The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 85

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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 85
He stroked his chin, then suddenly lifted his head. Something nagged at him—just beyond his grasp.
“Come to think of it, there’s a festival in Northern Babylon around this time, isn’t there?”
“Yes. Presumably.”
“I believe you mentioned it draws quite a crowd of children.”
A thin, bloodstained smile played across the Mage King’s lips.
“It may be worth investigating.”
“What shall we do?”
He issued his command with a deliberately stern expression.
“Tracking Mage… convey this to my ‘fourth’: I shall ensure passage through the Northern Gate by any means necessary. Tell her she must find my crimson jewel without fail.”
“Yes, Father.”
The Mage King’s face softened with paternal affection as he withdrew something from his robes and handed it over.
“Send this along with her.”
“What is it?”
“A teleportation artifact.”
The sorceress’s eyes widened considerably.
“Such a thing… exists?”
Teleportation magic demanded immense magical power—a high-tier spell available only in the Mage Kingdom or select regions across the Continent.
‘It’s possible in artifact form?’
The king’s lips stretched wide.
“One must provide an escape route for one’s precious child, after all.”
“…”
“He’s with that Leviathan. Tell her to use it if danger arises.”
Greed gleamed in his eyes.
Soon a blue magical messenger bird took flight over Arcadia, bound for the Babylon Imperial Court.
* * *
Chirp, chirp. Morning had broken.
Of course, the sun hadn’t risen yet, so I was still lost in dreams…
“Time to wake up, Rubian.”
Smooch, smooch.
Soft lips descended upon my cheek and forehead, and my eyes fluttered open of their own accord. I gazed drowsily at the dimly lit room and the woman standing nearby.
Rosetta giggled and pulled my blanket back slightly.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Your alarm is far too sweet…”
“Hehe. How adorable.”
Do other children wake up this way from their mothers?
I found myself thinking how wonderful this truly was.
As I stirred and sat up, Rosetta gently combed through my disheveled hair with her fingers.
“But the sun hasn’t fully risen yet…”
The sun was only just beginning to peek over the horizon.
“Shouldn’t you wash up and get ready for the prayer ceremony?”
Blink, blink. With each flutter of my eyelids, the haze lifted from my mind.
That’s right—today marks the beginning of the New Leaf Festival!
Rosetta rose slightly and extended her hand to me.
“Come on! We need to soak in the hot spring and prepare—we’re running tight on time.”
“Huh. The hot—”
I kicked off the blanket and tumbled across the enormous bed, rolling myself upright.
“—spring!”
A perfect landing on the floor!
Rosetta clapped with the expression of someone awarding perfect technical marks.
“My daughter is amazing….”
“Hurry, hurry!”
I bounced impatiently, urging her forward. Now that she’d acknowledged I was a girl, I could visit the hot spring whenever I pleased without concern!
‘The mark on my lower back is well hidden anyway!’
Humming a tune without thinking, I took Rosetta’s hand. We left the Duke’s Residence together in good spirits and headed toward the hot spring.
The open-air bath, with its pale wisps of steam rising upward, looked exactly as I remembered it.
“Be careful.”
I quickly immersed myself in the warm water.
A hot spring at dawn was far more refreshing than I’d imagined. This truly is paradise!
“Who cut your hair? Hazel?”
Rosetta asked, running her fingers through my hair as I splashed about playfully.
“No, Father did.”
“Leviathan?”
Her expression showed genuine surprise.
“Yes. When I earn a lot of money later, I’m planning to open a salon for Father….”
“Wow, that would really go under….”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, it really seems like it’ll succeed. Come here. Puff out your nose.”
“Puff.”
Actually, Father’s skill wasn’t bad at all….
‘Ah, with that expression, service work probably wouldn’t suit him.’
I nodded in understanding.
Rosetta lathered up soap and scrubbed my hair thoroughly.
As she looked down at my body wrapped in a towel, she hesitantly broached the subject.
“Rubian, I heard you had scars on your body.”
“….”
“Is it still difficult to show them?”
I slowly shook my head.
The scars I’d hidden just in case were exposed once more. I’d used them as an excuse to conceal my body anyway—it would seem strange if they weren’t there.
Rosetta was being extremely cautious.
Honestly, I didn’t care who saw a wound like this. It was just… a little embarrassing.
“….”
As I loosened my grip on the towel, Rosetta bit her lip hard.
“You….”
The wound on my side wasn’t large, but it was deep enough to leave a scar. It looked like something sharp had cut into me.
Long, pale fingers gently covered the wound on my side.
I lifted my head without thinking and froze in surprise.
“A-are you crying?”
Rosetta was shedding tears, one after another.
“No. I’m not crying.”
“But tears are coming out….”
Rosetta roughly wiped her eyes.
“Who on earth hurt you like this?”
With the sound of water rippling, I felt the warmth of her pulling me close.
“How much it must have hurt….”
My shoulder seemed to grow damp again. It might have been hot spring water, but….
I felt oddly flustered.
I never imagined anyone would cry over this old wound. Yet somehow, her tears felt like salve spreading across my scar.
The gentle patting of her hand was unbearably ticklish.
It was a truly strange sensation.
“Everything is ready, Rosetta.”
When I returned after finishing my bath, Hazel and the other maids and attendants filled my bedroom.
Along with all manner of fragrant things and colorful dresses.
“Huh. These are mine?”
I found myself surrounded by clothes that clearly appeared to be mine.
“What? Don’t you like them?”
Rosetta seemed a little nervous.
“That’s not really it….”
They were clearly expensive children’s dresses, crafted with great care.
Where did she get these in just a few days?
And they fit me perfectly.
‘Ah.’
I suddenly realized the source of these clothes.
The Eastern Room of the Duke’s Mansion.
Could she have had them brought from there?
I turned my head while fingering the ribbon’s edge.
“They’re incredibly beautiful. But I don’t think they’d suit me….”
The pale blue dress wasn’t overly decorated—just right. The length wasn’t too long, so it looked easy to move in, and the embroidery and frills scattered throughout were exquisitely delicate.
“That can’t be. You’d look perfect just standing beside me.”
“Hehe….”
I watched Rosetta smile and thought, perhaps so. Of course, I had never worn such luxurious clothing before.
“Oh, the shoes are, um, those ones.”
I pointed to the leather shoes near the bed, having noticed the ribbon heels placed beneath the dress.
“They won’t match, will they?”
“Still….”
These were a gift I received….
As I fumbled with my words, Rosetta straightened her posture with a soft hum.
“There’s no helping it, truly.”
When I smiled broadly, Rosetta’s mother smiled back at me.
“Well then, madam, young lady….”
In that moment, a massive shadow fell across our backs—not a bear, but Hazel’s silhouette.
“I’ve been waiting for this day. Shall we begin the preparations?”
“Hazel, wait. Your eyes….”
“Hehehehe.”
The invincible Maid’s eyes gleamed with an unsettling fervor. The other maids shut the door with a decisive thud and laughed ominously in unison.
“Now, let’s see this through to the end.”
What do you mean?
My life?
* * *
“There we are. All done!”
Rosetta tied a ribbon beneath Rubian’s chin.
It was a bonnet adorned with white lace and a sky-blue ribbon.
The design was neither excessive for her short hair, yet matched her blue eyes almost too perfectly.
Rosetta marveled anew at her own sense of taste.
“I love you, Rubian….”
Unable to contain her overflowing affection, she pulled me into an embrace, and I squirmed slightly.
“She’s a young lady. Our young lady!”
“This was it…! This was exactly it!”
Hazel and the other servants covered their mouths and trembled with barely contained excitement.
Why buy dolls? We have our young lady! Hurrah! We have a young lady too!
Rubian herself seemed uncomfortable seeing her reflection in the mirror.
“Won’t everyone laugh?”
Her fair cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment. In the dress that reached above her ankles, Rubian looked utterly endearing.
“Who would dare?”
Rosetta replied kindly.
“If anyone does, Mother will shoot them all, so don’t worry.”
Shoot whom?
Rubian seemed to ask back hesitantly, but I pretended not to hear, pretended not to hear.
Rosetta finished adorning herself with practiced ease and waited for Rubian to put on her shoes. She herself wore a dress in a similar soft blue-green shade as Rubian’s.
‘I am happy.’
Isn’t this rather excessive—like watching a mother and daughter together?
Rosetta chuckled and reached for Rubian’s hand when a soft knock sounded and the door swung open.
“Rubian. It’s time we departed, the Duke—”
A young boy with neatly groomed teal hair stood in the doorway. His expressionless face froze mid-step.

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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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