The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 11

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 11

Chapter Title: A Brotherly Gift

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“Uh......”

Her pupils dilated slightly upon spotting me.

His smooth lips twitched. Then came a small whisper to the attendant standing beside him.

“Hey.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“......Something feels off with that kid here?”

Covering his mouth didn't help; I heard every word.

The new kid's getting on his nerves already!

To settle in safely here, I need to get along with him too!

I swallowed hard, my face a little tense.

Of course, I've got my ultimate weapon.

I'd prepared something amazing for a moment just like this.

Not that I bought it with my own money, though!

“Uncle, over there! I want that!”

Back in the capital, I'd dragged Uncle by the hand into the bustling market.

“Gimme that money.”

“Well, look at you, already shaking me down.”

“Hehe.”

I spread my hands wide and looked up, and Uncle smirked mischievously, his lips curling.

“Be generous. I'll pay you back later.”

“With what?”

“Um....... I'll become a mercenary or something!”

“Fine, fine. Tiny thing like you, a mercenary? Leon, open the safe. All my savings.”

Uncle jerked his head and called out shortly, and Sir Leon appeared out of nowhere like clockwork. The knight pulled out a hefty pouch with practiced ease.

And just like that, I clutched a fat money pouch and headed to a capital shop to buy a single card.

“Ta-da! Hero Collection Card!”

“......You're buying that?”

“It looks fun.”

“My money's leaking away like water.”

“You're making a fuss over a splash from the ocean.”

“To think we came all this way for trash like that.”

“Hey, we're still at the counter. You're gonna make the shopkeep cry.”

The [Hero Collection Cards] featured crude drawings of Leviathan Jebert and his wartime comrades. They were a massive hit with kids across the continent!

In the original story, Void wanted them so badly but never got any.

I'll give him one when the time's right. Maybe that'll help us get along?

Heh heh. I let out a wicked grin as I watched Void take his seat.

“Good evening, Young Master. You'll be dining with Lady Rubian from now on.”

The servants bringing in the food greeted us.

“Come to think of it, you're my big brother, right, Young Master?”

“Huh? ......Brother?”

He looked like he'd heard some utterly alien word. Void stared at me blankly, mouth slightly agape.

“Oh, right. She's below me, so......”

He mumbled to himself.

I waved hello. Void fixed me with a strange look as he sat down.

“Where's Father?”

“The Family Head is busy, so he'll eat in his study.”

“Ah, got it.”

He didn't seem surprised at all.

“Now, now, dig in. Plenty of egg dishes for you, Young Master. We didn't know Lady Rubian's tastes, so the head chef prepared a variety......”

The servants chatted amiably as they set out the food. Void sat at one end of the massive table and picked up his utensils with ease.

I chewed on my spoon, rolling my eyes around.

He's surprisingly used to this.

Eating alone like that.

I'd pegged him as a total spoiled brat from first glance.

Doesn't even miss eating with his long-lost dad.

Acting all desperate like a puppy needing to pee in the lobby?

Suddenly, Adolph the butler's words came back to me—how the two had only recently started warming up to each other.

Ah, so in other words...... they're still a bit awkward.

Then came the tap-tap of fingers drumming the table.

“Why aren't you eating?”

I looked up to find Void staring straight at me.

“Oh, I was about to......”

“Sigh, seriously. No helping it.”

“Huh?”

I blinked in confusion.

A plate of steak, steam rising invitingly, slid in front of me.

Neatly sliced pieces arranged perfectly on the large plate.

“Whew, little sisters sure are high-maintenance.”

Void tilted his chin up and said. He shook his head with an exasperated no helping it, but his face somehow looked pleased.

“I can feed myself......”

I started to protest, but suddenly Void snatched my plate back.

“Fine, fine, I get it.”

Get what?

“Ugh, every meal like this? Such a hassle.”

Slice, slice. Slice slice slice.

He recut the slightly larger chunks of meat and diced the roasted veggies garnish without mercy.

“......”

I stared at the perfectly bite-sized meal that returned.

Void's grumbling didn't stop, even after suddenly becoming a big brother overnight.

“Ugh. What a pain.”

He drizzled on extra sauce.

“So much more to keep track of at meals now.”

He swapped the slightly cooled soup for a hot one.

“Because of my. Little. Sister.”

Butter slathered on the golden bread.

I blinked, surrounded by food.

So...... does this mean he likes eating with me?

Maybe I didn't even need the Hero Card......?

I speared a delicious-looking piece of meat with my fork. A big grin spread across my face unbidden.

“Thanks, big...... bro! Dig in!”

Void's head snapped up. I could see the maids covering their mouths and giggling.

“Ha, jeez......”

His fine lips twitched wildly. But all that came out was a long, long sigh.

“Ah~ such a hassle. Calling me brother the second she sees me, eating together, even saying thanks properly—a cute little sister like that is really really such a hassle......!”

Incomprehensible mumbling, but at least he looked thrilled. Good for him.

After dinner, Hazel gave me a quick rundown of the ducal residence.

Then, when I got to my room—

“Where've you been?!”

There was Void. He'd apparently come looking for me already.

“Forgot to mention back at dinner.”

The second son of the house eyed me sternly, then started tailing me as I inspected the room, chattering away.

Wow, this room is huge!

“—So get up early in the morning, come to my room to help me dress, don't eat before I do, and of course, tea after meals too......!”

The bed's so fluffy!

What do they stuff it with?

“You listening?”

“I'm not a maid...... or a servant.”

I stared blankly as I said it, and Void's shoulders twitched slightly.

“Th-the Youngest does that stuff!”

“Who says?”

“Uncle Obron!”

I burst out laughing. Obron was one of the Jebert Knights.

“The knights must really dote on you.”

“......”

Void furrowed his brow. He looked offended, but even he didn't seem sure exactly why.

Well, I'd wanna tease him too if I were them.

I took a fresh look at Void.

Raven-black hair like a crow's feathers, sparkling amethyst eyes.

His slightly droopy eyes softened the fierce edge typical of Jebert direct lineage. His fluffy, smooth cheeks were flushed red.

Whose taste are those suspenders?

Truly inspired choice.

I inwardly cooed over Void with a straight face.

Sure, he had a full head on me, and he'd shoot up scary fast soon enough......

But why hasn't he left? I'm sleepy now.

I watched Void bustling around my bedroom.

Fussing with the bedding, checking the lamp, the window locks, if the curtains were thick enough. Inspection after inspection.

......He's doing all the serving himself?

“Gah! What am I even doing?”

Hmm, looks like Void and I will get along just fine.

Time to drive it home.

“Whatcha doing?”

I opened my bag propped against the wall.

“Here.”

“Huh?”

What I held out was a bundle of crude cards.

“What's......”

His round eyes widening to saucer size was exactly as expected.

Void staggered over in disbelief and took the cards.

“Gasp!”

He gasped just like I'd pictured.

“Hero Collection Cards—! Capital limited edition!”

Bouncing around with a flushed face? Right on cue.

“For you.”

“You're giving them?!”

Void whipped his head up.

I hopped back onto the bed and lay on my side like Leviathan Uncle, just peeking my head out.

“A gift.”

“......”

His pretty purple eyes sparkled. A look of near-reverence shone from his upturned face.

Heh, I grinned in satisfaction.

Nothing hooks an 11-year-old boy like game cards, after all.