The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 61

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 61
Titi shifted the conversation.
“Ah, I heard they target only girls.”
“Really? I heard they target noble children regardless of gender?”
“Is that so? I heard they don’t care about social status at all.”
Hmm? Titi and Lib tilted their heads at each other, their expressions puzzled.
“Since it’s such an unpleasant matter, the rumors seem to be circulating in various forms.”
As I added my observation, Licht, who had been listening quietly, let out a heavy sigh and interjected.
“Regardless, young ladies need to be equally cautious.”
He set down the fork he’d been holding with a sharp clink.
“Make sure to always have an escort, and it’s best not to wander about after dark.”
“Of course. I want to return to the Academy safely!”
“Hehe. Titi doesn’t like scary things either.”
….
Under that piercing gaze, I turned my head while still holding the fork in my mouth.
Sure enough, those grayish-blue eyes were fixed directly on me.
‘I know. I understand.’
Even without being told, I won’t dig myself into trouble.
I had also heard rumors circulating around this area.
‘A rogue mage to be captured?’
“Kalid. There was an attempted kidnapping in Ipson. According to rumors….”
“No. And that’s not it.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“Aren’t you about to blame me? And then offer to help or do something about it?”
He really did see me as too good a person sometimes, and that was the problem.
I was genuinely indignant.
“That’s not it, you pig! I was just about to swear I’d never get caught! Camelan Count will handle catching the criminal himself.”
“How unusual.”
“I’m not that virtuous!”
“You’re exactly that virtuous.”
Sigh. I exhaled and drank the milk placed before me.
When I threatened Kalid with my eyes to recall our earlier conversation, he crossed his arms and turned away with a snort.
How does he even manage his social skills?
“By the way, have you heard about the New Leaf Festival competition this year?”
This time, Olivia brought up a new topic.
“Huh? There’s a competition?”
“This will be your first time, Rubian. After the New Leaf Festival prayer ceremony ends, adults typically engage in hunting or martial arts contests, while children participate in simpler competitions. It’s a festival, after all.”
Ah, now that I think about it, I vaguely remember reading about it in a book.
Olivia continued her explanation.
“There are children’s equestrian competitions, maze-finding contests, quiz competitions, and sword-fighting tournaments. Think about which ones might suit you, Rubian.”
“Ah, yes…”
Titi interjected from beside me.
“I’m going to participate in the quiz competition!”
“I see.”
“I’ve received intelligence that there will be many questions about herbalism this year! Isn’t that right, Licht?”
Licht then rubbed the space between his brows as if troubled.
“I don’t know much about it myself. But the Academy’s herbalism professor has been frequenting the Imperial Palace quite often.”
I listened quietly before asking.
“By the way, are there prizes if you win at the New Leaf Festival?”
“Of course.”
“What are they?”
“Second place gets money, third place gets jewels.”
“…”
Wait, aren’t the prizes far too practical for a game filled with childish innocence?
Titi sighed softly with a small groan.
“It’s become rather modest. Last year it was land.”
“…”
These noble children, I tell you.
“What about first place?”
I rested my chin on my arm, asking with a petulant tone for some reason.
“The first place prize is…”
Licht smiled at me with a straightforward expression.
“A Hero Collection Card. It’s a New Leaf Festival limited edition containing an unreleased portrait.”
So they’re appealing to childish desires again?
“But I kind of want it.”
I suddenly desired the first place prize more than anything else.
‘My collecting instinct is burning…’
It was because I wanted to see Father’s rotting expression one more time as he looked at the Hero Collection Card.
‘I want to tease him. Badly.’
Ha. So that’s why the Hero Collection Card is the top prize?
“This will be quite the fierce competition…”
Olivia pressed her hands together, her expression serious.
“Yes. Every child across the Continent covets it…”
Even Titi muttered while furrowing her brow deeply.
As expected, money and jewels don’t even cross their minds. These noble children drowning in abundance.
“Alright. I’ll aim for the quiz competition! Let’s climb Ipson Mountain to study herbs!”
“Ooh! I’m in favor, Lib!”
“By the way, I heard kidnapping incidents are becoming trendy?”
When I asked with a skeptical tone, Olivia raised her eyebrows as if it were no concern.
“We just need to bring escorts, don’t we? Honestly, dressing as commoners and going out casually is the most fun.”
I let out a short sigh at the innocent answer.
‘So the real troublemakers were here all along.’
All right. Once I get back to the mansion, I’ll write letters to Camelan Count and Count Olson!
After we’d finished most of the cake, the table naturally cleared itself.
I carefully wrapped a cake for Father using the allowance I’d received before heading out.
While ordering, I remembered Grandfather, Void, and Liam, so I borrowed a bit more money from Leon and bought cakes for them as well.
‘This feels wonderful!’
Good food brings to mind the faces of those you cherish!
They’re just like real family, aren’t they?
“Well then, take care everyone!”
I waved my hands enthusiastically. Since we were heading in different directions, Titi and Lib stood on the opposite side of the street.
“Yes, see you at the New Leaf Festival!”
The two of them, holding hands like sisters, walked away with the escorts who had come to pick them up.
Just then, Leon and Kalid appeared, laden with cake boxes.
“Rubian, let’s go. The rest will be sent to the Duke’s Residence.”
“Okay!”
I replied lightly and looked at Licht standing before me.
“You didn’t have much fun, did you?”
“Huh?”
He blinked slowly.
“I dragged you out saying we’d play, but you barely talked… and it seems like you didn’t really enjoy the cake either.”
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. Come to think of it, I’d come out intending to entertain Licht, but I’d ended up enjoying myself far too much. Belated regret washed over me.
“I’m not really sure what counts as playing either…”
This was my best effort. Embarrassed, I laughed nervously, and Licht smiled warmly.
“No. I had an amazing time.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
I wondered if this was just a customary greeting, but his sparkling eyes seemed genuinely sincere.
“Rubian.”
At that moment, Licht stepped closer to me.
“Thank you for playing with me today.”
“Um…”
“Can I come find you again if I want to play?”
“What…… I guess?”
We seemed to have become friends, after all.
At that, his smooth face broke into a radiant smile. His expression was so full of pure joy that anyone watching felt their heart warm.
“Rubian, aren’t you leaving?”
At Kalid’s soft urging, I quickly turned around.
“Take care! See you at the New Leaf Festival!”
“Okay.”
I strode away from the crimson-haired prince, his locks bathed in the sunset’s amber glow, with Leon close at my heels.
‘Why is he being so affectionate with a man, though?’
Could it be…?
Hmm.
Well, that’s possible. The Empire’s future is shaping up to be quite interesting.
Meanwhile, after Rubian and Leon had moved out of earshot.
Kalid and Licht exchanged a peculiar glance, standing in silence.
“I’ve been wanting to ask since earlier.”
Kalid, who had been standing quietly, opened his mouth slowly.
“You know, don’t you.”
That she’s a girl.
It was a sentence stripped of all unnecessary words, but Licht understood the hidden intention perfectly.
“Well, take a guess.”
This bastard.
Kalid twisted the corner of his mouth upward. Watching him, Licht muttered as if to himself.
“So you really are friends, huh.”
“Suddenly appearing like that, I couldn’t tell what was going on.”
Kalid narrowed his stride. In his grayish-blue eyes, the crimson glow of the sunset rippled.
“Your mouth better stay shut about this.”
….
“Your Highness.”
In that moment, Licht saw something writhing within the lengthening black shadow.
‘This bastard…’
Is he even human?
A faint chill crept up the back of Licht’s neck at the sudden question.
“Kalid, what are you doing? Hurry up!”
At that crystalline voice piercing through, Kalid’s eyes, which had been darkening, flickered with change. The wavering shadow finally ceased its trembling and solidified into stillness.
He adjusted the cake box lightly in his grip and turned his body.
“…What are you?”
That aura… Could it be? Kalid, turning his body, fixed his gaze on Licht with only his head tilted.
“Well, take a guess.”
The boy smiled, pulling up one corner of his mouth, and leisurely moved away. Licht clenched his fists tightly, watching his retreating figure for a long time.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————