The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 51

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 51

Chapter Title: People Make Many Mistakes

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"People make a lot of mistakes, surprisingly enough?"

"Huh......"

"That's life—forgiving and being forgiven. Kids like you especially need to be forgiven a lot."

The gravekeeper lady tapped her cocoa mug.

"Sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet. The truth of life, right?"

"......"

Was it really that simple?

It was something I'd never experienced in my previous life.

One slip-up, and it was over. I'd probably slipped up twice, and that's why I lost my family twice.

The despair and shame I'd felt each time I was sent back to the orphanage still lingered inside me as a dark lump.

"And I don't think your sister believes you did anything that bad. So it seems a shame to push away such a good friend out of needless fear."

"Ugh....... I'll give you a certificate."

"What?"

"Psychological counseling......"

"Hahaha. So cute."

My sister laughed heartily and ruffled my hair.

This time, we sat side by side and drank our cocoa.

We'd had a full meal and dessert. It felt like a complete course, and thanks to it, my heart felt much lighter.

I drained my cocoa mug and stood up.

"I've made up my mind."

"Oh?"

"Later, after I finish everything I have to do, I'll tell my friend the truth and apologize."

It might turn into a very long story. I'd have to start from my previous life.

Would Uncle believe me? I still wasn't sure.

"But I'll ask if I can still stay by her side......"

I was scrapping my plan to leave.

'Once I achieve my goal, I'll tell her everything I've been hiding.'

And ask her to keep being my family.

I still feared being abandoned. But it was a little better than before.

And even if she ended up hating me, I didn't think the love she gave me now was fake.

'It's okay.'

I really was okay now.

For the first time, I felt like I could call for Uncle.

"Um...... I have to go back!"

I hopped down from my chair. Dusk was settling outside the window.

"Alright. See you! No send-off!"

The gravekeeper lady waved from her seat at the table. Seeing her bright face, I waved back.

Before fully closing the door, I hesitated and added,

"Um, I'll make sure to spread the word that you're not the Witch Granny!"

She chuckled softly at that.

See? She's so kind and pretty—calling her the Witch Granny is too much!

I dashed up the hill again, footsteps pattering.

'......Huh? Wait a minute.'

My smooth pace halted for a moment. I tilted my head.

'Something from that conversation...... I feel like I missed it.'

What was it? Just my imagination?

"Ruby! Where have you been?!"

"Ah, I'm coming now!"

Void's shout echoed from afar, and I ran again.

Eh, probably nothing.

All I wanted was to hurry back and call for Uncle.

Thud. The door closed, and through the window, she watched the child trot away. Propping her chin on her hand, the woman stared for a long while.

A smile crept onto her lips.

"Girls really are something else."

Whose daughter could she be?

Sir Eugene? Sir Hector? Or maybe one of the daughters from the new knights they'd taken on?

"Probably came to the castle to visit her dad."

And got lost along the way?

According to Yuris, kids that age were found in the most outrageous places. They were busier exploring than adults.

Recalling the round face streaked with tears made her feel sorry again, but she smiled. What kind of secret could make such a little one so sad?

"Ah, I should've at least asked her name!"

She regretted it belatedly.

How much time passed like that?

Darkness fully blanketed the Memorial Garden, and the fireplace embers died down.

The rickety cabin door opened silently.

"Come on in."

The woman finally stood. The room quickly filled with shadows wearing black masks.

"It's been a while, Hazel."

Hazel, at the front of the shadows, gave a brief bow.

"You're back early, my lady. I thought it would take longer."

"Yeah. Liam cleared the path midway, so I came ahead."

"And Master Liam?"

"Said something about going to buy a magic beast encyclopedia. Sigh, really. Why do all boys that age have such weird interests?"

Duchess Rosetta Jebert let out a light sigh, genuinely exasperated. Hazel smiled with her eyes at the affection laced in her words.

"By the way, Eina. They say you're the Witch Granny?"

"Is that so?"

One of the shadows tilted her head.

This cabin was a hidden base for Rosetta Jebert and her mercenary maids. Few knew of it.

The vicious rumors they'd spread to keep people away seemed effective enough.

"You dyed your hair."

"Yeah. Doesn't it suit me?"

Hazel nodded with a smile. The perfectly concealed pink hair was familiar by now.

"But...... who was here?"

At the follow-up question, Rosetta nodded.

"Ah, one little girl. Looks like she wandered into the Small Garden by mistake."

A girl? Sharpness flashed in the maid's eyes.

"......Come to think of it, I saw a few knights bring their kids today. Something about a fool meeting or whatever. I'll tell them to be careful."

"No need, no need. Kids are a good thing."

Rosetta stretched with a casual tone.

"So, Hazel. Rubian must be awfully lovable, huh? Your face looks like a whole different person's."

Hazel glanced down shyly and scratched her forehead.

"......Yes. Very much so."

Rosetta smiled warmly at the sight.

It had been over ten years since she'd rescued these women from being used as assassin mercenaries in an illegal guild and made them her maids and servants. Rosetta herself, an illegitimate child of a minor noble, had fled the guild back then and, after twists and turns, been adopted into a count's family.

None of it would have been easy without Leviathan's help.

'Hmm, good thing I didn't kill him when we first met.'

Rosetta thought of her dear husband's face as she sharpened a long arrowhead.

For a moment, then the bustling chatter began.

"Why on earth did Levi bring Rubian home? What kind of girl is she? Ah, I'm so curious. She's even appearing in my dreams!"

She was the one more curious about Rubian than anyone.

The maids chuckled familiarly, enjoying Rosetta's reaction. They all chimed in about Rubian's cuteness and charm. Hazel contributed the most, of course.

"I want to meet her soon and give her a big hug."

Wearing a longing expression, Rosetta still gathered her things.

"Well then, shall we get going? Ipson, right?"

"M-my lady. You're really not stopping by the castle?"

Hazel added,

"His Excellency must miss you terribly."

"Yeah. He's too overprotective; that's why."

It was a curt reply. Rosetta spun her index finger on the table and laughed.

"Ah, come on, I want to go to the New Green Festival too. He'll just tell me to rest, obviously. He doesn't even know how healthy I've gotten. I'm not some glass doll."

"......"

"And I came here first...... to spend time with our baby after so long."

Her blue eyes turned toward the distant Small Garden.

The maids, knowing what lay at the end of that gaze, fell silent with somber faces. Rosetta briskly donned her outer coat.

"Let's go. Mom has to clear out all the magic beasts on the way to Ipson so our little ones can enjoy the New Green Festival without worry, right?"

Rummaging through the wooden wardrobe, Rosetta pulled out a longbow hidden among the clothes.

Gazing at the bowstring gleaming in the moonlight, she recalled the girl's silver hair from earlier.

Would they meet again?

Rosetta smiled softly to herself.

"Time to do some housewife cleaning after so long~"

I hope we meet again.

Next time, I'll make even sweeter cocoa.