The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 15

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 15

Chapter Title: The Youngest's Little Scheme

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So, he heard everything.

I was too embarrassed and pretended not to hear.

"Father?"

Void asked as he took his seat.

"He said there were too many documents he needed to review."

"Ah, I see."

A nonchalant reply, as if he hadn't expected anything.

But by now, there was no way I couldn't tell.

Void asked about Uncle at every mealtime.

Even knowing Uncle wouldn't show up, he clung to that faint hope.

'Hmm...'

I stared at Void, spoon still in my mouth.

No matter how I looked at it, his face screamed that he wanted to eat with Uncle.

'Oh, wait—now that I think about it, I haven't eaten with Uncle once since coming here.'

Did he step aside on purpose so I'd eat with Void?

I fiddled with my small hairpin.

"Hey, Hazel."

I whispered, hiding my mouth behind a large slice of bread.

"Yes, Rubian-nim."

"...?"

Hazel was surprisingly skilled at whispering without moving her lips.

I kept my face calm and asked further.

"Is Uncle deliberately avoiding meals with Void?"

Hazel hesitated for a split second.

Bingo.

"...No. The Family Head is truly busy today."

"Today?"

"Well... Truth be told, the two of them eating together is quite rare. In the past few years, the Family Head has seldom stayed at the ducal residence, and... Young Master Void was quite afraid of him when he was little."

"Ah, I've heard about that."

"He'd always choke during meals... and it ended up like this."

Hmm. I nibbled the crust of the bread. It was crisp.

"Did Void fear Uncle that much?"

"When the young masters first arrived at the residence... the Family Head was in really poor condition. No one could approach him."

Ah. Right around the time he lost the baby and fell into despair.

I recalled Uncle Leviathan's past.

'He wandered aimlessly for a few years, I think.'

When grief is overwhelmingly great, sometimes you can't even see what's around you.

"Maybe they got off on the wrong foot. Of course, he always regrets it..."

Hazel murmured softly, then snapped back to attention. "Oh dear, what am I saying?" She lifted her head in a fluster.

"Sorry. Did I disturb your meal?"

"No, not at all."

So that's how it was.

A father grown cautious out of guilt for not treating him well in the past.

And a son desperate not to disappoint the father he admired.

'But how long are they going to keep this up?'

I stabbed a piece of meat that Void had already cut and popped it into my mouth.

Chew chew.

The juices filled my mouth, melting smoothly—the finest cut of meat I'd ever tasted.

"Rubian, you need to eat your peppers too."

"Ung..."

Lost in thought, I casually shoved the chopped peppers off my plate.

"......"

I naturally didn't notice the young master gaping in shock at my unprecedented table manners.

Chew chew, gulp.

"Hey."

When I looked up, Void was staring at me with a thoroughly displeased expression.

'What do I do? He looks a little sad...'

Truth be told, I was a bit conflicted.

Was it okay for me to meddle in their family affairs?

Besides, like in the original story's later parts, their relationship would improve gradually on its own. So maybe I didn't need to get involved...

I fiddled with the hairpin again.

'But I'm grateful to both of them...'

Maybe I could give them a little nudge.

"From now on, should I tell Uncle to eat with us?"

Clang. Void dropped his utensils.

"Huh?"

"Why? Would that be weird?"

"No, it's good... but."

"Are you still scared of Uncle?"

"No way!"

Of course not. Not when he loves that hero card so much.

Void shyly scratched his cheek.

"Now I understand that Father went through something awful back then... So naturally, it'd be great to eat together now."

"Great, but?"

"Bringing it up out of the blue feels a bit..."

Aha. I narrowed my eyes.

"You need an excuse, right?"

"Well, not exactly... He might find it bothersome..."

"Hmm."

With Void fumbling for words right in front of me, I pondered a solution.

Then I noticed the servants bustling past outside the dining room, arms loaded with documents. Probably headed to Uncle's office?

The corners of my mouth curled up.

"Void bro."

"Huh?"

"I have a great idea."

Hehehe. I grinned with sparkling eyes, and Void flinched slightly.

What, my little sister looks a bit devilish...

I heard the mutter, but...

Who cares?

Knock knock.

I knocked on the heavy office door.

"Come in."

A low voice.

I carefully entered and saw Uncle seated at his desk.

His silhouette, backlit by the sun, loomed enormously. On the side table were countless coffee cups and traces of hasty meals.

Ah, I could feel it.

The aura of an overworked office worker.

"Leave the documents there. What, so many... What brings you here?"

He had been flipping through papers but looked up. His eyes widened in genuine surprise.

"Pardon the intrusion."

"What?"

I bowed at a perfect ninety degrees. Uncle frowned, eyeing me like some bizarre creature.

I ignored it and strode right up.

I plopped the paper I was holding onto the desk piled high with documents.

"What's this?"

"Please review it, Duke-nim!"

"...Huh?"

He looked utterly baffled.

Uncle picked up the paper scrawled in my messy handwriting.

"A report?"

"Yes!"

To be precise, it was an approval document. Ahem.

"...Planning a welcome ceremony? Please sign?"

His voice was laced with displeasure. I puffed out my chest and nodded along emphatically.

"What on earth is this?"

"It's written clearly."

Feeling like a nervous new hire approaching the department head for the first approval, I said shyly,

"I'm planning my own welcome party. Venue: the central dining room!"

"...?"

"Please check the item list here and sign."

Ever heard of a self-initiated welcome party?

"You really do all sorts of things."

Uncle snorted in disbelief.

"You won't allow it?"

"As if."

Swish. A bold signature. Perfect.

I clutched the returned document tightly.

I beamed at him, and Uncle, who had been propping his chin while observing me, chuckled softly.

"See you at dinner then!"

"Ah, I'm busy..."

"The Duke has to attend, right? You signed."

"Huh?"

Uncle immediately lifted his face from his hand.

I pointed to the last line, written in tiny print.

"Look at this line... It's also an invitation. Signing means you'll attend."

So you have to be careful with signatures, Uncle.

I waved brightly, leaving the dazed Duke blinking blankly behind me.

"See ya later, Uncle!"

Click. The door shut neatly.

Void was waiting outside.

His face somehow tense.

"Success?"

"Of course."

We huddled our heads together and giggled.

It started small, but somehow the entire mansion ended up in an uproar.

"Okay, everyone, make way!"

"Ah, that decoration fell off!"

"No wonder, we've never done this before!"

"Glue! Get more glue!"

Sturdy maid sisters, manservants, and attendants dashed about everywhere.

"Why aren't those gardeners coming? I told them to bring more flowers—nothing!"

"Guess I have to go kick some butts!"

I sat in the dining room, blankly watching the chaos.

The once stark interior was now adorned with colorful flowers and decorations.

'Magic would make this so quick...'

But of course, I couldn't use magic.

Besides, Hazel had insisted I just sit still. So I was.

"Everyone's so enthusiastic."

I'd only meant to set out some food and eat together... but it felt like things had snowballed.

"Rubian-nim."

Then a soft voice called out.

I turned to see a middle-aged woman with a gentle smile.

The residence's head chef.

"I came to ask what kind of cake you like, Rubian-nim."

"Cake?"

"Yes. Thought we should pick the cream."

I tilted my head.

"But... isn't this party for Uncle's return?"

The reply came from across the table.

"It's your welcome party too."

It was Void, who had plopped down right next to me and was stacking cards.

"Huh? Wasn't that just an excuse?"

If it was Uncle's return party, he'd obviously say no.

But Void had that "I heard what I wasn't supposed to" look.

"So, exclude you?"

"Well, not exactly..."

I blinked, unable to find more to say. The chef, who had been listening, spoke up again.

"Well then, could you tell me your favorite cream?"

Favorite cream? As if.

"I... don't really know cakes! Anything's fine."

In my past life or this one, I'd rarely eaten cake. You can't have preferences without experience.

"Ah."

The chef's eyes widened briefly as if reading something in my answer, but it was just a moment. She soon smiled warmly again.

"That happens. How about topping it with my special cream? I'm sure you'll love it."

"Sure! Sounds good!"

'Special' made it intriguing.

The chef asked about dislikes and preferred textures before leaving.

After that, a stream of people came and went.

The vast dining room quickly turned lavish. A real party venue!