The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 56

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 56

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding Something

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Rubian seemed to have gained a bit of confidence.

"Ta-da. There are tons of snacks too. Who do you think prepared them? Whose house is this?"

"......The, the Duke Jebert's house."

Sortie pouted her lips before answering softly. Rubian grinned and handed her a handkerchief.

"Oh dear. Thank you for comforting our Titi. As expected of a child from House Jebert."

The count, who had been sweating bullets, finally set the child down.

"Come on, Titi. Stop clinging and greet them properly."

"Yes, Dad."

Sortie wriggled a bit before fixing her gaze on Rubian and standing on the floor.

"I am Sortie Camellan of the Camellan Count family. I'm seven years old."

Rubian finally seemed a little shy.

"I'm Rubian....... Eight years old......"

At that moment, one of Leviathan's eyebrows shot up sharply. Rubian. End?

And next?

Blink, blink. Sortie's clear eyes moved as if observing Rubian's face.

"Why is your name only half?"

Crack. The air froze at the innocent question.

Sortie tilted her head back and forth between Leviathan and Rubian. Her twin pigtails tilted along with her.

"Your hair color is different too. Titi has the same as Dad's, so that's weird!"

"Titi, that's enough......"

As the count tried to intervene, Leviathan set down his teacup.

The moment he urgently reached out toward Rubian, who was standing quietly with her back turned.

"I'm going to be adopted. Um, so...... I'm not Father's real child."

A steady voice flowed out.

Rubian turned around with a completely nonchalant face. Sortie cupped her cheeks and asked back in surprise.

"That can happen?"

"Right?"

"I see."

Leviathan extended his paused arm fully and pulled Rubian to him.

"There are many ways to become family, my lady."

He sat her on his knee, and Rubian tilted her head back to look up at him with bright, sparkling eyes. Sapphire-blue orbs filled his vision.

"We may look a bit different, but she's my precious gem. Can you be good friends?"

At his gentle coaxing, Sortie beamed as if she had never cried.

"Yes! Thank you for telling me! Duke!"

Family...... Rubian mouthed the word with her small lips. Leviathan poked her plump cheek.

A sharp glare came back, but as always, it was utterly lovable.

While the two adults briefly discussed business, Rubian shared snacks with Sortie.

"-Then let's continue with the New Green Festival matters. Actually, security in Ipson hasn't been great lately, so I requested knights. There's been a specific type of crime recently...... Ack, you rascal."

"Hehe, Dad's beard."

Sortie, who had wriggled her way over unnoticed, giggled while braiding the Camellan Count's long beard.

"She's really the baby of the family, spoiled rotten, and her manners are getting worse. My apologies."

Leviathan said it was fine and turned to the side.

Rubian was munching on a cream puff, her eyes sparkling.

That looks good......?

He heard a mutter, but couldn't make out the meaning.

"Ruby. If you're bored, want to go play outside? The talk might drag on."

"Yeah! Lady Camellan, want to come?"

Oh my. Even though she was a year older, she was the first to offer her hand...

"Ah."

Leviathan suddenly furrowed his brow.

A boy and a girl...... Was it okay for them to hold hands so tightly like that?

He unconsciously turned to the Camellan Count. The count just looked pleased.

Is that allowed?

If it were my daughter...

Clatter.

"Um...... Your Excellency? Why are you suddenly drawing your sword......?"

"Ahem, never mind."

Leviathan forcibly pried his hand off the sword hilt he had gripped without realizing.

Strange. His stomach kept churning...

"We're going to the garden out front!"

"......Alright."

Leviathan clasped his hands together and nodded.

Rubian was already chattering away to Sortie, as if they were fast friends.

"The garden here is super pretty. Can you teach me that knot from earlier?"

"Braiding beards? Sure!"

"It's so itchy, I can't stand it......"

"Oh no. You're under beard attack."

The two held hands amiably and walked away.

What......

Cute enough, I guess.

After the children left, in the drawing room.

Leviathan got straight to the point with an impassive face.

"So, what's going on in Ipson lately?"

"Ah, the crimes. There have been a few attempted kidnapping reports...... With the New Green Festival bringing in lots of outsiders, we're tightening security."

"I've brought plenty of guard knights, so dispatch as many as you need."

"Oh, thank you so much."

The Camellan Count smiled in relief. He hid his face behind his teacup and stole a glance at the man across from him.

His strikingly handsome appearance was the first thought.

Followed by fear.

He lounged slantwise in loose attire, but it was more the arrogant leisure of a ruler.

The count swallowed dryly without realizing.

Because he knew all too well how that straight, teacup-holding hand could summon rivers of blood.

War Ghost.

Even knowing he was humanity's hero, he couldn't erase the term.

When he had gone to the front lines by chance to inspect supplies, what he saw there was a single demon.

Black hair soaked in blood, crossing the wasteland. The silver blade gleamed red with gore, and wherever he moved, blood and flesh trailed like footprints.

The creepiest part was his utterly emotionless face.

He seemed like a man swinging his sword purely on instinct.

Compared to then...... he's remarkably mellow now.

Back then, he couldn't even imagine him sitting like this, tilting a teacup.

Is it because the war ended, or......

The count calmly set down his teacup.

Maybe because of the child just now.

"But kidnappings out of nowhere?"

Leviathan leaned back in his chair and asked. The count quickly shook off his thoughts and answered casually.

"Well...... There's a rumor that the runaway mage from the Magic Kingdom is a little girl."

At that instant, the air sharpened as if by magic.

"Some lunatics must think they can catch her and hand her over to the kingdom for a reward. Or else demand ransom from parents......"

Leviathan's brow furrowed deeply. Feeling cold sweat down his spine, the count hurriedly added,

"We're pursuing the culprits day and night, so no need to worry too much. Fortunately, they've only been attempts so far. We have to catch them before the New Green Festival."

"I'll tell Obron to dispatch all the knights."

Leviathan clicked his tongue roughly. Seeing the count's face drain of color, he forcibly suppressed his surging aura.

A little girl mage?

Then she must have fled to survive.

Did they have to hound even a child like that?

Crazy bastards from that kingdom.

Leviathan exhaled heavily. One more reason to meet the emperor.

"Must be worrying for you too, Count. With a young daughter and all."

"Whew. Yes...... Honestly, I get anxious if she's out of sight these days. You'd understand, Your Excellency."

"......?"

Leviathan raised a blank gaze.

"Rubian is a son."

"Pardon?"

The Camellan Count looked like he'd seen a ghost.

"Hehe, no way!"

"I know he's pretty. His cuteness pierces the heavens, of course."

"......"

"Smart and clever too. Speaks so well, he could match academy professors without issue. Now he runs three and a half laps around the training grounds. Incredible grit, right? He's already surpassed his herbology master, and healing arts soon......"

"Yes. I heard you loud and clear."

A curt reply came back.

"No, there's more. Listen further."

"If anything, I'm the one mistaken."

The Camellan Count shot to his feet. Leviathan felt deep pity at the count missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Well. You wouldn't easily take a lady......"

Ahem! The count startled himself with his own mutter and cleared his throat loudly.

"......"

Leviathan, lost in other thoughts, didn't even hear it.

Come to think of it, he heard that a lot lately.

Evelin, who had come to take Rubian's clothing order, had said the same.

"A b......oy?"

Really? For real?

A dubious voice echoed like an auditory hallucination.

What is it.

Am I supposed to realize something now?