The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 84

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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 84
Creak—the door opened softly.
Thud. The adults’ shoulders shot up in unison.
I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I felt exactly like someone caught gossiping behind closed doors.
“One, two. One, two.”
Flustered, Ballock suddenly began doing push-ups.
“Goodness, Hazel? Where have my maid and attendant gone?”
Rosetta calmly opened the teapot lid and searched for the Attendant.
….
Leviathan was at least reading documents properly.
“Dad, your papers are upside down.”
Of course, that wasn’t normal either.
“Ahem. Rubian, what’s the matter?”
Leviathan replied nonchalantly. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, studying the adults’ suspicious behavior.
My blue eyes rolled across the table.
“What! You all ate something delicious without me!”
How unfair!
“What?”
Leviathan swept his gaze across the table in confusion.
Only then did the various desserts the maids had arranged come into view.
Ah. I didn’t even know there were snacks here.
But… these are seriously his style of snacks.
“Rubian, that’s not it. Come here.”
“That’s right! I haven’t even touched them! Our youngest! Come to Grandfather!”
But I pressed my lips together and turned my head away with a huff.
They’re all terrible. And I even bought you cake!
Muttering to myself, I chose the seat next to Rosetta.
“My.”
Rosetta, who had been searching for the maid beneath the teaspoon, opened her eyes wide.
“Those two have had me buy them cake before.”
Since Mother isn’t here. Not guilty.
That seemed to be my own logic.
Rosetta smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around me.
“That’s right. Don’t play with those dark, rigid men—come here instead.”
“Mm.”
“Our Rubian looks so pretty in pajamas, doesn’t she?”
“No, it was Hazel who…”
Judging by the shy flush rising in my round cheeks, the snack was just an excuse—I simply loved Rosetta’s soft embrace.
At the unexpected arrival of this formidable rival, Leviathan and Ballock froze stiff.
Leviathan groaned softly and quietly pushed a pastry toward me.
“But Rubian, what’s this about?”
Rubian, who had been toying with Rosetta’s long hair, finally turned his head as if remembering his purpose.
“Oh, that’s right!”
“…?”
“Why can’t I participate in the Shinrok Festival Competition? Why? Why? Why on earth!”
Rubian fired off his questions in rapid succession. Leviathan straightened up with an unbothered expression, as if to say, what kind of question was that?
“Of course you can’t.”
Just then, Rubian coughed—a sharp hack.
“See? Coughing like that. You haven’t recovered from your cold. Rest at the mansion.”
“That doesn’t make sense….”
The child’s head drooped heavily.
“I….”
Something about the way he mumbled and fidgeted with his hands tugged at my heart.
What was this? Was he truly disappointed?
Leviathan studied Rubian’s expression anxiously. Then the child’s face suddenly lifted.
“I knew you’d say that!”
Ta-da!
What Rubian pulled out was some sort of cloth scrap. It covered half the face… with loops that could hook over the ears.
“How about my homemade mask! Perfect respiratory protection! Borbel approved it!”
“That’s….”
What on earth was that?
Leviathan’s expression twisted in bewilderment.
Rubian, undeterred, put on the pale blue mask. He looked remarkably accustomed to it.
With only those bright, sparkling eyes peeking out, it resembled the time he’d burrowed under the blankets….
Rosetta couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Ahahaha. Isn’t it fine? How did you come up with such an adorable idea?”
“Rose….”
“It’s okay, Levi. His cough has improved significantly, and he’ll be much better by the competition in three days, won’t he? Borbel approved it too.”
“Sigh.”
He was going out like that? Looking like some masked bandit?
…Though for a masked bandit, he was admittedly quite adorable.
Ballock reached out, wanting to try it on himself. Rubian shook his head vigorously, making an X shape with both arms.
“It’s my first festival. You should let me enjoy it.”
When Rosetta sided with him again, Rubian nodded emphatically.
I couldn’t win this one.
Leviathan had no choice but to surrender.
“Why are you so desperate to participate in the competition anyway?”
In that moment, a fierce ambition flashed across the child’s eyes. Rubian yanked off his mask and cried out.
“Because I’m going to win first place and get the grand prize!”
“You and that wretched card again….”
With a sigh, I pressed my forehead, and Rubian merely giggled in response.
Just then, the Reception Room door opened once more.
“Rubian! Found you!”
“Youngest sprite. It’s rather troublesome to dash out in the middle of a conversation.”
“And it’s equally troublesome when an older brother gets lost at home and ends up in my care.”
“Hmm.”
It was Void and Liam.
“Anyway, perfect timing, Rubian. Come here! Let’s play windmill!”
“No, please save me!”
Rubian wriggled and burrowed into Rosetta’s embrace. Rosetta laughed and shielded the child with both arms.
“There’s no one here. You mischievous lot.”
“How unfair, Mother… monopolizing the youngest like this!”
The two circled around Rosetta persistently, pestering Rubian. The once-quiet Reception Room descended into chaos in an instant.
Rosetta let out a cry of joy.
“Our house is actually this loud!”
Unable to contain herself any longer, she snatched Liam and Void by the nape of their necks and pulled them into an embrace.
“A daughter in my arms, sons before my eyes!”
“Uh, Mom, I’m getting squished…”
Rubian whimpered from within the embrace, cheeks thoroughly compressed.
Liam and Void, who had been thrashing about like colts, exchanged glances while bending their waists awkwardly.
Soon, satisfied smiles bloomed across both their faces.
“Ah, indeed. An excellent method, Mother.”
“I should squish Rubian too.”
Squeeze.
They all embraced Rubian together.
“…We’ve become a lump?”
Leviathan muttered in disbelief.
Pink, silver, and black tangled together—one push and they’d roll clear across the Continent.
…Though somehow, I wanted to join in too.
“Ahem. I’m the father, after all.”
Should I squeeze in?
The moment I began to rise awkwardly, my eyes met those of Ballock, who was similarly half-risen.
“…”
“…”
Seeing the gleam in the elderly man’s eyes, Leviathan understood.
What was needed now was…
I sprang up! My body moved of its own accord.
“Your Grace, the young lady should be getting some rest soon… Goodness. Why not just glue everyone together and be done with it?”
Indeed.
Who would have been the victor that day?

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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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