The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 78

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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 78
“Your face looks a bit flushed. You’re not running a fever again, are you?”
Kalid asked suddenly, his expression hardening. I shook my head vigorously in denial.
He poured an abundance of magical power into me all at once—far richer than anything I’d given him before. As the surging force filled me and my eyes widened in astonishment, his indifferent reply came back.
“Repayment.”
Kalid withdrew his hand and stretched languidly.
“Good. I should stop wallowing in regret now. I can’t upset my master.”
Let’s head to the pond.
I watched his broad back as he turned and walked away with heavy strides, then slowly followed after him.
‘I didn’t even realize it—was I lacking in magical power?’
Is that why my heart had been racing?
I withdrew my hand from my chest, which had finally grown calm.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I’m coming!”
At Kalid’s words, I shook off my thoughts and rushed forward at full speed.
Each time his beautiful face drew closer, my heart quickened its pace again.
Ah, it’s because I’m running!
“…”
…Why?
It really is because of the running!
As we stepped into the greenhouse, there was indeed an adorably small artificial pond. A short stepping-stone bridge spanned its middle, and we played back and forth across it.
“Wait, Asha was in prison?”
I asked in surprise.
“She was released thanks to testimony from the other children. Either way, she was a suspect in the kidnapping attempt incident.”
Now that I thought about it, I vaguely remembered hearing something like that in my sleep.
“So where is she now?”
“It seems she was conscripted as personnel for the New Leaf Festival. She probably made up the excuse that she came to the Northern Region for that.”
“Poor Asha.”
Kalid crouched down beside me. I was examining the seedlings in the flower bed.
“So? Do you still need Asha Drucan?”
“Huh?”
“You came here in the first place to bring Asha Drucan to your side. To hide that she’s a mage.”
“Well, that’s true…”
“Your gender was already exposed. I’m curious whether you’ll continue hiding her identity as a mage.”
“Hmm…”
I let out a short groan.
I couldn’t tell Kalid about the dream. After all, that was a story from the ‘original work’ that only I knew.
‘I’m bothered by not knowing the identity of the mage who kills my father.’
I tapped my head repeatedly. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember.
‘Why can I only remember half of it!’
In this state, I couldn’t afford to move recklessly. I had no certainty about what variables my actions might trigger.
Whether intentionally or not, I had altered the original story considerably.
‘Until now, that’s worked in my favor, but will it continue to?’
If Father learned I was a mage, he would develop an even deeper interest in the Mage Kingdom than he already had.
That was what worried me.
Because I didn’t know what results that interest might lead to.
Knowledge was power, and ignorance was poison.
As long as I knew of the original story’s existence, it was my weapon—but whether it would become a blade to pierce my enemy’s heart or a dagger aimed at my own throat remained uncertain in this situation.
So I had to be careful.
‘At the very least, I need to find out which mage is the one who kills Father.’
I could only prevent what I knew was coming if I identified my enemy first.
But this incident taught me that no secret could remain hidden forever.
I couldn’t keep my identity as a mage secret indefinitely, even if I didn’t reveal the ‘original story’ itself.
“Ugh… I should at least wait until after we return to Zelocks to tell him.”
Kalid nodded in agreement upon hearing my muttered words.
“Well, everyone seemed too preoccupied with the New Leaf Festival anyway.”
“Yeah. That too, and… Kalid.”
“Hm?”
I lowered my voice as I spoke.
“I’m going to properly investigate how to remove my mark.”
Kalid’s expression showed surprise at my sudden statement.
“You mean the Mage Kingdom’s seal? …You said even you couldn’t manage that.”
“Right. But if I don’t…”
I hesitated slightly, choosing my words carefully.
“I need to completely escape the Kingdom… so I can truly become Rubian Zebert.”
That was my honest truth.
To become Father’s real daughter… a child worthy of the name ‘Zebert’.
Not ‘the Mage King’s seventh’ or anything like that.
“I don’t want to remain the child of the mage who tormented Father.”
Only by shedding that label could I speak all the truth without hesitation.
Only then could I accept Father’s words—”It’s all right”—without guilt.
“I understand.”
Kalid answered after a brief silence.
“How to remove the mark. If your knowledge alone won’t solve it, I’ll help you investigate too.”
“What? No. This is my responsibility.”
“Master. You pulled me out of that cave even though you had no obligation to.”
His grayish-blue eyes gleamed with stubborn resolve.
“That was… because it was something I could do.”
“Exactly. So I’m just trying to do what I can for you.”
“…”
“I’ll look into it with you.”
Kalid spoke with conviction. I had no choice but to nod slightly.
“Understood… Thank you…”
Well… Kalid’s animal friends have been quite helpful anyway.
‘It’s better than struggling alone…’
We fell silent for a moment, both lost in thought.
Then, from a distance, I heard the sound of Hazel dragging a trolley.
Kalid, who had been staring blankly at her, quietly opened his mouth again.
“So, Rubian… After the New Leaf Festival ends, I need to go somewhere for a few days.”
My eyelids blinked once, twice.
“Where? You’re leaving the Northern Region?”
“Yeah. It’ll only take a few days. I want to go investigate something related to your mark.”
I was about to ask what, but I closed my mouth. I had a feeling that just as I hadn’t told Kalid everything, he hadn’t told me everything either.
Well, even if we’re close friends, we can’t share everything.
“Hmm… Understood.”
I nodded reluctantly.
“Miss, I’ve brought the tea!”
Hazel arranged tea and snacks on the table near the pond with a cheerful expression.
‘My goal hasn’t changed. I’ll protect Father’s life.’
The warm milk rose with steam, topped with honey and cinnamon. It was clear Father had noticed my persistent cough.
‘And I’ll free myself from this mark and become a true youngest member of this household.’
I clenched my fists tightly.
* * *
Tap, tap.
Leviathan’s index finger moved rhythmically.
“The child keeps coughing.”
At his cold voice, Borbel wiped his forehead.
“Yes… This is the fifteenth time you’ve mentioned it. We’ve already adjusted the medicine for the throat cold, and this would be the sixteenth time I’m telling you… It would be best to have warm drinks frequently, which is fortunately the tenth time I’ve mentioned that.”
This man.
Can’t fix my child with a snap of his fingers.
Leviathan sent a sinister gaze. Yet he promptly called for the Attendant and ordered him to send warm honey milk to Rubian.
Tap, tap.
He tapped his index finger again.
Beneath his long fingers lay a crumpled letter.
“So… What do you intend to do?”
Borbel carefully opened his mouth, glancing at the desk.
“Should we send someone to Iosia again?”
“…”
Leviathan remained silent.
There was no boy resembling Rubian in Iosia. It was only natural. Rubian was a girl.
Then what if I search again using the term ‘girl’?
Would that allow me to uncover Rubian’s past?
Something felt unsettling.
Rubian pretended otherwise, but she was a fearful child, cautious with strangers, defensive by nature. I couldn’t help but understand the anguish of a girl too terrified of abandonment to even speak of her gender, suffering in silence.
‘But was that truly the only reason?’
Then what else could there be?
My brow furrowed of its own accord.

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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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