The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 26

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 26

Chapter Title: The Youngest Hides a Lot

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I dove straight into bed the moment I got back from my outing.

"Phew... That was some good shopping."

"My, you bought a ton, didn't you?"

Hazel's eyes went wide at the parade of boxes streaming in.

"Yeah. Take a look!"

"This looks like magic stones... And what's this?"

"Oh, herbs!"

I rushed over and explained to Hazel all about the herbs I'd bought.

After the ore shop, I'd stopped at the herb shop. Thanks to mapping out my route in advance using the map, I'd hit all my targets.

This place especially had tons of herbs that grew even in winter—it was a real treat just browsing!

"Seeds too?"

"They said I could plant them once it warms up a bit more."

"Did the Family Head say that?"

"Yep!"

Uncle had kept grilling me after that about whether there was anything else I needed or wanted.

Thanks to him, I'd gotten everything I wanted... but suddenly I worried he'd spent too much in one day.

No, no. Rich folks don't go broke for three generations, right?

Still, I should hold back on asking for more from now on.

Not that there's anything else I need anyway... Probably?

"But what about clothes? Is this all?"

Hazel pointed at the twenty boxes with a slightly dissatisfied look.

"Is this all..?"

Did she pick the wrong words?

When we'd gone back to the clothing shop, there were already more than twenty outfits finished. I'd been shocked, but Uncle's reaction had been just like Hazel's.

"Can't be helped. We'll order whatever's missing from Madam Evelin."

Where exactly is it missing?

"We can just order more when Madam Evelin comes!"

Hazel clapped enthusiastically.

I had plenty to say, but... nah.

I shoved the clothing boxes aside and opened the herb boxes to check their condition.

Hm, nice and green, fresh. Good, good.

"Hazel, could you cut some cloth for me?"

"Cloth?"

"Yeah. I need it for something..."

Hazel lit up with an "Oh!"

"Are you making that ointment you said you did for the knights?"

"Kinda. Similar."

I squatted in front of the boxes and picked out some herbs.

"Anyway, cut the cloth."

"You got it! I'm great with a knife."

Her toned muscles twitched excitedly.

At this point, I was curious about Hazel's past, but... let's leave that alone.

"With scissors. Nicely."

"It's a blade either way."

Yeah, definitely not letting her near my hair!

"How big?"

"About this much. Enough to wrap around a knee."

"A knee?"

I nodded at her puzzled question.

"Yep, leave it to me."

I asked her to fetch a few more tools, then carefully selected the herbs.

A fresh scent filled the room.

Northern annex. Ballock's bedroom.

Butler Morris firmly closed the window.

It was already pitch black outside.

A faint smoke filled the room—an herbal incense for pain relief.

"...Did the little one settle in okay?"

A low, subdued voice came from the dim bedroom. Ballock, propped up diagonally on the spacious bed.

With the lights low, he looked like a black mountain.

"Yes. Ate well and is resting."

"Hmph. She take her pocket money okay?"

"She dragged it along like a burden, but yes, she seemed happy."

Morris recalled the child's face paling at the pouch of money.

"Tch. Heard she stopped at the herb shop too—why didn't she buy that one? Small hands, just like you'd expect from a bean-sized kid."

"Normal eight-year-olds don't own multiple shops, Your Excellency."

"Then?"

Morris hesitated.

"Hm... One or two, maybe..?"

Thinking of that fluffy silver hair made his lips twitch upward.

Those spirited eyes that watched carefully but never cowered.

They made him want to spoil her constantly.

"Well, Lady Rubian could handle three or four more."

"Right? See? One shop's not enough!"

Ballock started to bolt upright, then swallowed a groan.

"Ugh."

Damn body. Curses. Curses.

Rough swears followed.

Deep worry clouded his longtime aide's face.

"...Your Excellency, please stop being stubborn and at least see a physician..."

"Shut it. Doesn't hurt a bit."

"But you lost your balance and fell earlier."

"I said shut it!"

The air rippled sharply.

Crash! The lamp glass shattered under the wild aura. The window rattled fiercely.

Black-fluctuating aura.

Morris wiped sweat and stepped back.

"...Understood. Please calm down. I overstepped."

Ballock yanked the blanket over himself and flopped down.

"This wretched body. Can't even grab that one fluffy thing..."

Morris tidied the broken lamp as he listened to the self-loathing mutter.

"Get out. I'm sleeping."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Click. Morris quietly closed the door.

In his youth, Ballock Jebert had been the sturdiest knight of all. But injuries from battle had left his legs impaired.

He managed fine usually, but these seizure-like pains had no real remedy. Starting in his legs, they'd spread through his whole body.

He hid it well, but the episodes had grown more frequent lately.

Seems he stepped wrong on his bad leg today and fell.

It had clearly bruised that stubborn man's pride.

Sigh. What to do?

Ballock still couldn't accept his weakened body.

Unable to join the human-maa war due to it—what humiliation for a northern knight.

That bred a victim complex. Staying in the remote annex, being gruff to others—it was all a smokescreen for his weakness.

"Butler?"

Morris paused midway down the stairs.

"...Lady Rubian?"

A child stood in the annex lobby.

"How did you get here? The path from the main house is rough."

"Hazel brought me!"

Her clear voice seeped into the dark room like light.

Morris glanced silently at Hazel behind her.

Already smitten with the little one? The once-legendary masked mercenary averted her eyes slyly.

"Is Grandpa asleep?"

"Yes, resting. Perhaps it's best if you head back tonight..."

"Can I just see him for a bit?"

Morris pondered.

Ballock's mood was at its worst. His condition too.

He wouldn't want the child seeing that...

Probably best to say no...

"Just a quick moment!"

Sparkling eyes.

"Please!"

"...Then I'll go in with you."

If he glares or snaps, I'll whisk her out.

Morris led Rubian to the bedroom.

Creeeak. The door opened carefully.

Even breathing came from inside.

Was he really that unwell? Ballock seemed to have fallen asleep already.

"Shh."

Rubian crossed the threshold, pressing a finger to her lips with a determined face.

Morris gazed at the round head gleaming silver.

...Definitely needs more than three or four shops, yep.

The child tiptoed to the bed and pulled something from the floor.

"What's that?"

"Oh, it's cloth with ointment on it. Feels super cool and good when you apply it. I made it with herbs I bought today, so not sure how effective it'll be."

Thin cloth smeared with light green ointment.

Come to think of it, her father was a healer...

Morris watched quietly.

She carefully climbed the bed, rolled up Ballock's pants, then fidgeted a while.

Ballock, buried under kicked blankets, just snored softly: phew...

"Did you know His Excellency's knee was bad?"

"Yes."

"How on earth..."