The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 80

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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 80
* * *
But I was caught before I could even slip out of the greenhouse.
Naturally, by Grandfather’s hand.
“You don’t smell. It’s not that you avoided bathing.”
“It’s late.”
“Really. When you come, I keep getting excited….”
“What?”
“…I mean, I keep getting soothed. It seems you came to comfort me? Old Master.”
Kalid left those words behind and vanished in a flurry. After skipping training for days, he was immediately headed to the Training Ground.
I sat back down at the tea table with Grandfather.
My clothes were a mess of dirt from crouching on the ground. But Grandfather insisted on seating me on his lap regardless.
“Do you truly forgive this old man?”
His eyes, more anxious than ever before, fixed upon me. I shook my head vigorously.
“The fault was mine, sir.”
I was the one who deceived them, yet strangely, the people of Zebert apologized to me. Grandfather was no exception.
“How dare I let a granddaughter more precious than gold roll about in the Training Ground…. I deserve divine punishment! Please, strike me down with the lightning of atonement!”
“Nooo! This is a greenhouse, so lightning won’t strike here!”
As I recalled Grandfather striking the ground in lamentation and remorse, I found myself laughing for some reason.
“Mmm. Leviathan did all the wrong. Our Rubian did absolutely nothing wrong at all.”
“Hehe. So Grandfather, you’re fine too. You didn’t roll me around in that Training Ground.”
It was just a fun time playing, after all.
I stretched my hand up over the crown of my head to show him.
“See? I’ve even grown taller because of it!”
“Sob….”
“….”
Crying so suddenly like that.
“Where did such a precious little thing come from.”
Grandfather pulled me into a tight embrace. I could feel him restraining his strength, careful not to crush me with his stone-hard body.
“How much worry I’ve carried all this time….”
A sigh-like murmur seeped into my ears.
I pulled away and smiled brightly.
“Grandfather has become a crybaby too, it seems. Unlike me.”
“That’s true.”
Old Master drew out a handkerchief from his embrace and blew his nose with a pop.
The sun had already climbed to the top of the sky. I’d snacked on some treats, but lunch still hadn’t come.
When my stomach rumbled, Grandfather rose without hesitation.
“I brought the Chef from the Duke’s Mansion. I had her prepare all your favorite dishes, so let’s go quickly!”
“Yay, Chef!”
How exciting!
I clung tightly to Grandfather as he strode forward with long, purposeful steps. Every so often, he glanced down at me and sniffed loudly through his nose.
“By the way, where did Father go?”
I asked lightly, shifting the conversation. Grandfather answered slowly with a thoughtful hum.
“He went to meet the Emperor’s brat.”
“Huh? Why?”
Hadn’t all the kidnappers already been dealt with?
“The New Leaf Festival starts the day after tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
“He was in such a rush, the way he bolted out. Heh, I made the right call handing over the family headship.”
Grandfather chuckled with delight at his son’s predicament.
Only then did I notice the mansion had grown bustling—carriages coming and going without pause, servants moving about with purpose.
‘The festival is really beginning.’
I watched the scene unfold in a daze.
‘Either way… I should save the conversation about being a mage for when I’m back in Zelocks.’
It was far too important a revelation to rush through; I wanted to discuss it calmly and at leisure.
When you factored in the question-and-answer session that would inevitably follow, it could take quite a long time…
‘Though I’ll admit, I’m still a bit anxious about it…’
My clasped hands fidgeted slightly.
‘What if they reject me, saying, “You have the blood of our enemy flowing through your veins!”?’
No, no. My family would never do that.
I steadied my trembling heart, reassuring myself.
At most, a week.
During the span of the New Leaf Festival, I would have time to think it through properly.
Cough, cough. A small cough escaped me.
* * *
Ballock gazed at Rubian’s slightly protruding forehead.
The conversation he’d had with Leviathan while the child slept came unbidden to his mind.
“Why on earth did Rubian hide her gender in the first place!”
“…It seems she feared her gender would become a weakness, since her deceased child was female.”
“Sigh. So she kept silent out of fear of rejection.”
Ballock let out a small groan.
‘How deep must this child’s wounds run.’
Because of those wretched parents, the child had apparently grown up so harshly that even recalling the past was difficult.
Still, Leviathan was investigating Iosia so they could learn more about Rubian, he’d said.
‘Well, it’s a necessary procedure for formal registration anyway.’
But those damnable bastards!
‘How could they have treated the child so poorly, making her shrink away like this?!’
This precious little one deserved nothing but love!
Ballock swallowed curses too vile to speak aloud.
“Rubian, don’t you forget this. You are now undeniably a member of Zebert, and our family’s precious youngest. Always remember that fact. Understood?”
At the soft voice, sparkling blue eyes turned toward me. Rubian, who had hesitated for a moment, answered quietly.
“…Yes.”
The precious weight transmitted through my arms—that was what I cherished most.
A weak breeze made the child cough again.
The cold seemed to linger with persistent coughing. I furrowed my brow and strode briskly into the Zebert Mansion.
“We’ll have a meal and take medicine right away. Grandfather will feed you.”
“…But Borbel’s medicine is really bitter.”
“What? I should kick that bastard’s rear and have him make something sweet!”
“Oh no, I misspoke! Please don’t do that. Medicine and candy together will work!”
“Hmm. Is that so? Then I’ll have plenty of candy brought. Grandfather will do whatever our Rubian asks. There, there.”
“Ack! My beard! My beard!”
Rubian, who had been squirming in distress, suddenly lifted her head with a gasp.
Small fingers moved quite deftly, scraping away.
“Hehehehe.”
My chin somehow felt refreshed.
“Huh? What’s this?”
My gaze drifted absently to the mirror hanging on the wall. Inside it was an old man with his beard braided into three strands.
I blinked, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Kahahaha! I’ve become handsome!”
Rubian covered both her ears tightly, but I couldn’t contain myself. The servants gathered one by one, wondering what was happening.
“Morris! Look at me! I’ve become handsome!”
“…You look splendid, sir.”
“Kahahaha!”
Hearty laughter resonated throughout the entire mansion.
A precious and adorable little one who came to me one day.
No matter what happens, I will protect her with these hands.
I rubbed my cheek against Rubian’s, realizing it anew.
“My youngest, with capable hands from fingertip to toe!”
I, Ballock Zebert.
In my twilight years, I’ve been blessed with a granddaughter so adorable and precious!
* * *
“It’s been a while, Duke.”
The Emperor smiled broadly.
He was doing it on purpose.
Leviathan snorted derisively.
“We met just days ago, Your Majesty.”
“That was when you were like a malevolent spirit, but seeing you act normal is truly a rare occasion.”
The Emperor sat in the seat of honor, dressed in comfortable attire.
After handling the kidnapping incident that occurred upon arrival in Ipson, he had been staying at the Imperial Villa. With the imperial princes.
“Do sit down.”
The maids bustled about preparing tea.
Leviathan set a document beside the steaming teacup.
“Hmm. Looks like you’ve come to throw enrollment papers at me today.”
“Please process it.”
Whether it was a request or a threat, I couldn’t tell.
“I’m busy. I need to salvage this year’s New Leaf Festival, which has already fallen apart.”
The Emperor gave the Duke a slight sidelong glance. But without further complaint, he took the documents.
“Well, fine. Our foolish boy owed a debt this time, after all.”
Licht’s involvement in the kidnapping incident had been unexpected.
According to Licht, a child named Rubian had handled the situation with remarkable composure.
‘Indeed, does this child possess the qualities to become the Duke’s daughter?’
For the first time, the Emperor found himself intrigued by the child.

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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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