The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 22

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 22

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot (22)

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He casually lifted Rubian onto his lap. She was still far too light for an eight-year-old.

"It's nothing. Anyway, don't pay any mind to what Father says."

"But..."

"See? Worrying about nonsense has made the top of your head all warm again."

"Oh. It really is."

Rubian placed her small hand on her head in wonder.

Leviathan let out a light sigh.

"So, if you weren't fighting, what were you doing in your room?"

"Huh?"

"You suddenly ran upstairs, they said."

As he pressed persistently, Rubian slyly turned her head away.

Look at that.

"My, my stomach did hurt! But then it suddenly got better..."

"Hmm. Looks like we need to have the physician take a look after all."

"I'm not hurting. I ate a ton at dinner."

The child fidgeted with her hands. It was her habit when she was in a bind. Then, when she got anxious, she'd bring them to her lips.

Leviathan shook his head firmly as he watched her fingertips.

He playfully pinched and released her round nose tip.

"What are we going to do with a boy who's always so frail? We need a full check-up. No getting out of it."

"I'm really fine..."

The ducal physician was away on a house call.

Void was naturally healthy, and Old Duke was an old man who knew every physician under the sun, so it hadn't been much of a concern until now.

'But her age and size are starting to worry me.'

There wasn't a single boy in the capital as small as Rubian.

"It's not just because of you. Rose... my wife will be back soon."

Rubian's eyes lit up instantly.

"You sent that letter?"

"Yes."

"I see..."

Her face was full of eager anticipation.

Leviathan sometimes got the impression that Rubian knew him too well. Well, she was an exceptionally smart kid.

"Anyway, off to bed. Under the covers."

"Huh?"

"You're going out tomorrow. You need to sleep early if you want to wake up on time. That's why you're not growing, you know."

"Hah."

Rubian slipped under the blankets. Peeking out only her eyes and sniffing the blanket scent seemed to be a habit.

Leviathan straightened the covers and plopped down on the nearby sofa.

"Did you wash your face?"

"Yeah."

"Brush your teeth?"

"Did."

"Take out your pins and put them here."

"Already did."

"Want some warm water?"

"Uncle, why aren't you leaving?"

"..."

Sharp kid...

He kicked off his shoes haphazardly and propped his legs up. As he sprawled out on the sofa, a pitiful look came back at him.

"Honestly, this room's sofa is the most comfortable."

"What's different about it from the ones in other rooms?"

"Totally different."

"...? Then take it. It's all yours anyway..."

"Stop talking and close your eyes."

"Yes, sir."

He adjusted the lamp's brightness.

"...You're not going to watch me sleep, right?"

"Of course not."

He'd been busy all day inspecting from the northern outpost to the walls. It was a relief his body didn't tire easily.

"I'll head out after a short rest."

He yawned lazily, closed his eyes first, and pretended to sleep. Soon, Rubian's soft breathing sounds returned.

She holds out even though she falls asleep that fast.

A brief smile crossed his face.

A deep and quiet night.

Leviathan, who had been staring into the void, quietly turned his head.

Rubian was having a nightmare.

"..."

The child's groans continued faintly.

Leviathan rushed over like lightning and grabbed Rubian's hand. He stroked her forehead and hugged her tightly.

Even so, Rubian couldn't easily open her eyes, as if gripped by the nightmare.

"Ruby, please."

His insides burned. He felt like he was going mad.

At least she looked a bit better when he held her, so that was all he could do.

"What in the world..."

...is tormenting you with those memories.

It was simply heartbreaking that he couldn't fully dispel the clinging darkness.

'7th, my beloved daughter.'

The King of Mages always called me the '7th.'

The reason was simple. I was simply his seventh child.

'I'm deeply moved that you're fighting for me, my child.'

No, you're not. I'm only fighting because I have no choice.

'But please take care of yourself. If you get hurt, my heart would tear apart.'

Lies.

'You must go and capture the black mage alive. Understood?'

"..."

'That's why our kingdom is getting involved in this continental war. We absolutely cannot let those continentals take the black mage's head.'

His greedy face always disgusted me. But I couldn't even think of rebelling.

The stigma on my body meant exactly that.

Proof of absolute obedience that no one could defy our king.

'Especially not to that damned Duke Jebert... we can't let him take the black mage's head.'

What should I do, Father?

I disobeyed your orders.

But because of that...

I defeated you, Father.

A bright morning.

I slowly opened my eyes. Stretching fully made me feel refreshed.

Ah, slept so well.

This bedding is truly comfortable...

"...What the?"

I froze mid-way getting up.

The bedroom was an absolute mess.

"Yaaawn."

"Brother Void, why are you here?"

An incredulous voice burst out.

There was Void, crumpled on the large sofa next to my bed.

"Came to play cards, yaaawn."

"You came here first thing in the morning to play cards?"

That didn't match his all-night-weary appearance.

"Yeah. But let's call it off."

His bloodshot eyes glanced at me and he shook his head.

"Ugh, shoulda just gone to the bathroom at dawn and headed back instead of coming down..."

He scratched his bird's nest hair as he walked away.

Mumbling incomprehensible grumbles, Void slowly receded.

Who knows.

I turned my head slowly with a disgusted expression.

On the sofa right next to where Void had been sprawled like dough, a man with a hollow face was staring at me.

"Uncle came for morning card games too?"

"...The sofa."

A tightly locked voice stubbornly replied.

"That good, huh?"

Ugh. Uncle leaned his head back against his favorite sofa.

"I'm really getting old."

Something about needing to fill the northern annex passage... he muttered on.

"Truly can't figure it out..."

He wouldn't explain even if I asked. I buried my nose in the white sheets and just tilted my head.

Just how far do the Jeberts' eccentricities go?

I had breakfast with Uncle.

Void was out cold, still sleeping.

After devouring salad, eggs, some meat, bread, soup, fruit juice, and more heartily, I prepared to go out. Uncle had left the castle briefly for knight order business.

"All washed up!"

"No discomfort anywhere?"

"Nope."

Hazel looked disappointed.

She seemed bothered that I washed alone.

"Call if you need help anytime?"

"Yeah, yeah."

I nodded vaguely, but that day probably wouldn't come.

I already wash too well by myself anyway?

"All done."

Hazel tidied my short hair. She carefully chose and pinned clips too.

Bag on, shoelaces tied tight, then down to the lobby. Morris the butler stood at the entrance.

"Hello!"

"Hello, Lady Rubian."

The skinny butler was dabbing cold sweat with his handkerchief again today.

I stood quietly in the lobby, looking around.

Because the person I was supposed to meet wasn't there.

"Um, butler."

"Yes."

"Is Old Duke still...?"

I stopped mid-sentence.

In one corner of the lobby. Behind the large bust statue...

A black shadow flickered.

"..."

Hmm, hard to react.

Did he really think that massive body would be hidden by the decoration...?

"Is, is Old Duke unwell...?"

"Don't worry. His Excellency is currently in reflection."

"Reflection?"

"Punishment for being unkind to you yesterday."

The butler winked.

"Couldn't sleep a wink all night."

I was startled.

I didn't expect him to misunderstand my bolting from the drawing room as anger.

"N-no, it's not that!"

As I hurriedly explained, the distant bust twitched. With the sound of its edge crumbling.

"Does it bother you?"

"Yes. I'm not mad at Old Duke. Yesterday was really... my stomach suddenly hurt..."

Morris chuckled heartily and wiped his sweat.

I felt uneasy lying and fidgeted with my nails.

"So Old Duke isn't going with me? I was looking forward to going together..."

Wood-crack. The bust crumbled again.

At the same time, Morris gently took my hand.

"Then at least greet him first. He'll love it."

"Should I?"

"Yes. And... keep an eye on the Jebert founding patriarch's bust too."

Ah... that might be too late.

I slowly approached the statue.

The black shadow hidden behind the ragged bust flinched.

"Hello, Old Duke?"

"..."

Purple eyes peeked out.

"Because of me yesterday..."

"If you're sorry, you've surprised me!"

A thunderous voice rang through the lobby.