into someone entirely different.”
Hazel lowered her gaze slightly and scratched her forehead with embarrassment.
“…Yes. Very much so.”
Watching her, Rosetta smiled broadly.
More than ten years had already passed since I rescued those women who were enslaved as assassin mercenaries in the Illegal Guild and made them my attendants and maids. I myself, a bastard of a minor noble, had fled the guild back then and, after much hardship, was adopted into the Zebert family.
None of it would have been possible without Leviathan’s help.
‘Well, yes. I’m fortunate I didn’t kill him when we first met.’
As I refined a long arrowhead, I recalled the face of my beloved husband, whom I missed dearly.
But soon, restless fidgeting began.
“Why on earth did Leviathan bring Rubian here? What kind of child is she anyway? Ah, I’m so curious. So incredibly curious that she even appeared in my dreams!”
She was the one most curious about Rubian of all.
The maids laughed familiarly and enjoyed my reaction. Without exception, they spoke of Rubian’s cuteness and loveliness. Of course, Hazel had contributed the most to the conversation.
“I want to embrace her tightly soon.”
Despite my reluctant expression, I simply gathered my belongings.
“Then shall we head out? It was Ipsun, right?”
“My lady, are you truly not stopping by the Castle?”
Hazel added.
“His Grace must be missing you terribly.”
“No. He’s overprotective, so I dislike it.”
It was a blunt answer. I laughed, twirling my index finger on the table.
“Besides, I want to go to the New Leaf Festival too. He’ll obviously just tell me to rest, and I can already predict it. He doesn’t even realize my health has improved. I’m not some glass doll.”
“…”
“And the reason I stopped here first was… to spend time with my baby after so long.”
My blue eyes turned toward the distant Small Garden.
The maids, knowing what lay at the end of that gaze, fell silent with somber expressions. I put on my outer coat with determination.
“Let’s go. Mother needs to clear out all the beasts along the way to Ipsun so our little ones can enjoy the New Leaf Festival without worry, don’t we?”
I rummaged through the wooden wardrobe and pulled out a long bow hidden among the clothes.
Looking at the bowstring gleaming in moonlight, I recalled the silver hair of the child I’d seen earlier.
Will we meet again?
I smiled softly as I pondered this.
“It’s been a while since I’ve played the proper housewife. Shall I go tend to the cleaning~”
I hope we meet again.
Next time, I’ll have to prepare something even more delicious than cocoa.

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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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