The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 34

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 34

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot

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"Ruby, breakfast... Your face is a sight."

Uncle appeared in casual clothes, standing outside the door with his legs spread wide.

"...Good morning, Uncle."

I dragged my weary body up, my face hollowed out from fury. I shuffled toward the door in my yellow slippers.

"You didn't stay up all night, did you?"

"Slept like always."

"... "

Riiip, riiip. I peeled off the long strip of tape I'd stuck to the door.

Uncle let out a sigh of exasperation.

"Is all this really necessary?"

"You're the one who keeps peeking at me while I sleep! I have a right to privacy too, you know."

It was my extreme countermeasure. I just couldn't take being watched every night. What if I mumbled something embarrassing in my sleep?

'Of course, those long legs of his could hop right over it...'

It was a matter of principle.

"Ha. Unbelievable."

Uncle shook his head and extended his hand. I naturally settled into his arms as he carried me down the hall.

Whew, now that I've vented, I'm starving.

I was still grinding my teeth over Khalid Riorc shutting me out.

'No, stay calm. He might just be sleeping in. I can check the shop later.'

I took deep breaths in and out, calming my boiling gut.

That's when someone approached from down the hall.

"Your Excellency."

"Ah, Sir Leon, senpai! Good morning!"

Sir Leon stared at me for a moment before nodding in greeting.

Then, with his usual stoic face, he rummaged through his pocket and handed me a small madeleine.

Why the heck does he carry these around every day? Low blood sugar or something?

Anyway, starving as I was, I munched on the madeleine while listening to Uncle and Sir Leon talk.

"Your Excellency, we're a bit short-staffed in the knight order, so we may need to recruit new trainees or knights. What are your orders?"

"Mm. With the spring subjugation coming up, we should. Any applicants?"

"None yet, actually..."

"Gasp, does that mean I'll finally have a junior?"

I gulped down the madeleine, and Sir Leon rummaged again, handing me a bottle of strawberry milk. What? Is it a magic pouch?

"No one's getting in younger than you, no matter what."

Aww, too bad.

I slurped the milk and pouted.

"Look for someone by the subjugation at least."

"Understood. I'll inform Sir Obron."

Sir Leon gave a crisp salute and walked off. Not forgetting to empty his pockets into my hands with every kind of madeleine imaginable before he left.

"Lemon, chocolate, vanilla, Earl Grey... Wow, is Sir Leon's dream to open a dessert shop after retiring?"

A dessert shop run by a stoic ex-knight... Hm, might actually work.

"Eat the rest after breakfast."

"Okay!"

Arriving at the dining hall, I hopped down from Uncle's arms.

Munchies fixed my mood. The irritation from Khalid had mostly faded.

"Gotta eat quick, train, and hit the shops!"

Another busy, fulfilling day!

But the footsteps I expected to follow didn't.

Turning back curiously, I spotted that handsome face with arms crossed and a very displeased expression.

"...You're going out?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Then this afternoon, I'm stuck with..."

"What was that?"

Uncle pressed his lips thin and sighed deeply. Then he strode over, poked my cheek, and smiled.

"Nothing. Go have your fun."

Just past noon, in the study.

Leviathan Jebert shot to his feet.

"This won't do."

Rubian had gone out again today.

Which meant afternoon tea time with her was canceled once more.

"Feels like I'll suffocate under these papers."

He scowled at the mountain of parchments. He needed a change of pace.

Leviathan grabbed a few urgent documents and headed to Rubian's room.

The moment he opened the door, her childish sweet scent hit him. His lips softened, and his taut nerves eased.

He slowly surveyed Rubian's bedroom.

The light purple magic stones neatly lining the windowsill stood out immediately.

"She must really like them."

On the floor, sparkling heart shapes drawn with magic stones. Next to them, fresh herbs bundled like bouquets.

The sight drew a chuckle from him.

'Does she have a collecting hobby?'

Like a squirrel gathering acorns?

Leviathan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Among the capital's nobles, a few ladies collected rare-colored magic stones. Most of them also collected jewels.

'Maybe she wants jewels too but can't say it 'cause she's a tough guy?'

She does seem to like sparkly things...

"Ah, Your Excellency. There you are."

Lost in thought, Adolph approached from behind. Perfect timing—he'd been about to call him.

"Adolph. Find out who owns the jewelry shop near Central Avenue right now."

"Suddenly?"

"Problem?"

"N-No... Of course not."

Adolph glanced at the purple magic stone in Leviathan's hand before answering. He'd grasped the situation.

"What else?"

"Ah, Physician Borvel requests an audience."

"Borvel?"

Borvel was the Jebert family physician who'd returned recently.

Why was he seeking him out? Then he remembered assigning him to examine Rubian right away.

No way. Was something wrong with Ruby?

His fingertips chilled.

"Send him in immediately."

The door opened, revealing a middle-aged man.

"Your Excellency, I've come to report on Rubian-nim's checkup."

"Conclusion first."

"Mm, she's healthy."

"'Mm, healthy'?"

Leviathan tilted his chin. Borvel swallowed hard amid the sharpening chill in the air.

"Explain why the preamble."

"That's from the basic exam. She's growing slower than peers, but not due to illness. However."

The calm physician twitched one eyebrow.

"You mentioned major injuries on her body?"

"...Yes."

"I'd like to examine those more closely along with a full checkup, but she really resisted being touched. I could only do basics, and it's bothering me."

"She is wary of strangers."

Acting nonchalant, but Rubian was shy around people.

He recalled how she'd wriggle into his arms in crowds, and his eyes softened.

'How did a kid like that end up following me?'

She'd been oddly open with him...

"Yes, seemed so. I'll need to build some rapport first."

"No issues right now, then?"

"Yes. Keep managing her like this, and growth will improve. Though... she'll still be smaller than boys her age."

Leviathan nodded, then scowled deeply.

"Uncle! I think I've gained weight since coming here! What if I grow as big as Hazel?"

Her sparkling eyes from that moment flashed in his mind.

Rubian had seemed purely happy, but it left Leviathan deeply unsettled.

"Just a few weeks, and she's grown."

Less than a month since she'd arrived at the ducal residence.

In that short time, with good food, she'd gained weight, color in her cheeks, and even a bit of height.

'Just how malnourished was she before?'

Leviathan pressed his forehead with one hand and groaned. His stomach churned.

"Borvel, can you send someone to Iosiah?"

"I studied there briefly, so yes. Why?"

"Ruby's from Iosiah. Curious if anyone there knows her—parents, relatives."

How had she survived with those (presumed trash) people?

'No more.'

Leviathan had planned to wait for her to open up.

But would that day come?

Call it a hunch.

It felt sneaky digging behind her back, but he'd decided.

He was her guardian now. He needed to know everything about her.

To protect her.

And...

"If her stomach didn't hurt, what was she doing in her room?"

"M-My stomach did hurt! But it suddenly got better..."

He recalled Rubian slyly avoiding his eyes.

He hoped not, but the thought crept in.

'Is Ruby hiding something?'

Crumple. The documents crumpled miserably in Leviathan's unconsciously tightened grip.