Youngest on Top - Chapter 239

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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 239

* * *

“She is my daughter.”

That weighty declaration rendered the banquet hall silent instead.

It had been surprising yet entertaining when foreign princes and even Kaishurit himself competed for the partner position.
It had been bewildering yet thrilling when Perardin Noishurael Duke and Admiral Ekellan made their dramatic entrance.

Of course, Saelika held special significance to both the Duke and the Admiral.
She was already a cherished Sacred Maiden, and they had even caught a fraudster impersonating her daughter while she collapsed from exhaustion.

‘But this….’

Such a declaration could not be made merely out of affection.
Considering the shockwave contained in those brief words…!

“Ha, haha, I understand Sae is a lovely child, but to call her your daughter….”
“Haha, surely the Duke is jesting….”

The Empresses’ faces, which had been attempting to lighten the mood with forced laughter, gradually turned rigid.

They understood as well.
That Perardin Noishurael Duke was not a man who would speak falsehoods, even in jest.
Especially not regarding his youngest daughter!

“Wait, wait— then is it really….”
“Is Sae truly….”

The two Empresses could not bring themselves to finish their sentences.
The air that had plummeted in an instant now swelled as if ready to burst.
When everyone held back the words circling in their minds from crossing their lips.

“We pay our respects to the Noishurael Duke’s daughter.”

Nelije and Dolores knelt before Saelika.
Behind them, Grizelda Princess fanned herself with elegant grace as she offered her greeting.

“Must we exchange pleasantries again? How delightful to see you, Noishurael’s daughter.”

That was the beginning.
The people within the banquet hall swarmed toward Saelika like a hive of bees.

“My respects, Lady Noishurael’s daughter.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Noishurael’s daughter.”
“So you are Saelika—no, Lady Noishurael’s daughter. There was always a reason you were so extraordinary.”
“The blood of such noble legend cannot be easily concealed, after all.”

Amid the clamor, Perardin Noishurael Duke did not move a single step.
He remained in the same stance as when he had made his declaration, blocking one person’s path with his gaze fixed upon them.
It was Kaishurit.

Between the two, a sinister air cut through like a blade of wind.
A standoff where neither yielded, not an inch of compromise.
Saelika watched the two of them with anxious eyes.

‘What should I do? Shuri doesn’t care whether his opponent is the Duke or the Duke’s daughter.’

If this continued, there was no telling what Kaishurit might do to secure the partner position—the Elf exchange rights.

‘I need to stop him quickly—.’

But Kaishurit was faster than Saelika.
His right hand sliced through the empty air.
The moment a startled Saelika hurried to move.

“Pardon me.”

The hand that had gracefully cut through the air came to rest gently upon Kaishurit’s left chest.
He bowed his head with fluid composure.

“I failed to recognize that you are the Duke’s daughter.”
“…!”
“…!!”

Everyone in the banquet hall froze at Kaishurit’s actions.
This Kaishurit—the Crown Prince who brazenly ignored even the Emperor’s words—was now….

“When shall we go monster hunting together, Duke? We’ve longed for it greatly. We’ve never had a private meeting before….”

Perardin Noishurael Duke’s brow furrowed at that ingratiating tone.

“What are you doing.”
“Hmm, something pretty?”

Kaishurit grinned wickedly and whispered to Perardin Noishurael Duke.

“….”

In that instant, Perardin Noishurael Duke’s pupils narrowed sharply.
And then.

CRASH!!!!
A tremendous force engulfed Kaishurit.

“W-what are you doing!!”

Saelika cried out in shock.
Perardin Noishurael Duke gazed coldly at the shattered floor.

“Stop your theatrics and get up.”

However, Kaishurit remained motionless, buried in the debris.
Saelika quickly rushed to his side.

“Your Highness, are you all right?”
“Ugh….”

Kaishurit groaned from within the wreckage.
The expressions of the Noble Ladies became complicated at the sight.

‘For the Crown Prince to be in such a state.’
‘I thought he was only someone to fear, but to see him so vulnerable….’
‘A sight I’ve never witnessed before… yet.’
‘It suits him!’
‘It suits him incredibly well!’
‘What is this? Why is my heart racing?’

It was far too seductive to simply call it the result of being struck down in combat.
His neck and collarbone, twisted and fully exposed.
The firm chest and defined abdomen that peeked through tantalizingly where his garments had been torn.

‘And above all, that sculpted face with its subtle wince….’

Pitiful as a single lily, yet captivating as a deep crimson rose….
Yes, just like—

‘When he was bound in the rose thorns!’

Exactly the same as when he gazed at me with those glistening eyes, pleading for help!

“Your Highness, please hold on just a moment longer.”

Seeing his discomfort, Saelika carefully placed Kaishurit’s head upon her lap.

“…!”

Perardin Noishurael Duke staggered as though struck by lightning.
But that wasn’t all.
Admiral Ekellan, Demian, and Mikhail all flinched as though stunned.
It was an attack of tremendous area effect.

‘L-l-lap pillow…! Lap pil….’

But before that shock could even fade, Saelika unleashed a second strike.

“Your Grace, how could you do such a thing? To ambush someone who was showing respect….”

The moment he saw those reproachful eyes, the Duke felt his mind spin into darkness.

“No, that bastard is perfectly fine—.”
“Bastard? To the Crown Prince, Your Highness.”
“He deliberately didn’t dodge and took the hit head-on—.”
“Ugh…!”

Just as I was about to reveal the truth, Kaishurit let out a groan and staggered backward.
Each time, his well-defined abdominal muscles rippled visibly.

“Your Highness!”

Saelika gasped in surprise and checked on Kaishurit’s condition.
Perardin Noishurael Duke felt as though his insides were burning away.

‘That cunning fox!’

I would rather face a calamity like the Demon King’s invasion and fight it head-on.
That man was no such trivial(?) calamity.
He was a fox—and a fire fox at that!

* * *

The break room.
Saelika placed her hands on her hips.
Before her stood Perardin Noishurael Duke with his head hung low.

“Why on earth did you do that?”
“….”
“Attacking the Crown Prince in front of all those people.”

At the sound of her heavy sigh, Perardin Noishurael Duke flinched like a scolded puppy.

“What were you thinking? His Highness was even showing you goodwill.”
“Goodwill? Do you know what that bastard said?”
“What did he say?”
“He sai—.”

The Duke, unusually choked up, stopped mid-sentence.
Saelika looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“A son-in-law?”
“…No.”
“…?”
“The word is far too vulgar and filthy. I cannot sully your ears with it.”

What on earth could he mean?
Saelika’s brow furrowed.
Perardin Noishurael Duke, who had been gazing at his daughter’s face, ground his teeth audibly.

“Ah, doing something pretty? …I must make a good impression on my father-in-law, after all.”

The more he thought about it, the filthier the word seemed.
Who in this world had ever created such a word as that?!
When he returned to the Dukedom, he felt the urge to abolish that word entirely!

“In any case, I’m relieved the Crown Prince said it was fine. I was worried something might happen to the Duke.”
“…You were concerned about that?”
“Of course?”

At Saelika’s tilted head and questioning tone, Perardin Noishurael Duke felt something strange stir within his heart.
Something ticklish yet warm….
It was as if his heart, soiled by that vulgar word, was being cleansed pure once more.

“Hmm, though I’m not sure if it’s alright for this to be revealed like this.”
“What is?”
“Well…that I am the Duke’s daughter. Without any preparation—.”
“What’s the problem? However it’s revealed, the fact that you’re my daughter doesn’t change.”

His words were resolute.
Saelika looked up at the Duke, somewhat surprised.

‘Because of the Shuellina incident, wasn’t he waiting for the right moment to avoid scandal?’

She had thought he was hiding her identity as his daughter for the honor of the Dukedom.
But.

“Now there’s absolutely no taking it back.”
“The countless people gathered at today’s party have learned that the Protagonist is my niece.”
“Well, I’ve been saying it all along. Call me brother.”

Demian, Admiral Ekellan, and Mikhail spoke in turn.
Watching Saelika’s bewilderment, the eyes of Perardin Noishurael Duke sank deeply.

“You are my daughter. No matter how much you feel closer to the temple than to us….”

Like family.
He couldn’t bring himself to finish the thought.

“Will the Temple Priests who cherish you so dearly now truly forgive you then?”
“Yes. They’re my family.”

The image of Saelika nodding calmly without a shred of hesitation remained vivid in his mind.

‘She readily agreed when I said I would hate her.’

That long, endless time spent unable to find Saelika.
Even as I felt grateful that during those years I wasn’t alone, that there were people I could trust and rely upon.

‘The fact that I wasn’t the one who built that nest for her….’

That you found the most comfort in someone other than me.
It ached with a pain that pierced straight through my chest.

But whom could I blame?

“Do you know how wounded our youngest has become?”

“When the children were cursing you, she would normally chime in excitedly or tell them to stop, but she just stood there in a daze.”

I caught the nuisances approaching Saelika and the fox, but truthfully, I may have no right to meddle in Saelika’s affairs.
No, I certainly don’t.
Because being acknowledged as a father comes before belatedly playing the role of one now.

‘…She didn’t even wear the dress I gave her.’

Perardin Noishurael Duke, observing the dress Saelika wore, steeled his resolve.

‘That’s right. First, I must be acknowledged as her father. Eliminating the foxes comes after—.’

“Well—um, then I’ll assume there’s no problem. I should go see the Crown Prince.”
“What?”
“I can’t just leave the Crown Prince like this.”
“That fox bastard can be left alone! He’s just being dramatic!”

Perardin Noishurael Duke shouted abruptly, then caught himself.
He’d just said that being recognized as a father came first, and yet…

Admiral Ekellan let out a soft chuckle.

“I’ve never seen anyone handle Ardin like this before. She’s truly our Sae.”
“…?”
“He’s worried about having to let his daughter go so soon after getting her back.”

Saelika looked at Perardin Noishurael Duke with surprised eyes.
Perardin Noishurael Duke furrowed his brow.
But he didn’t deny it.

Saelika waved her hand dismissively.

“That’s not it. I can’t abandon the Crown Prince when he was injured in my party.”

I also need to check why the sealed curse is acting up even more.

“Then why did your face turn red when you said you were going to him? You even stammered.”
“That’s because—”

Saelika shrugged her shoulders.

‘I realized I didn’t deliberately hide the fact that I’m his daughter.’

I simply hadn’t brought it up first because I was worried it might make him uncomfortable.
And somehow, that embarrassed me.

“Anyway, it’s fine! You really don’t need to worry about that at all.”
“How can you say that so confidently? That fox is always scheming to seduce you.”
“Come on, what are you talking about?”

Saelika laughed as if it were absurd.

“Crown Prince Kaishurit has no such feelings toward me whatsoever.”
“You simply don’t understand.”
“It’s you who doesn’t understand, Duke. The Crown Prince’s preferences are different, after all.”
“What?”

Saelika tilted her head, observing the Duke who seemed completely oblivious.
She had assumed that if even she knew about it, there was no way Perardin Noishurael Duke could be ignorant.

“Oh, you don’t know?”
“Know what.”
“Well, the Crown Prince’s preference is… for men.”
“…!”
“…!!”
“Hmm? I thought it was common knowledge since the rumors spread so widely?”

Saelika tilted her head once more.
This was the moment when Ilay’s technique of spreading rumors bore fruit.

* * *

As I made my way to the lounge where Shuri was resting, I tilted my head in confusion.

‘Why is everyone acting so strange?’

Both Perardin Noishurael Duke and Admiral Ekellan seemed to pity Shuri immensely.
They looked at him with such sympathy.
Demian, for some reason, looked at me the way he’d look at Mikhail.
Meanwhile, Mikhail laughed so hard the lounge nearly shook.

‘Anyway, I’m relieved that strange misunderstanding about Shuri targeting me has been cleared up.’

The Duke surely wouldn’t attack Shuri anymore.

‘Why did they have such a misunderstanding in the first place? Shuri seducing me—that’s completely absurd.’

As I was thinking this, I opened the door.

“…!”

Startled by the sudden flash of skin, I quickly shut the door again.

‘Did I… did I just see something wrong?!’

I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening the door once more.

“…!!”

But it was the same.
The room was filled with an intoxicating floral fragrance.
Shuri lay among the flowers, breathtakingly resplendent.
His muscular chest and taut abdomen were completely exposed!

—————
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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