The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 6

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 6

Chapter Title: The Youngest Hides Many Secrets

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“Yes.”

It was an answer without the slightest hesitation.

“...”

Peeking out from under the rustling blanket with just my eyes showing, I watched Uncle let out a long sigh as he looked at me.

“Looks like there's something wrong with your eyes and the back of your head.”

“No idea what you mean.”

“Me neither.”

His voice trailed off in resignation.

Even as my body burned with fever, laughter kept bubbling up for some reason. It was just that hearing he'd come looking for me made me so happy.

I grabbed a fistful of the blanket and pulled it up high to hide my smile.

“Stop laughing and go to sleep already. You're burning up.”

A cool hand brushed over my forehead.

“Now I see you're just a walking disaster of a kid. Picked up something I shouldn't have.”

“Karma, I guess.”

“Talk like an old soul, too.”

Ha, so he's trying to ditch me now?

“Karma, I...”

“Won't work no matter how cute you say it. That was the problem with your word choice.”

Oh, I see.

“I wanted a cute little youngest, but no such luck. Dreams never come true, huh.”

That snapped me right out of my daze.

“You're taking me with you? To the north?!”

I bolted upright without thinking. My vision flashed white for a moment, but that didn't matter anymore!

“Don't just sit up like...! Ugh, give me a break. Uncle's heart's gonna burst.”

“No dying! But... why? Why the sudden change of heart? You hated the idea so much...”

Uncle sighed deeply and gently laid me back down. His clumsy patting soothed me right away.

“Never hated you.”

Another deep sigh.

“I just... really wanted you to live well.”

“...”

“The world's finally quiet for once.”

I shut my mouth.

If the face of the hero who returned victorious from war looked somehow pathetic in this moment... was that just my imagination?

Wherever the sword swings, ruins remain.

Leviathan Jebert might understand that emptiness better than anyone.

He hadn't wanted to take me because, sure, raising a child isn't simple... but maybe...

'He didn't want to add more people to stay by his side...'

Because he thought his side was nothing but ruins.

“Uncle, I...”

Feeling my eyelids grow heavy, I whispered softly. The wave of sleep crashing over me was impossible to fight anymore.

“I think Uncle's side is the quietest place.”

Leviathan fell silent for a moment.

“Is that so.”

A large, warm hand covered my eyelids.

A few days passed.

I'd fully recovered.

Well, there was still a slight fever, so I was stuck in bed... but today should wrap that up!

“Heh heh heh...”

Lying in bed, I let out a wicked chuckle.

The Jebert Knights' building in the capital was as grand and massive as its reputation suggested.

I'd claimed the inner room, sprawling out and kicking my limbs while tracing butterfly patterns in the air.

“You're in a good mood today?”

There was a knock, and then a familiar face appeared.

“Huh, Blondie?”

What's he doing here?

“Hello.”

His eyes crinkled sweetly from the gap in the door.

“Mind if I come in for a sec?”

It was polite. I sat up in bed and straightened my posture for no reason.

“How'd you even get here?”

“Hmm, walked.”

“...”

Like I thought he flew or something?

“Looks like your worries worked out. Glad to hear it.”

“Yeah... sorta...”

I mumbled awkwardly, scanning the boy in front of me. He wasn't wearing the orphanage-issued clothes anymore.

I've felt it since we met, but yeah, this kid...

“Heard on the way you're going to House Jebert?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. That's the plan.”

“So, getting adopted into House Jebert?”

“I... guess?”

“Ahaha, why so unsure?”

Because the ink's not dry yet, duh.

Who knows if that grumpy uncle might change his mind again.

Right then, the blond boy who'd been staring at me suddenly bowed at the waist.

“Wh-what? Outta nowhere.”

Mint-green eyes sparkled, filling my vision.

“...Yup, it's true.”

Too close! Way too close!

“Wh-what'd you say?”

“Nah, nothing. ...His Grace must have his reasons.”

The blond muttered something cryptic and straightened up.

“Sorry for bothering you while you're resting. I'll head out.”

“Uh...”

“See you.”

He left without lingering, as if he hadn't planned to stay long. His walk was elegant, thanks to ingrained etiquette.

'What was that all about?'

I stared suspiciously at the spot he'd vacated.

'More importantly, he's definitely the 4th Prince, right?'

The fourth prince of the Babylon Empire.

Licht Babylon.

'The next crown prince.'

In the original story, Licht steadily crushed his rivals and became crown prince.

No one imagined the ambition hidden beneath his frail, gentle facade.

'Why was a prince in the orphanage?'

The more I thought, the more mysterious it got.

“No clue.”

I flopped back onto the blanket.

Imperial succession battles were far from my world anyway.

“Whatever, time to enjoy this peace!”

A few more days passed, and departure day finally arrived!

Uncle had been out since morning. Word was he'd stormed the Imperial Palace like a whirlwind.

“He's dead set on opening that daycare!”

I learned much later that the Emperor clutched his neck in shock.

With the duke's sudden return trip, the mana scan got skipped entirely.

The runaway mage description didn't match me at all, which helped.

“Hair?”

“Fine.”

“Vomiting?”

“Nope.”

“Coughing...”

“Argh, stop fussing!”

I smacked his solid shoulder. Felt like punching a stone wall.

We were at the capital's central church.

“Who's fussing?”

Uncle shot me a sharp glare.

In front of us was a single document stamped with the imperial seal.

The content was simple: Leviathan Jebert vouches for my identity and will protect and support me until adulthood.

In plain terms, he was becoming my guardian.

'Knew it.'

Makes sense.

Bringing a kid of unknown origin into a high noble house as an adopted daughter (or son?) isn't straightforward.

'Whatever.'

As long as I could stay by Uncle's side!

I'd planned to bail once my goal was met anyway, so this might be cleaner.

'Kinda like the orphanage days...'

In my past life, I'd grown up in an orphanage.

Had to go independent at adulthood, and honestly, it was daunting.

The world was harsh, and I had nothing. Getting hit by that reincarnation truck might've been a blessing.

'This time, I'll prepare thoroughly before going solo!'

After blocking the ending first, of course.

I clenched my fists, steeling my resolve.

Uncle signed with elegant strokes while holding me in one arm. My butt kept wiggling.

I wanna sign too! Hurry and finish that paper!

“Such a pest.”

Uncle chuckled and set me down. I snatched the pen and lunged at the paper.

Ru.bi.an.

I scrawled my name carefully, dotting every letter with my crooked handwriting.

“...Worm? Iosian script?”

“It's imperial language!”

Uncle crossed his arms, peering at the paper like it was cryptic code. Ignoring him, I handed it to the waiting priest.

The church seal stamped the blank spot with a thud. And just like that...

“Legal effect activated!”

Thrilled, I jumped around waving the paper.

“You know the weirdest things.”

“Hehe.”

“Arms.”

I spread them wide, and Uncle scooped me up effortlessly.

We submitted the document to the priest and left the church.

Uncle reminded me once more, as if emphasizing.

“Like I said before, Ruby. The choice is yours.”

I recalled our talk before coming to the church.

“See if you can live with me in the north, then decide. That's why I'm not adopting you right away.”

It meant giving me the option to refuse anytime if I didn't like his home.

“I'm staying by your side anyway...”

I trailed off, hugging his neck. A low chuckle rumbled.

“Yeah. No idea why you're so attached to me.”

Not like an imprinted chick. His hand stroking the back of my head felt familiar now.

“Anyway...”

“...”

“For the time being, you're the youngest in our house.”

A bonfire lit up in my heart.

“Hehe.”

I giggled involuntarily. Uncle flicked my nose.

“Let's go. To the Jebert Duchy.”

Finally leaving this capital. With the hero!

“Yeah!”

Uncle, I'll save you for sure. So you save this world too!