The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 16

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 16

Chapter Title: The Welcome-Back Party

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As the sun set and darkness fell, a delicious aroma filled the entire castle.

"Oh my, this is perfect. It's become a completely different space."

"Adolph the butler!"

I ran toward Adolph as he entered the dining room.

"Where's Uncle? Not yet?"

"He's coming down now. But is it really okay for everyone to...?"

I pulled the documents from my bosom and showed them.

"It's fine. I got the Duke's signature right here."

"Heh heh."

Adolph peered at the papers and chuckled.

I puffed out my chest proudly, but then—thwack—a light flick landed on my forehead.

"So that's what mischief you've been up to."

"Ow."

"What did you do to my castle?"

"Uncle."

"Father!"

Void, who had been huddled in the corner munching cookies, stood up.

"All the troublemakers are gathered."

Uncle crossed his arms and looked back and forth between me and Void.

I led Uncle to the center, bathed in bright light.

The head seat at the gleaming marble table.

Uncle Leviathan tilted his head as he looked down at his prettily set place.

"You're the star, so why am I sitting here?"

"No. Uncle's the star."

"...?"

"Actually, Void..."

I corrected myself. Gee, the words just don't roll off the tongue.

"Void bro wanted to throw a welcome-back party for you."

"Void did?"

Uncle's gaze fell on the boy wagging his tail.

"You've worked so hard all this time!"

Void's eyes sparkled as if he'd been waiting for this. Uncle's movements suddenly stilled.

"I'm so glad you're back safe. I wanted to say that... but I never did when you returned before."

Void looked a little tense.

"I wanted to say it this time!"

Uncle placed a hand on Void's head. A short chuckle followed.

"Yeah, thanks."

"...Yes!"

Hm, nice to see.

I sat down feeling proud.

As if on cue, a massive feast streamed in one dish after another. Even a cake piled high with pink cream. Wow, so pretty!

"Did you send food to the knights too?"

"Yes. They're probably eating and drinking heartily by now."

"Tell the others to go enjoy themselves too."

Adolph the butler chuckled softly.

"Thanks to Lady Rubian and the young master, we're the ones feasting."

The elderly butler, standing ramrod straight, bowed with a fresh expression.

"A little late, but once more—congratulations on your return, Family Head."

The others chimed in one by one.

"Congratulations on the victory too!"

"You've worked so hard!"

"Why are you all making me itch like this?"

Uncle Leviathan's eyebrows furrowed deeply.

"Is this my first or second homecoming? Go on, shoo."

Uncle waved his hands in dismay.

The castle folk retreated with smiles similar to the butler's.

"Father, did you see my swordsmanship log?"

"Saw it. You've improved a lot."

"Yes! I worked hard!"

"Academy next month. You prepared?"

"No problem! Teacher Ullin said I'm definitely ready for next semester..."

The meal continued in a peaceful atmosphere.

Uncle's aides and closest retainers occasionally stopped by to offer greetings and share drinks.

Even though it was a hastily thrown-together, shabby little party, everyone seemed in high spirits.

Good!

"...".

Anyway.

I quietly gauged the mood, then rolled a piece of bell pepper.

The green monster rolled dejectedly onto Void's plate with a plop.

'Quick. Say. It.'

As I shot him a glare, Void gulped dryly.

"Uh, Father."

Uncle Leviathan looked up.

"I can eat with you now without it feeling weird at all."

Uncle paused mid-reach for his amber liquor.

"So, can we eat together from now on?"

"...".

Uncle fell silent for a moment. Honestly, I couldn't tell what he was pondering or hesitating over.

But there'd be no more places to run now?

The war was over. No more excuses about leaving soon.

'We're family now, so it'd be nice to get close quick.'

I thought, glancing back and forth between them.

Uncle Leviathan stared intently at his grown son's face. Void fidgeted but didn't look away.

"...I see."

Not just tall... Uncle muttered in a husky voice on the verge of breaking.

His face looked like he'd made some resolve.

"Yeah, got it."

Void's face lit up instantly.

I smiled warmly.

"Sorry I didn't notice. Must've been hard to muster the courage."

Uncle ruffled Void's hair.

Void grinned—then suddenly pointed at me as if remembering something.

"Actually, this party was Rubian's idea first. Praise Rubian."

"Ruby?"

Uncle turned his head.

"No, that's..."

The spotlight swung to me suddenly, and I blinked awkwardly.

Uncle leaned back against his chair.

He crossed his arms with a thoughtful hum—somehow ominous.

"Come to think of it, the paper I signed was for your welcome party."

A stern gaze poured down mercilessly.

"No false reports to the Duke."

It was the face of a boss scolding an employee for a shoddy report: Ru employee, how dare you.

"Come here. Time for punishment."

"Gasp, what punishment?"

I flinched. Uncle jerked his chin lightly.

"First, that bell pepper you've been slyly avoiding since earlier."

"...".

"Eat it all right here."

The most brutal punishment imaginable!

I stealthily tried to cover the bell pepper with my fork.

"If you don't finish it, you only get one piece of that cake you've been eyeing."

"...I hate bell peppers!"

Texture, color, smell—all awful! I even told the chef!

I protested fiercely. But even Void betrayed me.

"Ruby, picky eating won't make you a tough northern knight."

Same stern face, arms crossed.

Like father, like son!

"That's what he says."

With backup, Uncle looked triumphant.

"Uuu!"

We were awkward just moments ago, and now you're thick as thieves?

But the score was 2:1.

Total defeat.

Uncle's punishment didn't end there.

"Lady Rubian, welcome to Jebert Ducal Castle!"

The party suddenly flipped host and guest. I ended up in the star seat, forced to stuff myself with all sorts of sweets and treats.

"My goodness, you're just too cute!"

"To think my hands could make something like this..."

The maid sisters delightedly plopped a weird cone-shaped hat they'd made onto my head.

"Look at that expression."

Uncle poked my puffed-up cheeks.

"Something's off. This isn't what I had in mind."

Whatever. The castle folk bustled about, greeting me warmly one after another.

Uncle and Void wore matching satisfied nods.

'A doljanchi...?'

It kinda felt like one.

Anyway, the party wrapped up smoothly.

Night deepened, bedtime arrived. Void headed up first, so I stood too.

"Beddy-bye time for me too!"

My eyelids were growing heavy.

"Come here, Ruby."

The villain who'd fed me five pieces of bell pepper reached out. Somehow annoying—I huffed and ignored him. Got snatched up anyway.

Uncle scooped me up easily with an "up you go." Faint whiff of alcohol.

"Why follow me?"

"No goodnight yet. Gotta be polite."

"Uh, night-night?"

To my cheeky tone, Uncle pinched the tip of my nose.

"Only polite when you want something."

Step, step.

We left the dining room and walked the corridor. Up the stairs, around the corner.

I tilted my head.

"Visiting my room?"

"Too drunk to make it to my bedroom."

"Not staggering a bit... Whoa!"

Still holding me, Uncle suddenly dipped low with a chuckle.

Ah, thought I was falling!

Of course, his arms were firmer and safer than anything.

"See? Staggering."

"...Teasing me?"

"Pretty sharp."

The naughty uncle straightened up and resumed walking. Thanks to his long legs, we reached the room in just a few strides.