The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 13

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 13

Chapter Title: The Youngest Is Hiding a Lot

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“Your Excellency?”

“No, never mind.”

He roughly scratched the back of his head.

'No way.'

She was just a child raised in a remote village. She probably hadn't seen many Imperial clocks, that was all.

'Am I still wandering the battlefield?'

A self-mocking smile flitted across his relaxed face. It was so brief that no one would notice.

I was flustered.

“W-what is it?”

These burly maid sisters had suddenly appeared brandishing blades. How could I not be startled?

“What else? We're just here to tidy up that messy hair of yours.”

Hazel smiled gently as she said it.

Every time she snipped the scissors, her muscular arms flexed.

Wow, a soft tofu face with a body like that...

“You're going to cut my hair?”

The words slipped out before I knew it. I yanked my hair back to hide it, and the maids' eyebrows drooped sympathetically.

“Oh, Lady Rubian. You'll hurt your scalp.”

Hazel handled me like a fragile puff of straw that might scatter if she breathed on it.

“Your hair in the back is all uneven, and your bangs are so long they must be uncomfortable. I noticed them falling into your eyes during breakfast earlier.”

“Hmm...”

The back of my head had ended up like this because I'd crossed paths with a black magic beast that used flames. It had burned black and clumped together, so I'd hacked it off roughly.

“You don't want to?”

“It's not that I don't want to, but...”

For some reason, it just didn't sit right with me.

'That's weird. I've never cared about my hair before.'

I sat on the edge of the bed, pondering for a moment before mumbling my answer. Hazel waited patiently, holding my gaze.

It felt rude to keep making her wait.

“Um... okay.”

Hazel's face lit up instantly.

“Then, if you could come over here?”

“Sure!”

A large, plush chair had been prepared before I knew it.

Sitting demurely by the sunlit window with my hands folded neatly in my lap, a soft cloth draped over my shoulders.

“Hm? Lady Rubian, are you too warm by chance?”

Hazel asked as she tied the cloth behind my neck.

“No?”

“Then why are you sweating like this?”

Her voice was puzzled.

'Huh, good question?'

I wiped the back of my neck with my hand. It came away damp.

'Am I hot?'

If anything, it felt a bit chilly.

I tilted my head in confusion. The maids had a quick debate about whether to open the window or not.

“Rubian! Come to my room to play cards... What the heck?”

At that moment, Void peeked through the open door.

His eyes quickly scanned the room. When they met mine, he frowned ever so slightly.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Oh, young master.”

“Hazel!”

The boy came rushing over and glared fiercely at Hazel.

“Why are you bullying my little sister!”

“Pardon? Bullying her? No, young master, I was just trimming Lady Rubian's hair...”

“Liar!”

What? Why was he acting like this? I stared blankly at Void standing in front of me.

At the same time, there came a knock at the door. Dozens of eyes turned that way.

“I heard a commotion, so I wondered what it was...”

“Family Head.”

“This tiny room crammed full. It's like a marketplace.”

Leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed was the master of the house.

“Father!”

Void dashed toward Uncle. Uncle looked down at his son and furrowed his brow slightly.

“Void, what are you doing here at this hour...?”

“Rubian's scared!”

“What?”

Gazes clashed in midair.

I blinked in bewilderment.

Uncle's eyes slowly but thoroughly scanned the room.

Void whipped around and pointed at me.

Or more precisely, at Hazel standing behind me.

“It's the scissors.”

“...”

Um... was it?

The room filled with awkward silence.

The most flustered, naturally, was Hazel behind me.

“L-Lady Rubian. Were you scared of the scissors? Is that why you broke out in a cold sweat?”

Hazel hurriedly set the scissors aside.

Then she came closer and crouched down, looking up at me with a woeful expression.

“What do I do? I had no idea...”

“No, I didn't even realize it myself...”

I shook my head and mumbled awkwardly.

'Come to think of it, I must've been tense.'

A stranger standing behind me with something sharp.

Even though Hazel wasn't a bad person, it had spooked me a little.

Maybe that's why I hadn't wanted my hair cut.

“Put it away.”

Uncle strode over and commanded in a scary voice. His tone and expression were icy.

“Y-yes, sir.”

The maids scrambled to comply.

“N-no, it's fine... It was only for a minute anyway.”

“I'm so sorry, Lady Rubian. I should have been more attentive... I startled you.”

Hazel apologized again. I fidgeted with my fingertips while perched on the big chair.

I felt like an overly skittish little kid.

“It's really okay. Seriously. The sweat's stopped now.”

“Ruby.”

Suddenly, a large hand dropped onto the top of my head. I turned to see deep purple eyes staring straight at me.

“No need to force yourself into anything you don't like.”

“B-but...”

“No one can make you. Not even me.”

I didn't know what to say. I just nodded dumbly.

“We'll cut your hair later. Anything else bothering you?”

“The bangs keep poking my eyes.”

“Then don't just yank them.”

Someone who had been listening quietly muttered.

“It'd be nice if we had some hairpins or something...”

Hazel jumped right in.

“I'll go buy some right now!”

“Wait.”

Uncle spoke to her retreating back as she hurried to leave.

“...The east room.”

“Pardon?”

“There should be something usable. Check and bring it.”

“...Family Head.”

The one who called to Leviathan Uncle was Adolph, the butler who had been standing quietly behind.

But Uncle didn't seem particularly bothered.

“Adolph, give me the key.”

“...Yes, sir.”

In the tense air, Hazel and Adolph left with tightly pressed lips.

'What's in the east room?'

I racked my brain, wondering if I'd missed some original story detail. Nothing came to mind...

Then, Void sidled up and pinched my cheek. Worry shone in his sparkling violet eyes.

“You okay? Your face looks like dough.”

Come to think of it, Void had noticed first. Something even I hadn't realized.

'He's surprisingly perceptive, huh?'

Either way, thanks...

“Thanks.”

Void snorted like it was no big deal.

Uncle, who had been watching us, suddenly spoke up as if remembering something.

“By the way, Void.”

“Yes, Father!”

“How's your sword training?”

“Huh?”

“Training.”

A moment of silence. Void began to back away stealthily.

“R-right... now...”

“Now?”

“Gotta go!”

Whoosh—he bolted like a kid caught skipping class, kicking up a gust of wind. Lightning-fast.

“...”

Uncle scratched his brow as he watched the spot where Void had vanished.

“I just asked, so why'd he run?”

“Wasn't it the glare?”

With that scary face and low voice, anyone would be intimidated.

“Oh, forgot to relax.”

Uncle scratched one eyebrow awkwardly.

“This is tricky.”

His voice carried a hint of genuine悩.

“Haa...”

Hazel, a maid of House Jebert, was feeling down.

'She looked so nonchalant, I had no idea.'

Her face was clouded over as she replayed the earlier events. Her footsteps dragged listlessly down the hall.

'What an idiot I am.'

Even after checking so carefully, this was the result.

Suddenly, she recalled what the master had said while gathering the servants.

“Don't touch her body without permission, and don't pry into her past. She hates it.”

Hazel's eyebrows drooped even more sadly.

'Did something bad happen to her?'

She'd heard the girl had been rescued from a village turned to ruins by black magic beasts.

So small and skinny back then. How tough must it have been?

'I need to do better.'

Hazel sniffled, her nose wrinkling.

“I was honestly shocked that His Excellency mentioned this room.”

Then the maid walking beside her spoke up.

She held an old but unrusted key.

“His Excellency must really cherish Lady Rubian.”

“Can you blame him? She's so lovable. The way she greets you eye-to-eye in the morning—pure bliss!”

“I heard from Sir Leon that on the way from the North, she gave personalized ointments to all the knights. Made them herself, apparently.”

“No way. And she's capable too.”

“Right?”

Hazel pictured Rubian's sparkling eyes and mystical silver hair.

Her creamy skin that looked so soft, her cute round features, those tiny hands and feet always bustling without rest...

“She'll definitely grow up to be beautiful...”

Hm? Hazel faltered mid-sentence, choosing her words.

“A handsome... gallant gentleman...?”

For some reason, it didn't roll off the tongue.

But she couldn't quite pinpoint what felt off.