The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 56

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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 56
Rubian seemed to gain a bit of confidence.
“Ta-da. There are so many snacks too. Who do you think prepared all this? Whose house is this?”
“…It’s, it’s the Zebert Duke’s Residence.”
Sortie Camelan pouted her lips and answered softly. Rubian chuckled and handed her a handkerchief.
“Oh my. Thank you so much for comforting our little one. As expected, children of the Jebert Family are truly exceptional.”
The Count, who had been sweating profusely, finally released the child.
“Now, Titi. Stop clinging and greet her properly.”
“Yes, Papa.”
Sortie Camelan, who had been dawdling, stood before Rubian with her gaze fixed on her.
“I’m Sortie Camelan of the Camelan Count’s household. I’m seven years old.”
Rubian grew slightly shy at last.
“I’m Rubian…. I’m eight….”
In that moment, one of Leviathan’s eyebrows shot up at a sharp angle. Rubian? That’s it? Where’s the rest?
What comes next?
Blink, blink. Sortie Camelan’s clear eyes moved as if studying Rubian’s face.
“Why is your name only half?”
Freeze. The air crystallized at the innocent question.
Sortie Camelan looked between Leviathan and Rubian alternately, tilting her head. Her twin braids tilted along with her.
“Your hair color is different too. Titi’s is just like Papa’s, but this is strange!”
“Titi, that’s enough….”
As the Count tried to stop her, Leviathan set down his teacup.
Just as he urgently reached out toward Rubian, who stood motionless.
“I’m going to be adopted. Um, so… I’m not really Uncle’s actual child.”
A measured voice flowed out.
Rubian spun around with an unbothered expression. Sortie Camelan cupped both her cheeks and asked, “Oh?”
“Can that happen?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Leviathan finished extending the arm he had paused and drew Rubian close.
“There are many ways to become family, young lady.”
As he sat her on his lap, Rubian tilted her head back and looked up at him with bright, wide eyes. Sapphire-blue irises filled his vision.
“Even if you look a little different, you’re my precious jewel. Will you be a good friend?”
At his gentle persuasion, Sortie Camelan broke into a wide smile as if she had never cried.
“Yes! Thank you for telling me! Your Grace!”
Family… Rubian held the word in her small lips. Leviathan poked her plump cheek.
A defiant gaze returned, but as always, it was utterly endearing.
While the two adults briefly discussed business, Rubian shared snacks with Sortie Camelan.
“-Well then, shall we continue discussing the New Leaf Festival? Actually, security in Ipson hasn’t been very good lately, so I requested some knights. These days there’s a specific crime… Ahem, Yonseok.”
“Hehe, Papa’s beard.”
Sortie Camelan, who had crept in at some point, laughed while braiding Camelan Count’s long beard.
“I raised him as the youngest, spoiling him rotten, and now his manners are getting worse. My apologies.”
Leviathan said it was fine and glanced to the side.
Rubian was savoring the cream puff, his eyes sparkling with delight.
That looks rather good…?
I heard a murmur, but couldn’t make out the meaning.
“Rubian. If you’re bored, why don’t you go play outside? This conversation seems like it’ll take a while.”
“Sure! Miss Camelan, want to come with me?”
My, even though she’s only a year older, she’s already extending her hand first….
“Ah.”
Leviathan suddenly furrowed his brow.
A boy and a girl… can they really hold hands so casually like that?
Without thinking, he turned to look at Camelan Count. The Count simply wore a pleased expression.
‘Is it allowed?’
If she were my daughter….
Clang.
“Sir… Your Excellency? Why are you suddenly trying to draw your sword…?”
“Ahem, no.”
Leviathan forcibly released the sword he’d unconsciously gripped tightly.
This is strange. My insides keep churning….
“We’re going to the Garden out front!”
“…Very well.”
Leviathan clasped his hands together and nodded.
Rubian, having opened up, chattered away to Sortie Camelan.
“The Garden here is really beautiful. Could you teach me that knot you just made there?”
“Braiding a beard? Of course!”
“It’s so scratchy I can’t stand it….”
“Oh my. You’re under a beard attack.”
The two of them walked away hand in hand, getting along well.
‘Well….’
Since they’re cute, I suppose it’s fine.
* * *
In the Reception Room after the children left.
Leviathan broached the main topic with an impassive face.
“So what’s been happening in Ipson lately?”
“Ah, crime, sir. There have been several reports of attempted kidnappings recently… and with the New Leaf Festival coming up, there will be an influx of outsiders, so we’re trying to prepare our defenses more thoroughly.”
“I’ve brought enough guard knights, so dispatch as many as needed.”
“Thank you so much.”
Camelan Count laughed with the expression of one who had caught his breath. He hid his face behind his teacup while stealing a glance at the man before him.
His first thought was that he was remarkably handsome.
And then came fear.
Though he sat in a relaxed posture, leaning slightly back, it was closer to the arrogant composure unique to one who ruled.
The Count swallowed dryly without realizing it.
He knew all too well how much blood those steady hands holding the teacup could spill.
‘A war demon.’
Even knowing he was humanity’s hero, I couldn’t erase that word from my mind.
When I happened to visit the Frontline to inspect supply materials, what I saw there was a single malevolent spirit.
Black hair soaked through with blood, crossing the wasteland. The silver blade gleamed with crimson, and wherever he moved, blood and flesh remained like footprints.
‘What chilled me most was the complete absence of emotion on his face.’
He was like someone swinging a sword purely by instinct carved into his very being.
‘Compared to then… he’s remarkably subdued now.’
Back then, I couldn’t even imagine him sitting like this, tilting a teacup.
‘Is it because the war ended, or…’
The Count set down his teacup with a composed expression.
Could it be because of the child?
“But why this sudden kidnapping incident?”
Leviathan sank into his chair and asked. The Count quickly cleared his thoughts and answered casually.
“Well… there’s a rumor that a fugitive mage from the Mage Kingdom is a young girl.”
In that instant, the air grew sharp as if cut by a blade.
“It seems some mad fools are thinking of capturing her and handing her over to the Kingdom to claim a reward. Or perhaps demanding ransom from her parents instead…”
Leviathan’s brow furrowed deeply. The Count felt cold sweat trickling down his spine and quickly added more.
“The perpetrators are being pursued day and night, so please don’t worry too much. Fortunately, it’s still just an attempt, so we must catch them before the New Leaf Festival.”
“Tell Obron to dispatch all the Knights.”
Leviathan clicked his tongue harshly. Seeing the Count’s face turn pale, he forcibly suppressed the turbulent energy within him.
‘A young girl mage?’
Then she must have fled to survive.
Why push even a child to such extremes?
‘Those insane Kingdom bastards.’
Leviathan exhaled a long breath. He had one more reason to meet the Emperor.
“You must be anxious, Count. Having a young daughter and all.”
“Phew. Yes… honestly, these days I’m really uneasy when I can’t see them. I’m sure Your Excellency feels the same.”
“…?”
Leviathan looked up with a blank expression.
“Rubian is my son.”
“Eh?”
Camelan Count’s face looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Oh my. That can’t be right!”
“I know he’s beautiful. Adorably so, almost to the heavens.”
“…”
“Brilliant and clever. And how well he speaks—he could hold his own against Academy professors. Now he’s running three and a half laps around the Training Ground. Isn’t that incredible determination? He’s already surpassed his mentor in herbalism, and healing arts will be next…”
“Yes, I heard you clearly.”
A cold reply came back.
“No, there’s more. Listen carefully.”
“That’s not it either. I seem to have misunderstood something.”
Camelan Count rose abruptly to his feet. Leviathan found it deeply regrettable that the Count would let slip such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Well, it’s not as though you’d take in a princess so easily….”
Cough! The Count startled at his own muttering and let out a loud, awkward cough.
“….”
Leviathan was lost in other thoughts and didn’t even hear those words.
Now that I think about it, I’ve been hearing such remarks quite often lately.
Evelyn, who had come to take Rubian’s clothing order, had said the same thing.
“A…boy, you say?”
Really? Truly?
Her hesitant voice echoed like a phantom in my ears.
‘What is this.’
Is there something I’m supposed to realize right now?

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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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