The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 87

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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 87
“Come now, be seated!”
“Yes, sir.”
Whoosh, whoosh. The members of the Zebert Duchy moved like soldiers, responding to the snap of those plump little fingers.
Crisis averted.
I let out a weary sigh, shaking my head slowly as distress washed over me.
Just as Rubian was settling back into her seat properly, she suddenly remembered something and lifted her head with a start. Then she carefully turned to look behind her.
“…!”
Her eyes met directly with those of Marchioness Evrich, who had been watching with a dazed expression.
“Hello there. Um, I’m Rubian, and I’m sitting in this front row…. I’m, I’m so sorry. These are my family members, and it’s their first time at something like this, so they got a bit excited….”
“Oh, no. It’s quite alright, young lady….”
The Marchioness found herself stammering out a response without quite meaning to.
“Thank you for understanding….”
With a bow, the child turned back around.
“Ugh. How embarrassing….”
My family—an embarrassment wherever they go.
I buried my face in my hands once more.
“Somehow, I don’t think it’s the child who’s feeling the embarrassment, is it?”
Someone whispered from behind.
“She’s controlling the entire Zebert Duchy… with just her fingertips….”
Whisper, whisper. Now different voices filled the hall.
“N-now that you mention it, I think I heard that this young lady is undergoing tremendous training with the Zebert Knight Order….”
“What? Among those terrifying Northern knights?!”
“She’s as small as a cotton ball, but is she incredibly strong?”
“My goodness…. Of course. Is that why she hides her face? Perhaps she believes true strength lies in not revealing one’s identity?”
“That could be it. Goodness, look at that. Even the knights are treating her with such reverence.”
“Leon Shujerke is handing her something…. Oh my, what a solemn expression. Could it be a new Northern weapon? It seems rather frightening….”
The whispers grew louder, swelling with increasingly exaggerated rumors.
All the way back to where the Gatekeeper stood….
“Sigh.”
The Gatekeeper inhaled sadly through his nose.
“I’ve been shouting since earlier, but no one… is listening to me.”
Yet he wiped his tears away with determination.
I am the Gatekeeper. My voice is my one strength, so let me fulfill my duty once more.
“The, the Emperor Your Majesty….”
Has arrived…!
You mad fools! Stop your chatter and listen to me!
The Emperor chuckled softly at the sight of the frantic Gatekeeper, even reaching over to pat his shoulder as if to comfort him.
“Never mind, never mind. It seems all the attention is already focused elsewhere anyway.”
Oh, how humbling this is.
I turned my gaze from the hunched back sprawled before me and fixed my eyes on the Emperor’s silver-hued nape, barely visible.
“Indeed.”
A delighted smile played across his lips.
“So the true power of the Northern Region was there all along.”
* * *
The prayer ceremony concluded without incident.
People stared at us constantly—apparently, the entire Zebert Duchy appearing together at the Shinrok Festival was quite the spectacle.
Truthfully, I found it rather tedious.
There was nothing to do but sit quietly, and prayers were utterly boring.
Besides, Licht only showed his face briefly before leaving, and with neither Olivia nor Titi present, I had no one to acknowledge.
I yawned roughly twenty times.
Fortunately, the mask concealed it. Lucky!
“The Emperor is summoning you.”
“Huh…? He caught me yawning…?”
“What are you talking about? Look over there.”
Father chuckled and pointed to one side.
An Attendant with a smiling face bowed deeply in greeting.
‘An invitation from the Emperor himself!’
In the end, instead of returning to the Duke’s Residence, I found myself heading to the Emperor’s private villa.
My brothers each had their own matters to attend to and disappeared. Grandfather and Mother Rosetta were busy entertaining nobility after so long, so it was just Father and me.
“Wow. Incredibly dazzling.”
Though called a villa, it was like a miniature version of the Imperial Palace. I wondered if we were heading to the audience chamber, but surprisingly, the Emperor was waiting for us in a comfortable tea room.
“Welcome, young lady.”
“Your Majesty, I am honored to—”
I grasped my skirt and bent awkwardly at the waist.
The Emperor laughed heartily. He was a remarkably refined gentleman who resembled Licht perfectly, though his laughter was considerably more boisterous.
“Enough, enough. This isn’t even the Imperial Palace. Make yourself comfortable.”
Wait, is that really acceptable?
I glanced around nervously.
Father smiled at me, then bent down and smoothed out my skirt with a few pats.
“There we go, Rubian. Straighten up—your dress will wrinkle. You’re wearing something pretty.”
Such an attitude, as if proper greetings meant nothing.
I whispered softly.
“Is the dress more important? What if I grow up as a hopeless child who doesn’t understand etiquette?”
“Well, the way you’re speaking suggests there’s nothing to worry about.”
Father gently pinched my nose.
“Quite the picture, this is.”
The Emperor, observing our exchange, smiled warmly. We were guided by the Attendant to our seats.
“So why have you summoned us? Please state your business.”
“Hmm.”
Father’s subtly sharp demeanor was enough to make my daughter’s back arch like a shrimp about to burst.
“Um… just like that?”
The Emperor answered with an equally casual tone. Hmm, perhaps this place simply had a more egalitarian culture?
“I’m the type who’s weak against force, you see.”
Those teal eyes swept over me with affection.
“I heard there was a rising power broker in the Northern Region, so I thought I’d take a good look.”
A wink, complete with a playful smile.
‘Well, Father is indeed the real power in the Northern Region.’
I nodded along half-heartedly.
Just then, the Maids entered with refreshments. The Emperor gestured for me to eat first, and I bowed politely.
“Wow, thank you for the meal!”
Strawberry macarons bursting with filling. They looked absolutely delicious.
I grabbed one and lunged toward my mouth!
“Oof.”
Oh right. I was still wearing my mask.
The macaron, blocked by my mask, never made it into my mouth and crumbled instead.
“What a mess.”
Father laughed in disbelief and brushed the crumbs from my clothes.
The delicate macaron had become nothing but powdered sugar, scattering to the floor with a soft patter…
“What do I do…?”
“It’s fine. Take it off and eat.”
I carefully revealed my face.
Once Father confirmed I’d completely removed my mask, he handed me a fresh macaron. The moment I bit into the edge, sweetness bloomed all the way to my fingertips! It was delicious!
“Having a daughter… is wonderful.”
The Emperor had tilted his chin to rest against his hand, watching us intently.
Father subtly positioned himself in front of me.
“Don’t look at her with such greedy eyes. You’ll spoil our child.”
“How absurd.”
The Emperor’s lips twisted into a grimace, yet he seemed accustomed to this. His gaze fell upon the pale blue cloth folded neatly on the table.
“By the way, young lady. Are you still unwell? That you were caught up in such an unfortunate incident… I truly regret it.”
“Oh, no.”
It wasn’t the Emperor’s fault at all.
I picked up another macaron to eat when I suddenly glanced around.
“But Licht… the Fourth Prince—where is he?”
“Ah, yes. When I mentioned inviting you, he seemed to rush out in a hurry… Oh, there he comes now.”
The heavy door opened rather hastily.
Licht appeared with his soft lemon-colored hair. His usually neat collar was slightly disheveled.
“Rubian, hello.”
His eyes, upon finding me, sparkled with delight.
“Hi! …Your Highness!”
I was about to speak casually as usual, but when I caught a glimpse of the Emperor’s expression, I switched to formal speech—and Licht squinted his eyes with amusement.
“Be comfortable. It’s fine.”
Licht approached swiftly. The Attendant following behind him retrieved something and set it down.
“Oh! This cake is—”
“Back then… you seemed to enjoy it. I brought it for you.”
It was the limited-edition cake from Jake Tea Salon!
Of course, our villa receives regular shipments, but I’d already finished this strawberry cream flavor and had to wait until the day after tomorrow for the next delivery!
“Thank you!”
I felt a little excited and quickly picked up my fork. Licht laughed softly as he sat across from me.
“What do you think? He’s my son, but he’s quite decent, isn’t he?”
The Emperor pushed the plate with the cake toward me.
“Young Lady, always keep your perspective narrow.”
“Pardon?”
Had I misheard?
“Fate is always found in the places closest to you…”
Crack! The sound of a teacup being set down forcefully came from beside me.

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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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