The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 48

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 48

Chapter Title: Can't Call Him Dad

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“Rubian?”

“Hello, Mr. Borvel.”

I offered a polite greeting with a mechanical smile. Honestly, I was only half there.

Borvel went, “Hmm?” and sat me down in a chair.

“Is something hurting?”

“No. I'm doing extremely, incredibly well.”

Today, I even ran three and a half laps around the mini training grounds.

But I'd come down with a bad case of not being able to call the Duke by any title at all.

Was it terminal? Was I done for?

Borvel examined me carefully.

“Hmm. You look fine to me.”

Uncle snorted.

“No way. Look. Rubian, who am I?”

I stared at the man in front of me with hazy eyes.

“Ah!”

“……”

“……”

My mouth fell open in a perfect O, and I froze solid.

I was out of deflections. Seeing that, Uncle sadly rubbed his forehead.

“See? I've lost everything. Now I'm just an exclamation.”

“Haha.”

Apparently, my official adoption had become quite the hot topic among the servants lately. Borvel must have heard the rumors too, because he chuckled like he got the gist.

“Well... it seems like something that'll just take time...”

Would time really fix it, doctor?

I gave an awkward smile, lifting only the corners of my mouth.

That's when Adolph the butler, who'd been pacing anxiously outside, approached.

“Your Excellency, you should head out soon. There's a mountain of documents that need reviewing by today...”

“Haa.”

The Duke let out a deep sigh and staggered to his feet.

I felt guilty for causing those furrows in Uncle's brow, so I gave a timid wave.

“Bye... Make lots of money...”

Uncle stared at my face blankly and muttered like a ghost.

“Really. Makes me want to turn back time.”

Thud. The door shut, and I finally let the awkward smile drop from my face.

“Is 'Dad' not coming out easily?”

Borvel asked, looking at me. I nodded weakly, feeling deflated.

“Yeah...”

What was the big deal with a silly title?

Of course... I'd barely ever said 'Mom' or 'Dad' in my past life or this one.

'In my past life, I got divorced twice before titles even changed...'

I'd called the Magic King 'Father,' but it was just an empty word.

“Waaah. I'm such an idiot!”

I buried my face in the table.

I was the most bummed out of anyone at how uncooperative I was being. Especially seeing Uncle's slightly disappointed face—that hurt the most.

“Doctor, can I get better?”

I pleaded, and Borvel tilted his eyebrows sympathetically.

“Of course.”

“How...?”

“Stop thinking you have to call him that.”

“Huh?”

“Then it'll come naturally, right?”

Was Borvel the type who lived life straightforwardly?

His bland advice made me chuckle dryly, and he laughed along.

“Or maybe it's a mental block for you, Rubian.”

“A mental problem?”

“Any worries or secrets you're holding back?”

Uh... plenty?

I went quiet, and Borvel smiled thinly with narrowed eyes.

“Of course, you can tell me if you want.”

“Ugh, no thanks.”

“……”

Ah, I forgot to think that one instead of say it.

I scrambled to cover.

“N-no reason! No worries or secrets or anything!”

“Aha. Good to hear.”

Borvel patted my head a couple times, then pulled some energizing jelly from a drawer and handed it over. He glanced at his watch and stood.

“Shall we head to the study hall? Class time's just about here.”

“Yep!”

Music to my ears.

When my head got cluttered, it was better to focus elsewhere.

'Yeah, maybe it really does just need time.'

I thought calmly and prayed my awful condition would clear up soon.

Unfortunately, my condition didn't improve easily.

Spin, spin.

I was crouched in one corner of the mini training grounds.

I'd succeeded in three and a half laps for the first time and even got praise from the senior trainees, but I wasn't happy at all.

'I want to brag to Uncle.'

But to do that, I had to call him.

Uncle or Dad.

It was frustrating how it wouldn't come out smoothly, like a big lump was stuck in my throat.

“Seriously! What's the big deal with a stupid title?!”

I said I'd be a normal kid, Rubian!

Normal kids don't get awkward calling their dad 'Dad'!

“What even is normal?!”

I snapped at my own heart.

Spin, spin. My finger dug furiously into the dirt ground.

That's when a huge shadow fell over me from behind.

“Oho, our little booger sure draws snails well!”

My body shot up. In an instant, my view rose high, revealing Grandpa grinning mischievously.

Grandpa boomed with laughter at the snail masterpiece I'd drawn in the dirt.

“Whoa, over a hundred of 'em! Gotta preserve this training ground forever as our little one's first work.”

“Then where do I run...?”

“We'll just make another training ground!”

Grandpa strode off, swinging me lightly in his arms. Being carried like this felt kinda embarrassing.

“Grandpa, I ran three and a half laps today.”

His wrinkled eyes widened like saucers.

“Festival.”

Time for a festival!

I clamped his mouth shut with both hands before he could shout it.

Grandpa kept mumbling nonstop even with his lips blocked.

'Come to think of it, 'Grandpa' comes out super easy...'

Weird.

“I was trying to say I can walk on my own feet! No festivals! No special days! No bragging letters to the palace!”

I yelled, and Grandpa roared with laughter.

“Sure, sure! Whose booger is it anyway?”

Still, he didn't put me down, so I had no choice but to cross the wide training grounds cradled in his huge arms.

As we walked smoothly without a hitch, I suddenly asked,

“Is your knee okay, Grandpa?”

“Hurts sometimes.”

“Aww...”

Bummer.

Grandpa's injury had been neglected too long to fully heal. Luckily, he'd started seeing Borvel again, so it was much better than before, but not 100%.

I wilted a bit.

“I'll study hard and fix it completely for you...”

“Hahaha! It's fine, kiddo! If you're that worried, come blow on it more often!”

Grandpa hoisted me up lightly with a “Up you go!”

“More importantly, why so glum today?”

“Huh?”

“Heard Leviathan's eyes are all red from wanting to hear you call him 'Dad.' That it?”

Oh, you heard.

I blinked rapidly. Grandpa's rugged face scrunched slightly.

“Doesn't sit right with our little booger, huh.”

“Um... do I have to change the title?”

“Of course not. Do whatever you want.”

Grandpa spoke softly for once, then burst out laughing.

“Watching that guy fret over it is pretty entertaining anyway!”

“Aw, that's mean...”

“Still, Rubia.”

His big, thick hand pinched my nose lightly and let go.

“Changing titles changes relationships. Could get closer... or farther.”

“Even if I'm right by his side, we could drift apart?”

“Yep. Just being nearby isn't everything.”

“But I came here to stick right by Uncle's side...”

I muttered to myself. Grandpa somehow caught the tiny voice.

“That's right. You did great. How's our smart cookie so clever? Chased down that villain-lookin' guy and scored an angel grandpa too, huh?”

“...Feels like something's changed.”

“Nah, illusion. Anyway, kid, don't miss this chance.”

“What chance is this?”

I asked curiously for real, and Grandpa winked slyly.

“The chance to turn Leviathan into your personal umbrella for life.”