The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 14

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot

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The maids stood in front of the east room as if paying silent tribute.

"...The vibe feels off."

A maid muttered as she opened the door.

The east room.

The most precious room in this ducal residence, prepared in the finest location.

"Wait, my tears are... again..."

"Hey, don't... I'm about to cry too."

The maid pinched the bridge of her nose and tilted her head back.

Hazel blinked her own moist eyes.

It was the child's room.

A space personally decorated by the ducal couple.

"Oh my god, they even bought academy uniforms."

One maid said while peering into the dressing room. Her voice was thick with emotion.

The room was stuffed with every conceivable item for a child from newborn to around ten years old. Clothes, books, shoes, bags, toys... It was an utter mess.

How must Leviathan and Rosetta have felt as they filled this room?

And when they finally had to close it off...

What must their hearts have been like?

The maids' mood grew heavy.

"Found it."

Hazel, her eyes red and puffy, pulled a small box from somewhere in a drawer. It was packed with adorable hairpins and ribbons.

"They always said she seemed like a girl, and look—they bought nothing but girly things..."

Rosetta would stroke her round belly and habitually say it would be a cute little girl.

And she had been right.

'If the young lady were here... by now.'

She'd be around Lady Rubian's age.

'In the Jebert family, where girls are so precious, she would have been showered with love.'

Hazel shook off the thought.

"Too sad. Let's stop thinking about it."

She sniffed once more and hurried out of the room with the other maids.

The walk back was silent.

"But will Lady Rubian stay here for good?"

Someone asked.

"Of course? The Family Head cherishes her that much."

The only person in the castle who had opened the long-sealed east room was one individual.

"But she's not officially registered yet. You never know."

"What? Never know? What do you mean, Hazel?"

"Lady Rubian said she likes it here."

Suddenly, the maids stopped in unison, as if by prior agreement.

Horror slowly spread across their faces.

"Whoa."

"So we have to do better."

"..."

"...Though I messed up today."

Hazel swallowed her despair and squeezed her eyes shut.

She gripped the hairpin box tightly.

Of course, she couldn't grind it to dust... so she slammed her fist into the wall beside her.

A heavy thud reverberated through the stone.

"..."

The maids—Hazel's former mercenary comrades—each smacked her back as they passed.

"Fix it with your life on the line, Hazel."

Oof, ouch, ack.

"We'll be watching."

"Make up for it, huh?"

These girls still packed a punch.

But self-loathing Hazel gladly endured the punishment.

"Oh."

I let out a small gasp of admiration at my reflection.

My annoying bangs were now neatly secured with a tiny strawberry-shaped pin.

"Eeee, it looks perfect!"

Hazel's eyes turned all melty.

But seriously, where did she find such a teeny pin?

"Let me see."

Uncle, who'd been standing still behind me, spun me around to face him.

"..."

Uncle fell silent for a moment.

His expression was hard to read. His purple eyes seemed to have darkened.

'Is it weird?'

Maybe.

Then, tap, he poked my cheek.

"Suits you. It's yours."

I couldn't tell why his faint smile looked a little sad.

"But Ruby, were you scared of scissors?"

Uncle asked out of the blue. I shook my head.

"Not the scissors themselves... more like a stranger holding something dangerous near my neck..."

I snuck a glance at Hazel. She was biting her lip until it nearly bled.

"Guess I was just tense from the awkwardness..."

It wasn't some bad memory. Just my wariness of strangers heightened.

Probably worse since I was hiding my identity and on the run.

"I'm sorry, Lady Rubian. I had no idea..."

"No, it's fine! Just... need a little time..."

I hoped Hazel wouldn't take it the wrong way.

"Just need some time!"

Hazel nodded with a gloomy look.

"My apologies, Family Head. I wasn't thoughtful enough."

"Enough. Out."

"Yes."

The downcast maid vanished.

Uncle stared at the pin in my hair for a good while, then fiddled with the back.

"Bangs are one thing, but the back's a total tangle. Uncomfortable?"

"Yeah..."

It really was.

My hair was especially fine and prone to knotting—now it was hopeless.

"Want me to cut it?"

"Huh?"

I widened my eyes. I'd thought it was a joke, but Uncle looked dead serious.

"That okay?"

I pondered as I watched his cautious expression.

If it was Leviathan Uncle...

Of course...

"Not okay at all?"

Uncle blinked.

"Uncle, ever cut hair before?"

"Nope?"

Monster heads, maybe.

"See? No experience! Disqualified!"

"That's your reason?"

It was important!

"Tch, a boy's hair grows back anyway—what's the big deal?"

"Then I'll cut your hair!"

"Go ahead."

Wow, handsome guy doesn't obsess over his hair.

Uncle chuckled and gently stroked my back hair.

"Fine. If you're not into it, never mind."

He backed down so easily—I felt like I'd won.

I hesitated. Washing it was already a hassle anyway...

"Then call Hazel back."

"Why?"

"You instruct, she cuts—no, wait, you cut under her guidance. That could work."

"Hah, I'm her boss."

Uncle let out a dry laugh.

But he read my determined gaze and said no more.

"Call Hazel."

At the curt order, Hazel appeared in a flash from nearby.

The same chair and tools were quickly set up.

I sat between Uncle's knees. His long legs stretched out beside me.

As he fiddled with my back hair, Uncle muttered absently.

"Won't it melt if I put it in my mouth?"

...Was this the wrong call?

I stealthily covered my nape.

Anyway, the world's only salon was open for business!

"Nooo, Family Head! Don't cut there!"

"Why not? Seems breezy."

Now I was anxious for entirely different reasons.

"Yes, just pin it with your fingers and cut along the line."

"Piece of cake."

"Ah! Don't scoop it like thaaat...!"

"..."

"...Gasp."

"...What was that gasp?!"

I clenched my fist on his knee. Sweat beaded for real now—totally different reasons.

"What was that 'gasp' about?!"

"Ohohoho. Nothing, Lady Rubian! All good!"

Her uncharacteristic "ohohoho" screamed not all good.

"...Ruby, you cut my hair instead."

Uncle's voice from behind sounded oddly resolute.

"...Please."

"Damn it..."

It was all ruined!

But ridiculously, I dozed off midway.

The whispering voices, the warm, large hands rummaging through my hair, the soft afternoon sunlight, and the snip-snip of scissors—it all made me so drowsy.

Just knowing Leviathan Uncle had my back was enough for this.

Truly amazing.

"Huh?"

I blinked at the mirror.

"Better than I thought..."

"Told you it's good."

Uncle wore a triumphant grin.

My worries were for nothing—my hair was flawless.

'Perfectly.'

I'd become a proper boy!

"Suits you great!"

Should I be happy?

Anyway, my broomstick-messy hair was now neat and tidy—super refreshing. Even the bangs looked trimmed nicely.

"Don't take out the pin. It suits you."

Uncle said, touching the pin lightly placed on the right side.

"Hmm."

Uncle covered his mouth with his hand and spun me around again.

"Cute from every angle."

Hazel and the other maids nodded vigorously. Their clenched fists looked like they were holding something back as a group.

"Thanks for the great cut!"

I happily boosted the newbie stylist's ego.

Uncle arched a brow, then chomped down on my crown.

"What are you doing?!"

"Doesn't melt after all."

Hairdresser career turning him feral?!

I fled in horror.

The stylist, who'd casually kissed my head, just chuckled.

"..."

The next morning.

Void froze upon entering the dining room.

Tap tap. He nudged the valet beside him and whispered.

"...Can even a fairy become a little brother?"