The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 54

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 54

Chapter Title: Off to the New Green Festival

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“Well, we had to go meet the Emperor at least once anyway to discuss your enrollment.”

Muttering that, Dad—not Uncle—stroked my head twice.

“So what will you do, Father?”

His lavender eyes now fixed on Grandfather. Grandfather glowered at the end of the letter with a sullen expression.

‘No way Old Duke would go, no matter what.’

He’d seemed to hate appearing in front of people ever since he fell ill.

“……? If my little booger’s going, how could I not?”

But contrary to my expectations, Grandfather looked at me like I’d asked the dumbest question ever.

“Me too, me too! I’m going with Ruby!”

“Yeah. Come on along, little Void!”

“Woo yeah, chance to show off my sword!”

Void jumped in excitedly too.

“Exciting, right, Ruby? It’s a family picnic.”

Whoosh. Dad rubbed my head vigorously.

I, the silver lion, pursed my lips and nodded.

If we’re all going together…… it’s gotta be good, right?

And so, the Jebert Family’s attendance at the New Green Festival was confirmed. It had been ten years.

“Eek. Then what about Father and Mother?”

“The journey’s long, so Rose needs to rest at the castle. We’ll just bring Liam.”

“Ung……”

Void looked a bit disappointed. But thinking of Rosetta’s health first, he nodded maturely.

“Is the Duchess feeling really unwell?”

I cautiously asked while biting into a big cookie.

“It’s always nerve-wracking watching her.”

A long sigh followed.

‘Mercy……’

I’d thought she was the bright and warm sunlight heroine, but she had the frail invalid heroine keyword too? Was it sequelae from the carriage accident?

‘What kind of people are they?’

I vaguely recalled the two from the original story.

First, Liam Jebert. He was a sharp-minded fifteen-year-old brainiac. Of course, as a Jebert, his swordsmanship was top-notch too.

‘In a word, the perfect student council president type, academy top ranks.’

Among them, Liam had shown interest in magic beast studies. He probably grew into an excellent magic beast scholar.

‘Still a chick for now, though.’

Next was Rosetta Jebert.

Once the elegant noblewoman who dominated the empire’s social scene, and Leviathan’s first love. Basically the Part 1 heroine of this novel.

Her descriptions were straight out of the heroine playbook. Fairy-like looks, pink hair like sweet cotton candy, voice like a gentle spring breeze, and so on…….

‘But what was their first meeting like?’

In the original, they were already lovers, so I didn’t know.

‘Come to think of it, Rosetta was adopted into a noble family too.’

So what did she do before that?

I tried imagining while munching my cookie, but nothing came to mind.

‘Anyway, unintentionally…… I’ve been pushed back a bit.’

Meeting Rosetta.

Too bad, but oh well!

I’ll meet Liam first and get on good terms!

There was some time before the New Green Festival, but the Jebert Family departed early to stay in Ipson.

Ipson was a northern territory under Count Camellan’s family, vassals to House Jebert.

Something about handling business early since we were going anyway, or whatever.

Count Camellan had also requested knight forces to fortify the territory ahead of the festival.

“Have a safe trip!”

The castle servants waved with bright smiles.

“We’ll be back!”

“Safe travels, Lady Rubian!”

Hazel fixed my hair one last time as she said goodbye. Having lost the draw, she sadly became the home-stayer.

‘I thought she’d be super depressed.’

Good that she seemed fine.

“If I have to, I’ll chase after you……”

“Huh?”

“Eek! I’ll miss you even in this short time!”

Hazel hugged me tight, so I couldn’t ask more.

No way…… she’s not gonna dig a tunnel or something to follow…….

I narrowed my eyes with utterly rational deduction.

The horse carrying Dad and me began moving slowly.

Ipson wasn’t that far, so no need for a carriage. Behind me stretched the carriage with Void and Grandfather, followed by the knights.

[Watch ahead. Don’t fall behind.]

Of course, Khalid was with us too.

‘Bad Cal. Always lifts the block only when he needs to.’

At this point, reasonable suspicion arose.

Was this really a block, or just listening and ignoring? Aka listen-pretend?

‘If he hadn’t held back on Stationed Mage info, I’d block him!’

Hmph.

I turned my head sharply, recalling this New Green Festival’s goal.

‘Gotta meet the Stationed Mage.’

He was the final puzzle for completing the barrier. Plus, I’d probably score some decent blueprints at the festival too.

‘Missing out would be a loss!’

And a little exciting. Spring festival!

“……Something’s off.”

Then Dad, holding the reins behind me, muttered softly. I tilted my head.

“What is?”

“No traces of magic beasts at all.”

Huh? Really? I looked around.

Come to think of it, he’d said something similar before departure.

“Your Excellency, we scouted the route to Ipson in advance, but didn’t spot a single magic beast.”

“……No way. Right?”

“……No way.”

What exactly was this ‘no way’ they kept mentioning?

“No way…… It couldn’t be.”

The low voice carried an inexplicable anxiety…… Why?

But Dad said no more, and I became completely entranced by the scenery ahead.

“Wow.”

We arrived in Ipson just as the sun was setting.

“I-it’s…… House Jebert!”

The gate guard startled like he’d seen a wild beast and shouted.

The blue lion flag fluttered behind us. We passed through the main gate without hindrance and crossed the city.

“Whoa. Smoke’s rising all around.”

“Volcanic zone. Famous for hot springs, so lots of noble villas.”

“Does Jebert have one too?”

“Of course.”

Giant villa in a tourist spot? Exciting! I sniffed the faint sulfur smell, peeking from behind Dad’s cloak.

“Welcome, Family Head.”

Adolph the butler, who’d gone ahead to prepare the villa, greeted us with the staff.

“Wow! It’s huge!”

“Big but shabby.”

No way, this rich uncle?

It looked way better than Count Camellan’s mansion on the way!

“Been a while! Hope Liam hyung gets here soon!”

Void stretched as we entered the lobby. He seemed familiar, like at the ducal castle.

“I wanted to see our Rose.”

Grandfather muttered regretfully while removing his heavy cloak.

Then one of the lined-up servants asked.

“Family Head, we’ve prepared Jebert Private Hot Springs. What shall we do?”

“Whoa! Bath time!”

My eyes sparkled unwittingly, and Grandfather chuckled, bending down.

“Been a while, so I need to loosen up too! Little booger, wanna steam with Grandpa in the medicinal hot springs?”

“Nah, don’t wanna!”

Ugh. At my firm refusal, Old Duke clutched his right chest and rolled on the floor. Ack, heart’s on the left…….

Void shook his head and stepped up.

“Heh. Grandpa, Ruby likes me more. Rubes, let’s go to Rainbow Hot Springs together!”

“Rainbow’s super no.”

Sob. The young master despaired beside Grandfather too.

“……”

The watching servants’ gazes naturally turned to the Duke removing his cloak.

Dad chuckled and scooped me up.

“You guys have no tact. Ruby doesn’t like bathing with others.”

Oh, stylish Dad as expected…….

“But at this point, I should be fine. Ruby, you can cover up, so with Dad……”

“This room okay?”

I hopped down from Dad’s arms and ran up the stairs.

Everyone’s spouting nonsense so casually!

As I bounded up the stairs, Grandfather and Void stood, brushing themselves off.

“At least Ruby didn’t cut me off……”

How much must she hate it…….

No response came from the Duke, frozen like a statue.

Old Duke patted his broad shoulder sympathetically.

“C’mon, what was it? Power? Put some out. Son.”

“Hang in there, Father.”

The Duke was glum.